SUNDAY MASS November 16, 2008

Father of all that is good,
keep us faithful in serving you,
for to serve you is our lasting joy.
We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ,
your Son,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, forever and ever.
Amen

 

ST. PATRICK HOLIDAY BAZAAR
St. Patrick Holiday Bazaar is this weekend, November 15 from 9-5pm and November 16 from 9am-2pm. Please stop by for gourmet foods, home and garden products and hand made Christmas decoration and gifts. A delicious lunch is also being served by the Ladies Club.

SECOND COLLECTION: CATHOLIC CAMPAIGN FOR HUMAN DEVELOPMENT - November 23, 2008
The Catholic Campaign for Human Development builds community, defends the lives and dignity of the poor, and addresses the root causes of poverty. The Campaign embodies the vision and hope of Catholic social teaching and enables Catholics to become agents of compassion and solidarity. Please give generously by using the attached envelope.

MONTHLY MASS AT HOPE VILLAGE
Wednesday, November 19 is the monthly Mass at Hope Village. You are invited to join in celebrating Mass with those members of our parish community who are unable to join us at our regular Sunday liturgies. The Mass is held in the Library of the Assisted Living section of Hope Village. Mass time is 10:30am.

SANTA CLAUS BREAKFAST - DECEMBER 13, 2008
Tickets go on sale next Sunday, November 23 for this special breakfast. Menu: homemade cinnamon rolls, scrambled eggs, ham, hashbrowns, O.J., coffee, chocolate. Prices: adults $5.50, children $4.50.

SANTA CLAUS BREAKFAST TALENT SHOW
The Santa Claus Breakfast is Saturday, December 13, and we are excited to have a kid’s talent show again this year. Do you love to sing, dance, have a skit or funny act to perform? We would love to have you. Please call Cortney Tamimi at 503-266-3479 or email at cortneytamimi@yahoo.com. There will be one rehearsal on Sunday, December 7th at 12:30pm. Ho! Ho! Ho!

 

Reflecting the Gospel

The motivation-the real push-for preparing well for something is often the immediacy of the event itself. For example, a student studying for final exams might put it off until the “last hour,” then stay up all night to cram; or expectant parents might wait to ready the nursery for the birth of a baby until the ninth month. Because Christ’s Second Coming seems remote, we are not as motivated to prepare; yet the church reminds us at this time of the liturgical year how important this preparation is.
The gospel is a parable about what disciples need to do while awaiting the return of “the master” and reminds us that in our Christian living we cannot put off our preparation. Whether it is doing simple domestic chores or investing great sums of money, the duty of disciple is the same: faithfulness in all matters. As disciples we must use the gift given us to further God’s kingdom; this is how we prepare for the return of “The master.” Then, we will have no fear of the final judgement for we will share our Master’s joy. And if God can name the doubling of five or two talents a “small matter,” then how incalculable must be what God holds in store for us!
The wealth of God has no limits; neither are there limits to what God shares with us. What a remarkable God! What kind of master entrusts this slaves with this kind of wealth! What kind of God shares divine life with adopted children? Ultimately this is what Jesus has been trying to tell us all these Sundays in these parables about the kingdom. God lavishes on us divine life. God’s life isn’t a quantity to be measured, however, like talents. God’s life is a relationship that can never be exhausted. We can never have “sufficient” talents. The curious thing about God’s generosity with divine Life is that the richer in it we become, the more likely we are to be faithful in the small matters so we can grow in what we already have. No, the number of talents we have really doesn’t matter in the face of God’s gifts, which are incalculable-ultimately, a share in the “master’s joy,” the messianic banquet.

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:

November 9, 2008
Building Fund $140.00
Cemetery $
Envelopes’ $7796.00
Loose $376.45
Children’s $3.00
Poor $20.00
Total $8515.45

 

Only goodness and kindness
follow me
all the days of my life.
Psalm 23:5

MASS SCHEDULE

Mass Intentions for the Week
November 18-21, 2008
Tuesday, November 18, 2008
+Larry Housen by the Hannan family
Wednesday, November 19, 2008
+Bob Cruse by Bob & Sue Sheveland
Thursday, November 20, 2008
For all the faithful departed
Friday, November 21, 2008
+Ted Tokarski by Linda, Jerry & Ashley Baker

 

EVENTS AROUND THE AREA

BABY BOTTLE FUNDRAISER DEADLINE
If you took home a plastic baby bottle in October to collect money to support the Canby Pregnancy Care Center, we ask that you return it, filled or unfilled. We would like to complete the fundraising by Nov. 30. Place the bottle in the basket in the back of the church. Thank you to those who have already contributed.

MONASTERY MUSTARD. . .the perfect gift to spice up your holiday gift giving.
If you are looking for a unique “Oregon” gift, without breaking the bank, consider Monastery Mustard made locally by our own Benedictine Sisters of Mt. Angel. Their award winning mustard varieties are now available in 9 flavors, something to please every palate. With names like Devoutly Dill, Glorious Garlic and Heavenly Honey, it has to be good. Mustard can be ordered on line at Monastery Mustard.com or purchased directly at the Shalom Prayer Center bookstore on the monastery grounds in Mt. Angel. It is not every day that a great gift idea coincides with the advancement of Catholic ministry. Consider including MONASTERY MUSTARD in your holiday gift giving! If you have questions, contact Jo Recht at 503-266-4538.

THELMA’S PLACE- OPEN HOUSE. . . A Community of Caring. .one Mind at a time.
On Wednesday, December 3 from 11am to 1:30pm. If you are an overwhelmed caregiver or worried about Early Memory Loss, please join us and find out how Thelma’s Place, 352 NW 2nd Avenue, Canby - a non-profit resource and respite center, can help. Light snacks and refreshments provided. For more information, please contact Niki Umbenhower, Executive Director, 503-266-5100 or visit their website at www.thelmasplace.org.

THANKSGIVING DINNER
St. John the Apostle Catholic Church at 417 Washington Street, Oregon City will have a Thanksgiving Day dinner on THURSDAY, November 27, 2008 from 12:00 noon to 3:00 pm. A free meal will be provided at the parish hall for the homeless, parish members, families, singles and those in need of company. ALL are welcome to attend at no cost. For more information contact: S. John the Apostle Parish at: 503-742-8202.

 

 

Religious Education

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.

RECONCILIATION PARENTS AND PARISHIONERS OF ALL AGES.....
Our own Father John Waldron will be doing a presentation Dec. 1, Monday evening at 7PM, in the parish center. Father John will be speaking on the history of the sacrament of reconciliation and the preparation of our hearts and souls for our upcoming Advent Reconciliation Service Dec. 3 at 7:30 PM. Please come to spend an evening with Father John in preparation of Advent!

DEAR RELIGIOUS EDUCATION FAMILIES, THE DATE FOR OUR CHRISTMAS PROGRAM HAS BEEN CHANGED TO DEC. 15TH at 7PM. Please mark your calendars. We are hoping the change will give us more time to make the evening special for your children and family. The evening will be in the parish center on stage! Please invite all of your family and especially grandparents! This is a parish event! Thank you. If you would like to help with the play or reception please call Connie 503-266-9411.

OUR "CHRISTMAS GIVING TREE" in the parish center will have gift tags on it for presents which will be given to special families. The tags will be on the tree during Advent, starting Nov. 30th. Lists for families will be available at that time, if you know of a family who might need help please sign them up and leave in the envelope designated for special families. Thank you for your giving spirit! If you have any questions please call Connie 503-266-9411.

SACRAMENT PREPARATION Our classes for the Sacrament of Reconciliation are in progress. The date for First Reconciliation is January 24th. 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.

THE QUILT
As I faced my Maker at the last judgment, I knelt before the Lord along with all the other souls. Before each of us, our life was laid out like the squares of a quilt in many piles. An angel sat before each of us sewing our quilt squares together into a tapestry that was our life. But as my angel took each piece of cloth off the pile, I noticed how ragged and empty each of my squares were. They were filled with giant holes. Each square was labeled with a part of my life that had been difficult, the challenges and temptations I was faced with in everyday life. I saw hardships that I had endured, which were the largest holes of all.
I glanced around me. Nobody else had such squares. Other than a tiny hole here and there, the other tapestries were filled with rich color and the bright hues of worldly fortune. I gazed upon my own life and was disheartened. My angel was sewing the ragged pieces of cloth together, threadbare and empty, like binding air.
Finally, the time came when each life was to be displayed, held up to the light, the scrutiny of truth. The others rose; each in turn, holding up their tapestries. So filled their lives had been. My angel looked upon me, and nodded for me to rise.
My gaze dropped to the ground in shame. I hadn’t had all the earthly fortunes. I had love in my life, and laughter. But there had also been trials of illness, misfortune, and false accusations that look from me my world as I knew it. I had to start over many times. I had often struggled with the temptation to quit, only to somehow muster the strength to pick up and begin again. I had spent many nights on my knees in prayer, asking for help and guidance in my life. I had often been held up to ridicule, which I had endured painfully, each time offering it up to the Father in hopes that I would not melt within my skin beneath the judgmental gaze of those who had unfairly judged me.
And now, I had to face the truth. My life was what it was, and I had to accept it for what it was. I rose and slowly lifted the combined squares of my life to the light. An awe-filled gasp filled the air. I gazed around at the others, who were staring at me with wide eyes.
Then, I looked upon the tapestry before me. Light flooded the many holes, creating an image, the face of Christ. Then our Lord stood before me, with warmth and love in His eyes. He said, “Every time you gave over your life to Me, it became my life, My hardships, and my struggles. Each point of life in your life is when you stepped aside and let me shine through, until there was more of Me than there was of you.”
From: Parish Secretary Newsletter: November/December 2008

WHAT HAPPENING

THE TIME FOR GIVING THANKS
SNovember, typically, brings with it an attitude of gratitude and thankfulness. As we see the fruits of the Summer harvest, rich and abundant, around us we naturally offer our thanks and praise to God who is so gracious and generous to us, particularly here in the fertile Willamette Valley. So it is a good time to give thanks to God for some of our hidden gifts, here at St. Patrick.
The old saying, “Many hands make light work!” is so appropriate in any church community because it takes many hands to keep the community running smoothly. Most often those “hands” are unseen, so I would like to bring to all of our attention the “hands” behind our church and offer to each of them our gratitude for their gifts of time and community service.
Maureen Giger keeps our Tabernacle clean and shining. Minnie Coon keeps the candelabras and followers clean, shining, and wax free. Edie Pavlicek has been providing hand embroidered, baptismal “bibs” for families who bring babies to be baptized. Beverly Snazelle keeps our flowers and altar arrangements beautiful and appropriate to the season. Karen Hunt who puts together the bulletin when Debbie is away. Mary Schoen and Sheila Muck who answer the door and phones when Debbie is away. Our “cleaning ladies (and men too!)” come in teams every Saturday morning to clean the church in preparation for the Sunday celebrations. The “early to mass” ladies of the 4:00 pm Sunday Mass pick-up and tidies the church following the English Masses.
During this month of Thanksgiving, remember to offer your prayerful thanks to all the seen and unseen hands that keep our parish community running smoothly. Thank you All!

CAPITAL CAMPAIGN INFORMATION
Are You Using the Right Envelope?
For all of our parishioners who are fulfilling a pledge to the Capital Campaign. When making out your check to the Capital Campaign Building Fund, please indicate on your check or on the envelope, that the monies are for the Capital Campaign. Using the GREEN ENVELOPES found in the vestibule of the church will be helpful in making certain that your contribution is correctly accounted for. If you are placing your Capital Campaign contribution in the monthly blue envelope and marking Maintenance and Building Fund it will be applied to the general parish maintenance fund account. Please help us in making certain that the monies you donate to the parish are used for the purpose you intend. The BEST WAY for the office to know where you would like your monies to be applied is: Use the GREEN envelopes, found in the vestibule of the church, for any donation, or pledge payment for the Capital Campaign Building Fund. Use the Blue envelopes which come with your monthly contribution envelope package, for the general Maintenance and Building Fund. If you are making a contribution to both funds, please use separate checks. Thank you.

SCRIPTURE REFLECTION CLASS
The scripture reflection class that was held last year on Wednesday evenings, and lead by Deacon Jerry, is continuing this year. The readings for the upcoming Sunday are discussed to provide a better understanding of the scriptures, especially the Gospel. The class time is 7:00pm at the Parish Center, there will be a fee for the text used. All are invited and welcome. Questions about the class can be answered by calling Deacon Jerry at 503-263-8024 or gigerjdg@yahoo.com.

ADVENT WREATH MAKING
Advent is around the corner and you are invited to prepare for the season by making your own family Advent Wreath. On Sunday, November 30th following the morning Masses volunteers from our RE classes will be available to help you in creating your own family Advent Wreath. Candles, forms and greenery will be available in the parish center. Cost is $8.00 which covers the cost of the materials

What's Happening

November 16 - November 22, 2008
Sunday
Bazaar: 9am-2:00pm
9:45am Religious Education Program
[Kindergarten- 5th Grade]
11:00am Preschool/Nursery
2:00pm Confirmation class
3:00pm Spanish RCIC
4:00pm Youth Group
5:00pm Hispanic Bible Study
Monday
9:15am Bible Study
7:00pm Charismatic prayer group
Tuesday
7:00pm Tuesday evening Mass
Wednesday
10:30am Hope Village Mass
7:00pm Faith Sharing
7:00pm R.C.I.A.
7:00pm Journey in Faith (Junior High)
Thursday
12:00pm Eucharistic Adoration
6:30pm Spanish RCIA
6:30pm Spanish Religious Education classes
7:00pm Bible Study
8:00pm Benediction
Friday
7:00am Marian Prayer Group
4:00pm Prayer Group Choir
7:00pm Hispanic Prayer Group
Saturday
9:30am-12noon Adult Choir practice

.
All of you are children of
light and of the day
1 Thessalonians 5:5

 

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