The Common Good

Dear Parishioners,

The term, “Common Good,” is something that may be lost on many people and is too often being replaced with individual rights with no regard to anyone else.  This rugged individualism has been condemned by the Church.  We can ill afford to be silent about this issue which is at the base of many if not all social issues confronting our society today.  

In general, when the justification is used that a certain behavior doesn’t hurt anyone else, commonly such an argument reveals a myopic vision of the world and a lack of understanding of the consequences of our individual and even private actions.  We must more deeply grasp the effects we have on our relationships with others near to us as well as the larger community in which we live in order to understand the common good.  We are not an island.  To think and behave as if we are opens up the potential to great harm for all.  Here’s some examples which illustrate this point. 

Here’s a simple yet less controversial issue: When someone dies and they want their ashes scattered over a mountain or forest, everyone else is robbed of the ability to go to a burial place where they can mourn.  The deceased person’s wish negates the good of others who need to mourn.  It is also an undignified way to repose the former temple of a person who was made in God’s image.  This is not a viewpoint with the Common Good in mind, just the individual.

In the abortion debate, the individual right of the mother trumps the good of the child in the womb or even the right of the father who may disagree with the decision.  In this holocaustic viewpoint, countless millions have been killed in the name of an individual.  The fact that entire generations have been wiped out by a so-called right is clear evidence that it is against the dignity of the human person and the Common Good.

So-called, doctor assisted suicide arguments claim the individual’s right to end their own life on their terms so as to avoid suffering, autonomy, control, and the like, negating the use of effective palliative care and equating one’s value or dignity in terms of abilities or capacity.  It is a grievous act akin to murder (See The Gospel of Life., #66).  The legalization in Oregon of euthanasia, its true title, may justify its use in some people’s minds, but it is against the dignity of the human person and the Common Good.

The current movement to redefine marriage is based on the assumption that marriage is the simple desire and right of individuals to do what they want, regardless of the good of children and Divine law.  Marriage is not a right which just anyone can validly undertake even between heterosexual couples. I have processed all too many annulments which were granted on the grounds that they did not, and may never have, the capacity to live out the commitment that marriage demands. In these cases, the couple erroneously attempted to enter into the Sacrament which they could not do.  Marriage is a privileged state which God designed and which we have no authority to define or reinvent.  Anyone desiring to be married should send to prayer if they are capable and sufficiently prepared to undertake such an awesome Sacrament. Redefining marriage diminishes its sanctity and is against the Common Good.

A more current issue which is being placed before the voters this November 4th is the effort to legalize recreational use of marijuana.  Proponents of this movement commonly argue the right to do what they will with their own body.  However, this viewpoint does not consider the consequences to children and the safety of others. Archbishop Sample’s current column in the Catholic Sentinel fills this in well. The argument that it does not harm the user taking the drug is fallacious since the very act of getting “high” diminishes one’s abilities, distorts one’s senses, suppresses the immune system, decreases motivation, darkens the conscience, and ultimately damages the soul. The fact that marijuana may be easy to acquire or that it is being used by one’s family or friends, or even if it does become legal, does not change the fact that it is harmful to one’s body and soul as well as to our culture. It is against the common good.

With regard to the current ballot measure for offering drivers cards for those without a social security number, particularly immigrants who are our modern day neighbors, there needs to be  away to help them.  By offering a way for them to acquire a drivers card increases the number of people who are trained in driving and thus makes our roads safer.  Voting “yes” for this bill will create safer drivers.  Voting for this bill is for the Common Good.

So, we need to ponder more deeply than our own desires and wants.  We need to be on guard against our own desire for individualism.  As Catholic Christians, we need to consider the consequences of things in regard to the Common Good.  Such a frame of reference broadens our minds and allows us to make more ethical and moral choices.  It also gets us out of partisan thinking and voting.  It brings to the fore our faith before all other ideologies. Remember that we are Catholic Christians before all else. We need to pray to have the view of God who desires the good for all.

Blessings,

Fr. William Holtzinger

Pastor

Parish Offertory Program 2015

Dear Parishioners,

Today now more than ever we need to be sharing the Good News to a world that is evermore in need.  The Good News, of course, is that Jesus Christ suffered, died, and is risen for us.  He has set us free from the bondage of sin and opened the gates of heaven for his faithful.  Having received this Good News, we are called to bear it and preach it with our very lives.  This Kerygma (think: proclamation) is one of the main purposes for our lives.  We are not to keep it to ourselves.

This past weekend, Fr. Nguyen and I spoke about our Parish Offertory Program.  Each year, we set aside time to ponder on how we can proclaim and live out this Good News.  It challenges us to deeply know this immense gift, and respond in gratitude.  This is where the term, Stewardship, is of great help.  To be a steward is to be one who tends rather than owns.  It is a response of gratitude for all that we have been given. If we think about it, all that we have, all that we are is a gift from God.  Our response of gratitude is how we proclaim or live out the Kerygma.

Stewardship, therefore, is the tending of the gifts of time, talent, treasure, and tradition which we have all been given.  What gifts have you been given and how are you sharing them?  What abilities have you been given which can be used to share the love of Jesus? What financial gifts have you been blessed with which can be used to further the mission (again think, Kerygma) of the Church, and specifically St. Anne’s?  

Each year, I ask us all to ponder on these things and be prepared to make an annual commitment of stewardship to your parish community.  That means you may want to try something new by getting involved in a different ministry.  It may be the call to change your financial giving by examining if you are simply offering a tip like being at a restaurant or are making a faith-filled sacrifice based on a percentage of your income.  The things we value we invest in.  So, we should consider the Church to be of great importance and examine truly the value we place on our parish church. Regarding tradition, ask yourself how you are sharing the beauty of the traditions which have been handed on to you?  Maybe that might mean inviting a neighbor to join you to go to Mass or a bible study, or the the Altar Society, or the Funeral Reception Committee.  There’s just so many ways to share our amazing traditions.

The Good News of Jesus Christ has transformed the world for two millennia, and we have been entrusted to share and participate in the ministries which are present at St. Anne’s in order to proclaim (Kerygma) it.  So, this week you will receive a brochure which will detail some more ideas about our Parish Offertory Program.  Read it and review the sample Commitment Card which is at the back of the brochure.  Next week, I will be leading us all, during the homily time, to make a new or renewed commitment to St. Anne’s and our ministries.  If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to talk with me, Fr. Nguyen, or Stephen Voehl, our business manager.

Blessings,

Fr. William Holtzinger

Pastor

Adoration Chapel

Dear Parishioners,

Among the many wonderful things about our parish, one that stands out is our Adoration Chapel. It was started 18 years ago today with the blessing of Fr. Karl Schray under the leadership of Vernon Snyder. Since then, countless hours of prayer have been offered, many done with great sacrifice with regards to the late-night time slots. Having my office right next to the chapel has been a blessing. Not only is it convenient to go prayer there even if for a few minutes, but I have been blessed by seeing the constant flow of traffic which always inspires me.

For years, Rex Titus, who just passed away, had been leading the Adoration Committee. He heroically would not only help people find substitutes when they couldn’t make their assigned time slot, but would personally take their place if no substitute could be found. This quickly became such a burden that he couldn’t continue doing that. He also desired to step down, but nobody wanted to take his place with the responsibilities that Rex assumed. Many slots were hard to fill and people continued to struggle to find a substitute. After many meetings with Rex about this situation, I proposed and commissioned the creation of a tabernacle that would house the monstrance for adoration. This special tabernacle not only was a work of art, but a work of prayer with icons written on its doors by Patti Sorge. Now, if someone cannot find a substitute, the adorer prior to that empty time slot can choose to add another hour or close the tabernacle doors and leave.

Today, I would like to make all aware of what is currently going on and how some of the issues therein are being met. First of all, with Rex’s blessing, the affirmation by many, and my own encouragement and blessing, Michael Bird has stepped up to be the chair of the Adoration Committee. In addition, new piece of software is being set up which will allow for accurate and easy scheduling to be done, akin to our liturgical ministers scheduling software. With this software, the latest schedule will always be easily found online at our website. If one needs a substitute, one will be able to request help by a simple online request which will blast out an email to those whose system profiles might be available to fill in. Once someone receives the email, a simple click of a link in the email will secure the substitute for the needed position. We are seeking out the use of an iPad which will be secured outside of the chapel for anyone to check the schedule and/or request a substitute or respond to a substitute request. We have a computer on the counter in the parish office which also is available for this purpose. The Adoration Committee consisting of Steve Voehl, Christine Murphy, and Rosemary Monette will be meeting with Michael Bird to get familiar with this new system and plan for a campaign for new volunteers to spend time in the Adoration Chapel.

I want to encourage you, especially if you have never been to our chapel, to spend some time in quiet prayer before the Blessed Sacrament. We all need more quiet time in listening prayer before our Lord. With all the busyness about us, it is hard to settle our hearts and minds. But, I believe you will find it a rewarding experience. Even if you cannot commit to an hour in the adoration schedule, maybe you could sign up to be an on call substitute through the new software. I frequently see adorers come to the chapel and spend just a few minutes, then go on with their day. What a wonderful thing, no? Keep your eyes and ears peeled to more announcements about the goings on of our Adoration Chapel as well as a sign-up drive. Thank you to all who have given so selflessly in prayer for our community and the needs of others via this amazing ministry in our parish.

Blessings,

Fr. William Holtzinger
Pastor

Tragedy, Grief, And The Lord

Dear Parishioners,

The past several weeks we have experienced more than our share of tragedies and funerals in our faith communities.  It is in these times that sorrow befalls upon us and tempts us to despair and hopelessness. But, do not give in to this darkness.  Let the light of Christ pierce the darkness with a light of hope that only God can give!   Know with the fullness of your being that God is at work, and his divine power and genius is more than capable of turning darkness and tragedy into light and triumph!

I am reminded of one of my favorite Scripture verses which is constantly opened to in my office.  The verses come from the Book of Lamentations and are the words of a faithful, yet suffering individual.  The whole book is one big lament, yet almost exactly in the middle of the short book, a piercing ray of hope is uttered about the truth of God:

"My life is deprived of peace, I have forgotten what happiness is; My enduring hope, I said, has perished before the Lord...
But this I will call to mind; therefore I will hope:
The Lord ’s acts of mercy are not exhausted, his compassion is not spent; They are renewed each morning—great is your faithfulness!
"The Lord is my portion, I tell myself, therefore I will hope in him.
The Lord is good to those who trust in him, to the one that seeks him;
It is good to hope in silence for the Lord ’s deliverance.
(Lam 3:17, 21-26)

Yes!  The mercies of the Lord are not exhausted by the grief and sadness that befalls us.  The word "mercy" translated in the New American Bible comes from the Hebrew word, Hesed which signifies an unchanging, constant devotion, a loving kindness that forgives with a divine mercy.  Even when one our youngest members tragically dies in an accident, as happened this past week, God is active, alive, and ready to catch us when we fall.  

It is for these things and more that our Lord suffered so much.  It is for these things that Jesus desired to die so that we would not have to die eternally.  Our God is mighty to save and full of compassion.  So, do not be afraid when tragedy strikes, when loss is so great that you do not know what to do.  Simply lean on our Lord.  Shout out to him who listens with perfect understanding. Share the entirety of your grief.  Even your anger... let him know of it.  Just remember, he loves you.  He suffers with you.  You don't need to be anything other than yourself when you approach him.  You don't have to have the "right " words.  Just give him your broken heart.  And by his amazing grace, he will triumph over the darkness so that you can rejoice with him.  

So, let God sit with you in your grief.  Let him turn your sadness into joy.  Listen to the Lord while he speaks his words of love to you. Yes, he loves you even when you are lost.  Let him be your way, truth, and life.  May all glory and praise be to our God who is our Father, Son, and Holy Spirit!

Blessings,

Fr. William Holtzinger

Pastor

Hello!

Dear Parishioners, 

Last month we said goodbye to Fr. José and Jessica McCormick. This month, we say, "Hello!" to two new members taking their places.

Firstly, we want to say, "Hello!" to Fr. Joseph Hùng Nguyễn to St. Anne's! This past weekend, he was received with a very warm welcome. For those wanting to know how to prounce his last name, just pronounce it as if to say, "when." So, just hear yourself say, "Father When" and you will have it! If you wish to get to know him better, Fr. Nguyen will be offering a time to talk about his vocational journey and answer questions at our next installation of Catholicism 101 on Sunday, July 13th at 9:30 AM. In brief, Fr. Joseph Nguyễn was previously the Parochial vicar at St. Cecilia in Beaverton. Fr. Joseph served for a summer as an intern with Fr. Bill at St. Anthony's in Forest Grove. We are happy to welcome Fr. Joseph to our parish to continue his training and experience in priestly ministry.

Secondly, we want to say "Hello!" to Joe Trainor who has accepted our offer to become our new Pastoral Associate. He has a wealth of experience in the commercial and church world. His last pastoral placement was at Sacred Heart in Tillamook, OR where he worked tirelessly in liturgy and Faith Formation. He is currently in the Philippines with his wife, as they are in the process of adopting her two grandchildren. We expect Joe to arrive somewhere around the 25th of this month after which he will be formally introduced in the first weekend of August.

Blessings, 

Fr. William Holtzinger
Pastor

Goodbye

Dear Parishioners,

This month of June will mark the end of official ministry here for both Fr. José and Jessica McCormick. With all parting, there is sadness, and this time is no exception. In the weeks ahead, it will be important for us all to show our thanks and offer our prayers and blessings for them both. I write this now so we all have time to be active about saying goodbye.

Remember that the word, “goodbye” comes from the phrase, “God be with you.” This sentiment and prayer is perfect for ministers of the Church. Goodbye, however, can be a difficult thing for many. Yet, I want to encourage us to embrace it since it is a God-filled action. That’s right, saying “goodbye” is an action that should be faith-filled and full of abiding hope that one day we will see them again. It also speaks of a confidence that God has something new and good for our future.

It is a reminder of what Jesus promised us, that is that he will “not leave us orphans,” but instead give us “another Advocate,” that is the Holy Spirit. So, we need to take Jesus at his word and live it seriously. We need to have his commandments in our hearts and observe them. Such observations sometimes require us to say, “Goodbye.”

Blessings,

Fr. William Holtzinger
Pastor

Reasons To Rejoice!

Dear Parishioners,

Blessed Easter season and, especially today, Mercy Sunday.  So many wonderful things are happening about us because of God's work.  We received many adults and children into the Church via baptism, Confirmation, and Eucharist at the Easter Vigil.  Fr. José was the presider and did a great job.  I felt blessed to be able to have such a competent Parochial Vicar who can just take over.  Congratulations to all our Neophytes (that's what the Church calls the newly baptized and confirmed)!

Also today is a special day for the Church Universal, for we will be witnessing the canonization of two amazing new saints: Sts. Pope John XXIII and Pope John Paul II.  I was not yet born when John XXIII was living, but I studied about him and his work in the Second Vatican Council when I was a seminarian.  What a loving and gracious man he was!  I am so very thankful for his openness to the Holy Spirit and his daring call for an Ecumenical Council.  Pope John Paul II is someone with whom I am much more familiar.  He has been the pope for most of my childhood and was a great inspiration to me in my journey to the priesthood.  This day, Mercy Sunday, was a special celebration for Pope John Paul II, and he was the one who called the Church to observe it as a special day for the whole Church.  Here's a link to the USCCB's website for more information about these canonizations.

On Tuesday, one of our own archdiocesan priests, Fr. Peter Smith will be ordained a bishop.  He was ordained a deacon at the same Mass where I was ordained a priest.  He is a member of the association of the People of Praise.  Our Archdiocese is large, and we have great need for an auxiliary bishop who can assist Archbishop Sample in the shepherding of our Church.  Congratulations to Bishop-elect Peter Smith!

In all, today we have many reasons to rejoice.  The greatest one is, of course, the reality that Jesus Christ is risen and has opened the gates of heaven for his faithful.  May this Good News be in your hearts and minds so that we can all rejoice together and spread the joy of this Gospel to all we know!

Blessings,

Fr. William Holtzinger
Pastor

Let's Be On Mission

Dear Parishioners,

Last weekend, I read parts of Pope Francis' Apostolic Exhortation, "Joy of the Gospel." May of you asked me where they could buy it. We don't have any copies at the church for sale, so I encourage you to go to your local bookstore or go online and order it for yourself. But, in lieu of that, here are the paragraphs I read to the community. Read them again and ponder on how you can be more evangelical and mission orientated. Note the numbers before the paragraphs are the Church's way to organize her published texts. In my homily, I skipped from paragraph 28 to 32 in order to shorten my homily. Also note that I included the footnotes in the text, marked by brackets:

25. I am aware that nowadays documents do not arouse the same interest as in the past and that they are quickly forgotten. Nevertheless, I want to emphasize that what I am trying to express here has a programmatic significance and important consequences. I hope that all communities will devote the necessary effort to advancing along the path of a pastoral and missionary conversion which cannot leave things as they presently are. “Mere administration” can no longer be enough.[21] Throughout the world, let us be “permanently in a state of mission”.[22]

26. Paul VI invited us to deepen the call to renewal and to make it clear that renewal does not only concern individuals but the entire Church. Let us return to a memorable text which continues to challenge us. “The Church must look with penetrating eyes within herself, ponder the mystery of her own being… This vivid and lively self-awareness inevitably leads to a comparison between the ideal image of the Church as Christ envisaged her and loved her as his holy and spotless bride (cf. Eph 5:27), and the actual image which the Church presents to the world today... This is the source of the Church’s heroic and impatient struggle for renewal: the struggle to correct those flaws introduced by her members which her own self-examination, mirroring her exemplar, Christ, points out to her and condemns”.[23] The Second Vatican Council presented ecclesial conversion as openness to a constant self-renewal born of fidelity to Jesus Christ: “Every renewal of the Church essentially consists in an increase of fidelity to her own calling… Christ summons the Church as she goes her pilgrim way… to that continual reformation of which she always has need, in so far as she is a human institution here on earth”.[24]

There are ecclesial structures which can hamper efforts at evangelization, yet even good structures are only helpful when there is a life constantly driving, sustaining and assessing them. Without new life and an authentic evangelical spirit, without the Church’s “fidelity to her own calling”, any new structure will soon prove ineffective.
27. I dream of a “missionary option”, that is, a missionary impulse capable of transforming everything, so that the Church’s customs, ways of doing things, times and schedules, language and structures can be suitably channeled for the evangelization of today’s world rather than for her self-preservation. The renewal of structures demanded by pastoral conversion can only be understood in this light: as part of an effort to make them more mission-oriented, to make ordinary pastoral activity on every level more inclusive and open, to inspire in pastoral workers a constant desire to go forth and in this way to elicit a positive response from all those whom Jesus summons to friendship with himself. As John Paul II once said to the Bishops of Oceania: “All renewal in the Church must have mission as its goal if it is not to fall prey to a kind of ecclesial introversion”.[25]

28. The parish is not an outdated institution; precisely because it possesses great flexibility, it can assume quite different contours depending on the openness and missionary creativity of the pastor and the community. While certainly not the only institution which evangelizes, if the parish proves capable of self-renewal and constant adaptivity, it continues to be “the Church living in the midst of the homes of her sons and daughters”.[26] This presumes that it really is in contact with the homes and the lives of its people, and does not become a useless structure out of touch with people or a self-absorbed group made up of a chosen few. The parish is the presence of the Church in a given territory, an environment for hearing God’s word, for growth in the Christian life, for dialogue, proclamation, charitable outreach, worship and celebration.[27] In all its activities the parish encourages and trains its members to be evangelizers.[28] It is a community of communities, a sanctuary where the thirsty come to drink in the midst of their journey, and a centre of constant missionary outreach. We must admit, though, that the call to review and renew our parishes has not yet sufficed to bring them nearer to people, to make them environments of living communion and participation, and to make them completely mission-oriented.

32. Since I am called to put into practice what I ask of others, I too must think about a conversion of the papacy. It is my duty, as the Bishop of Rome, to be open to suggestions which can help make the exercise of my ministry more faithful to the meaning which Jesus Christ wished to give it and to the present needs of evangelization. Pope John Paul II asked for help in finding “a way of exercising the primacy which, while in no way renouncing what is essential to its mission, is nonetheless open to a new situation”.[35] We have made little progress in this regard. The papacy and the central structures of the universal Church also need to hear the call to pastoral conversion. TheSecond Vatican Council stated that, like the ancient patriarchal Churches, episcopal conferences are in a position “to contribute in many and fruitful ways to the concrete realization of the collegial spirit”.[36] Yet this desire has not been fully realized, since a juridical status of episcopal [37] Excessive centralization, rather than proving helpful, complicates the Church’s life and her missionary outreach.

33. Pastoral ministry in a missionary key seeks to abandon the complacent attitude that says: “We have always done it this way”. I invite everyone to be bold and creative in this task of rethinking the goals, structures, style and methods of evangelization in their respective communities. A proposal of goals without an adequate communal search for the means of achieving them will inevitably prove illusory. I encourage everyone to apply the guidelines found in this document generously and courageously, without inhibitions or fear. The important thing is to not walk alone, but to rely on each other as brothers and sisters, and especially under the leadership of the bishops, in a wise and realistic pastoral discernment.

[21] Fifth General Conference of the Latin American and Caribbean Bishops, Aparecida Document, 29 June 2007, 201.[22] Ibid., 551.[23] Paul VI, Encyclical Letter Ecclesiam Suam (6 August 1964), 9, 10, 11: AAS 56 (1964), 611-612.[24] Second Ecumenical Vatican Council, Decree on Ecumenism Unitatis Redintegratio, 6.[25] John Paul II, Post-Synodal Apostolic Exhortation Ecclesia in Oceania (22 November 2001), 19: AAS 94 (2002), 390.[26] John Paul II, Post-Synodal Apostolic Exhortation Christifideles Laici (30 September 1988), 26: AAS 81 (1989), 438.[27] Cf. Propositio 26.[28] Cf. Propositio 44.[29] Cf. Propositio 26.[30] Cf. Propositio 41.[31] Second Vatican Ecumenical Council, Decree on the Pastoral Office of Bishops Christus Dominus, 11.[32] Cf. Benedict XVI, Address for the Fortieth Anniversary of the Decree Ad Gentes (11 March 2006): AAS 98 (2006), 337.[33] Cf. Propositio 42.[34] Cf. Canons 460-468; 492-502; 511-514; 536-537.[35] Encyclical Letter Ut Unum Sint (25 May 1995), 95: AAS 87 (1995), 977-978.[36] Second Vatican Ecumenical Council, Dogmatic Constitution on the Church Lumen Gentium, 23.[37] John Paul II, Motu Proprio Apostolos Suos (21 May 1998): AAS 90 (1998), 641-658.

I hope our Holy Father's words offer you something to pray with and reflect upon in your heart. Are you a disciple of Jesus? Are you a disciple on mission or just a pew potato? These are questions we all need to ask in light of Pope Francis' challenging words. Let us receive his message with joy and strive to live it out in every moment of our lives.

Blessings,

Fr. William Holtzinger
Pastor

The Latest

Dear Parishioners,

Auction 2014

Last weekend, our school hosted its annual auction, and this year was a banner year for attendance. The Hawaiian theme really made it special and fun. Preliminary results appear to show that it grossed a record-breaking $53K! That's truly amazing. And while it was a great fundraiser, it sure excelled at being a “friend-raiser” as well. You may have noticed the remnants of decorations in the Parish Center if you went to coffee and donuts after Mass. A big thank you needs to go out to the three musketeer-coordinators Dee Dee Montgomery, Kelsy Ausland and Shawna Prestianni. This event requires so much work for months, yet their attitude and joy made it a work of love. Thank you also to all those who procured auction items, those who donated those items, those who came days beforehand to set-up, those who made sure everything was decorated appropriately, and those who were involved in the take-down. Thank you also to everyone who participated in the auction itself. I am always amazed at the generosity and heart of those who support our beloved school. It’s all for the glory of God and our children!

Son of God

The movie, “Son of God,” was released on Feb. 28th and hit #2 at the box office.  This is the first Jesus-movie to make it to the big screen since “The Passion” ten years ago.  Yes!  Ten years.  The cinematography is great as was the acting.  The casting for the part of Jesus, Mary, and the other main characters was wonderful too.  Unfortunately, it is common for movies of this genre to skip over parts of Christ’s life that we, Catholics, find particularly powerful such as the Last Supper.  But, “Son of God” does not fail in this regard.  In fact, the very next thing after the Resurrection, the Apostles can be found starting the eucharistic meal again.  It also treads new ground by extending beyond the

Resurrection and the appearance to the Apostles afterwards.  The film spends time with the Evangelist, John, on the island of Patmos and his initial reflections on Christ as the Alpha and Omega.

This movie, as you may all be aware, is basically a recreation from the mini-series released last year at this time on the History Channel.  The time spent on Jesus’ life is much longer in the mini-series, some four hours long.  The movie, on the other hand is some 2 hrs. 15 min. which required the producers to cut out much of the previously shown events. But, they did also include some new content.  In my case, the movie encouraged me to go back to the mini-series to review what was taken out, so I can spend more time reflecting these miraculous events of our Savior.

Finally, there is a temptation to dismiss or become critical about a film’s faithfulness to the original book.  Trying to be faithful to the greatest story of all time certainly presents a task that many producers and directors have struggled with.  So, be prepared for many commonly known dialogues to be rearranged, some events to be compressed into each other, or even some ways in which the events to have taken place to be different in some way.  Let go of the need to have it a literal transmission from the Bible.  This was not the intent of the producers.  They, at risk of speaking for them, desired to represent the ancient story of Jesus Christ to a new audience of the faithful as well as those who have not yet come to faith in our Lord.  I saw nothing dogmatically errant or scandalous, but rather a reverent retelling of this story by believers.  If you require literalism, then I recommend the movie, “The Gospel of John.”  “Son of God” is a movie for Christians of all denominations.  It does well to use modern cinematic techniques to share the story of Jesus to movie goers who desire a more sophisticated movie experience.  For the non-believers, it is my hope that this quick run through the basic events of Jesus’ life will encourage them to pick up a Bible and read for themselves the amazing things Christ has done to reconcile us to our Father in Heaven.

Blessings,

Fr. William Holtzinger

Pastor

World Communications Message

Dear Parishioners,

As you know, I am an advocate for technology, new media, and the like. As such, I have been

following the papal letters for World Communications Day which is officially commemorated each Summer. This year, it falls on June 1st. The papal message for that celebration is released months prior on the memorial of St. Francis de Sales (Jan. 24), the patron of the Catholic press and journalists. So, last week, Pope Francis released his message for the 48th World Communications Day. Instead of summarizing it, I prefer to let you read it for yourself. So, below are links where you can go to read his message in its entirety:

Message - 48th World Communications Day (English)
Mensaje - XLVIII Jornada Mundial de las Comunicaciones Sociales (Español)

Merry Christmas

Dear Parishioners,

At this time of the year, it is good to recognize the Good News in our community. It is a time to look back with gratitude for all that God has done in our midst. It is a time for thankfulness and hope for the future.

For me, I look back on 2013 and see how the Year of Faith has helped us shore up our faith in the moral issues of our time. I give thanks for all who spent extra time to offer a daily Rosary, Fast on Friday’s, and attend our monthly Solemn Vespers with Adoration. I am also thankful for the concrete steps we’ve taken to begin the process of renovating our Church. We have a long way to go in the process, but we have a solid core committee who continue to discuss and explore ideas. I am also thankful for the work of Alan Crews who will be officially retiring as of this month. His joyful presence and work ethic has been inspirational for me, the staff, and parishioners who have worked with him. I am thankful for the arrival of John Becerra, our seminarian intern, who has added a view of hope for vocations to the priesthood. These are just some of the local happenings within our parish. But, there were some much broader events that also has effected the larger Church.

This past year we witnessed two major leadership changes in the Church, one locally and the other globally. First was the significant appointment of Archbishop Alexander Sample as our new Archbishop coupled with the retirement of Archbishop Vlazny. Then shortly after that, Pope Benedict XVI stunned the world by his humble resignation, thereby setting into motion a conclave which elected Pope Francis, the first Jesuit pope and the first pope to take a name in honor of St. Francis of Assisi. Instead of the common news cycle of criticism of the Church, it was refreshing to hear and watch reports of these events set in a positive light. Since then, Pope Francis has continued to surprise and shock the world by his humble living and colloquial way of speaking. His actions of kindness and compassion have inspired many. I highly recommend reading the encyclical that he and Pope Benedict wrote, Lumen Fidei, as well as Francis’ Apostolic Exhortation, Evangelii Gaudium. While some in the secular press have been negatively critical about the latter document, I recommend that you read it for yourself and do not depend on the secular media to digest it for you. It is an amazing exhortation to be more evangelical in living out and sharing our faith. It would make a wonderful new year’s resolution to get a copy and prayerfully read just a few pages each day. We will be reading it as part of our weekly staff meetings in the new year.

We live in amazing times. 2013 was full of wonderful outpourings of the Holy Spirit locally and globally. Please continue to ask God to pour out His Holy Spirit upon us. Pray that we will be, as a community, a beacon of faith, hope, and love to our civic community as well as to the larger global community.

Finally, I want to express my thanks to all of the parishioners of St. Anne’s, St. Patrick of the Forest, and Our Lady of the River for their faith-filled example to me. Serving you as your pastor has fed me deeply. Thank you, especially, for being patient with my mistakes and helping me get up when I have fallen. I give thanks for being here with you as we, together, journey on this path of faith.

Merry Christmas!

Blessings,

Fr. William Holtzinger
Pastor

Advent Distractions

Dear Parishioners,

Blessed Advent! I hope that this year, Advent will be a time of renewal in faith. Even as we have now closed the Year of Faith, I am impressed with the need to continue the call to deepen our own Catholic Faith within our own church communities and beyond. There are many things that can become obstacles to living our faith, some of which I would like to address here.

Commercialism
Advent and Christmastime have been overrun with a commercialism that can really distract us from what it is all about. On may way back from a visit to the hospital, I was delighted to see the Knights of Columbus billboard which read, “Keep Christ in Christmas.” Amen to that! It is not that we can’t enjoy some of the secular festivities that also surround us at this time, but the Incarnation of Christ is truly the reason for this season. During this time, the college football bowl season begins. There is nothing wrong with enjoying such entertainment. We simply need to make sure that it doesn’t become our focus or a distraction from our Christian preparation that is Advent. Personally, I enjoy watching football, but must be clear that it is just a game and not let the outcome of such events determine my mood. In fact, the best part of these games are when displays of faith are made and good sportsmanship is present. Yes, I hope for the Beavers, the Ducks, and other favorite teams, but let us set about being Christians first, especially when with our friends enjoying these forms of entertainment.

Skepticism
Often during this season as well as around Lent and Easter, various TV programs air which presuppose doubt about the things of the faith. Just this past week, Pope Francis called for the public display of the bones of St Peter to be made available for the first time ever. Initial digs below the main altar of St. Peter’s Basilica in the 1930’s revealed various human and animal remains. There was some evidence of the presence of St. Peter’s bones, but it was not clear at that time. However, when further archeological research was done in the 1940’s and 50’s, it came to light that some skeletal remains were transferred in the initial dig and were then being re-examined. The studies that followed led Pope Paul VI to declare that they had truly found St. Peter’s earthly remains. This discovery was highlighted in the March 17th, 1950 edition of Life Magazine. This amazing discovery was held with high esteem among many scholars at the time and since then. However, with the recent event of Pope Francis’ exposition of these relics, the reports I saw and heard mostly revolved around their dubious identity. It is amazing how far we have come in our culture to become so skeptical. It just reminds me of how we need to be careful of how the mainstream media reports issues of our Catholic Faith. Personally, I have found their ability to accurately report on the things of the Church to be sketchy at best. So, be ever mindful of this assumption of skepticism that so often permeates our culture surrounding issues of faith, especially during this season.

Religious Misdirection
In the coming days, we have the distinct opportunity to give praise to God for the person of the Blessed Virgin Mary on four different occasions: the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception (Dec. 9th this year), Our Lady of Guadalupe (Dec.12), the granddaddy of them all, Christmas itself, and finally, the Solemnity of Mary Mother of God (Jan. 1). A non-Catholic visitor may critique us for giving Mary so much attention and even distraction and misdirection in our faith. So, it is very important that we all understand that while these celebrations bring an opportunity to venerate the Blessed Virgin Mary for all the roles she has played in salvation history, she is, ultimately not our focus. Yes, Mary is the pre-eminent member of the Church and model for us all. Prayer to her and her mediating support has brought about miracles. However, she is not an end unto herself, nor is she competitive with Christ. Rather, all these festivals involving our Blessed Mother are meant to focus us on the things that are critical. Mary, herself, does not desire misdirected attention to be given to her, but rather through the celebration of these mysteries, we offer greater praise to God.

In a way of speaking, all Marian feasts are essentially christological feasts, meaning they are ultimately about Jesus Christ. And we all know that all christological reflections draw us to the Father and the mystery of the Trinity. We seek out Christ through the aid of our Blessed Mother Mary, the model of the Church. Sometimes, this is offered as, “To Jesus through Mary.” Mary is the most pure and blessed “pointer,” if you will, to her Son, our Lord Jesus Christ. So, be fervent in your prayers. When offering a Rosary, we know that Mary desires that we imitate her example of focus on her Son. When participating in these liturgical feasts give praise to God, thank Mary for her “yes” to God’s plans, and give God all the glory. And when someone challenges you about all this focus on Mary, be prepared to give a clear christological reason for Mary’s presence in our prayers.

Reconciliation
Advent, as a preparation time for Christmas, is a perfect time to re- move the obstacles of sin in our lives. This month, we have many opportunities to receive this Sacrament. At St. Patrick of the Forest we will be offering a communal reconciliation service on Monday, the 16th, followed the next day at St. Anne’s on Tuesday, the 17th. Both are at 7 PM. We will continue to offer the Sacrament on Saturdays between 4 PM and 5 PM. We will also offer a special time for those who cannot get out when it is dark on the Wednesday, the 11th, from 9:30 AM to 11:30 AM. Our sins are the biggest and most dangerous obstacles to faith. I urge you to make a concerted effort to come and celebrate God’s forgiveness in your life. With our hearts cleansed of sin, we will be more open to the awesome power of God in our lives. This can be the most dramatic form of preparation you can do next to Mass itself.

Finally, know that I hold you all in my prayers during this time of Advent. I pray that these feasts will help you to prepare your hearts for the Light of the World. Put up your lights, creche scenes, swags, stockings, Christmas tree, and the like. Make all these things remind you that the darkness has not overcome the light, that Jesus has con- quered sin and death, that Mary is a great advocate in our faith jour- ney, and that Advent is a wonderful time to, once again, make room for God to dwell in our hearts even more than before.

Blessings,

Fr. William Holtzinger
Pastor

Thanksgiving & Advent

Thanksgiving
Give thanks! Being thankful is a key essence of what it means to be a Catholic Christian. This coming Thursday, our country will celebrate Thanksgiving Day. As such, we will have a special Mass of thanksgiving where I will be asking you to share what you are thankful for. Also at that Mass, I will invite everyone to come forward at the Preparation of the Gifts to donate nonperishable food items and money for our local St. Vincent de Paul. Such a gesture is a wonderful way to show God our thanks and express our desire to help those in need.


Advent
Now is also a time to discern what you will be doing for Advent. How will you prepare yourself for Christmas? Many of us put up lights on our homes. Some decorate the interior of our rooms. We put up manger scenes and even the Christmas tree. But, why do we do these things? We do them to show on the outside what we hope for on the inside. We hope that Christ will be born-again in our hearts. We hope that the darkness that can sometimes pervade our hearts and minds will be removed by the light of Christ. The Church has given us Advent in order to simply look at these things and prepare to celebrate the most amazing event in history, the Incarnation of Jesus Christ.


Reconciliation
Finally, a way to give thanks and prepare our hearts is via the Sacrament of Reconciliation. We will be hosting the communal reconciliation services at St. Patrick of the Forest on Monday, Dec. 16th at 7 PM and then again at St. Anne’s on Tuesday, Dec. 17th at 7 PM. I expect many priests to come to our Advent service, so there will be many options for all. Please mark your calendars now. Prepare for Christmas by preparing for Advent, the advent of Jesus Christ in your heart.


Blessings,


Fr. William Holtzinger
Pastor

Thank You & Welcome!

Dear Parishioners,

Alan Crews

Since the announcement of Alan's retirement, I have been working with a small search committee to
find his successor. On Nov. 7th, we concluded that search and have decided to hire Stephen Voehl whom many of you may already know. He currently lives with his wife in Florida, and will need to begin the process of moving. He will begin in January. We are very very delighted to have found someone of his qualifications.

Alan has served St. Anne's with the highest standard of care, and he will be missed for sure. When Stephen comes on board, Alan won't be disappearing off the earth. Rather, Alan will be helping him get his feet on the ground. Again, this is testimony to the dedication and character Alan has always demonstrated through his entire tenure. I will miss his daily laughter which always made me smile.

We will be hosting a retirement party in the near future to let Alan know how much we appreciate all he has done.

Personally, I want thank you, Alan, for all you have done for me as the pastor, the staff, and the community of St. Anne's! May God be with you on this next part of your journey!



Blessings,

Fr. William Holtzinger
Pastor

A Big Heart Open To God

Dear Parishioners,

In the past several weeks, a recent interview with Pope Francis has drawn enormous attention with headlines and reporting that lead Catholics to believe that we are about to abandon our sacred dogmas and moral teachings.  This is sad, but no surprise.  The media is notoriously bad at reporting Church news as well as the subtleties of philosophies, teachings, and even the structures of the Catholic Church.  So, what did the pope say?  Here’s one of his controversial statements and my reflection which I hope fills out what he meant:

“The dogmatic and moral teachings of the church are not all equivalent. The church’s pastoral ministry cannot be obsessed with the transmission of a disjointed multitude of doctrines to be imposed insistently.”

Some have interpreted this as the beginning of a “break” or “change” in the Church’s dogmas and moral teachings.  This is not correct nor a response that is new.  It is, however, a very serious challenge.  He further said that our proclamation must be missionary in style where love and compassion come first.  If we forget this, we as a Church will no longer be the “moral edifice” to the world, but a falling “house of cards, losing the freshness and fragrance of the Gospel.”  These are very dramatic images to be sure.  So what does all this mean? 

First, the pope was reminding us that some dogmas and moral teachings are more central than others.  For example, the belief in one triune God is more central than the reality that when either consecrated eucharistic species is divided, the whole Christ is present in each part of the species.  Both are dogmas, both are essential parts of our Faith, the former being at the center, the latter being definitively true yet not as central.  Committing murder and cheating on a test are both immoral. The former is more grave than the latter. 

Second, the pope wanted his audience to remember that we shouldn’t spread the Gospel by starting with dogmas and moral teachings.  Rather, the pope wants us to remember that the Gospel we are to proclaim starts with God’s love. 

We are to love God and our neighbor (cf. Matt 22:39).  That comes before all else.  It is a commandment.  We are to show to others that God is love.  Certainly, we hold true to moral living and need to teach it, but it is a consequence of the most fundamental and compelling part of the Good News.  Reading the Gospels makes it clear that Jesus did this very same thing.  Just imagine Jesus saying that the Good News was to not commit adultery?  How many followers would that inspire?  And while Jesus did teach against adultery, this was not the center of his mission.  And therein lies the pope’s point.  Jesus taught about the Kingdom of God and secondarily would also teach about the moral life. Recall the woman caught in the act of adultery whom the Pharisees wanted to stone (Jn. 8:1-11)?  How did Jesus react to the woman and in what order?  He listened, showed compassion, forgave her sins, and then told her to go and sin no more.  How did he react to those who were accusing?  He listened, stooped down to write, then challenged them to a self examination of conscience. Some who are rigidly focused on only the moral life, the Pope commented, have gotten the whole thing backwards.  I must admit that, at times, I have done this myself.  So, I take the pope’s words to heart.

When we meet someone who is living a life of serious sin, we must first proclaim that God loves them and desires to be in full communion with him.  We must begin with the person, not the sin.  We should let them know that we love them.  We should show authentic care and concern.  We should remind them that God’s love and forgiveness is available to them and that God’s love is bigger than our sins.  We should express the joy that comes from being close to God, his Church, and the Sacraments. We should, if the situation allows, invite them to walk with us or ask to accompany them in that journey of restoration.  Such a proclamation is more likely to draw someone to the heart of God.  Such a witness may woo one’s heart to burn for love of the truth.  With one’s heart now open to the wonders of God’s love, they may be more likely to reexamine their lifestyle, repent, and be further transformed into the person they were always called to be.  This is what the Pope was trying to say.  We need to evangelize and share the “saving love of God” and then we must catechize.  If we begin in the other direction, people are more likely to perceive us as simply a Church of rules and regulations and forget that the heart of the Bride, the Church, is focused on the heart of the Bridegroom, Jesus Christ.

Every now and then, we get this right.  For example, this past week, a pair of young adults entered our church without permission and began to shoot a music video.  Several persons who happened to be in the church were shocked and didn’t know what to do.  Rightfully so.  None of these people came at these young men with vicious indignation or self-righteousness.  That was a win for charity right off the bat.  Instead, I was asked to come over to talk to the men, and so I did. The music was in a modern rap style and the main artist was using our church interior as backdrop for his music video.  Clearly, it was inappropriate to do any kind of filming in our church without permission.  Furthermore, the potential contents of the video might have been at issue.  So, instead of accusing the young men, I honestly expressed my interest in their art, got to know them and their background, and then gently reminded them to call ahead for permission if they wanted to shoot any videos in the future.  As it turned out, the main artist was crafting a video with music that described his love for his mother who died when he was young, how he missed her, and how much inspiration he has drawn from her as she looks down from heaven on her son.  The young man shared with me a very troubled past.  I tried to empathize and encourage him in his journey.  Finally as they were leaving, I invited the main artist to return so we could talk some more about his struggles if he desired.  We parted in friendship with a promise for the link to his video when it is available online.  What church did this young man encounter?  I hope a compassionate one.  I hope it was a church that took interest in him as a person first before the rules. I hope this was a moment of success, a moment of compassion and not just an eviction from the church building by some angry Catholics.  I hope this is true.  I think it was.  Have I resolved similar situation in the past with such peace?  No.  So, the challenge remains out there for me and I hope you too.

With recent unprecedented socio-political developments in our country, we have been challenged more directly on moral fronts and have felt the need to respond.  Cardinal Dolan of New York and president of the USCCB would likely be the first to agree with the pope.  You might recall that at the beginning of the heated debates about the HHS Mandate, Cardinal Dolan was quoted saying, "We didn't start this battle, and I'm kind of uncomfortable with it... We'd much rather be conciliatory."  The heart of Cardinal Dolan is one about the mercy of God and care for the poor.  It was the disregard to our religious liberty which mandated we pay for so-called medical procedures that would kill the poor which compelled our bishops to speak out.  It is only when specific issues arise that our bishops step up and respond.  Archbishop Sample is very much like this.  In my own dealings with our archbishop, I could sense that he has the heart of a shepherd.   He has said that he will speak on issues when needed.  You see, being shepherds as our pope and bishops are, they desire to proclaim the Gospel first, love much, and correct little.  None of this changes dogma or the fundamental teachings of our faith.  But, the pope’s words remind us all of the challenge of charity.  He reminds us of the hierarchy of truths. He reminds us of the importance of the human person and the need to reach out with compassion.

Finally, I apologize for the length of this letter, but the pope’s reflections are important.  The two sentences that I have focused upon make up only 0.3% of his entire text.  I highly encourage all of you to read the entire interview.  He had a lot to share.  I think readers will get a deeper insight into the heart and thought of our new pope.  A link to to the entire text is available on our web site, stannechurch.com. 

Blessings,

Fr. William Holtzinger
Pastor

School Year Begins

Dear Parishioners,

School Begins
The school year officially begins after this Labor Day.  That means that we will once again see the beautiful faces of our little ones on our campus.  If you have not decided to enroll your child at our school yet, there is still time without any great struggle for makeup homework or figuring out proper placement in classes.  If you have a child that is age 4 yrs. old, we offer a fantastic full-day Pre-K.  If your child is 5 yr old, then why not enroll them in our very successful Kindergarden class?  Come by the school office and inquire.  You can get a tour and meet our wonderful teachers.  We strive to live out our mission statement: “St. Anne Catholic School is committed to faith formation, scholarship, leadership, and service according to our Catholic values.”  Come check us out and see if St. Anne’s Catholic School is right for you.  

Faith Formation & Youth Ministry
Whether your children are enrolled in the public school system or in our Catholic School, we have other wonderful opportunities to help build your children’s faith whether they are in grade school, middle school, or high school.  Our Faith Formation program is receiving registrations already and you can find them online, in the vestibules of the Church, in the main parish office, or at the Faith Formation Office located in the Parish Center.  you can also call Jessica McCormick at 541-479-4848.  Our youth ministry program is also an excellent way for your middle school or high school teen to experience our living faith in a way that speaks their language.  If your teen is a Freshman or later and hasn’t been confirmed, again, we are gearing up for Confirmation classes.  Seek out Natalie Scott, our Coordinator of Youth and Young Adult Ministry for details 541-476-5802.

Golf Tournament
On a totally different note, our annual parish golf tournament is two Saturday’s from now, the 14th of September!  Have you signed up your team of four?  The tourny is open to men and women and teens alike.  Last year, one of our teens, Donnie Thomason really schooled many of our vetran players.   I hear that Fr. José was even thinking of swinging some clubs. Last year was a lot of fun, and I am looking forward to this year as well.  The funds raised go to the general fund of the parish which will help us in our ministries and much more.  Please come by the parish office ASAP and sign up your team.  Time is getting short!  Hope to see you out there!

Blessings,


Fr. William Holtzinger
Pastor

The Heavens Declare

Dear Parishioners,

Stephan's Qunitet (280-300 Million light years distant!)

A couple months ago, I wrote about the value of recreation and particularly vacations.  Well, a few weeks ago I went on a vacation which concluded with accompanying our youth in Spokane, WA for the Steubenville NW youth conference.  I camped at Le Page Park on the Columbia Gorge and John Day River, then Wallowa Lake, OR, then onto Chief Timothy Park, ID, followed by a short stay at Farragut State Park, ID.  On my way back, I had the opportunity to meet up with some family in the Salem area.  The weather and scenery was magnificent until I returned to the smokey Rogue Valley.  Yikes!  Apparently, the situation with the fires will take weeks if not months to extinguish, possibly until the first real seasonal rain in October.

This weekend, I am not at the parish, but took my annual journey to the Oregon Star Party in central Oregon (oregonstarparty.org).  700+ geeks and their telescopes set up shop each year on a high desert plateau SE of Prineville, OR and stay up all night over the course of a week to view the amazing stars, nebulae, star clusters, and galaxies that adorn our skies.  From the city, it is hard to see any of these things well, but from this dark spot in Oregon, the brightest thing impeding our view is the Milky Way itself.  As a priest, I have been asked why I spend time looking into the dark skies with my telescope.  The Scriptures explain it well: “The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky above proclaims his handiwork” (Ps 19:1).  For me, it reminds me of how small I am and how awesome God is.  It also reminds me that despite our relative smallness in the universe, God still loves us with a perfect and sacrificial love.  It makes me wonder why God created it all.  It makes me wonder why there are so many things we can see, yet could never visit personally.  I’ve seen all the planets, many many galaxies and groups of galaxies so far away that the light I see was emitted long before humanity existed.  What an amazing God. Why did he do all this.  It simply keeps me in awe of his majesty.  God is the king of the universe for sure.  

Though you may not own a telescope yourself, you, too, can enjoy the beauty of the heavens.  Assuming that smoke or clouds aren’t a great issue, anyone can observe the coming Perseid Meteor Shower.  This has been typically the most active meteor shower each year with potential of very large fireballs streaking across the sky!  It will peak on Aug. 12th and 13th.  All you need to do is look up.  I recommend getting a lawn chair that reclines or a blanket and just hang out in your back yard and see if you can catch a glimpse of these momentary shots of dust from the heavens.  Avoid lights if you can. If the sky is dark and clear, it is possible to catch up to 100 meteors an hour.  Learn more by watching this youtube video: http://youtu.be/zO83KP54YXs

Vacation and recreation are important to us all.  No matter where you go, don’t forget that God desires to be with you the whole way.  Don’t forget that Mass is the pinnacle of our worship, so find a Catholic Church local to your vacation destination. Soon enough Fall and Winter will be here, so open your heart to God’s grace and let him recreate you in his image this Summer. 

Blessings,

Fr. William Holtzinger

Pastor

Year of Faith Opportunities

Dear Parishioners,

The school year is coming to a close and many of our young people are graduating from  high school, college, and even kindergarten!  But, most of our young people will be simply moving to the next level in their educational journey.  As a parent, the first priority for you is the faith-life and education of your child or children with whom God has entrusted to you. You might remember that you made this promise when you participated in the baptism of each of your children.  So, in that context, I want to encourage you to give serious consideration to your child’s participation in and education in the Faith.  We have many ways that you can consider to further that mission with which you’ve been entrusted.

The first is our grade school which brags of a full-day Pre-K and Kindergarden.  St. Anne Catholic School has been accredited from our earliest grades all the way up to 8th grade.  Our school has awesome teachers who know that the mission of faith comes first and foremost.  Our school offers more hours of faith formation and education per week than any of our ministries.  Our teachers are great at lifting up their students to excel in reading, mathematics, science, and the arts.  The classrooms are welcoming and the student to teacher ratio allows for maximum potential for contact with each other.  Our graduates have a wonderful track record of becoming leaders in the faith and the community.  They are well prepared and often are well ahead of their fellow students when they reach high school.  If you have children who are of age to attend our school, I want you to give serious prayer and thought to bringing your child or children to St. Anne Catholic School.  Enrollment is now open, so don’t hesitate.  Contact the school office and learn more about how the school may be a wonderful opportunity for your family.

Another way to fulfill that commitment of raising your children in the faith is enrolling them in our Faith Formation Program which also begins with the school year.  We have dedicated catechists who spend hours preparing for lessons to reach the hearts of our young ones.  The classes are placed between our Sunday Masses which allow you as their parents to also grow in your faith.  As such, we will continue to offer an assortment of adult faith formation opportunities.  This past year, we watched Robert Barron’s Catholicism DVD series.  This coming year, we will continue to offer monthly opportunities for adult catechesis and Faith Formation.  So, please don’t just drop your children off and pick them up later.  Come and stay while they are going to Faith Formation classes.  Learn about the faith yourself.  Become a resource for your children when they ask those hard questions.  This Summer, we will host our annual Vacation Bible School which will help our children learn about our Lord through compelling stories, music, and activities.  Sign up now before it’s too late!

Lastly, if your child is in Middle School or High School, then be aware that we have a fantastic ministry to our teens.  Our youth ministry program is based on Life Teen which is an internationally recognized program of resources, training, and methods all geared toward creating opportunities for the teens to encounter Christ, most specifically in the Eucharist which is our source and summit.  We commit ourselves to tackling the hard topics that besiege our teens in our culture today.  This past year, we spent five weeks learning about Pope John Paul II’s Theology of the Body, arguably the most compelling teaching on sex and marriage ever articulated.  This summer, our teens will participate in Joe’s Camp which will help them learn about the dignity of work and the needs of the less fortunate.  The High School teens will have the opportunity to attend Steubenville NW Youth Conference with thousands of other teens and nationally recognized speakers who will challenge them to live their lives as committed disciples of the Lord.

Pope Benedict XVI called for a year of faith.  That challenge is for all of us.  What are you doing to increase your love and knowledge of the Catholic Faith in your life and the lives of all your family members?  As your pastor, I want to encourage you to take the challenge seriously and consider all these options which I’ve describe here.  If you do not have children or they are already grown, consider how you can support these endeavors while at the same time growing in your own faith walk.

Blessings,

Fr. William Holtzinger

Pastor

Going On Vacation?

Once again summer is almost upon us and many are making their plans for vacation. Vacation, recreation, and rest are an important part of the spiritual life. We need to get away from our common work and environment periodically and allow God to refresh and renew us. I hope that your plans will do just that.

As part of any Catholic’s spiritual life, Mass is a critical aspect. Without Mass, we go without our Lord, in his sacramental presence, in our life. Traveling allows us all to visit other Catholic Churches and get a new view of the Mass as it is celebrated in other communities and cultures. Please make every effort to include Sunday Mass in your plans. The worst thing on vacation is to vacate God from our lives. This does just the opposite of what a vacation should do.

I’m always curious to see what other communities are doing. Each Catholic Church has a character of its own, yet maintains that which is most essential. Feel free to grab a bulletin from any churches you visit. I’d be curious to see what other parishes are doing as well. When you are done with the bulletin, feel free to drop it by the office so I can take a look. No need to leave your name. I’d just be encouraged to see what other parishes are doing. Maybe they can be a source of inspiration for us!

Finally, be safe on your vacation. Take God with you, and go to see God at Mass when you are there as well as en route. Plan for our Lord to journey along with you. Give God praise for all the amazing beauty you see and the people you meet. Finally, I pray that you will return safe and refreshed with a renewed sense of faith and life!

Blessings,

Fr. William Holtzinger 
Pastor 

Being Sheep

Dear Parishioners,

Last weekend I offered a homily on what it means to be the sheep of God’s flock. It is likewise hard to be a local shepherd at times as well. The good news is that we are all in this together, and we are not alone, for we have our Archbishop to help and guide us on our journey as a parish the local church called the Archdiocese of Portland.

In my homily, I reflected on the process of remodeling our Church building. But, I didn’t mention why a remodel was even needed. The reasons are many, but here are just some of the main ones. First and foremost, the particular approach to semi-round seating in our situation is problematic for liturgical celebrations, especially when a vast majority of people are seated to one side and hardly anyone sits in front of the altar. Most of the pews are not facing the altar, the main focus of any Catholic Church. Our lighting system is very inadequate. The acoustics render the spoken word hard to understand. The ability to use any kind of visual multimedia is extremely difficult (think, Archbishop’s Catholic Appeal video). The ability to celebrate baptisms, weddings, and funerals are a struggle liturgically. I imagine that many of you have your own thoughts that you might add to this list. Regardless, we need to implement a remodel to address these and other issues.

There are many many ways a Church can be built and or remodeled. There is no perfect or right way. Through the course of history, the Catholic Church has built many styles of Churches to the glory of God. I mentioned that I was aware that we have basically two paradigms from which to begin: augmenting the current semi-round approach we currently have or turning the entire focus in one direction facing the East or West side of our Church. Knowing that Archbishop Sample would ultimately have to approve our final design, I desired to ask him about the basic paradigm. So, two weeks ago I had that opportunity. He was very gracious and inquisitive about our project as well as the basic shape of our building. We had only a few minutes to chat, but he clearly desired that we choose the second of the two paradigms described above. In addition, he was clear that he desired that the tabernacle be placed directly behind the altar. He mentioned that, in particular with regard to the tabernacle placement, this would simply solve a lot of issues, a thought with which I agree.

I readily admit that I like modern architectural designs of many Catholic Churches, and I like Church arrangements in the semi- round approach. However, I also see many benefits of other designs too, including ones with the paradigm for which we will be striving. It is important to remember that the architecture of a Church, while important, isn’t the wholeness of what it means to be Church. If you find yourself saddened by this potential change, I want to encourage you to know that new and great things can come from this other approach. If you have always hoped that a remodel would be done in the forthcoming style, I ask that you be compassionate to those who have to die a little to the vision of Church that they have come to love. Most important is our sense of unity and communion with each other, our Archbishop, and most of all our Lord Jesus. Do not let this process become a moment for despair or arrogance, but rather for joy... joy for the new things that God is planning in our midst.

It is hard to be a sheep, following as a flock, together with one’s shepherd. I promise to continue to shepherd us all with clarity and transparency. In the months and years ahead, as we continue in this plan, there will be a feasibility study, potential listening sessions, input from various groups, a committee to help in the renovation, a capital campaign, discussions with our contractor and architect, and consistent communication with those at the Archdiocese as needed. I have already received people’s thoughts and desires about what they hope will happen, for which I am open. But, remember that this process may not necessarily please everyone, nor necessarily fulfill one’s personal demands. In that situation, please guard your hearts from the temptation of pride and arrogance that can cause dissension in these kinds of works. I will not be receptive to those who are demanding, lack charity, or will give with “strings attached.” This process will involve people with stewards’ hearts, people who are willing to give with faith and generosity, people who are willing to serve with regard to the common good and not themselves. As far as exacting details, I do not have any more than I have offered here as I write this letter. In this process, it is my personal goal that it will bring us together as one community, striving to remodel our Church to give God the glory, not ourselves. I am excited about the possibilities, and I ask you to pray for me, your local shepherd, as we begin the initial phases of dreaming and planning. May we be a light to all those with whom we work with and talk to in regards to this project.

Blessings,

Fr. William Holtzinger
Pastor