SUNDAY MASS March 22, 2009

Father of peace,
we are joyful in your Word,
your Son Jesus Christ,
who reconciles us to you.
Let us hasten toward Easter
with the eagerness of faith and love.
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

SECOND COLLECTION - TODAY
THE CATHOLIC RELIEF SERVICES COLLECTION
The State Department estimates that nearly 5 million people have been displaced, forced to leave their homes, because of the war in Iraq. The Catholic Relief Services Collection supports resettlement services for refugees, serves victims of human trafficking, and provides pastoral care and advocacy. Of the 50,000 total refugees authorized to enter the United States in 2007, nearly one-third were helped by USCCB Migration and Refugee Services, one organization receiving funds from the Collection. Please be generous in today’s collection.

SPECIAL BULLETIN DEADLINE
The bulletin for next Sunday, March 29 will be published early. If you have an item you would like to include in this bulletin, please have your item into the Parish Office no later than Monday, March 23. You can email your item to dnewbury@canby.com or bring your hand written item into the main office.

PLAN AHEAD: PARISH CAMPOUT
Thanks to Joe Boyd and the generosity of the Knight of Columbus, we are able to announce the parish campout. We have reserved limited sites at Waterloo Park near Sweet Home from July 24-26. There will be full hook-up and tent sites available this year. For information or to reserve your spot please contact Adriana Baurer at 971-216-9073 or Joe Boyd at jlboyd01@yahoo.com.

LENTEN FRIDAY NIGHT SOUP SUPPERS AND STATIONS OF THE CROSS
This Friday, March 27 at 6:00pm, the Hispanic Prayer Group will prepare and serve a soup supper in the Parish Center followed by the Hispanic Catechists presenting the Stations of the Cross in the Church.

LENTEN PENANCE SERVICE
The Lenten Penance Service is scheduled for Wednesday, April 1 at 7:30p.m. As we approach the great Easter Celebration, let us come prepared with clean hearts and souls, united in love and service to one another. Join us for the Lenten Penance Service Wednesday, April 1, 2009.

 

 

 

Reflecting the Gospel

Jesus is present in this Sunday’s gospel only at the beginning and end of the story. In the larger, center portion of the story, Jesus is not present at all; the focus is on the blind man who can now see. It is telling that the name of the pool where the man washed the mud off his eyes and regained his sight is “Siloam,” which means “sent.” It is the man born blind who is “sent” to bear the Good News, comes to believe, and witnesses to Jesus as one who comes from God. In their first encounter in the gospel, Jesus gives the blind man physical sight. But only in their second encounter are we told that Jesus gives the man much more: the eyes of faith by which he sees Jesus as the Son of Man. In both encounters Jesus comes to the man, who is open to what Jesus has to offer. Yes, recovery of physical sight was more easily accomplished; spiritual insight is more difficult. Jesus seeks out and asks, “Do you believe. . .?” The restoration of the blind man’s physical sight culminates in the spiritual insight (faith) that Jesus is the “Son of Man” worthy of worship. But getting to that point is difficult: he is unrecognized by friends, challenged by authorities, unsupported by parents, expelled from the synagogue. Yet with each obstacle his vision of faith if sharpened and his resolve is strengthened. Only spiritual insight attains the goal of faith: worship of Jesus. Jesus’ disciples see the blind man and raise a theological issue-“Rabbi, who sinned?” Jesus, on the other hand, sees the blind man and responds to him as a true “shepherd” and restores his sight. The man’s blindness is not the consequence of human choice (sin), but is simply a fact of the human condition. The man represents all human beings; we are all born “blind.” Christ is the light who opens our eyes to see. Like the man, we can choose to see what Christ has revealed or, like the Pharisees, we can choose not to see and that is the real sin. Sin does not cause physical blindness; sin does cause spiritual blindness. The blind man’s story is the story of every Christian: we grope for faith in the midst of adversities; and Jesus comes to find us. This is our work during Lent: to be open to Jesus, who comes to us and helps us to see, brings us to deeper faith. All this, so that we can worship God with renewed fervor.

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, Jordan Morelli, 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: March 15, 2009

FUNDS COLLECTED FOR OTHERS
Cemetery $25.00
St. Vincent dePaul $92.00
Total: $117.00

COLLECTIONS FOR PARISH OPERATING EXPENSES
Envelopes’ $6825.00
Loose $474.63
Children’s $12.00
Poor $40.00
Building Fund $28.00
Total $7379.63

MASS INTENTIONS OF THE WEEK
March 17-20, 2008

Tuesday, March 24 , 2009
+Joan Newman by Mr. & Mrs. Clair Kuppenbender
Wednesday, March 25, 2009
+Joanne Battilega by BP & MK Lally
Thursday, March 26, 2009
+Bill Krueger by Krueger family
Friday, March 27, 2009
+Dick Brown by Robert Sanvitale

CHILDREN’S CHOIR
Children of the parish are invited to gather once again to practice for two upcoming liturgies: First Communion on Sunday, April 26 at 1:00pm and Mother’s Day, Sunday, May 10 at 11:00am. Rehearsals will be on the following Sundays: March 29 and April 5 & 9 from 12:15-1:00pm (or as soon as the 11:00am Mass is finished and for about 45 minutes). Please come and help beautify these liturgies with your singing. For more information, call Lora Heli at 503-263-3840.

ARE YOU INTERESTED IN SERVING OUR LORD THROUGH THE MINISTRY OF MUSIC?
You are invited to share your talents by joining the Adult Choir, open to parishioners high school age and above, in preparation for the liturgies of the Triduum and Easter. Rehearsals take place on Saturday mornings in the church, beginning at 9:30am.

LOST AND FOUND
Have you lost a few items in church lately? We have a small collection of items growing in the back of church. Here is a list of items that we have currently collected: eye glasses, children’s books, hats, hair bands, a child’s shoe, mirror, and a water container. These items can be found in the basket located in the book shelf in the vestibule of the church. If you are missing a piece of Jewelry, you can find these items in the Parish Office.

 

 

 

 

Religious Education

NO CLASS FOR RELIGIOUS EDUCATION PROGRAM
Sunday, March 22. Classes will resume on March 29. Have a wonderful Spring Break!

LENTEN PROJECT FOR RELIGIOUS EDUCATION AND YOUTH
The Religious Education Students are collecting personal items for the Food Bank, Canby Community Center and the Canby Schools. The following are the items requested: Shampoo, soap (for dishes, clothes and body) tooth brushes/tooth paste, toilet paper, paper towels, Feminine Hygiene products, Shaving cream/shavers (male and female). Towels and wash clothes (new and used). School program: children size shoes (can be used), new underwear and socks. These items can be left in the large purple box (labeled personal items) in the vestibule of the church or brought to the classroom. Thank you so much for helping make this a better world to live in for everyone! For living out Eucharist! The deadline for collecting items will be April 5th.

FIRST EUCHARIST PARENT/CHILD MEETING
This is an early note! Mark your calendars for Monday evening, APRIL 6 at 7:00pm in room 7/8. This meeting will be a planning meeting to discuss events for First Eucharist! Thank you.

 

EVENTS AROUND THE AREA

MISERERE MEI ~ THE MUSIC OF LENT AND HOLY WEEK
Palm Sunday, April 5 at 3:00pm. At St. Stephen’s Catholic Church - 1112 SE 41st Ave., Portland, OR. Sung by Cantores In Ecclesia - Blake Applegate, Director. Featuring the Lamentations of Jeremiah by Tudor composer. Other music will include pieces by Byrd, Bruckner, Lotti, Morales, Palestrina and Victoria, as well as Gregorian settings of Lenten texts. For advance tickets, visit brownpapertickets.com, Cantoresinecclesia.org, or call 1-800-838-3006.

MOUNT ANGEL ABBEY 3RD ANNUAL FESTIVAL OF ARTS AND WINE: A Fund raising event for the Abbey Library.
Saturday, June 20, 2009 from 2-5pm at Mount Angel Abbey (St. Benedict, Oregon). Highlights-Northwest wines, 15th century Books of Hours exhibit, art exhibition of William Henry Price paintings, tours of the celebrated Abbey Library, special hors d’oeuvres provided by local restaurants and Abbey chef Hans d’Alessio and an Auction. General Admission $50/each. Patron Admission $125/each ($75 tax-deductible). Tickets may be purchased by email, phone or online. Email: FAWT@mtangel.edu. Telephone: 800-845-8272 or 503-845-3066. Web: www.mountangelabbey.org/festival-arts-wine.htm.

CHRISTIAN IN THE WORLD’S last in the series on “Celebrating the Year of Saint Paul” will be held at the Mount Angel Abbey Library Auditorium on April 4, 2009. Sister Jeanette von Hermann, O.S.B. will be speaking on Paul’s Use of Scripture. Registration begins at 8:45am. First presentation 9:00am; second presentation at 10:30am; followed by private meditation, noon prayer and Dialogue with the Speaker from 12:15pm to 1:15pm. Lunch and fellowship follow. Cost is $15 for each session. If you wish to have lunch, you may place your order at the time of registration. For further information call: Charlene Schnurbusch, 503-363-4555 or Cecile Beckerman 503-393-5041.

27TH ANNUAL SUMMER CONFERENCE
Are you looking for time to refresh, renew, and refocus your life? Join us for Summer Conference 2009 - a retreat set on the University of Portland campus that welcomes families, singles, clergy and lay people of all ages for fives days of study, prayer, and play. This year’s theme, “The Prophetic Call of Modern Christians, is presented by Paulist priest and Old Testament scholar, Fr. Larry Boadt, CSP. Complete details are available in the brochure available online at www.summerconf.org.

WHAT HAPPENING

THE SECOND SCRUTINY
Today we celebrate with The Elect and our Candidates the Second Scrutiny. In the Liturgy of the Word we are immersed into the story of the Man Born Blind. A man who has lived his entire life blind to all that the world God has created has to offer him, hears something in the voice and words of Jesus which leads him to hope that there is a way out of his darkness. Called by Jesus, he is given his sight that he might live now, rejoicing in God and celebrating the wonders he has to offer,
As we enter into this story we should not be surprised to find that we, each one of us, are this blind man. Sin keeps us all from seeing what God has to offer us yet sin is no barrier for God through his beloved Son, Jesus. In him we are freely and joyfully given the gift of sight through the forgiveness of sin.
The Elect will stand before our Christian Community, in the presence of the priest; who is the representative of Jesus for the people, who offers the prayers of the whole Christian Community, the Church, and who witnesses to God’s saving action, supported by their sponsors; who represent each and every one of the Baptized Believers ready to testify as to the sincerity of heart of each of the Elect, to receive the healing, strengthening prayers of Exorcism. The priest will pray that these and all the Elect be freed from the false values that surround and blind them that they may stand firmly in the truth, children of the Light.
This is the prayer of the Church. This is the prayer of you and of me. This is the desire we must strive for for all people who live in the darkness, fear and isolation brought on by sin. This is our own prayer for ourselves.
This Lent, as we journey to the Cross and the Resurrection with our Elect and Candidates, may we stand with them as we seek God’s strength and light in our own hearts and lives. May we all rejoice in God’s light that we may be staunch and fearless witnesses to the faith of Christ Jesus.

WORK PARTY PLANNED
A work party has been planned for Saturday, March 28 starting at 9:00am to help clean up the grounds around the church. We will be weeding the flower beds and spreading bark dust. Both young and old and everyone in between are welcome and encouraged to come and help with this important project. Many hands will make for light work. If you are willing to help, please bring yard tools and wheelbarrows.

LIVING THE PASCHAL MYSTERY
Like the man born blind, in our baptism we are washed and can see anew. We are transformed from not seeing (sinners) to seeing; from darkness to being children of the light. And also like the man born blind, we are sent to bear the Good News and through our encounters with Jesus come to believe.
Our being send and witnessing to the Good News of Christ doesn’t have to be in such extraordinary, controversial circumstances as the man born blind. Our witness unfolds in the everyday actions of our lives, when we “produce every kind of goodness and righteousness and truth”. Daily we awake to our destiny to be children of light. We, too, must meet life’s obstacles not as daunting but as challenging us to deeper faith and more authentic workshop.

What's Happening in the week...

March 22-28, 2009
Sunday
NO RELIGIOUS EDUCATION THIS WEEK DUE TO SPRING BREAK
11:30am Dismissal
3:00pm Hispanic RCIC
5:00pm Hispanic Bible Study
Monday
9:15am Bible Study
7:00pm Hispanic Prayer Group Choir practice
7:00pm Men’s Spirituality Group
Tuesday
7:00pm Tuesday evening Mass
Wednesday
NO RCIA, JOURNEY IN FAITH OR FAITH SHARING
Thursday
12:00noon Eucharistic Adoration
7:00pm Bible Study
NO HISPANIC RELIGIOUS EDUCATION OR RCIA
8:00pm Benediction
Friday
7:00am Marian Prayer Group
5:30pm Hispanic Prayer Group choir practice
6:00pm Soup Supper & Stations of the Cross
7:00pm Hispanic Prayer Group

The Lord is my shepherd;
there is nothing
I shall want

 

 

 

 

 

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