Archbishop's Pilgrimage to Holy Land

Have you ever wanted to walk where Jesus walked? Have you ever wanted to celebrate Mass in the holiest sites of the Bible? Ever wanted to sail the Sea of Galilee? Ever wanted to visit the sites where the Rosary finds its origins? In March of 2012, Archbishop Vlazny is inviting the faithful to join him on a pilgrimage to Israel where, for twelve days, he and his fellow pilgrims will come to experience the Holy Land.

Described by Bargil Pixner as the Fifth Gospel, the Holy Land certainly breathes holiness and proclaims the Good News of Christ's Gospel.

Pentecost Tours has been contracted to guide the pilgrims through these amazing sites. Leaving from Portland on March 4 and returning March 15th, pilgrims will experience Lent unlike any other. Many St. Anne's parishioners are already signed up. Fr. Bill Holtzinger and Fr. Mike Walker will be going.

For more information, click this link to download the pamphlet with registration form. The cost of the trip includes airfare, lodging, nine full breakfasts and ten dinners. An initial deposit will be required. Total balance must be paid no later than December 4th, 2011.

Fr. Bill recently went in 2007 and has created a podcast which will allow you to

listen in and learn as the pilgrimage leader guides listeners through the significance of the various sites. Click here to listen and subscribe to the Pilgrim Cast.

Church Clean-up Day

Dear Parishioners,

Thank you! Thank you all who gave of their time, talent, and treasure this Saturday during our parish’s “Spring Cleaning Day.” Yes, it is technically Summer, but it was originally thought up for Springtime and was later moved. Anyhoo, those details are not important. What is important is that we take pride in our faith community and subsequent campus where we worship, gather, learn, and commune with God and each other.

When people come to a new church or office, they make a quick assessment by the way things are kept up. Are the bathrooms clean? Are the sidewalks clear of debris? Is it clear where to park or where offices are located? Is the grass or shrubbery in good manicured order? Are books and other items where they should be? Is there useless clutter? Is the sanctuary and other liturgical goods in good repair and well organized? These are all good ways to determine the level of care that parishioners have for their faith. We may not always succeed in all of these areas, but it was heartening to see those who came out giving selflessly with a joy in their heart. Our campus is big, but many hands made light work.

So, I can only say thank you. Thank you all for the love you showed and the work you offered. Our Church and campus look so much better. Thank you!

Blessings,

Fr. William Holtzinger

Pastor

New Tabernacle

Dear Parishioners,

I want to extend my thanks to Rex Titus for his saintly efforts to make sure our Adoration Chapel has people staffing the many hours needed to keep it going. I say saintly, because often he personally fills in the time when people either don’t show or cannot fulfill their time slot. I would like to encourage all adorers to make a double effort to cover your committed time slot when they know they will be gone for whatever reason. I also want to encourage adorers to be faith- ful to the full hour for which they have committed. But, given human nature and the demands on our lives, sometimes things happen and it becomes almost impossible to fill time slots. So, I’ve had several meetings with Rex and others to devise a plan that should ease this stress and make managing the adoration chapel a simple task.

In time, a tabernacle will be placed in the chapel which will be big enough to encompass the entire monstrance. It will have doors that are easily opened and closed, thus reposing and exposing the Blessed Sacrament. I’ve asked Dick Zahniser to build the tabernacle and Patti Sorge to write icons on the doors, once completed, that adorers will see when the doors are open. The image seen in this letter is a sample image I found on the internet which gives a basic sense of what it will look like. Keep in mind, it is not exactly the same, but the basic shape is very similar and the idea of icons on the doors also gives a sense of what it may look like.

I believe this solution to be a win-win for all involved. But, we want to make sure it is done well. So, please be patient as neither construction or iconography can be rushed. Please pray for all involved so that the final solution is one that encourages more to come to the chapel, reduces the stress when there are no substitutes to be found, and eases the responsibility of the person in charge of managing the Adoration Chapel. If you wish to donate to the costs of this project, you are welcome to come to the office and make a gift which will be given towards the construction of this tabernacle.

Blessings,

Fr. William Holtzinger

Pastor