One For The Records!

One for the Record Book

As I write this, there is over a foot of snow outside and we have experienced not only snow, but also freezing rain. That means that it will be quite a challenge to get around in the next couple days. Here in Northwest Oregon we typically experience some pretty moderate weather. But, this is one for the record books. It is now certain that we will have a white Christmas. I heard that this has been our worst winter storm in 40 years. We have canceled pretty much all our events but Mass and reconciliation. Thanks to Diana Wuertz, the web master of the parish web site, we have been truly up-to-date on other events, cancellations, and links for more information about related sites.

Instead of trying to describe the environment, I thought I'd just show you via some photos I took this past several days.

Click Here to Watch Video Clip.

News report on my dog, Gracie (Requires Quicklime Player)

Main Road through Forest Grove (Notice Our Banner!)	St. Anthony's after one of the big snows
Can you believe that I still have hummingbirds?	Here he is again patrolling the feeder
Now that's a lot of snow!	Winter beauty
The snow really made it tough for birds to get a drink	The little beaver ornament is totally buried

Blessings in Christ,

Fr. William Holtzinger
Pastor

"Tis' the Season"

Holiday Bazaar

A big thank you needs to be given to Angela Jones and Kristen McDowell who lead the way for this year's Holiday Bazaar. You ladies were a true joy and example of what I love so much about St. Anthony's. It was a wonderful time to see the different hand-made craft items that people from all over have created. A big thank you needs to be given to all the supporting staff of volunteers who did advertising, food, moving of furniture, and much more. A special thank you needs to be given to all the teens who showed up to help in the various ways that you did. You are an inspiration to us all!

Walking around the hall, I heard much laughing and joyful conversation. The vendors who came were clearly people who poured their hearts into their crafts. They are a sign to us of the beauty of God and his creative action amongst us. In speaking to the vendors, they were very pleased with the kindness and love St. Anthony's demonstrated to them. Good job everyone! Thank you!

Tis' the Season

Tis' the season to be jolly... not jolly in a saccharine-pollyannish kind of way. I mean true joy, good humor, and high spirit. The etymology of the word "jolly" can be also be connected with the Latin root, gaudere which means "to rejoice." If you are up on your liturgical facts, the third Sunday in Advent is Gaudete Sunday, a time to more fully express our joy for all that has been given to us by God. So for sure the time is upon us. It is a time for giving and thanksgiving. Yes, there are economic woes around us in our country, but what do you choose? I choose to let this season remind me of what is most important. I choose to see the big picture while helping those in need. Christ has conquered death and his gift of salvation is where I invest my hope and joy.

Thanksgiving

As of this writing, Thanksgiving is just a couple days away. So, if you are reading this prior to Thanksgiving, please receive my blessings and hopes for a time to recreate with God and family. If you are reading this after Thanksgiving, I hope you all had a restful day. I hope you didn't have to wake up too early for that bargain at the local store. I pray that you had ample time to catch up with your relatives and friends.

Advent

Now we are in the beginning of Advent, a time to prepare for Christmas, one of our greatest celebrations next to Easter. Advent is a time to prepare. We are being called by the Church to remember the miracle of Christ's first coming to us in a poverty only to conquer sin and death. It is also a time for us to prepare for the Second Coming which is a certainty, though the day is unknown. But the Church guides us so that we do not become lax in our waiting. Please make an effort to stay focused on the things that matter most. Be cautious of being caught up in the materialism of this time and the financial woes of the economy. Remember where our true hope is and who is our all in all (cf. 1 Cor. 15:28). Advent is a time of penance and joy. Penance, for we all need to constantly seek reconciliation lest we be found unprepared on the Day of the Lord (cf. 1 Thes. 5:2). Joy, for the incarnation is a reality that shows us the way (cf. Matt. 2:10). Please take time to prepare in a purposeful way. Mark your calendar to join in our parish's communal reconciliation service scheduled for Dec. 18th at 7pm. If that day and time does not work, keep your eyes peeled for the schedule for our area vicariate parish schedules. God bless you all and have a blessed Advent!

Offertory Program Update

Thank you for all who participated in the in-pew process of our Offertory Program. We will soon be sending out letters to those who did not participate for what ever reasons such as being home-bound or away with relatives. Again, the goal is to encourage as much participation as possible. Once we have entered all the data in our computer, we will be sending out a confirmation letter informing you of what we understand to be your financial commitment. It is an opportunity to double-check our data so as to maintain the most accurate information possible. If you signed up to begin giving electronically, we will also be sending you a form to fill out and return with a canceled check. As the time and talent data is also entered, you should expect a phone call from each of our ministers to thank you for your willingness to volunteer and to see how we can best help you discern your gifts for that given ministry.

2009 Offertory Program Calendar

November 22/23 Follow-up Weekend (In-pew process for those who were absent the previous week) Week of 24 and on Confirmation Letters Mailed (Parishioners will be mailed letters confirming our data is correct regarding their commitment, etc.). Parishioners who didn't respond will be sent invitation letters to make sure they have a chance to participate. Jan 1, 2009 Offertory Program Commitments Begins

Blessings in Christ,

Fr. William Holtzinger
Pastor

Doing Our Part

Missionary in Ecuador

Many people, at sometime in their lives, dream of going to a far off land and being a missionary of some sort. Well, just over a month ago, a friend, Fr. Heiko (German for Hank or Henry) Junge, left the comforts of Oregon for the challenges of the Missionary Society of St. James who do work in Peru, Bolivia, and Ecuador. At first, I figured that I would not hear from him for a long time. Yet, soon after he arrived in Ecuador, I received a phone call from him with a report of what was going on as well as some computer assistance. I was happy to help out. I don't think I've ever debugged a computer from so far away! Fr. Heiko has been frequently updating his web page which he established prior to his leaving. I encourage you to check it out: www.heikomission.com.

Fr. Heiko has committed to working in South A

merica for a period of five years during which he will return to the states to seek out assistance through missionary appeals as well as take some time off. He may very well be the geekiest missionary in the society. As you can see from the photos here that he will be working amidst dirt-floor houses and offering the sacraments where possible. It has already been proving to be a real paradigm shift for Fr. Heiko compared to here in the states. Again, go to his web site to learn more about what he is doing and how he is reacting to the people and events that present themselves. You can also e-mail him with your well wishes. You can get his e-mail address from his web page.

Fundraising & Friend-raising

For many parishes, ours included, fundraising is a necessity. It is very difficult to create and implement a fundraiser. From finding volunteers to seeking out people to come the the event, fundraising can even burn people out very quickly. In fact, not all fundraisers hit their goal and raise money. Sometimes, when poorly managed, they can even spin out of control and end up costing more than they make. That's the worst case scenario. Fortunately, we can brag that we take to heart the purpose and plan of each fundraiser seriously. I am very proud of all those who have worked so hard in the recent months at our various fundraising events.

Our annual Rummage Sale was a big hit. People were very impressed at how nice everything looked. It was a labor of love by the volunteers, and I am so thankful for their care in making it a quality event. Just a few weeks ago, both our Anglo and Hispanic communities came together to offer our eigth annual Mexican Dinner. The food was excellent and it was even better organized than ever before. This, again, is due to the wonderful dedication and heart of all those who planned and worked so hard to make it a success. Even more recently, we held our annual auction which hit its goal financial target plus a little more. Again, that is due to the amazing dedication of parishioners as well as those who generously participated in the auction itself.

At each of of these events, parishioners banned together and worked for a common cause. I think they all had fun and grew closer as a community. These were not only good fundraisers, but also "friend-raisers." St. Anthony's is an amazing community dedicated to growing in faith together. This is one of the things that has impressed me the most since coming to St. Anthony's six years ago (Nov. 1 is the official 6th anniversary). Being part of a parish isn't just about coming to Mass or even volunteering to serve somewhere. Being part of a parish also means building relationships, bonds of love that help us, enliven us, and even challenge us to be more like Christ. It is a family of sorts. We are not meant to be alone. Our parish is one avenue that helps us to know that we are together in this thing called life. Let us lean on each other, confident that God is in control.

Offertory Program - Time, Talent, Treasure, & Tradition

In the coming weeks, we will be beginning the process of our annual Offertory Program which involves prayerful reflection on the part of all parishioners. The calendar of events is below. It is important that we all participate at whatever level we can. Participation is the most important aspect of the Offertory Program. It is even more important than how much a few give financially. In my homily of Oct. 18/19, 2008, we were all challenged to think about the gifts we have been given by God. The main question was, "What is not God's?" The answer is that everything we have is a gift from God. Not only our possessions and money, but our talents as well. Knowing that, we embark, once again, to reflect on how we can give back something to God in appreciation for all that he has done for us. So, begin now thinking and praying about how you can give back to God something of your time, talent, and treasure. In addition to that common reflection, this year I would like us all to ponder on how each of us can share our tradition as well. Our faith is not something that is to be kept to ourselves. It is something to be shared. Is there some way you can share your Catholic faith with others? I would like us each to think about that and make a plan to consider inviting people to Mass or some event that will happen this year at the parish. Maybe instead of bringing them to St. Anthony's, you might consider going to visit them where they are, bringing a heart of faith and love to their home. Maybe it is a commitment to be especially kind to the people at the grocery store or gas station. Maybe it would involve making a commitment to call someone each week to talk about the good things of the faith or encouraging someone who is down. Sharing our tradition can be done in so many ways.

Each year poses its new challenges, and each year we need to ponder on how to balance out those challenges so that we can maintain our commitments. The Offertory Program is intended to help you make that commitment based on your reflections. Each year we ask parishioners to consider the state of things in their lives in a one year snapshot. How has God blessed you? What has changed? Given that, each of are then being asked to decide how much we can commit financially to the parish. Should you increase your weekly giving? Should you decrease your weekly giving? Should you stay the same? This is a hard question for many to make given the economic situation we all live in. Our faith challenges us to give to God first and not just give our leftovers. One way of doing that is to consider your financial stewardship to the parish before bill paying. Another is to consider using our very successful ACH program where the amount you have committed to giving is automatically withdrawn from your bank account. I do this, and it helps me to know that I will meet my commitment because I have set up a system to do it. It is not something that I hope I'll get around to, nor is it something that becomes an heavy burden. Automatic withdrawal is the normative way I deal with all my bills. Using that system, I have less stress in my life as well as confidence that I am meeting my commitments.

So that you will know what is coming up, here is our Offertory Program calendar:

2009 Offertory Program Calendar

October 25/26 Census Update (In pew process) November 8/9 Announcement Weekend (Fr. Bill reflects about stewardship in homily) Week of 9-14 Parishioners receive Offertory Brochure to help explain process and aid in discernment November 15/16 Commitment Weekend (In pew process of making stewardship commitments) November 22/23 Follow-up Weekend (In-pew process for those who were absent the previous week) Week of 24 and on Confirmation Letters Mailed (Parishioners will be mailed letters confirming our data is correct regarding their commitment, etc.). Parishioners who didn't respond will be sent invitation letters to make sure they have a chance to participate. Jan 1, 2009 Offertory Program Commitments Begins

Please begin your prayerful discernment as to how you will participate in the life of St. Anthony's. If you have any questions, you can contact me or John Moore, this year's coordinator for the Offertory Program. Thank you for all you do. It is a privilege to be your pastor.

Blessings in Christ,

Fr. William Holtzinger
Pastor

Fr. Astronomer

A Hobby for the Heavens

Often people ask me what I enjoy doing for a hobby. Well, first I'm a geek and I love to do podcasts, manage my web site, go camping, and much more. But one hobby has a lot of relevance to me as a priest. That hobby? Astronomy. I'm a member of the Rose City Astronomers and I love to peer into the heavens with my 14.5" dobsonian reflector (below). Each summer I love to travel out to the Ochoco National Forest to join some 700 other amateur astronomers and gaze heavenward to view things that simply take my breath away. So how does astronomy connect with being a priest? Well, astronomy offers me a way to directly connect with how big God's creation is and how small I am. Yet, in spite of the radically disproportionate sizes of these two creations, God still loves me with an infinite love.

But, what is the Catholic Church doing meddling in astronomy? Haven't we learned our lesson from the Galileo debacle? The answer to these questions are, simply, we are doing amazing work in astronomy and Galileo has helped us learn about the political pitfalls that can happen when religion and science mix. Today, we are more eager than ever to learn how both faith and science harmonize. It also is a dramatic way to literally view history unfold. For example, when I see a celestial object that is 25 light-years away, that means I am seeing that object as it was 25 years ago. Now imagine seeing an object that is 2000 light-years away! I would be seeing existence as it was when Jesus walked the earth.

Catholics in Astronomy

Many priests are professional astronomers. Indeed, it was a priest who was the first to posit what is now called the "big bang" (Can you say Fr. Georges-Henri Lemaitre?). In fact, the father of astrophysics is a Jesuit, Fr. Angelo Secchi. The Vatican even owns and operates two major observatories, one at Castle Gondolfo, Italy and the other in Tucson, Arizona. In a nearby parish in Porltand, St. Agatha, a group of Catholics meet monthly to discuss Astronomy. They also use the internet to speak to Fr. Chris Corbally, S.J. who is the director of the Vatican Observatory. When ever the topic of Galileo comes up, it is the Church who always gets the black eye, so-to-speak. The Vatican Observatory has spent no small amount of energy reflecting on the universe and the theories of Galileo. Check out the publications about it by clicking here. In 2000, Guy Consolmagno, S.J. published a popular book describing the adventures of being a Vatican scientist entitled, "Brother Astronomer." The science of astronomy helps us know more about the creation that God has made. It reminds us that God is more than big and more than powerful. Imagine if we found intelligent life beyond our solar system. What would that mean for us as faithful Christians?

Star Party Ho!

Earlier I mentioned that each summer I travel to the Ochoco National Forest east of Bend, OR to join hundreds of others stargazing. Each year, that event, the Oregon Star Party, offers me a chance to stay up all night and quietly observe objects that I simply cannot see from my home with all its light pollution. The location is actually called Indian Trail Spring, and it is in the middle of nowhere. But, it has some wonderfully dark skies through which I can gaze upon objects that are millions of light years away. At the OSP, people bring some of the largest personally owned telescopes in the world. The great part is that many of these folks just love to let others peer through their scope. Exclamations such as "Wow" or "You've gotta see this!" are not uncommon. So I look forward to this summer's big event on Aug. 27th through Aug. 31st. My goal is to catalog as many galaxies I can. Another is to drink as much hot chocolate that I can in order to keep warm during the cold nights and help me stay awake in order to maximize my viewing opportunities. This year will be my fourth OSP and my second with my Chalet Aspen trailer. Since the event is so remote, it is important to be prepared. Bringing the Chalet is a real comfort, especially on cold or rainy nights. OSP is just a week away as of this writing. I can't wait. Astronomy is a prayerful and awe-inspiring experience.

If you are a budding amateur astronomer or are just curious, I recommend two books: Secrets of the Night Sky by Bob Berman and Night Watch by Terence Dickinson. Be careful, as you may be tempted to go out a buy a telescope. So let me offer you a bit of advice. Before you go out and plot down some hard earned cash for a new scope, first try using binoculars. It's amazing the things one can see with a simple pair of 10X50 binoculars. There are tons of things one can see wihout the aid of a telescope let alone binoculars. Inded, there's lots to behold by just looking up. For example, the International Space Station is a wonderful object to find when it passes overhead. One can determine when its visible by going to the NASA web site for the ISS. It's Summer. Next dark night, go lay out on your lawn and just gaze heavenward. You might just discover something new! You might even perceive God's presence in his handiwork. Afterall, the Scriptures tell us that "the heavens proclaim the glory of God" (Psalm 19:2).

Blessings in Christ,

Fr. William Holtzinger
Pastor

Happy Centennial!

Happy Centennial!

Happy 100th anniversary! On June 29 we mark a milestone in the life of our parish, and we celebrate in a special way with our festive gathering after our 9:30 am Mass. Thank you to Archbishop John Vlazny and Msgr. Dennis O’Donovan (pastor from 1982-’89) for joining us and celebrating Mass with us. Archbishop Vlazny has frequently commented that he has been rather busy celebrating centennials this year, demonstrating that our fourth Archbishop, Alexander Christie, must have been a very busy man 100 years ago. Along with St. Anthony’s, St. Francis in Roy will also celebrates this year as their centennial. We can thank Fr. F.J. Kettenhofen, the former pastor of Visitation Church in Verboort for purchasing the original land for our parish.

Thank You!

Our Centennial celebration doesn’t come without planning. As such, I want to thank Lani Vandehey, Virginia Ohler, Tweena Casey, Judith Knutson, Diego Patron, Joy Hills, Eileen Dolan, Diana Wuertz, Mark Vanderzanden, Ed & Floralee Stadelman, Mike Hinton, Anna Ronek, Linda Wardenburg, Mike Galati, Lisa Storms, Jesus Cornejo, Sr. Juana Gutierrez, and Tia Kouba for all the planning they have done. It is certainly a large-scale celebration. Thank you all! You are examples of what makes St. Anthony’s such a wonderful faith community.

St. Anthony's Today and in the Future

Thanks to the hard work of many volunteers, most particularly by Vera DeWolf (click here to download the pdf file of her original history from 1908-1990), our parish history has been preserved. In fact, most information is now online. For example, go to the St. Anthony's Historical Photos Page to see a collection of images we've gathered from parishioners and abroad.

Today, I hope that along with all the great food and entertainment, you also set aside a time to offer your own personal prayer for the ongoing needs that we, as a parish, have as well as the needs of the wider community that we are called to address. So many things have changed in 100 years. Gosh! So many things have changed in the past decade. It makes me wonder what St. Anthony’s will be like and what needs we will have 100 years from now. God willing, I pray that we will still be as vibrant then as we are now. I pray that our children’s children will find St. Anthony’s to be a welcoming place of worship, fellowship, and fun. When I arrived, Fr. Elwin Schwab (my predecessor) told me that there was a real possibility that we would outgrow our present church building during my tenure and that we would need to build a new church where the baseball field is located. While that hasn’t yet happened, 100 years from now that will be a certainty, short of our Lord’s Second Coming prior to that time. Until then, we pray and we listen to the Lord’s promptings to direct our mission in the years ahead. May we be empowered by the Spirit as stewards to serve the Lord and each other for another 100 years.

Blessings in Christ,

Fr. William Holtzinger
Pastor

Spring Brings News

Podcasting Issues

This past week I realized that my newest podcast, The Pilgrim Cast was incorrectly linking the episodes so that people who tried to go to iTunes to listen to any episodes would have been given errors. Yikes! This issue also plagued some of the Mysteries of the Mass Podcast. But, thankfully after some sleuthing around, I fixed the issue. I won't get into the details other than to say that it was all my fault. But, now, it is fixed.

This past week, we experienced a series of amazingly warm and beautiful days. It is just the beginning of a summer of sunshine. That also means that I will be more out and about and not spending so much time on my computer, my web pages, and my podcasts. But, have no fear. I will continue. Just know that there is a real possibility that they won't be coming out at the first half of the week every single time. This will be especially true when I am on vacation.

Staff News

I meant to blog this earlier (duh! like in the beginning of May) when I hired our new Administrative Assistant, but I have been slacking off in my blogging responsibilities. Nonetheless, I want to let everyone know that we have hired a new Administrative Assistant. Her name is Michelle Tunnell and she comes to us with an enormous amount of skills. First of all, she is trilingual. She speaks English, Spanish, and French. The first two languages are critical here at the parish. 1/3 of our community speaks Spanish. While there are no native French speakers in our community, one never knows if we might be surprised by an invasion from Quebec, Canada. She is high spirited and a faithful Christian. Michelle has fit right in and has been dealing well with the high learning curve of the parish office environment. She is a delight to work with and reports that she is enjoying her new position at St. Anthony's. If you ever call or come by the office, make sure to welcome her.

Congratulations are in store for David Palacios, our Coordinator of Music Ministry, as he graduated from Pacific University. He has also been accepted into Medical School for Naturopathic Medicine somewhere in Portland. David will continue in his current capacity until he begins classes again. After that, we will have to see how he can juggle his time.

School Building News

It has been a long and arduous road, but we have successfully rented out the south half of our school building to Vermont Hills Family Life Center who will be offering a pre-school and after-school care center. The school has been providing services to children since 1979 and has tied with many Catholic grade schools. Their philosophy is "to provide families with education, development and support, through childcare and other family services." I believe they will be a wonderful new presence on our campus. If things go well, they hope to expand into the remainder of the building. Time will tell. In the meantime, welcome VHFLC to St. Anthony's. Thank you all for your prayers and financial support during this year in order to keep the unexpected vacancy from tanking our working budget.

As things begin to wind down for the fiscal year, I must say that it has been a great year. God is so good! I look forward to this coming new fiscal year (begins July 1) with joy and hope. Again, thank you all!

Catholic New Media Celebration

As of this writing, the first ever Catholic New Media Celebration will take place in Atlanta Georgia (June 22). Held the day after the Archdiocese of Atlanta’s Eucharistic Congress (conducted June 20-21), the Catholic New Media Celebration is a day to learn, share, and explore how religious and laypersons can use New Media technology to help spread the Gospel and knowledge of the Catholic faith. From podcasting to blogging and old media to new media, experts in all fields of Catholic media will be on hand to present the latest technologies and grow communities devoted to reaching others in the New Evangelization. Admission is free and attendees are encouraged to register now and view a full speakers schedule and guest list at http://celebration.sqpn.com. Unfortunately, I won't be able to go due to prior commitments, however, if you are in any way interested in spreading the Gospel using new media forms, this is the event for you. Learn more by clicking on the link above or watching the You Tube video below. To register, click this link.

Sincerely in Christ,

Fr. William Holtzinger
Pastor

Welcome Pope Benedict XVI!

Papal Visit

Welcome Pope Benedict XVI! My prayers are with you on your journey to the U.S. Although your time with us will be short, I pray that your presence will bear much fruit here in our country.

What's the big fuss? Well, it is not common for the pope to come to the United States. Since the first papal visit of Paul VI in 1965, there have been only seven other visits, all by Pope John Paul II. This will mark the ninth time in the history of the Church that a pope steps on our soil. So, yes it is a big fuss!

Pope Benedict's visit has pundits and critics whirling about. Many are critiquing what he should or should not say. Many of these ideas are not part of his agenda. But, one can hardly blame them for raising their hopes. How often has the pope come to the United States? Indeed, there is only one reason for his coming:to sow the seed of faith and hope. His theme is "Christ our Hope." During his noon blessing on April 13th, he summarized his visit by saying " With the various groups I shall meet, my intention is to share Our Lord's word of life. In Christ is our hope." He further commented, "With the various groups I shall meet, my intention is to share Our Lord's word of life. In Christ is our hope... Christ is the foundation of our hope for peace, for justice and for the freedom that flows from God's law fulfilled in his commandment to love one another." He then asked all to pray for the success of his visit that it will be a time of spiritual renewal for all Americans. Since the crisis of the clergy sex scandals, our church here in the U.S. has been deeply injured and we need the care of our shepherd who comes to us in a special way through Pope Benedict XVI.

Media Savvy Church

Prior to his coming, the USCCB, through the funding of the Catholic Communications Campaign, created a special web site for the papal visit: www.papalvisit.org. At this web site one can find the itinerary of events , information about the pope, information about the Catholic Church in the USA, teaching resources, and more. There is even a blog where you can get the latest information and leave your comments. I was delighted to see this site, as it is a sign of how the Church is trying to use new media to communicate with the world. Of particular note, the pope himself recorded a video which has been put on the bishop's web site and has been widely circulated on YouTube. Click here to check it out. I was delightfully surprised to find all kinds of information surrounding the visit and the Church in general. For example, one can find out about the "Popemobile," various liturgical norms for Papal Masses, various facts and figures about the U.S. Church, worldwide and U.S. Catholic populations, and more. There was even a Papal Visit Video contest. Click here to watch the finalist. In order to stay current as things happen, you can subscribe to the RSS feed by clicking on the following link: Subscribe to RSS Feed. To put this feed into your RSS reader, click on the previous link. Then select your reader. To add this feed to your browser, click on "Subscribe" and click on "View Feed XML" then click on "Subscribe to this feed".

Again, I hope that this visit will energize as well as plant the seed of hope for us all. Keep your computer close to the sites above as well as to the news in the coming days to watch the events as they unfold. Welcome Pope Benedict XVI!

Sincerely in Christ,

Fr. William Holtzinger
Pastor

Don't Be An April Fool

April Fool?

Don't be an April Fool. Instead, be a fool for Christ. Easter gives us a reason to rejoice and be glad in spite of all the destruction and disillusionment that may be around us. Do you have a deep abiding joy that comes from the knowledge of your relationship with Jesus Christ? Does the reality... that's right, reality of Jesus' resurrection from the dead speak to your heart as nothing else does? If so, then that is what it means to be an Easter person. We are no April fools. We are fools 24-7 and especially on Sundays. But, if Sunday is the only time which you remember your relationship with Jesus, then now is the time to recommit yourself and spend some extra time in prayer, soaking in God's love. Our lives here on Earth are not the beginning and end of our existence. We know that there is much much more. We are all being called to a profound relationship with Jesus. By nurturing this relationship, we prepare ourselves for heaven.

The image at the left has always moved me. It reminds me of how much Jesus cares and desires to comfort us all, personally and intimately. He knows the depth of each of our suffering. He knows the highs and lows of all our lives. Yet, no matter what we've done, he still loves us. He loves us perfectly. He knows you and has plans for greatness for each of us. That doesn't mean that we will all be the next American Idol or Einstein. In fact, we may have pretty simple and seemingly unimportant lives. But, that is far from the truth. With Jesus at your side, every encounter with another person, every situation with a fellow human being is packed with potential to express the divine mystery that lies in each of us. When we love our neighbor, we are doing the work of God. That was a commandments of Jesus (Matt. 12:31). When we love each other God's essence is present. What could be greater than that? Yet, we struggle to see this mystery in our daily lives. It happens in the ordinary things of our day, not just in the amazing moments that we all strive to have. God is here, now. Simple. He is risen and lives with us. If that is foolish to the world, then so be it. Don't just be an April fool.

Are You Preparing Your Family for Heaven?

Isn't that the question of a lifetime! Often we go about our day consumed by the details of things so mundane that they hardly matter in the big picture. The endless shuttling our children from one event to another can certainly be tiring. Sometime parents can forget about the most essential things. It is so easy. We are all guilty of it in our own ways. Sometimes we just need a wake up call or a loving reminder of the importance of our calling. To this end, we are privileged to receive Deacon Harold Burke-Sivers to St. Anthony's on Tuesday, April 8th from 7 pm to 9pm who will speak to us about what it means to be a Christian parent. Topics such as motherhood, fatherhood, formation and education of our children, family life as a divine calling from God, the threats of a culture of death, the role of a parish and Catholic school in family life, and how the Sacraments not only deepen, but strengthen us through God's grace to prepare our family for heaven.

Again, mark the date: April 8th at 7 pm. Harold is a permanent deacon here in the Archdiocese of Portland. He has a vigorous speaking schedule that keeps him busy all year long. He has authored man books and other articles ranging from the Domestic Church, male spirituality, family and society, sacraments, lay vocations, and many others. He is frequently on EWTN and speaks to thousands of people every year.

Deacon Harold is well associated with a variety of organizations . He holds a B.A. from the University of Notre Dame and an M.T.S. from the University of Dallas. He was ordained in 2002 and is deeply committed to the mission of the Church. Come listen to this motivational speaker who we are honored to host for an evening. Hope to see you there!

Annual Appreciation Banquet

April brings with it the promise of Spring and for many people, the joy which seemed lost in the Winter cold is restored. This helps all the more to celebrate the Easter season where we are reminded that our deepest joy is in the fact that Jesus has saved us from our sins through his suffering, death, and resurrection. As a way of thanking all of those who volunteer in any way at St. Anthony's, I would like to invite you to our annual Volunteer Appreciation Banquet. Mark your calendars for April 19th at 7 pm. At that time we will father for food and fellowship. There will be fun and food to warm our spirits. The main dish hasn't yet been determined, but as we did last year, all are encouraged to bring a dish of their delight to share with the community. As more details are determined, I will share them with you. In the meantime, thank you for all you do for the parish. It is working amidst all the selfless people of St. Anthony's that I see the face of Christ.

Sincerely in Christ,

Fr. William Holtzinger
Pastor

It's Great to be Back!

March Madness

If you have a keen eye, you may notice some cosmetic changes around and about my web site. Additionally, there are some things under the hood that are pretty geeky, so I won't bother you with the details other than to say that I've tried simplifying the menu system on the top of the screen. Since I now have some seven podcasts, I realized that it was becoming too clumsy to have a button for each one. So, now there is just one with a pop-down menu listing all the projects. I've done a similar thing with the other buttons. So, please be patient if things seem a bit messy in the next several weeks. Think of it as March Madness here at Fr. Bill's Personal Pages.

Italian Joy!

Our annual Italian Dinner is now in the history books. I always love this event because so many people gather to serve and have a great time. This year is especially poignant as it is part of a trio of milestones: the 50th anniversary of the construction of the church, the 100th anniversary of the founding of our parish community, and the twenty-fifth anniversary of our Italian Dinner. This year’s chairperson for the dinner, curiously enough, was the one who lead the charge twenty-five years ago at our very first dinner and whose mother’s recipe was used for the meatballs: Ray Giansante. Thank you Ray! You did a marvelous job. Your cheer and laugh were infectious!

Ray, however, was not alone. He was supported by an army of volunteers. Many have been helping since the beginning. Some came out to help for the first time. Some have been helping out each year quietly without any need of thanks or recognition. To all who volunteered from preparation, to cooking, to serving, to clean-up, to money handling... thank you very much!

At risk of missing someone, I would like to offer special thanks to Ray’s team of leaders who selflessly gave of their time and talent:

Co-Chair – Camille Miller, Publicity & Promotion – Becky Pettit, Volunteer Coordination – Claudia Yakos, Ticket Coordinator– Debbie Kincaid, Wine Procurement & Sales – Laurie Kemper and Becky Pettit, Desert Production – Linda Wardenburg, Kitchen – Judy Hendricks & Diane Kemper, Meatball makers – Jerry & Lois Boogaard, Meatball Cookers – Steve Lepschat, Linguine Cookers – Ray Chapman, Take out – Patty Schmitz, Trevor Thursome, & the Camille Miller Family, Bazaar – Theresa Carter, Dinning Room Set Up and Coordination – Donita Miller, Mike VanDyke, Clean up – Alan VanDyke & a multitude of parishioners specifically from our Hispanic Prayer Group, Dishwashing – Todd Schmidt, his family and friends, Transportation of Food – Jeff Pettit & Brian Rouse, Money Handlers/Counters – Ann Olinger, Outside Cookers of Sauce and Linguine – Matt O’Dell & Pete VanDyke, Donation of Freezers and Refrigerators – Pete VanDyke. Thank you all! Thank you for your joy-filled service!

There is also someone special who I want to recognize who has been involved for many years, a person who worked the entire day, a person who worked with a particular smile and kind word for anyone passing his way, a person who isn’t a leader of any of these groupings, yet demonstrated the heart and soul of our parish during the dinner. That person is Dwight Herb. Dwight scraped and cleaned dishes all day long. His extraordinary yet humble work was done without complaint and was a model for us all. Thanks Dwight! Job well done!

Finally, thank you all who came to eat! The food was wonderful and so was the company. I think all who dawned our doors were met with a warm smile and a plate of hot food. Thank you all! It was a wonderful event!

The Pilgrim Cast

Since our return from our pilgrimage to the Holy Land, many of us can finally say that we have recovered from jet lag and have begun to remember all the things we experienced. While I was in Israel, I took my digital recorder and captured over 150 clips to be edited together at a later time. Well, the first official episode had been comleted and I am proud to say that the Pilgrim Cast is under way. If you were not able to to gog for what ever reason or you were one of those pilgrims who forgot most of what was said (which includes me), then check out www.pilgrimcast.com and listen to some of our adventures. Most of the recordings are of our guide, Khader Msacobi, a.k.a. George, as he takes us to all the holy sites. Also are some sound-seeing tours by me and interviews as we traveled. I've submitted the podcast to Apple which will be making it available for free via iTunes. In the meantime, you can also go to to the Pilgrim Cast web site or subscribe directly to the feed. I hope that you will find the podcast informative as well as inspirational.

Sincerely in Christ,

Fr. William Holtzinger
Pastor

Pilgrim's Progress

Holy Land Pilgrimage

Well, it's here! We're off to Israel for our centennial year pilgrimage. The notion of a pilgrimage is not new. One can go to Judges 20:18 where the people went to Bethel to consult God. Again in Gen. 47:9, a pilgrimage was a way of viewing one's life. Jesus himself traveled in pilgrimage several times, often by foot, to Jerusalem (ie. Luke 2:41, Luke 9:51, John 2:13)

The Church owes a great debt of gratitude to the pilgrims of the first few centuries after Christ's death and resurrection. Egeria, one of particular importance, traveled in the fourth century and wrote extensively to her women friends back in Europe. Her text, "Pilgrimages to the Holy Lands," has served archeologists and theologians discern the locations of many important sites.

Sunday, February 10th, we gather ourselves together to begin our trip. It is not just a tourist thing or vacation. It is a spiritual journey. Every step, every place we go, we are being called to remember the past, the present, and the future. The past, for the places we visit are permeated with the footprints of other pilgrims before us who sought out to remember the past, a past when Jesus himself walked the steps we walk. The present, for only in the now do we experience our lives. In the now we are being asked to be aware of the Spirit residing in us, enlivening us, letting us know of the wonders that have taken place in the holy spaces we visit. The future, for we are reminded that all these places and associated events point us to the eternal Jerusalem where lies our ultimate destiny.

Each day we will celebrate Mass. Imagine listening to the Scriptures about the very happenings where one is standing. If you wish to follow along, you can check out our itinerary, read my blog, read the blog of our pilgrims, and check out the photos we post. On our Pilgrimage Page of our parish web site, you can see these links as well as links for more information about the sites. Also, check out the clock which shows the time difference so you can get a sense of when we are awake and when we are asleep. Israel is 10 hrs. ahead of us here on the West Coast.

I am most especially looking forward to celebrating Mass at the Churches of the Holy Sepulchre, Dominus Flavit (image above-left), and the Annunciation. How incredible it will be to celebrate the risen Lord in the place where it actually happened (Holy Sepulchre). While small, Dominus Flavit, the church commemorating John 11:25 ("Jesus wept"), overlooks Jerusalem and reminds me of how much God cares for us. While in Nazareth, we will be able to celebrate at the traditional site where the Angel Gabriel told Mary of the child she was to conceive. In this area, it is certain, lies the remains of the home of Joseph and Mary. What humble beginnings for such an important person. In my previous pilgrimage here, I had many quiet early mornings alone in prayer just as they opened at 5 am.

Here is our Mass schedule (All times Israel).

Tuesday 2/12: 3:00PM – St. Joseph in Bethlehem
Wednesday 2/13: 10:00AM - Dominus Flevit
Thursday 2/14: 6:00AM – Holy Tomb in the Holy Sepulcher
Friday 2/15: 8:00AM - Gethsemane Basilica of the Agony
Saturday 2/16: 8:00AM – St. Peter in Gallicantu
Sunday 2/17: 3:30PM – Mt. of the Beatitudes
Monday 2/18: 9:00AM - Annunciation
Tuesday 2/19: 10:00AM - Tabgha



Keep watching this site or our parish pilgrimage site for events as they happen each day.

Please keep us all in your prayers as we will you.


Blessings,
Fr. William Holtzinger
Pastor

A New Year! A Centennial Year!

A New Year! A Centennial Year 
Happy new year! I am very excited for what 2008 will offer us here at St. Anthony's. A few weeks ago, I met with our Vicar of Clergy, Fr. Patrick Brennan, who, after my first term review, agreed that I should stay for a second term. Now all that will be needed is the confirmation from the Personnel Board and the Archbishop. I don't expect that there will be any changes from Fr. Brennan's opinion. One term is equivelant to six years. That is a great gift to me. I love St. Anthony's and the people here. I am looking forward to all the events of our centennial year. I pray for health and an increase in faith for us all. Thank you all for your love and support. I hope as I continue to learn how to be a good pastor that I will be able to bring Jesus to you in a more compelling way. You certainly inspire me to be the best priest I can be. I love what I do. I love being a priest. Thank you!

As 2007 came to an end, several families and individuals made significant donations that will make a real difference towards upgrading our kitchen, repairing large parts of our parking lot, and erasing our deficit created by the Oak Tree School's departure. Thank you so much! I cannot tell you how much stress has been lifted from my heart.

Holy Land Pilgrimage 
On February 10th, thirty-five very excited people from our parish and elsewhere will be joining me on a pilgrimage to Israel. We will spend ten days going to all the major holy sites where Jesus walked. This will be my second time going, a dream that I never thought would happen. Some people have expressed worry considering the climate of tension in the Middle East. However, the danger is not high, as we will be going to areas where security is well maintained. Tourism is the life-blood of the country, and so it is in their best interest to give pilgrims the most positive experience as possible.

In order to involve as many people as possible, I will be blogging our adventures as well as recording a series of episodes for my podcast. I hope to be able to create recordings that will be of help for those who may go to the Holy Land in the future. That may mean that another podcast may be created so that people can subscribe solely to that production and take it with them on their iPod or other mp3 player so that they can listen to the podcast based on where they are visiting. Thin of it as a virtual tour/spiritual guide. There are other tourist-like podcasts, but I hope to offer this as a free Catholic-based podcast that reflects on the Scriptures and history of the places in the Holy Land. Check out my blog come February 10th through 20th. Please keep me and the thirty-four other pilgrims that will be joining me. If you would like to know more, you can also go to our parish web site's Pilgrimage Page for more details about the pilgrimage and holy sites we'll be visiting.

 

Blessings,
Fr. William Holtzinger
Pastor