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 

New Adoration Tabernacle Coming

Dear Parishioners,

As of this writing, the structure of the tabernacle for our Adoration Chapel has been completed by Dick Zahniser, and the final touches are being put on the icons which were the labor and prayer of Pati Sorge.  Once the tabernacle is ready (which may be the case by the time this go to press), we will install it immediately.

Why have we built a tabernacle for the Adoration Chapel you might ask?  Well, it is very simple.  Sometimes, people on the schedule for adoration are late and even sometimes miss their slot, leaving the person assigned for the hour prior to them in a dilemma.  Should they stay or go?  Often people have stayed an extra hour and even sometime two extra hours.  Also when there is a need for a substitute and one cannot be found, Rex Titus has personally taken their spot, a saintly thing to do, but something that nobody should ever have to do.  So, with the installation of the tabernacle a person can simply close the doors at the end of their hour of adoration and leave if the next person didn’t show up.  Once the next person arrives, they simply approach the tabernacle and open the doors.  Of course the recommended gesture prior to approaching the tabernacle with the Blessed Sacrament is that of a simple genuflection.  

With this new tabernacle installed, a whole lot of stress will be taken off Rex and his successor in the process of keeping the chapel open 24-7 for our community.  Please keep your eyes peeled to the bulletin for more information about the tabernacle’s icons and their meaning and purpose.  Thank you Pati for your iconographic skills and Dick Zahnizer for the construction of the tabernacle.  It has been a long process, but one that has been a labor and prayer of love.  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