Faith Spirituality - Catholic Sentinel

Healing Mass in Eugene

A group of Eugene Catholics is inviting people to experience the Lord’s healing love. A charismatic healing Mass is set for Friday, Oct. 27, 7 p.m. at St. Mary Church in Eugene, 1062 Charnelton St. Celebrants will be Auxiliary Bishop Peter Smith and Fathers Ron Nelson, Edgar Rivera and Bryce McProud.
Our role in making God present in the world

Mike Buck, an active member of St. Ignatius Parish in Southeast Portland, is a cradle Catholic. He attended Jesuit High and Gonzaga University.
Buck, 70, gladly re-chooses Catholicism each day, citing how it helps him live life well, and to the fullest.
He spent 30 years with his wife running Gubanc’s Restaurant in Lake Grove. They have turned management over to their son and gotten more involved in faith life.
Oregon men to be ordained in Rome on path to priesthood

Two seminarians studying in Rome to become priests of the Archdiocese of Portland will be ordained deacons the morning of Sept. 28 in St. Peter's Basilica.
Bishop James Checchio of Metuchen, New Jersey, will ordain Peter Julia and Richard LeFaivre II along with more than 40 other students from the Pontifical North American College. That’s the school where U.S. bishops send seminarians to experience Rome and get a sense of the universal church.
Keeping kids in church

How do you go about keeping your children interested in going to Mass? See how parents around the archdiocese are doing just that.
October prayer for priests

“A Year of Prayer for our Priests” is a ministry of the Archdiocesan Council of Catholic Women. We share the joy of this devotion with all Oregon Catholics. A day each month is set aside to pray for the names of priests serving in the Archdiocese of Portland. Please remember them and all priests, deacons and religious in your daily prayers.
LIFE: RESPECT LIFE MONTH

This year the U.S. Bishops have chosen Be Not Afraid as the 2017-2018 Respect Life Program. When we hear these words, how can we not remember with affection Pope St. John Paul II, who vigorously exhorted and encouraged us with these words, so often found in Scripture, to keep our hearts open to Christ?
LIFE: RACE RELATIONS

The response of the church, for each one us as the people of God, must be to create a culture of life. As Catholics, we can take our lead from St. Peter Claver.
Liturgical readings

Liturgical readings through Oct. 8.
Archbishop Sample’s schedule
New Mexico's holy dirt

“My God but he is ugly, the Padre!” whispers one old woman to another in Willa Cather’s classic novel “Death Comes for the Archbishop.” “He must be very holy. And did you see the great wart he has on his chin? ... Somebody ought to tell him about the holy mud at Chimayó. That mud might dry it up.”
Question Corner: Marijuana and morality/Annulment needed?

Q — Many localities are in the process of decriminalizing the recreational use of marijuana. What is the church’s view? Is using pot recreationally the same thing morally as having a drink? Is it OK in moderation? (Virginia)
Archbishop Sample’s schedule

Archbishop Alexander Sample’s schedule through Sept. 14.
Well done, faithful servants

CASTLE ROCK, Washington — A hot summer afternoon here at what will become the Sacred Heart Monastery, one of only two Maronite Catholic monasteries in the United States, feels a world away from Portland.
In the business of hope

Valerie Chapman remembers standing in her childhood kitchen, listening to her mother explaining the marvels of nuclear energy. She knows the memory was an early one because of the height of the countertops.
Monk ordained at Mount Angel

ST. BENEDICT — The Benedictine community of Mount Angel Abbey was joined on the morning of Aug. 4 by a church full of worshippers who came to celebrate the ordination of a monk — John Vianney Le.
Archbishop Alexander Sample was the main celebrant with Abbot Jeremy Driscoll of Mount Angel as principal concelebrant.
Liturgical readings

Liturgical readings through Sept. 17.
Marylhurst professor recertified as Catholic chaplain
Vatican hosts course on revised guidelines for priestly formation
September’s prayers for priests

“A Year of Prayer for our Priests” is a ministry of the Archdiocesan Council of Catholic Women. We share the joy of this devotion with all Oregon Catholics. A day each month is set aside to pray for the names of priests serving in the Archdiocese of Portland. Please remember them and all priests, deacons and religious in your daily prayers.
Queen of Angels to host prayer center

MOUNT ANGEL — The Benedictine Sisters of Mount Angel are moving their spiritual ministry for visitors to historic Queen of Angels Monastery and its modern hospitality center.
The retreat site had been in a former college building adjacent to the monastery, which was founded in the 1880s.
Liturgical readings

Liturgical readings through Sept. 3.
Portland man takes reins of Serra International

A member of St. Pius X Parish in Portland was installed as president of Serra International this summer in Rome. Dan Jones had a chance to meet Pope Francis, who thanked the vocations-promotion club.
Consecrated virgins from across North America convene in Beaverton

BEAVERTON — Dying to self and living for Christ filled the thoughts and hearts of 10 women from across North America during a retreat for consecrated virgins. The group of church-recognized virgins gathered at Our Lady of Peace Retreat Center July 20-23.
Father Jeff Eirvin, vocations director for the Archdiocese of Portland, spoke about the virgins’ identity, relationships and mission in the church. The virgins themselves shared vocation stories. Archbishop John Vlazny, retired head of the archdiocese, celebrated Mass and heard confessions during the retreat and preached on the mystery of the Eucharist.
Oregon woman makes Franciscan vows

An Oregon woman recently professed vows as a Franciscan sister.
Sister Emily Brabham is the daughter of Linda and Dale Brabham of Sherwood. She professed vows of poverty, chastity and obedience during a July 29 Mass at Prince of Peace Parish in Clinton, Iowa.
Franciscans announce stand on care for creation

ASTON, Pennsylvania — The Sisters of St. Francis of Philadelphia, who have a long history in Oregon, have voted to commit themselves to ecological education and concrete actions to preserve the environment. During a June assembly, the sisters said they wanted to answer the call to defend creation issued by Pope Francis in his encyclical “Laudato Si’: On Care for Our Common Home.”
Question Box: Medjugorje still under consideration
Liturgical readings

Liturgical readings through Aug. 20
A moving Vatican experience

While visiting the Vatican’s library and secret archives for research, I was invited to accompany Father Virgil Funk to a conference on international liturgical music. Father Funk is president emeritus of the National Association of Pastoral Musicians, or NPM. The Archdiocese of Portland has an active chapter of NPM for all diocesan musicians, which meets four times a year. It was fascinating to hear global music leaders speak about the nature of music used to celebrate throughout the world. However, for a non-musician, two events outshone seminar presentations: vespers in the Sistine Chapel and greeting Pope Francis.
Providence sisters celebrate decades of religious life

Nine Sisters of Providence will mark their jubilees Saturday, Sept. 9, at Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish in Seattle at 10:30 a.m. Among them will be three with ties to Oregon: Sisters Maryann Bochsler and Mary Fox, celebrating 70 years of religious life, and Sister Maribeth Carson, celebrating 25.
Liturgical conference with Cardinal Burke draws attendees from across country

MEDFORD — Portland Archbishop Alexander Sample received loud applause and cheers when he proclaimed, “Every priest and seminarian should learn the extraordinary form of the Mass.”

More than 400 people from around the country descended on Sacred Heart Parish here for the 2017 Sacred Liturgy Conference, held July 12-15.
Archbishop Sample’s schedule

Archbishop Alexander Sample’s schedule through Aug. 19.
Archbishop Sample helps guide aid organization

Archbishop Alexander Sample is a member of the administrative council for Aid to the Church in Need, a pontifical organization that began after World War II to help refugees.

The group also
Vocations and the Camino at Our Lady of the Lake

Father Jeff Eirvin, director of vocations for the Archdiocese of Portland, will give a talk about walking 142 miles on the Camino de Santiago (Way of the St. James) Wednesday, Aug. 16, after a 7 p.m. Mass for vocations at Our Lady of the Lake Church in Lake Oswego.

Father Eirvin made the walk with his father, Jeff Eirvin Sr., June 29 – July 8 for an increase of vocations to the priesthood and consecrated life. They took their backpacks and set out across the Portuguese Way portion of the pilgrimage route, which passes through several countries.
Grotto retreat to celebrate grandparents

An outdoor Mass and reflection honoring the special role of grandparents will be held at the Grotto plaza July 26 at 7 p.m. The Summer Twilight Retreat is an invitation to reflect on the lives of Sts. Anne and Joachim, the parents of Mary and grandparents of Jesus, pray for their intercession and celebrate the Eucharist with the Servite community.
Learn more about being an oblate

The Benedictine Sisters of Queen of Angels Monastery in Mount Angel are hosting an opportunity for the community to learn more about being an oblate. They’ll address what oblates are, what the word means, and what oblates do, among other questions.
A Year of Prayer for our Priests

“A Year of Prayer for our Priests” is a ministry of the Archdiocesan Council of Catholic Women. We share the joy of this devotion with all Oregon Catholics. A day each month is set aside to pray for the names of priests serving in the Archdiocese of Portland. Please remember them and all priests, deacons and religious in your daily prayers.
Devoted server: Colette Henry almost canceled a trip to DC so she wouldn't miss altar serving

CENTRAL POINT — An eighth-grader from Shepherd of the Valley Parish here proved that she’s not only smart, but also might be one of the most zealous altar servers in the nation.

Colette Henry, who will attend Hedrick Middle School in Medford in the fall, was chosen to represent the Pacific Northwest at a June youth leadership conference sponsored by the White House. Her grades and community service won her the honor.
Sisters of St. Mary of Oregon celebrate six jubilarians

BEAVERTON — The Sisters of St. Mary of Oregon this month honor six women who have given a combined 350 years of ministry.

Sister Clare Vandecoevering will celebrate her 70th jubilee. Sisters Paula Fox, Marianne Giesel and Sharon Kirk will be honored for 60 years of service. Sisters Charlene Herinckx and Patricia Marie Landin will celebrate their 50th jubilees.

The jubilarians will be honored during a Mass and reception on Sunday, July 30, at 1:30 p.m. in the Our Lady of Perpetual Help Chapel of the Sisters of St. Mary of Oregon motherhouse.
Missionary discipleship

I guess I have a small confession to make. I went to the recent Convocation of Catholic Leaders held in Orlando, Florida, with very low expectations. I was unsure and somewhat skeptical about the intent and expected outcome of the event. I was pleasantly surprised, as was our local delegation.
Men's conference at Mount Angel Festhalle this fall to explore Fatima

MOUNT ANGEL — The Holy League Men’s Ministry and Oregon Knights of Columbus will hold their second Holy League Catholic Men’s Conference October 20 – 21 at the Mount Angel Festhalle. The theme for the year’s conference is: “100th Anniversary of Our Lady of Fatima vs. 100 years of Communism, 300 years of Freemasonry and 500 years of the Protestant Revolt.”
Work in the world: A day in the life of a modern sister

After walking into the Portland State University Newman Center house, Sister Teresa Harrell immediately goes to the adoration chapel to say hello to Jesus. Her housemate, visiting priests and some students follow suit.

Communication is important in Sister Harrell’s relationship with God. That’s one of the reasons she attends Mass daily. Not going would be like going a day without talking to a spouse, she says.
Oregon church leaders attend national convocation on missionary discipleship

A delegation from the Archdiocese of Portland traveled to Orlando, Florida, July 1-4 to help devise ways to best reflect the church’s missionary call in today’s world.

Part of the group of 3,000 at the “Convocation of Catholic Leaders: The Joy of the Gospel in America” were Archbishop Alexander Sample; Auxiliary Bishop Peter Smith; Deacon Kevin Welch, director of pastoral ministries; Todd Cooper, special assistant to the archbishop; Jason Kidd, director of the Office of Marriage and Family Life; Rolando Moreno, director of the Office of Catechesis and Faith Formation; and Clint Bentz, chair of the Archdiocesan Pastoral Council.
Question Corner: A vengeful God?

Q. I am a Catholic priest who has long been puzzled by Leviticus 20:9-21. In that passage, God gives Moses a long list of people who should be put to death: those who curse their parents, adulterers, homosexuals and many others.

In my own mind, God could not have given this order for two reasons: First, he would have been violating his own Fifth Commandment, which says “You shall not kill”; and secondly, these offenses do not deserve the death penalty.
Archbishop Sample's schedule

Archbishop Alexander Sample’s schedule through July 22.
Archbishop Sample's guidelines on family and marriage urge truth, mercy

In guidelines for implementing his pastoral letter on marriage and family life, Archbishop Alexander Sample has urged truth-telling and patience as a path to joy.
College students from around Oregon gather for GOFISH Getaway in Newport

NEWPORT — The weekend after Easter, Divine Mercy Sunday, more than 150 college students representing 18 different schools gathered here for the first GOFISH Getaway. The social retreat was designed to bring together young Catholics from across Oregon in celebration of Easter.
Year of Prayer for Priests

“A Year of Prayer for our Priests” is a ministry of the Archdiocesan Council of Catholic Women. We share the joy of this devotion with all Oregon Catholics. A day each month is set aside to pray for the names of priests serving in the Archdiocese of Portland. Please remember them and all priests, deacons and religious in your daily prayers.
Archbishop Sample's schedule

Archbishop Alexander Sample’s schedule through July 15.
Care for the dying

MOUNT ANGEL — In Caroline Lindstedt’s experience, patients approaching the end of their lives often talk about travel. Trains to be boarded, airplanes to be caught, luggage to be packed or journeys to be taken.

Lindstedt has a job that most people would find difficult. “Your job must be so hard. How can you do it?” It’s a question she often hears. Her answer is simple.
Why we love our dads: Reflections from around the archdiocese

In honor of Father’s Day, we asked an assortment of Catholics — including a musician, a Franciscan sister, kindergartners and high schoolers — to share what they love about their dads.

From rebels and role models to jokesters and teachers, these are the men who tend to us when we are small and often shape and inspire us decades after they leave this earth.
Tattoos and the art of evangelization

Darren Cools grew up hearing that tattoos were mortally sinful. And he grew into adulthood never having gotten a tattoo. Then he met the woman who would eventually become his wife. She had a tattoo of the Trinity knot, a Celtic symbol representing the Holy Trinity, on her back. One of his high school friends got a tattoo of the Holy Spirit. His perspective began to change. Three years ago, as a 32-year-old man, he got his first tattoo.

“I decided I wanted a Catholic tattoo as a reminder to myself and as a silent witness,” says Cools.
Year of Prayer for Priests

“A Year of Prayer for our Priests” is a ministry of the Archdiocesan Council of Catholic Women. We share the joy of this devotion with all Oregon Catholics. A day each month is set aside to pray for the names of priests serving in the Archdiocese of Portland. Please remember them and all priests, deacons and religious in your daily prayers.
Serving God far from home

SEASIDE — It’s a beautiful day at Our Lady of Victory Parish, just blocks from the sandy Oregon coastline. Holy Spirit Father Joseph Barita is joyful as he talks about his time in Oregon. He likes the weather and the wonderful people. The priest came to the Archdiocese of Portland in 2004, sent from Tanzania by his religious order to minister in parishes here.

Father Barita has served as the pastor at St. Birgitta Parish in Portland, St. Frederic Parish in St. Helens and as parochial vicar at St. Pius X Parish in Portland. Before coming to Our Lady of Victory, he was helping build a spiritual center in Usa River, Tanzania.
Oregon's Catholic women leaders: A model for all