SUNDAY MASS February 15, 2009

God our Father,
you have promised to remain for ever
with those who do what is just and right.
Help us to live in your presence.
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

IN SYMPATHY
Please keep in your prayers Earl Brockman the Father of Jeff Brockman and
Margaret McCamsland, mother of Betty McCall who passed away this past week. May they be welcomed into heaven by our loving God.

PRESIDENT’S DAY
The Archdiocese Pastoral Center and St. Patrick Parish Office will be closed on Monday, February 16 for Present’s Day.

ASH WEDNESDAY MASS SCHEDULE
Our Mass schedule for Ash Wednesday, February 25th will be:
8:00am Mass
10:30am Mass at Hope Village
7:00pm Mass

SPECIAL COLLECTION ON ASH WEDNESDAY
In the Church in Central and Eastern Europe, Catholics face many challenges. The strength of this Church is based on its belief in the power of the Spirit of Love, which has sustained it through trials and energized it for change. Stand in solidarity and make a difference to your Catholic brothers and sisters in Georgia, Ukraine, Estonia, Poland, Serbia, Latvia, Belarus, and other distant places. Please be generous in next week’s Collection with your gifts to this unique and faithful part of the Church.

LENT IS RIGHT ROUND THE CORNER
Our season of Lenten observance begins Wednesday, February 25th with Ash Wednesday. With Lent comes our parishes Friday Night Soup Suppers and Stations of the Cross. Groups, organizations or individual families are asked to sign up to provide either a simple soup supper or lead the Stations of the Cross following the meal. Contact Sara at 503-266-9411 to reserve your Friday Night.

 

 

 

Reflecting the Gospel

It was a rainy summer Saturday, and Aaron, like most six-year-olds, was cooped up in the house but wanted to be outdoors playing with his friends. Feisty and boisterous, he had teased his little sister just one too many times. In exasperation, his mother turned to him and declared sternly, “You’re in the doghouse.” Aaron quickly retorted, “No, I’m not, that’s outside; I’m in here in our house.” Aaron took his mother’s metaphor literally, but still understood its meaning: the doghouse put him outside and he was inside. This Sunday’s gospel tells of a leper who approaches Jesus, seeking to move from being outside and excluded to being inside and included. The transformation Jesus makes in the leper goes even further. Lepers in biblical times were required to proclaim “unclean” and live in social and religious isolation from the community. The leper in the gospel, excluded from the community, understandably approached Jesus with doubt: “If you wish. . .” Jesus, however, has no doubt about his response, for his purpose in coming among us was to show the compassion of God for the outcast: “I do will it.” Jesus’ compassion gave the leper what he deeply wished-to be made clean, yes, but also to once again be included in the social and religious life of the community. Further, the leper in the gospel, now “made clean” engages with the community by proclaiming the Good News of having been healed: he “began to publicize the whole matter.” Encounter with Jesus transforms the man and the way he acts in two ways. He goes from isolation to religious and social inclusion. He also becomes a disciple as he “spread the report abroad.” Our own encounters with Jesus bring us to the same community of inclusion and discipleship. Jesus touches us in the same way today, drawing us into community and enabling us to do the same for others. So deep was Jesus’ compassion, that he even risked his own exclusion: “He remained outside in deserted places.” Ultimately, Jesus’ compassion brought him to the most serious isolation and exclusion of all: he was nailed to a cross between two thieves. “I do will it.” Jesus wills for us nothing less than what he gave to the leper: to “be made clean,” that is, to share in the fruits of his cross and resurrection. This is Good News, indeed, and we, like the leper, cannot help but publicize it abroad.

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: February 8, 2009

Building Fund $224.00
Cemetery $
Envelopes’ $8027.00
Loose $423.01
Children’s $6.00
Poor $150.00
Unemployment Fund $620.00
Total $9450.01

I turn to you, Lord,
in time of trouble,
and you fill me with the joy of salvation.
Ps alm 32

 

 

 

MASS INTENTIONS OF THE WEEK
February 17-20, 2008

Tuesday, February 17, 2009
+Bob Cruse by Bob & Sue Sheveland
Wednesday, February 18, 2009
+Virginia Carroll by Chuck & Charlotte Hammack
Thursday, February 19, 2009
+Joanne Battilega by BP & MK Lally
Friday, February 20, 2009
+George Gent by Mark & Darlene Wilmes

LIVING THE PASCHAL MYSTERY

The gospel begins with a leper-one who cries “Unclean!” and must remain a social outcast. The gospel ends with Jesus taking upon himself the infirmities of humanity symbolized by his “remaining outside in deserted places.” Living the paschal mystery means changing “if you wish” to “I do will it” and then having heaped upon ourselves the infirmities of humanity.
Jesus commands the leper to tell no one; the leper tells everyone. Jesus’ commission to us is to tell everyone the Good News - do we tell no one? We must change our “wish” to “I do will it.” Paschal mystery living means taking up our cross and actually doing what Jesus did-willing the good of others. In this we, too, risk isolation: being snubbed by our coworkers, being laughed at by people who think we are just religious fanatics, being ridiculed because we give of our time and possessions for the good of others. Risking this isolation in paschal mystery living, however, gains for us everything: community in the Body of Christ.

 

 

 

 

Religious Education

NO CLASS for Religious Education classes this weekend, February 15th. Teachers are on retreat! See you all next Sunday, February 22.

DEAR PARENTS, our attendance has dropped off since Christmas. I know the flu is going around and many of our children have been ill. We miss you! We hope to see all of you in class next week! God Bless you and Happy Valentines day from all the Religious Education Teachers!

FIRST EUCHARIST PARENT NIGHT MARCH 2
at 7:00pm in the Parish Center. Father John will be our presenter for another evening with parents and parishioners. His topic will be “LIVING THE EUCHARIST.” Please come join us. It will be a wonderful opportunity to help us with Lenten preparations!

SPECIAL MESSAGE FOR PARISHIONERS OF ST. PATRICK
To all the community of St. Patrick, please pray for our children who will be receiving the sacrament of First Eucharist on April 26 at 1:00pm: Grant Everson, Gavin Kelly, Tyler Marsh, Isabella Parker, John Paul Phan, Rose Phillips, Luis Rodriguez, Sonia Rodriquez, Jose Rodriquez, Brianna Sundquist and Jennifer Tibbetts.

RELIGIOUS EDUCATION PARENT MEETING MARCH 8 - 9:45-10:45am. ALL PARENTS OF PRESCHOOL THRU HIGH SCHOOL
At this special meeting we will be discussing the coming events happening in our parish for the remainder of the year. Some of the topics will be the Reception for First Eucharist on April 26. First grade parents will be asked to help with the reception. Our End of the Year Celebration on May 3. We will need parental help with organizing this event. The Religious Education Garage Sale (date to be announced). All proceeds will go to the High School Youth Program. Many hands are needed for this event. Vacation Bible School which has been scheduled for July 20-24. This is a huge event! MANY HANDS ARE NEEDED TO MAKE THESE EVENTS HAPPEN! A letter will be mailed out regarding all of this information. ALL PARISHIONERS ARE INVITED! Thank you for all you do as a parish! We are a vibrant community with so many areas in which to answer Gods call! For more information please call Connie Bilton-Smith at 503-266-9411.

EVENTS AROUND THE AREA

THE WOUNDED VISITOR
LENTEN DAY OF RECOLLECTION
For those who minister to the sick and elderly in any capacity
Date: Friday, March 13, 2009
Time: 9:30am to 2:30pm
Location: St. Henry Parish - 346 NW First, McMahon Room, #393, Gresham, OR 97030
Presenter: Rev. Rick Sirianni
Cost: $15.00 which includes lunch
Pre-registration is required - Mail your registration to: Day of Recollection - Catholic Charities- 231 SE 12th ave, Portland, OR 97214 - Sponsored by Catholic Charities Ministry to the Elderly Committee.

MEN’S WEEKEND RETREAT -
March 27-29, 2009
“God’s Wonderful Covenants” with Benedictine monk Father Odo Recker, OSB at Our Lady of Peace Retreat House in Beaverton. This retreat will begin on Friday at 7:00pm with dinner and end after lunch on Sunday. The suggested donation for the retreat is $120.00 which includes the program, meals and lodging. To register or for more information, please visit our website at www.olpretreat.org or contact the retreat house at 503-649-7127 or email sisters@olpretreat.org.

FRANCISCAN SPIRITUAL CENTER RETREAT EVENTS:
CELTIC LENTEN RETREAT
SATURDAY, March 21 from 10:00am-3:00pm
A day of quiet reflection, prayerful relaxation, music and meditative reading with time to walk the Labyrinth or enjoy healing message. This pause in our Lenten journey invites us to visit the rich tradition of Celtic prayer, and to open our hearts and minds to God’s immanent presence. Cost: $35 includes lunch. To register, call 503-794-8542 or email info@francisspctr.com. For more information, visit www.francisspctr.com.

WHAT HAPPENING

MEN’S CLUB BREAKFAST
Come and enjoy a wonderful breakfast hosted by St. Patrick Men’s Club next Sunday, February 22 following the Masses in the Parish Center. Come and enjoy a wonderful breakfast of ham, eggs, pancakes, biscuits and gravy, orange juice, coffee and hot chocolate. Cost will be: Adults: $4.50, children 6-12: $3.00. Proceeds benefit the Men’s Club Scholarship Fund. After breakfast stay and enjoy the Ladies Club Game event. See more information below.

A FAMILY SUNDAY EVENT
St. Patrick Ladies Club is sponsoring a Family Game afternoon on Sunday, February 22nd starting at 1:00pm in the Parish Center following the Men’s Club Breakfast. The ladies will provide games, coffee and punch. Bring your favorite snack. All parishioners are invited to this special afternoon.

SHROVE TUESDAY
Come and enjoy a pancake dinner on Shrove Tuesday, February 24th from 6:00pm to 8:00pm in the Parish Center. Pancakes with strawberries, sausage, apple sauce, juice & coffee. Adults $4.00, children 12 and under $2.00 and preschool children free. This special dinner is put on by the Women’s club, Men’s club and Knights of Columbus.

DRIVERS NEEDED FOR FOOD BANK
Are you looking for a place to volunteer during the week day? St. Vincent dePaul Food Bank is looking for 2 people who would be willing to pick up frozen food for the food bank on Wednesday mornings. If you are interested and would like to help, please contact Bill Patton at 503-266-2476.

MIDDLE SCHOOL MINISTRY LOCK IN PLANNED
Journey in Faith students, mark your calendar on Friday, February 20th for a night of fun and games. The Lock In is for students in grades 6-8. It begins at 7:00pm Friday and ends at 8:00am on Saturday morning. We will need adult volunteers to help with set up on Friday afternoon, to chaperone in shifts throughout the night, donations of prizes for games such as: MP3 players, movie tickets, movie DVD, gift certificates, cooks for the breakfast Saturday morning, February 21st and clean up crews on Saturday morning. Please contact Connie at the Parish Office if you can help.

KC CRAB FEED AND AUCTION - ANOTHER SUCCESSFUL EVENT
The Knights of Columbus would like to thank all the parishioners of St. Patrick’s who supported this year’s charity auction. Again you came through with creating 56 baskets for our event! The entire event enabled us to raise about $24,000 for our many deserving charities and activities. This amount includes a $5540 paddle raiser for a 91 school teacher who has bone cancer. We hope all of you got your fill of crab and enjoyed your evening with family and friends. Mark your calendars now for next year’s event on February 6, 2010.

PRESIDENTS DAY BLESSING
Dear God,
we ask today for your blessing on our president.
Enlighten his mind, so that he makes wise decisions
that affect us and the world.
Enkindle in his soul a thirst for justice,
not only based upon a party platform,
but upon the eternal truths you have revealed to us.
Inspire him to look upon the most vulnerable of us,
and treat the unborn, the poor, and those seen as worthless, as deserving every right and dignity given to men and women created in your image.
Amen

What's Happening

February 15-20, 2009
Sunday
11:30am Dismissal
3:00pm Hispanic RCIC
4:00pm Faith in Action
5:00pm Hispanic Bible Study
Monday
9:15am Bible Study
7:00pm Hispanic Prayer Group Choir practice
7:00pm Charismatic Prayer Group
Tuesday
7:00pm Tuesday evening Mass
7:00pm Knights of Columbus
7:00pm Hispanic Prayer Group choir practice
Wednesday
7:00pm Journey in Faith, RCIA & Adult Faith sharing
Thursday
12:00noon Eucharistic Adoration
6:30pm Hispanic R.E.P., RCIA
7:00pm Bible Study
8:00pm Benediction
Friday
7:00am Marian Prayer Group
5:30pm Hispanic Prayer Group choir practice
7:00pm Hispanic Prayer Group
7:00pm Junior High Lock-In until Saturday, February 21 @ 8am.

 

 

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