Among the many stories we read about the risen Jesus in the gospels, one of the most tender is shared in the gospel of St. John. The disciples had already seen the risen Lord but this wonderful experience didn’t seem to change their lives very much.
BEND — Over the past months I have commented both in sermons and in writing on Pope Benedict’s Encyclical on hope. I do continue to return to it for points of reflection and encouragement on a fairly regular basis. I have found in it very rich and even challenging material.
My earliest childhood memories of the month of May always include Mary, the Mother of Jesus and the Mother of the Church. We always had a May altar at home. Recitation of the rosary each day was highly recommended. It all culminated in the crowning of the Blessed Virgin, a major parish celebration which was, weather permitting, held outdoors because of the large crowds.
BEND — Spring is taking its own very sweet time in coming. I have started the irrigation system on the acreage at my home but the overnight result is huge ice fields. The daytime sunshine turns the solid into liquid but I am more than ready for spring.
BEND — The diversity of the Church was made very evident to me these past two weeks. From the small gatherings of the faithful at Saint Anne and Saint Katherine in Monument and Dale, I traveled to Washington, DC to participate in a Mass at Nationals Stadium for nearly 50,000 people with the Holy Father.
Most of us have already learned that Planned Parenthood of Columbia-Willamette hopes to move its headquarters to a site on Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard and Beech Street in Portland. Considerable opposition to this project has been voiced by many of our fellow citizens, people of all faiths, including Catholics.
Sixth Sunday of Easter
Acts 8:5-8, 14-17
1 Peter 3:15-18
John 14:15-21
“Proclaim the Gospel; use words if you must.” Whenever we speak about evangelization, these words of St. Francis to his followers seem to be cited. They sometimes dampen the enthusiasm of those eager to preach the Gospel. How can we preach without words? The answer is in today’s Epistle.
Last month about 900 folks gathered at the Portland Convention Center for the 11th annual Catholic Charities Celebration Event. This year’s gathering commemorated the 75th anniversary of Catholic Charities here in western Oregon. Because of Catholic Charities we Catholics of western Oregon can proudly claim that together we do indeed walk the talk of the gospel.
