SUNDAY MASS September 28, 2008

Father,
you show your almighty power
in your mercy and forgiveness.
Continue to fill us with your gifts of love.
Help us to hurry toward the eternal life you promise
and come to share in the joys of your kingdom.
Grant this through our Lord Jesus Christ,
your Son,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, forever and ever.
Amen

 

IN SYMPATHY
Please remember in your prayers Dick Brown, the husband of Diane Brown and the father of Dan & Charlie Brown and Marian Pagano. Dick’s funeral will be Tuesday, September 30 at 11:00am. Also, Kathleen Laue the wife of Steve Laue, Bob Smith the brother-in-law of Ann Housen and John Edwards a relative of Kathy Usher, all of whom passed away this past week. Please remember to keep all of our parishioners and loved ones who have passed away in our thoughts and prayers.

IT’S ABOUT TIME ..... FOR A WHOLE NEW RESTROOM!
Anyone who has used our church restrooms would agree. We need a new restroom! Our fixtures are old - 30 years old to be exact - and our space is narrow and confining. Our current restroom facilities do not allow for those in wheelchairs or with walkers to access them and frankly, they’re a bit dismal and gloomy. A significant portion of the projected Capital Campaign Church Renovations is for a brand new, ADA approved, unisex restroom facility! Light and bright and everything working. It’s part of the plan!

MEET THE BUILDING ADVISORY COMMITTEE MEMBERS AND GO FOR A TOUR.
Sunday, October 5, Frances Parker, parishioner and members of the Building Advisory Committee, will speak about the upcoming plans for church renovations at all the masses. Following the masses you are invited to meet the members of the Building Advisory Committee and tour the church to learn more about the proposed church renovations. This is the perfect time to ask any questions you may have about the up-coming renovations plans.

EUCHARIST MINISTERS TRAINING
Saturday, October 4 from 9am - 1pm we will have a Eucharist Ministers Training for NEW Eucharistic Ministers. This training is open to all fully initiated (Baptism, Confirmation and Eucharist) members of the Catholic Faith. The celebration of the Mass is the “Work of the People” and requires many hands and hearts to bring it to the best it can be. Increased participation in the Mass is one of the best ways to increase our benefits from the Mass and provides personal and spiritual growth. Call Sara @ 503-266-9411 for more information.

 

Reflecting the Gospel

We claim leopards can’t change their spots and that we can’t teach an old dog new tricks. We usually say these things in jest because we don’t really think change can happen or happens only to a select few. The gospel this Sunday challenges this way of thinking. Part of the good news is that there are no patterns that we can’t break out of. The point is, we can change. Change is a matter of being saved. This gospel selection follows Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem; its context is the escalating conflict between Jesus and the authorities. This seemingly simple parable upends the world of the chief priests and elders. They thought they were models of holiness-now they must learn the “way of righteousness” from tax collectors and prostitutes. They thought they already had a foot in the kingdom; now they must stand in line behind notorious sinners who converted their lives. This is what conversion does: it upends our world and challenges us to change our minds, our hearts, and our lives and to do the Father’s will. The parable Jesus tells makes a parallel between changing one’s mind and changing one’s life and is quite pointed: believe, change, and so be admitted to the kingdom of God. In the gospel Jesus asks, who is doing the “father’s will”? It is not the son with the right words, promises, or intentions; rather, it is the son who under goes conversion of heart. Conversion may not always be instantaneous, but it’s authenticity is revealed in action, as modeled by tax collectors and prostitutes who believed John’s message and “are entering the kingdom of God.” Because the tax collectors and prostitutes believed, they changed their lives. Similarly with us: we enter the kingdom of God when we believe and change our lives. This gospel is a great example of the saying “actions speak louder than words.” It is a reminder that belief isn’t simply a matter of saying yes or professing creeds. Belief is action, follow-through. Those who believed John the Baptist changed their minds by repenting. Those who believe Jesus do the same. Maybe leopards can’t change their spots and old dogs can’t learn new tricks. But we Christians can choose to change our lives. It is the prerogative of Christians to change their minds. Let’s do it!

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
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 OPPORTUNITIES
Our Religious Education Program is always looking for volunteers to help with the many aspects that make up our Religious Education Program. We are always looking for substitute teachers, assistants and parent volunteers who can help with the extra events that come up through out the year. If you can help, please contact Connie Bilton Smith at the Parish Office, 503-266-9411.

COMPUTER PERSON NEEDED
The Religious Education Program is looking for someone a couple of hours a week who can create some new forms for our Religious Education Program Kindergarten - 5th Grade. If you have the time to volunteer and love to play on the computer and create documents, you’re the one we need. For more information, please contact Connie Bilton Smith at the Parish Office.

CATECHETICAL CONFERENCE
Archdiocesan Catechetical Conference for all 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 her know if you are planning to attend.

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.

SACRAMENTAL PREPARATION CLASSES FOR RECONCILIATION
It was great to meet all of the parents and children preparing for first reconciliation. Our next meeting will be Oct 6 at 7pm in room 7 & 8 of the Parish Center. Deacon Jerry Giger will be our presenter speaking on the sacrament of reconciliation. See you all on Monday night.

TEACHER MEETING FOR ALL GRADES K-12 and Youth Group, is set for October 5 after the 11:00am Mass in room 7 & 8 of the Parish Center. This will give us all a chance to meet each other and put a face to the names we have been seeing in charge of each group. There will be a short introduction from each leader after which we will break into groups for a meeting. Thank you for your gift to our community.

FUND RAISER
Our Youth Ministry is collecting pop cans to help support the Youth Ministry Program. Please bring pop cans 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. Thank you for your continued generosity.

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.

WHAT HAPPENING

BLESSING OF THE ANIMALS
Mark your calendar for next Sunday, October 5th at 12:30pm for the Annual St. Patrick Blessing of the Animals. We will meet in the picnic area for the blessing. All finned, feathered, and furry friends are welcome!

ST. PATRICK’S WOMEN’S CLUB AUTUMN TEA
Annual St. Patrick’s Women’s Club Autumn Tea will be held on Saturday, October 18, 2008 from 12:00pm - 3:00pm in the Parish Center. Tickets are $5.00 and will be available after all the Masses and at the door. Come and enjoy a wonderful Saturday afternoon with some friends and family and enjoy some wonderful tasting and fancy refreshments.

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!

ANNUAL HOLIDAY BAZAAR
Please mark your calendars for St. Patrick’s Annual Holiday Craft Bazaar, to be held Saturday, November 15 from 9am to 5pm and Sunday, November 16th from 9am to 2pm in the Parish Center. Sign up now to see your unique home made crafts and gifts. To receive an application, please email StPatsBazaar@gmail or stop by the Parish Office.

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.

FALL BAPTISMAL PREPARATION
The Fall session of Baptismal Preparation has been scheduled for Thursday, October 9 and October 16 at 7:00pm in the Conference Room of the Parish Center. This will be the first year that we will increase the Baptismal Prep classes to 2 classes instead of one.

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. 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.

What's Happening

September 28 - October 4, 2008
Sunday
9:45am Religious Education Program Kindergarten-5th Grade.
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
Tuesday
7:00pm Tuesday evening Mass
7:00pm Hispanic Prayer Group Choir practice
Wednesday
7:00pm Faith Sharing
7:00pm R.C.I.A.
7:00pm Journey in Faith
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
7:00pm Hispanic Prayer Group
Saturday
9:00am-1pm Eucharistic Minister’s Training Workshop for NEW MINISTER’S

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LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOU LOVE YOURSELF