SUNDAY MASS December 14, 2008

Lord God,
may we, your people,
who look forward to the birthday of Christ
experience the joy of salvation
and celebrate that feast with love and thanksgiving.
We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ,
your Son,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever.
Amen

 

Christmas Mass Schedule
Wednesday
December 24, 2008 - Christmas Eve
5:00pm Family Mass
11:10pm Pre-mass Caroling
12:00am Midnight Mass

Thursday
December 25, 2008 - Christmas Day
9:30am Mass of Christmas Day

Vigil Mass for New Year’s Day
December 31, 2008
6:00pm Mass

New Year’s Day
January 1, 2009
9:30am Mass

YOU ARE INVITED TO THE CHRISTMAS WORK PARTY
The Christmas Work Party is Saturday, December 20 from 9:00am until 3:30pm. We will be putting up trees, hanging garland, setting up the nativity, decorating and hanging wreaths, placing poinsettias, hanging lights, and cleaning up in time for 4:00pm confessions! All are invited.

 

Reflecting the Gospel

Two-year old Patrick was pushing on the kitchen table that had a fragile vase on it. His older sister Carrie told him to stop pushing on the table because he might break the vase. True to his being two, his sister’s bidding only made him push all the harder. And, yes, the vase tipped over and broke into a thousand pieces. As his mother came into the kitchen, he ran to his room in tears and fear. Soon Mother came in, took him on her lap, and told the little fellow she was angry with him because he didn’t obey, but she still loved him. With that, Patrick tearfully said he was sorry and wouldn’t do it again.
This simple act of reconciliation is replayed thousands of times each day across our families. It is a reminder that we are called to “heal the brokenhearted” and pave the way for loving encounter. This story is a reminder of our own relationship to Jesus (as those who are poor and brokenhearted) and to each other (as those who are to reach out to all those in need). This is a message of the gospel this Sunday: we are to be like John the Baptist in the Gospel, whose mission was to “testify to the light” - Christ’s presence among the people. Testimony to the light implies two things. First, it means to do good works (bring glad tidings to the poor,” “heal the brokenhearted,” etc;). By these good works we, too, bring the presence of Christ and with others. Yes, sometimes we are like the people in the gospel in that we seek the Messiah but often do not recognize his presence in our midst. The work of Advent is to intensify our good works so that we can recognize Christ in our midst; even more, it is the work of our whole Christian lives.

Parish Community News

OUR PRIVILEGE, OUR RIGHT, AND OUR DUTY

As it is written ‘Even if these forget, yet I will not forget you.’ (Is 49:15):
We in the Catholic Church in the Community of St. Patrick remember, hold in our memory, and pray for the men and women who serve in the Armed Forces especially: Ryan Thomas Blackwood, Ryan Bridges, Lonnie Brown, Nathan Brown, Douglas Bower Jr., Carlos Bustamante, Adamm Creel, Isaiah Creel, David Davis, Brad Dunn, Brian Dykeman, Bill Ellis, Adam Ferrell, Andrew Gibby, David Hannon, April Kennedy, Mike Krzmarzick, Jessica Krzmarzick (wife of Michael Krzmarzick) Johnny Lugo, Alex Martin, Ryan McInnis, John Nguyen, Robert Selner, Tarl Spencer, Leah Sundquist, Kenneth Thorpe, CJ Trillo, Jonathan Tuner, William Walsh, Erik Wiesehan and Ivan Wilson, may they be servants of Christ through service to those in need, and may they be kept safe from all harm.

PARISH SUPPORT
Parishioners of St. Patrick through the Sacrificial giving program gave to God the gift: December 7, 2008

Building Fund $542.00
Cemetery $242.00
Envelopes’ $10,415.00
Loose $942.21
Children’s $5.00
Poor $315.00
Retirement Fund Rel. $371.17
Immaculate Conception $757.46
Total $13,589.84

Mass Intentions for the Week
December 16-19, 2008

Tuesday, December 16, 2008
+George Gent by Mark & Darlene Wilmes
Wednesday, December 17, 2008
+Ron Palohike by Clair & Pat Kuppenbender
Thursday, December 18, 2008
+Frances Montecucco by Janice Simnitt
Friday, December 19, 2008
+Bill Krueger by Krueger family

 

WE NEED ALL BABY BOTTLES RETURNED
Thank you to all who returned money filled bottles to help support the Canby Pregnancy Care Center. However, many bottles have not been returned. If you still have a bottle at home, filled OR UNFILLED, please return it so that the bottle can be used again. Give it to a Knights of Columbus member before or after Mass. Thank you.

YOU ARE INVITED TO ARCHBISHOP VLAZNY’S SILVER JUBILEE CELEBRATION
Sunday, December 14, please join the entire Catholic community of western Oregon in celebrating the twenty-fifth anniversary of the Episcopal ordination of Archbishop John G. Vlazny. You and your family and friends are invited to a public Mass of Thanksgiving with Archbishop Vlazny on Sunday, December 14, 2008 at 2:30pm at the University of Portland’s Chiles Center. More than 100 priests and twenty bishops will be concelebrating the Mass. Come join the celebration. All are welcome. A public reception will follow in the Chiles Center. The university of Portland’s Chiles Center is located on the corner of N. Portsmouth Ave. and N. Willamette Blvd. in Portland. A special musical performance will begin at 1:30pm.

 

 

 

Religious Education

ADVENT JESSE SYMBOLS
Our RE children are replacing their Thanksgiving messages with their Advent Jesse Tree symbols. Information on the meaning of the Jesse Tree is coming home today with your child. The Jesse Tree is named from Isaiah 11:1: “A shoot will spring forth from the stump of Jesse, and a branch out of his roots.” It is a vehicle to tell the Story of God in the Old Testament, and to connect the Advent Season with the faithfulness of God across 4,000 years of history. The branch is the biblical sign of newness out of discouragement, which became a way to talk about the expected messiah (e.g.., Jer23:5). It is therefore an appropriate symbol of Jesus the Christ, who is the revelation of the grace and faithfulness of God. Watch for the trees to take shape in the halls for Advent.

RELIGIOUS EDUCATION
You must be registered for Religious Education unless you are in a Catholic School to be able to prepare for Sacraments. If you are receiving Sacraments this year you must provide a baptismal copy at the time of registration if you were not baptized at St Patrick. Registration forms will also be available in the Church vestibule.

SACRAMENT PREPARATION
Our classes for the Sacrament of Reconciliation are in progress. The date for First Reconciliation is January 24. First Eucharist classes will begin with Introduction Parent night, February 2 at 7pm. Enrollment for the sacramental classes are final for this year. Students wishing to enroll for next year may do so in the fall of 2009. All students receiving the sacraments must be enrolled in the religious education program one year prior to enrollment. For more information call Connie 503-266-9411.

OUR "CHRISTMAS GIVING TREE"
in the Parish Center will have gift tags to be given to our special families. The tags will be on the tree through December 14. You may leave the gift wrapped with the tag from the tree attached and bring them to the Parish Office or place them under the tree. We will pick them up daily. Thank you and have a blessed Advent and Christmas. Questions. . . Call Connie at 503-266-9411. Thursday, Dec. 18 in the Parish Center from 10am-2pm, we will be putting together the Giving Tree baskets and gifts for the families. Need an Advent project? Meet us there to help. Thank you!

BEAUTIFULLY DECORATED CHRISTMAS TREE AND WREATH
The large box beside the tree is for food donations. Each time you bring 3 cans of food, large bag of rice/beans or take a tag from the Giving Tree you will be eligible to fill out a chance to win the Santa tree or Santa wreath. Fill out the form to win and place it in the designated box for the drawing! The drawing for the tree and wreath will be at the Santa Breakfast December 13. Thank you for your gift of giving!

LIVING THE PASCHAL MYSTERY
It’s easy and comfortable to recognize Christ in the expected places and ways. When we enter the peace of a church, for example, we expect to find God. When we sit and pray in our homes, we expect to find God and have our prayers answered. All this is good. However, living the paschal mystery means that we take up the mission of Christ ourselves, that we ourselves are to be Christ for others. Especially during these final days before Christmas when everyone is so busy, we can forget that our mission is like John’s: to testify to the light. We do this by how we respond to those around us: take time to listen to the one hurting, visit those who might be forgotten, do with a little less ourselves so others might have more, take time to pray, remember to give thanks, offer a helping hand, reorganize our priorities, praise the God in others.
John’s mission was to testify to the light, the Mighty One who had come. Like John, our mission is also to testify to the light. To do this we must first recognize Christ’s presence among us. But more: when we ourselves perform good works, we make present the Savior in our world. Conversely, when we lack charity and justice we fail to witness to the light or make Christ present. The way we live does make a difference both for ourselves and for others. Thus, testimony to the light is not a matter of mere words-it requires the witness of good works and choosing what is good and avoiding evil. This is the kind of testimony that reveals Christ among us. For this we rejoice.

WHAT HAPPENING

CHILDREN’S CHRISTMAS PROGRAM
You are invited to our St. Patrick’s Children’s Christmas Program
When: December 15
Time: 7:00pm
Place: St. Patrick Parish Center
Who is invited: EVERYONE!
Hot Chocolate, Coffee and Cookies for refreshments. Cookies for the sharing table are welcome. Please come and enjoy a wonderful program.

CHOIR NEWS
Our St. Patrick Choir has been rehearsing since October in preparation for our Christmas liturgies. You are invited to come listen, participate and enjoy. On Christmas Eve, the choir will begin its beautiful music promptly at 11:10pm, so as to allow sufficient time for congregation carol-singing interspersed with special choral music. If you are planning to attend Midnight Mass, be sure to come 50 minutes earlier not only to enjoy the spectacular music, but also to support our church choir in its ministry. The 9:30am Mass on Christmas Day will consist primarily of congregational singing, with limited choir participation.

ALSO: There is one other wonderful opportunity for you to listen to and support our church choir. On Sunday, December 28, at 7:00pm, we will be sharing our music at the Grotto’s Annual Christmas Festival of Lights. If you’ve never attended this event, give yourselves a special treat and come on Dec. 28. The gates are open from 5:00pm-9:30pm for you to enjoy the lights, theatrical performances, petting zoo and puppet shows. Music performances take place in the Chapel of Mary which is renowned for its incredible acoustics, attracting 150 musical performances between Nov 28 and Dec. 30. Our choir members would be delighted to see as many parishioners as possible in attendance. Please come!
Where: The Grotto, NE 85th & Sandy Blvd; free parking
When: Sunday, December 28, 7:00pm
Cost: $7.50 general admission, $3.00 children 3-12; children 2 & under free
Thank you for your support! For more information, contact Lora Heli at 503-263-3840.

CHILDREN’S CHOIR
The Children’s Choir, open to children from kindergarten through middle school, will have its last 2 rehearsals in the church on Sunday, Dec. 14 & 21 following the 11:00am Mass–app. 12:20 to 1pm to shortly thereafter. It is not too late to come and join in singing for the Family Mass on Christmas Eve (5pm) as well as for the Feast of the Epiphany on Jan 4 at the 11:00am Mass. There is still a special place for you to share your talents with our parish community. Please join us! For more information, Please call Lora Heli 503-263-3840.

KEEP CHRIST IN CHRISTMAS CARD SALES
Buy and send religious Christmas cards to spread the TRUE MEANING OF CHRISTMAS to family and friends. The parish Knights of Columbus will be selling religious Christmas cards at reasonable prices at each weekend Mass through December 14.

What's Happening

December 14-20, 2008
Sunday
9:45am Religious Education Grades 1-5
11:00am Preschool/Nursery
12:20pm Children’s Choir practice
1:30pm Women’s Club Cookie Exchange
3:00pm Spanish RCIC
4:00pm Youth Group
5:00pm Hispanic Bible Study
Monday
7:00pm Christmas Play
Tuesday
6:00pm practice with Hispanic Community children
7:00pm Mass
Wednesday
7:00pm RCIA & Journey in Faith & Adult Scripture class
Thursday
12:00noon Eucharistic Adoration
6:30pm Spanish RCIA
6:30pm Spanish RE
8:00pm Benediction
Friday
7:00am Marian Prayer Group
7:00pm Hispanic Prayer Group
Saturday
9:00am Christmas work party in the church

 

The spirit of the Lord God
is upon me,
because the Lord
had anointed me.
Isaiah 61:1

 

 

 

 

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