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Pastoral Corner
A few years ago I was sharing with our young people in the religious education program about experiencing God in
daily life. Specifically, how do we see God and how do we hear God? We went back to the very beginning of time,
and the Book of Genesis, and I asked them what happened? One said that God exploded a big rock, and I guess that
will do for the big bang theory. Obviously I was trying to get them to think about God's very first Word through which
all that we hear, see, taste and touch came into being. Then I suggested that after God's great big Word God began
speaking billions and trillions of little Words, a Word for every person, for every flower and rain drop, a Word for every
sound we hear and every sight we see. Well, they kinda got into all that and then I opened up for any question at all
they might have.
One of the parents asked, how do we see and hear God in the bad stuff that goes on in our lives? I said, children's
questions only please. It is however an important question, a very important question. Oh, it is easy to say we see
God in a sunset, or a full moon, in the beauty of new life or in generous and selfless acts of compassion; but to see
God in the really bad stuff, that is both difficult and very necessary.
I have come to believe that God is closer to us in the bad stuff than in the good stuff. Our deepest insights into God,
and our deepest spiritual conversions happen in the difficult times we find ourselves in. Trouble is, we spend so much
effort fighting against the bad stuff, moaning and groaning that life isn't fair or supposed to be this way. We constantly
focus on what's happening to me, or why is this happening to me; so caught up in ourselves that we have no room
left for God or anyone else for that matter. This is where my favorite mantra comes into play: "acceptance is the key
to happiness." We can't take, or accept, the next right step unless we have some calm, and have made some room
for God and the compassion and love of others in our lives. Acceptance doesnt mean that we like something, just that
we have stopped fighting with what is before us. When we stop fighting we can see and hear more clearly both the
voice of God and the possible solutions others might share with us.
At West Virginia University I spent a lot of time with teenagers with terminal cancer diagnoses, some came out alright,
others didn't, but most of them developed a depth of spiritual union with other teens in the same situation, and with
God that takes most of us more than a lifetime to achieve. Acceptance was always key, then of course the next best
steps in terms of treatment, loaded with lots of hope.
I have been doing a lot of reading lately in and around the spirituality of St. Francis. St. Francis always brings one
back to the crucified Christ, which tells him and us, in the image of the crucifixion that God is most certainly with us in
the very worst of times. I don't like being taken there, but unless we see God there we will never appreciate God in
the best of times. Unless we can see God in the poor, the outcast, the castoff, the alien and stranger, we will find it
all more difficult to see God in the person sitting next to us. When we, like Francis, can freely kiss the leper, then we
can freely embrace all of God's beautiful creation.
Fr. Michael Evernden, CSP
Next Sundays Readings
Easter Sunday
March 27, 2016
8:00am Mass
4:00pm Mass
9:30am Mass
10:30am Mass
8:00am Mass
8:00am Mass
8:00am Mass
7:00pm Mass
7:00pm Service
8:30pm Mass
9:30am Mass
10:30am Mass
Chapel
Church
Church
Chapel
Chapel
Chapel
Church
Church
Church
Church
Church
Chapel
If you would like a Mass celebrated for you, for an anniversary of death, birthday, marriage, or other special event,
please fill out a Mass Intention form (located in foyer of the Church) or call the office.
Parish Office Hours
Monday 9am Noon
Tuesday Friday 9am 4pm
503 231-4955
Parish Staff
Pastor & Director of NW Paulist
Center
Fr. Charlie Brunick, CSP .x118
frcharlie@stphilipneripdx.org
Parochial Vicar
Fr. Michael Evernden, CSP .x114
mecsp@mac.com
Parochial Vicar
Fr. Bill Edens, CSP ..x113
frbill.csp@gmail.com
Director of Faith Formation
Barbara Harrison .x107
barbarah@stphilipneripdx.org
Business Manager
Jeanne McPherson ..x103
jeannem@stphilipneripdx.org
Office Manager
Rose Wolfe .x101
rosew@stphilipneripdx.org
Maintenance & Grounds
Ed Danila edwardd@stphilipneripdx.org
It is a fresh infusion of this spirit which must inform these new institutions
and breathe in all the actions of their members. It was this new inspiration that
in former days gave the reason for the founding of new Religious Orders. The
same reason hold good in our day. There is none other. [On the Mission of
New Religious Communities, 1876]
If you have asked Father Hecker to pray for you or another person who is ill, and you
believe something miraculous has happened, please phone Fr. Paul Robichaud, CSP at
202-269-2519 and tell him your story.
UPCOMING EVENTS:
Mar. 22:
7pm, Discipleship Training, Church
Mar, 24: Holy Thursday
7pm, Mass, Church
Mar. 25: Good Friday
7pm. Good Friday Service, Church
Mar. 26: Holy Saturday
8:30pm, Easter Vigil, Church
Mar. 27: Easter Sunday
9:30am, Mass, Church
Registrations are now open for the Pentecost Retreat, April 8, 6pm April 10,
1pm. We will gather at Oral Hull Retreat Center outside Sandy for a weekend
of prayerful reflection on mercy in our lives and how we sense the world around
us. Prices: overnight $200, commuter $125 for those who dont want
overnight accommodations, and RV/trailer $150 for limited spaces available on
the grounds. Registrations must be in by April 5. Registration forms are
available in the foyer of the church or call the office. For more information,
contact Rose 503-231-4955 or rosew@stphilipneripdpx.org. Let us know if you
are interested in carpooling. [Overnight lodging: each room has 2 twin beds & you
can choose who to share a room with, just let us know at time of registration.]