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

Growing In Our Faith

Dear Parishioners,

Catholicism 101
As part of the Year of Faith, we have been showing Robert Barron’s “Catholicism” DVD series at our monthly Catholicism 101 classes. It has been wonderful to watch. The quality of production and clarity of teaching as well as the inspirational style in which the faith is presented is fantastic. If you haven’t been to one, I want to encourage you to do so. This past Sunday we showed the seventh episode in the series entitled, “The Mystery of the Liturgy and the Eucharist.” Ah! The Eucharist. It is the source and summit of our faith! It is the center of our Catholic lives! Do I sound excited? I am! I was very impressed how well he explained the Mass, how the program illustrated the various cultural situations in which the Mass is offered, and the fundamental theologies of our mysterious liturgy. It reminded me of how much I love our liturgy and why I am a priest. If you have been wondering or feeling that your experience of your faith has been lacking or luke-warm, then make an effort to come to these presentations. There are only ten in the series, and we are almost done. But, we may very well show them again, but in a more intense weekly format for those who so desire. Keep your eyes peeled to the bulletin for that development.


Turn out for the presentations has been good, so come early if you want a front row seat. There’s plenty of room in the Parish Center Sky Room, so no worries. Mark your calendars for the next presentation on March 3rd on the Communion of Saints.


Theology of the Body for Teens
On another note, this Sunday evening I will begin a five week series at our High School Youth Nights on Blessed Pope John Paul II’s “Theology of the Body.” With all the things that our teens have to grapple with, the meaning of their bodies and sexuality, in particular, are often bewildering to them. Yet, the late Holy Father spent 129 Wednesday Audiences from 1979 to 1984 speaking about the meaning, the theology, of the body. In essence, his reflections, when written down, make up two-thirds of the Church’s teaching on sex and marriage! Please pray for me and the teens. Pray that I, along with the Core Team of adults, may be able to empower and lift up our teens to know the true meaning of their bodies, to recapture the meaning of marriage, and to empower them to live chaste lives of faith as sexual persons. Pray for the teens that they will be open to our presentations and the Holy Spirit in their lives prompting them to follow the way of Christ’s love and not the counterfeit of the world.


Blessings,

Fr. William Holtzinger
Pastor

Year of Faith

Dear Parishioners,

In light of this Year of Faith I would like to recommend that we all make some conscious effort to do something new in order to more deeply grow in our faith.  Three such opportunities of which I would like you make you aware are upcoming retreats, Catholicism 101, and our series of movie showings.

Regarding a retreat,  our community has the opportunity to participate in Cursillo and ACTS retreats.  Both of them are similar in structure and have the intent of building up and deepening one’s faith.  Please watch the bulletin for the dates for these two retreats. I believe it to be the case that going on a retreat is a profound way to deepen one’s faith.  I know that is the case for me, for my annual retreat is an essential part of my spiritual growth.  Again, see the bulletin for details about these retreats.

Some of you may already know that I have been offering a monthly series called “Catholicism 101.”  Coincidentally, many parishes have encouraged to show Robert Barron’s “Catholicism” DVD series which we have been already doing.  I have been offering this once a month in the Parish Center between the 8 AM Mass and 11 AM Mass.  The actual dates vary due to my rotation in the liturgy schedule.  But we do our best to make sure that is advertised appropriately in the bulletin and in our online calendar.  I find these videos to be excellent.  In fact, I cannot think of a better video series, yet published, that presents the Catholic Faith in such a holistic way.

The third area that I would like to recommend is our showing of movies of faith.  The first movie will be “For Greater Glory.”  This feature film illustrates the historical struggle of religious freedom in Mexico via the Cristero War.  Mostly downplayed in history textbooks, the events of the movie reflect the sacrifice of some 90,000 people against the anticlerical Mexican government of the time.  Pope John Paul II canonized over two dozen saints and martyrs of the cause.  More recently, Pope Benedict XVI beatified  José Luis Sanchez de Rio who is characterized in the movie.  Make sure to see the bulletin for details on dates and showings.  Make sure, also, that you recognize the language in which the movie will be shown, for there will be English and Spanish showings of the movie.  Also keep in mind that this movie is geared for adults.  Any children or teenagers who wish to be present must be accompanied by their parent/guardian or express permission must be given by such guardian for the minor to be present.  Other future movies may not have such a caution attached to them, and will be more oriented towards younger people.  Ultimately, our hope is that families will be able to attend as a group.  As it turns out, many of our teenagers have already seen the movie, and the story of Blessed Luis Sanchez de Rio has also been discussed at youth nights.  As such, our teens desire to help promote this movie.  So, do not be surprised to see some of our teens wearing black T-shirts with an image of child Blessed José and the acclamation, “¡Viva Cristo Rey!” which means “Long live Christ the King!”  They will be selling them as a fundraiser for youth activities.  If you have any suggestions regarding possible movies to show, please talk to Jessica Bubien, our Pastoral Associate.

May this Year of Faith encourage you to seek out opportunities to grow in your faith.  May it help you to proclaim the Gospel with your life.

Blessings,

Fr. William Holtzinger
Pastor

More on the New Roman Missal

Dear Parishioners,

This past week, Fr. Dominic and I joined the rest of the priests of the Archdiocese for our annual Priest Convocation in Newport. While there we had the opportunity to, once again, listen to Fr. Jeremy Driscoll, O.S.B. a priest and monk of Mount Angel Abbey. Fr. Jeremy is part of the Vox Clara Committee who was directly involved in the new translation of the Roman Missal, also known as the Sacramentary. This is the big red book that the priest uses to proclaim the prayers of the Mass. In his talk, Fr. Jeremy discussed the basic principles of the translation and walked through thethird Eucharistic Prayer as well as answered questions from the priests.

It is important that we all study and become familiar with the Sacred Liturgy of the Mass and the upcoming new translation. As such, I will be offering another Catholicism 101 on the new Roman Missal which will take place this month on the 23rd between the Sunday Masses. In addition, we are putting special inserts about the new missal and the translation for your further study.

If you would like to listen to Fr. Jeremy's talks, you can go to www.mysteriesofthemass,com or subscribe via iTunes by searching for my last name or "mysteries of the mass" in the search bar. Also, I will make available some CD for check out at the office.

I am very excited about this upcoming change. It will be like hearing the Mass anew yet old. I also ask for your prayers for all us priests who will bear the greatest burden of making sure we offer the Mass in this new translation in a way that maintains its beauty and dignity. Please forgive us when we mess up because the previous wording is so ingrained in our memories. Until then, may the Lord be with you...

Blessings,

Fr. William Holtzinger

Merry Christmas! Good News!

Dear Parishioners,

Merry Christmas! This week's edition of the bulletin is what I like to call our “Good News Bulletin.” In it you will not only find the common informational items, but also a special reflection from each of our staff members. Describing the good news that has happened in this past year at our Church.


In my purview, I note many things. Financially, I look back and thank God for helping the parish and the school end the fiscal year (ended June 30th) in the black. I am further thankful that we expect that to occur again this fiscal year. Donations are up, not tracking with the economy, which I hope is a reflection of our greater effort at special accounting, communication and transparency. At risk of counting the sheep, I have noticed a renewal of younger families attending Mass. I am very excited to see an increase of volunteers and the resurrection of our Liturgy Committee and a creation of a new Environment Committee who is responsible for the amazing decorations in the Church for Christmastime. I am thankful for the assistance of Frs. Fister and Ezurike, who have done much to help lift our spirits and encourage our faith. When Fr. Paschal was reas- signed, I noticed a deeper care and responsibility for our homebound and sick, relieving me of some of the stress and time that this important ministry requires. Hiring Julie Mercier as our new Coordinator of Youth and Young Adult Ministry was also a highlight after months of searching and interviews.


There are many other signs of renewal coming in 2011. I plan on continuing our Catholicism 101 series into the new year. Soon you will find information about our Welcome Home Catholics program which has seen much success in years past. I have hope to see our new parochial vicar, Fr. Dominic, arrive in late January.


In all, there is much for which to be thankful. Ultimately, I give our Lord all the praise and glory. I am thankful to the Father for sending his Son to us whose beginnings in a stable should move us all. I thank God for giving us wisdom and inspiration to follow more faithfully as stewards. May God bless you and your family. May this “Good News Bulletin” inspire you and remind you that God is definitely at work in our midst.


Merry Christmas!


Fr. William Holtzinger
Pastor