BEND — The year devoted to St. Paul has been concluded and we have already begun our diocesan effort to positively strengthen and renew our understanding of what it means to be a priest in the Catholic Church. The Holy Hours, planned for June 19, have been completed and in many places there are plans for monthly Holy Hours especially designed as a form of prayer for priests.

BEND — The series of Diocese of Baker summer camps/retreats has begun. Thirty high school age youth gathered at the diocesan property just north of Bend where large sleeping and activity tents have been set up.

BEND — This past year has been dedicated by the Holy Father as the Year of Saint Paul. I must acknowledge that I have been most negligent in not focusing on this theme more effectively throughout this year.

The Catholic Church incorporates into its liturgical practices a significant number of devotions. The most notable and traditional of these is the devotion known as exposition and benediction with the Blessed Sacrament. Others include stations of the cross, the recitation of litanies, recitation of the rosary, May crowning, statues and images of saints.

BEND — Last week I mentioned a “conscience protection rule” that is presently in force for the Department of Health and Human Services. This rule ensures that health care workers and health care institutions are not coerced into offering or participating in medical procedures, such as abortion, sterilization, or contraception, which would be contrary to their religious beliefs.

BEND — This week was a week in which I attempted to consolidate a number of trips to the eastern portion of the diocese into one more comprehensive week. Thus I started with a trip to Blessed Sacrament Parish in Ontario for Mass and confirmation Saturday and Sunday and then proceeded to Pendleton, St. Andrew Mission for a weekday confirmation.

BEND — It was a a very good, hope-filled week. Since I last wrote I have traveled to The Dalles and to Hood River for my usual weekend routine of Mass and confirmation. I always find great signs of hope on these outings. The driving can get a bit old but the opportunity to celebrate Holy Mass for the parishioners and to greet the people afterwards is always a positive and joyful experience.

BEND — Besides the usual activities of traveling to parishes for confirmation, such as those at Merrill and Bonanza, the past few weeks have seen a significant amount of activity on the program with which I am very much involved titled, Healthy Families: Safe Children.

BEND — The priests of the diocese made their annual retreat last week and it was very clear to me that despite daily Mass, daily prayer, daily time before Our Lord in the Blessed Sacrament and at least some daily spiritual reading there is still a periodic need for more intense times of prayer, reflection and spiritual consideration.

BEND — The examples I chose last week to indicate how the Year of the Priest can be an effective grace for all of us to grow in our appreciation of the sacred are small and external but they are not unimportant. What we do, how we act, how we dress all send loud and clear messages even if we do not recognize or intend the message which is sent.