SUNDAY MASS September 21, 2008

Father in heaven,
the perfection of justice is found
in your love
and all mankind is in need of your law.
Help us to find this love in each other
that justice may be attained
through obedience to your law.
We ask this through Christ our Lord.
Amen

IT’S ABOUT TIME....TO GET ALL FIRED UP!
No, not really. But it is time to install fire monitors in all our buildings. Why? Because currently, should a fire break out in an unoccupied building, we are dependent on a neighbor or passerby to notice and alert the Fire Department. Precious time is lost which increases our potential damage. Fire monitors provide a direct link to the Fire Department in the event of a fire. This link minimizes potential damage to our facility making fire monitors the prudent and sensible thing to do.

TALK ABOUT THE CAPITAL CAMPAIGN....
Fr. John will be speaking about the Capital Campaign for Church Improvements during next weeks Masses. The following weekend, October 4 & 5, the Building Advisory Committee and the Capital Campaign Advisory Committee will be available following the masses, to answer any questions you may have about the upcoming Church Improvements.

MASS TIME CHANGE FOR NEXT WEEK ONLY!!!
TUESDAY’S MASS, SEPTEMBER 23 WILL BE AT 6:30P.M.

EUCHARISTIC ADORATION:
An invitation and a volunteer opportunity
Eucharistic Adoration is a individual faith building devotion, a quiet prayer time before the exposed Blessed Sacrament on the Church Altar. At St. Patrick we are planning in October to begin a weekly time for adoration on Thursdays, 12noon-8pm. You may drop in anytime, even for half an hour, or better for a holy hour. We must have two volunteers assigned (one hour per week per volunteer) to be with the sacrament at all times. Thank you to all of those who have volunteered for an hour in the past and in the present. We could use more volunteers to fill out the schedule, so if you want to sign up for an hour (or be a substitute) please call Adeline Dawson 503-266-3039, or Dave Bernklau 503-651-3708. Next to the Mass, this is a great way to pray and develop a more personal relationship with Jesus Christ our Lord. He loves you.

 

Reflecting the Gospel

“Because no one has hired us”. So many unemployed people can identify with this plight! High school and college students looking for part-time or summer work often find themselves in this situation. College graduates sometimes spend months looking for a job, with no one hiring them because they have no experience. People caught in downsizing companies often lose their jobs or are pushed to take early retirement. Layoffs and bankruptcies take their toll on jobs. Often there is a willingness to work-the trick is to get hired and to match skills and experience with job openings. Most of us have a strong sense of fairness, not only in seeking employment and being hired, but also in the gospel’s terms of jobs and labor and wages and getting hired. However, if God were to treat us fairly, only giving us what we deserve, we would be poor, indeed. Mercifully, God does not treat us fairly, but with superabundant generosity. When hearing this gospel, we tend to focus on hours and wages: the laborers understand justice as prorated wages, equitable pay for the number of hours worked. However, this parable is really about God’s ways and God’s justice: what God offers is, not wages, but salvation that is the same for everyone. The surprise of the parable is that salvation is not earned at all, but it is God’s gift to us and God gives it generously. No matter at what hour we come, salvation is granted. All we need do is come! Retributive justice and distributive justice have their place in the kingdom, especially in our dealings with one another. As the responsorial psalm says, “The Lord is just in all his ways.” God’s justice, however, is not a matter of morality, but it is a matter of righteousness and relationship. God’s generosity with us goes far beyond any measurement by human standards that might be the basis for moral justice. God’s generosity cannot be measured except by the divine exalted standard: “as high as the heavens are above the earth, so high are God’s ways”. The parable is ultimately about God’s generosity in granting salvation, something we can never deserve but are given because of God’s holiness and God’s ways above our ways. Salvation cannot be measured; it is a most generous gift of our holy God.

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, 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, 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: September 21, 2008

Building Fund $5.00
Cemetery $
Envelopes’ $6354.00
Loose $453.14
Children’s $
Poor $
Total $6812.14

 

Your ways, O Lord,
make known to me;
teach me your paths.
Psalm 25:4

MASS SCHEDULE

Tuesday, September 30
+Larry Housen by the Hannan family
Wednesday, October 1
+Joanne Battilega by Mike Cereghino & family
Thursday, October 2
+Joe Joseph Carriera by Frank Carriera
Friday, October 3
+Ted Tokarski by Linda, Jerry & Ashley Baker

EVENT’S AROUND THE AREA

ARE YOU LOOKING TO ADOPT A CHILD?
Catholic Charities has over 100 years’ experience placing children in loving homes. Our next adoption orientation is October 17 & 18. We also offer free one on one information interviews. For further information please contact Pregnancy Support and Open Adoption Services, at 503-238-5196.

ANNUAL ROSARY BOWL NW
The 2nd Annual Rosary Bowl NW is Saturday, October 4, 2008 at Volcanoes Stadium in Keizer Oregon located off Interstate 5 exit 260B. Gates Open at 9:30am and Live Christian Music begins at 11am. Free admission and parking is $3.00 per car. Sacrament of Reconciliation will be from 9:30am -11am. Join Bishop Kenneth Steiner for Eucharistic procession, adoration & benediction.

GROUP SPIRITUAL DIRECTION
Learn how group Spiritual Direction is different from individual Spiritual Direction and how it can enrich your relationship with God and others through holy listening, discernment and prayer. Experience the process first-hand during a retreat, and then monthly group sessions of 4-6 people. Each session will engage participants in reflecting on God’s presence and action in one’s life.
When: Retreat September 13
Time: 10:00am-3:00pm
Cost: First session $50.00 per person, includes lunch
Monthly sessions: Wednesdays: Oct. 15, Nov. 19, Jan. 21, Feb. 18, March 18, April 15, May 20 and June 17.

 

Religious Education

RELIGIOUS EDUCATION, PRESCHOOL, GRADE SCHOOL AND NURSERY
Welcome back to a new year of Religious Education. The Catechists and volunteers are anxiously waiting for all to return to classes and activities. Classes will begin for Kindergarten -5th grade this Sunday, September 21 at 9:45 a.m. and Pre-school (4 year olds) and Nursery (18 months- 3 years old) during 11 a.m. Mass . Registration forms will be available at the Parish office. You may send in your registrations at any time. Sacramental preparation Registration will happen in the Fall. 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.

VOLUNTEER NEEDS FOR RELIGIOUS EDUCATION
The RE program needs YOU!. We always need substitutes for teachers and assistants. Everyone gets sick or needs a weekend away. Please contact the office if you can help out with this program or fill out the volunteer part of your registration form if you have children in the program.

JOURNEY IN FAITH GROUP JR HIGH MINISTRY
We welcome and invite all Jr High students to Journey in Faith. This is an opportunity for all Jr High students to get to know other parishioners and explore different aspects of their faith. Class sessions have begun and meet on Wednesday evenings from 7:00-8:30pm. Registration will be the same as stated in the Religious Education information.

FAITH IN ACTION (9TH-12TH GRADES)
We will begin on September 21 at 4:00pm [new time change]. With new leaders we will have a new look to the program. See Religious Education for info on Registration. Forms will also be available in the Church vestibule. See the parent announcement for this group.

CATECHETICAL CONFERENCE
Archdiocesan Catechetical Conference forall Religious Education Teachers will be held Saturday, October 11, 2008 in Beaverton, OR at Valley Catholic School. All teachers wishing to attend please read the information being mailed this week and register on-line before October the 2nd. Please call Connie Bilton-Smith for more information and to let me know if you are planning to attend.

TEACHER’S MEETING SCHEDULE
A teacher’s meeting is scheduled for Sunday, October 5 at 12:30pm in rooms 7 & 8 for teachers k-5. I am looking forward to seeing each of you and to begin planning for our new year! Thanks for all your help. Connie Bilton Smith

YOUTH MINISTRY FUND RAISERS
Youth Ministry is collecting cans to support the ministry. If you have cans please bring them to the Parish Center and place them near the gym doors. If the doors are open, please place them inside the gym door’s, otherwise just place them outside the doors. Every little bit helps. Please be sure there is no garbage in the bags and that they are redeemable. Thanks for your generosity.

SACRAMENT PREPARATION
Registration for the Sacraments will be at the initial class. Be sure you are signed up for Youth Ministry or Religious Education as a part of your preparation for Sacraments. If you were not baptized at St Patrick, you need to supply a copy of your child’s baptismal certificate at the time of Registration.

For First Reconciliation and Eucharist the registration for the program and first parent/child meeting will be this Tuesday, September 23 at 7 p.m.. We hope that all can attend. There are essential information and materials that are needed to prepare your children to receive the sacraments this year.

WHAT HAPPENING

KEEPING OUR CHILDREN SAFE - WE ARE CALLED TO PROTECT.
Called to Protect for Volunteers, the Diocesan mandated Child Protection Training Program, is scheduled for Monday, September 22nd at 6:30pm in the parish center. Called to Protect for Youth will be presented on Wednesday, September 24th during the regularly scheduled Jr. High Religious Education time.

WE’RE JUST GETTING STARTED IN ADULT INQUIRY
It’s not too late to come to Adult Inquiry into the Catholic Church. We’re just getting started. If you, or someone you know, are interested in the Catholic faith, come and join us on Wednesday evenings at 7:00 pm in the conference room of the parish center. For more information call Sara @ 503-266-9411.

ADULT DINNER/DANCE FUNDRAISER
Adults of all ages are invited to St. Patrick’s annual Adult Dinner/Dance Fundraiser sponsored by the Knights of Columbus. The event will be on Saturday, October 18, 2008, from 6 to 11pm in the Parish Center. The event which was great fun last year is called “Rockin’ Thru the Decades.” Dinner at 6:30pm will include your choice of either prime rib or BBQ chicken. The dance (8-11pm) will feature great tunes from the 1940's through the 1990's. A fund raising activity will be incorporated into the evening. Money raised will be used for Parish building improvements. The cost is $20 per person. Tickets must be pre purchased by Oct. 12 and can be obtained after the weekend Masses starting Sept. 20, or by calling Ron at 503-266-1225. Come join us for a rockin’ good time!

ATTENTION PARENTS OF CONFIRMATION STUDENTS
Confirmation opening day and sign-up will be October 5 in the Parish Center Auditorium. Registration for confirmation will be from 2:00-2:45pm. Everyone will view “Call to Protect” Archdiocesan mandated video from 2:45-3:45. There will also be a Youth Group meeting from 4:00-5:30pm. Information will be available for the upcoming confirmation retreat - “Journey to the Center of your faith”. Parents are encouraged to come to this very important meeting.

The Lord is good to all
and compassionate
to all his works.
Psalm 145:9

LIVING THE PASCHAL MYSTERY
We all put off to the eleventh hour some piece of work that we have to do with respect to God or each other (e.g., prayer, forgiveness, charity, justice, etc.). If this parable teaches us something about how great God is and how generous, then we are called to this same greatness and generosity. Wouldn’t nations be different if debts could be forgiven and those who have, were generous to those who have not? Wouldn’t families be different if hurtful behavior ceased and was forgiven generously? Wouldn’t individuals be different if we measured another only by his or her goodness? The landowner says to his grumbling laborers, “Are you envious because I am generous?” God gives generously beyond what we deserve. God gives salvation.

What's Happening

September 21 - September 27, 2008
Sunday
9:45am Religious Education program Gr. Kindergarten-5th Gr.
11:00am Preschool/Nursery
2:00pm Hispanic Youth Group
3:00pm Spanish RCIC
4:00pm Youth Group
5:00pm Hispanic Bible Study
Monday
9:15am Bible Study
6:30pm Called to Protect/Volunteers
Tuesday
6:30pm Tuesday evening Mass
7:00pm Introduction/Parent night-Sacramental prep
7:00pm Hispanic Prayer Group Choir practice
Wednesday
7:00pm Faith Sharing
7:00pm R.C.I.A.
7:00pm Journey in Faith -Called to Protect
Thursday
6:30pm Spanish RCIA
6:30pm Spanish Religious Education classes
7:00pm Bible Study

Friday
7:00am Marian Prayer Group
7:00pm Hispanic Prayer Group

We adore you, O Christ, and we bless you,
because by your Cross you have redeemed the world.
John 3:13-17

Advertising

LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOU LOVE YOURSELF