Family Faith Sharing Questions – Share your faith!!

We encourage parents to reflect on these questions at home with their children

May 16 􀀾The Ascension of the Lord 􀀾Luke 24:46-53

Today’s Gospel reading is from the very end of Luke. Jesus is talking with his disciples and reminds them that it was written, “the Messiah would suffer and rise from the dead on the third day.” He also reminds them that in the name of the Messiah, repentance and forgiveness of all sins would be preached from Jerusalem and throughout the world.

Then Jesus blesses the disciples and ascends into heaven.

Remember a time when you have told another person (or God) that you’re sorry for something you said or did. How did that make you feel? Why do you think it’s important to forgive and be forgiven?

May 23 􀀾Pentecost 􀀾John 20:19-23

In this Sundays’ gospel passage, we hear that the disciples are all together in one room, the doors locked, and they are afraid. Jesus comes and stands in the room with them.

“Peace be with you.” He breathes on them and says, “Receive the Holy Spirit. Whose sins you forgive are forgiven them, and whose sins you retain are retained.” The disciples are not afraid and go outside with Jesus.

Can you call on this gift of the Holy Spirit when you need strength in your life? How?

What times in your life could you have asked for strength and didn’t?

From the Office of Faith Formation

In just 6 weeks our schools will be out and our concerns for the safety of our children shifts from winter weather conditions and school concerns to one of summer water recreation, sports, and to the awareness of tourists in our backyard. Even as visitors to a new area or place when we take trips, we need to be aware of our surroundings. We need to teach our children how to be safe around water, the ocean, and strangers in our own backyard, church, or the mall. We must what to do if they get lost or separated from their parent or adult that they are with. We need to make sure that we research day cares, camps, and various organizations that our children participate in. Make sure that all leaders have been checked out, what are the emergency plans, and are the instructors trained for the activity they will be instructing our children. Are the buildings safe? There are many things to think about and we need to make sure we give good, clear instructions to our children about what to do when things happen or give them preventative measures to do in the event of potential problems. Also, the summer brings many visitors to our parish, so, again I say beware of surroundings, use the buddy system when sending a child to the restroom or take them yourself. Be prepared, be cautious, know what is going on around you.

Summer also brings Vacation Bible School or VBS. This year our theme is “Joseph from Prison to Palace.” We will spend 5 days in an Egyptian market place and follow in Joseph’s footsteps. We will learn how God never abandoned Joseph, we will see the trials that he faced and how he handled them.

Our “trip” to Egypt starts on July 19 and will be for that whole week. Watch for registration forms coming in June. Our week will be filled with stories, song, crafts, snacks and games. We may even visit a pyramid or two. We will be asking for donations of snacks and selling pyramid blocks as a fundraiser. Watch for news from Egyptian Times and see what the Pharaoh has to tell you about this event.

I am looking forward to this summer and all of the wonderful events that will be available for all young and old.

RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults) starts on June 17 at 6:30 PM in room 1 of the parish center. Anyone interested in joining the Catholic Faith is invited to attend. Questions, please feel free to call me.

Blessings, Terry Knouff

Director of Faith Formation and Child Safety, 541-479-4848, tknouff@stannechurch.com

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Emergency Novena for Health Care Legislation

ED. NOTE: I received this today, please join us in these prayers…

The HEALTHCARE vote is very close. We must do all that we can to keep federal funding of abortion from increasing beyond the Hyde amendment language. This includes prayer. Below I have included a simple emergency novena to pray each day prior to any vote. This novena is attributed to Mother Teresa. It is very simple and merely involves saying the short Memorare prayer nine times throughout each day. We very much need Our Blessed Mother’s help.

_________________________________________________

• We pray that any health care legislation will not include federal funding for abortion.

Remember, O most gracious Virgin Mary, that never was it known that anyone who fled to thy protection, implored thy help, or sought thine intercession was left unaided.

Inspired by this confidence, I fly unto thee, O Virgin of virgins, my mother; to thee do I come, before thee I stand, sinful and sorrowful. O Mother of the Word Incarnate, despise not my petitions, but in thy mercy hear and answer me.

Amen.

• We pray that any health care legislation will include full protection of conscience rights for medical providers.

Remember, O most gracious Virgin Mary, that never was it known that anyone who fled to thy protection, implored thy help, or sought thine intercession was left unaided.

Inspired by this confidence, I fly unto thee, O Virgin of virgins, my mother; to thee do I come, before thee I stand, sinful and sorrowful. O Mother of the Word Incarnate, despise not my petitions, but in thy mercy hear and answer me.

Amen.

• We pray that any health care legislation exclude mandated end of life counseling for elderly and disabled.

Remember, O most gracious Virgin Mary, that never was it known that anyone who fled to thy protection, implored thy help, or sought thine intercession was left unaided.

Inspired by this confidence, I fly unto thee, O Virgin of virgins, my mother; to thee do I come, before thee I stand, sinful and sorrowful. O Mother of the Word Incarnate, despise not my petitions, but in thy mercy hear and answer me.

Amen.

• We pray that every individual will be able to exercise their right to health care that derives from the fundamental right to life.

Remember, O most gracious Virgin Mary, that never was it known that anyone who fled to thy protection, implored thy help, or sought thine intercession was left unaided.

Inspired by this confidence, I fly unto thee, O Virgin of virgins, my mother; to thee do I come, before thee I stand, sinful and sorrowful. O Mother of the Word Incarnate, despise not my petitions, but in thy mercy hear and answer me.

Amen.

• We pray that the rights of individuals to have a direct say in their care, reflecting the principle of subsidiarity, will be supported.

Remember, O most gracious Virgin Mary, that never was it known that anyone who fled to thy protection, implored thy help, or sought thine intercession was left unaided.

Inspired by this confidence, I fly unto thee, O Virgin of virgins, my mother; to thee do I come, before thee I stand, sinful and sorrowful. O Mother of the Word Incarnate, despise not my petitions, but in thy mercy hear and answer me.

Amen.

• We pray that, respectful of the principle of the common good, that we find some way to provide a safety net for people in need without diminishing personal responsibility or creating an inordinately bureaucratic structure.

Remember, O most gracious Virgin Mary, that never was it known that anyone who fled to thy protection, implored thy help, or sought thine intercession was left unaided.

Inspired by this confidence, I fly unto thee, O Virgin of virgins, my mother; to thee do I come, before thee I stand, sinful and sorrowful. O Mother of the Word Incarnate, despise not my petitions, but in thy mercy hear and answer me.

Amen.

• We pray that the principle of solidarity be embraced recognizing our “connectedness” to each other.

Remember, O most gracious Virgin Mary, that never was it known that anyone who fled to thy protection, implored thy help, or sought thine intercession was left unaided.

Inspired by this confidence, I fly unto thee, O Virgin of virgins, my mother; to thee do I come, before thee I stand, sinful and sorrowful. O Mother of the Word Incarnate, despise not my petitions, but in thy mercy hear and answer me.

Amen.

• We pray that all pro-life U.S. congressmen stand firm in their position of no expansion of federal funding of abortion.

Remember, O most gracious Virgin Mary, that never was it known that anyone who fled to thy protection, implored thy help, or sought thine intercession was left unaided.

Inspired by this confidence, I fly unto thee, O Virgin of virgins, my mother; to thee do I come, before thee I stand, sinful and sorrowful. O Mother of the Word Incarnate, despise not my petitions, but in thy mercy hear and answer me.

Amen.

• We pray for a change of heart for those U.S. congressmen who desire to provide expanded federal funding of abortion.

Remember, O most gracious Virgin Mary, that never was it known that anyone who fled to thy protection, implored thy help, or sought thine intercession was left unaided.

Inspired by this confidence, I fly unto thee, O Virgin of virgins, my mother; to thee do I come, before thee I stand, sinful and sorrowful. O Mother of the Word Incarnate, despise not my petitions, but in thy mercy hear and answer me.

Amen.

Freedom: Fr. Howell Adds Mass Honoring St. Patrick of Ireland

 St. Patrick was captured and found himself a prisoner and slave in a foreign land. … In time, God not only freed Patrick, but, made of his holy life a source of true freedom in God’s love for millions of Irish souls that continues on still; and you think God could not possibly free you yourself today?

The bruised reed he shall not break, and smoking flax he shall not quench: he shall bring forth judgment unto truth. He shall not be sad, nor troublesome, till he set judgment in the earth: and the islands shall wait for his law. 

Isaias 42 3-4

Father Harry Howell will host Mass at St. Patrick of the Forest Catholic Church tomorrow, Wednesday, March 17th, 2010, at 10 A.M. All are welcome to come and celebrate the Feast Day of Saint Patrick, our patron saint.

407 West River Street, Cave Junction, OR‎ – (541) 592-3658‎

Mass Times: Tuesday and Thursday 10am — Saturday (Sunday Obligation) 5:30pm

Reconciliation: Saturday 4 to 5pm

2010 WYD message: “If we have truly found Jesus, we cannot help but witness him to those who have not encountered his look.”

Vatican City, Mar 15, 2010 / 11:03 pm (CNA/EWTN News).-

Pope Benedict XVI released his message for the 25th World Youth Day celebration on Monday. He invites the young people of the world to realize their vocations and, instead of turning away disappointed as the young rich man in Mark’s Gospel, to follow Jesus with courage.

Calling the World Youth Day initiative begun by Pope John Paul II “prophetic,” the Holy Father writes that the events have reaped “abundant fruits, permitting the new Christian generations to come together, listen to the Word of God, discover the beauty of the Church and live strong experiences of faith that have brought many to the decision of giving themselves totally to Christ.”

This year’s celebration, which will take place on a diocesan level, is a “stage” on the path to WYD 2011 in Madrid, indicates the Pope, who says he hopes for a good turnout for the upcoming “event of grace.”

To prepare for the celebration, the Benedict XVI reflects on this year’s theme: “Good teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?” This, writes the Pope, presents the episode of Jesus’ encounter with the rich young man which Pope John Paul II presented in his inaugural letter for the first World Youth Day in 1985.

Benedict XVI revisits John Paul II’s original “beautiful” letter for this year’s message, which he divides into seven points. Significant portions of Pope Benedict XVI’s 2010 World Youth Day Message are presented below.

1. Jesus encounters the young man

The story from Mark’s gospel of the young rich man who is disappointed when he is asked to sell everything and follow Christ, writes the Holy Father to youth, “effectively expresses the great attention of Jesus towards young people, towards you, towards your expectations, your hopes, and shows how great is his desire to meet with you personally and open a dialogue with each one of you.”

“With this passage, my Predecessor wanted to exhort each of you to ‘develop a personal conversation with Christ – a conversation that is of fundamental importance and essential for young people.'”

2. Jesus looked at him and loved him

“The heart of this very special encounter and the whole Christian experience” is in the Lord’s gaze, writes Pope Benedict. In the personal love of Jesus Christ, “young or old, rich or poor; he loves us even when we turn our backs on him.”

John Paul II wrote to youth in his message, “I hope you experience a look like that! I hope you experience the truth that he, the Christ, looks at you with love.”

Pope Benedict adds John Paul II’s words, “The knowledge that the Father has always loved us in his Son, that the Christ loves each one of us always becomes a firm point of support for all of our human existence.

“In this love,” proposes Pope Benedict, “we find the source of all of the Christian life and the fundamental reason for evangelization: if we have truly found Jesus, we cannot help but witness him to those who have not encountered his look.”

3. The discovery of the project of life

Pope Benedict writes that the situation facing the young man in the Gospel is one that faces all youth, “the season of life that you are immersed in is a time of discovery: of the gifts that God has lavished upon you and of your responsibilities. It is, moreover, a time of fundamental choices to build your ‘project of life.'”

The Pope urges youth not to be fearful in answering the question: “What must I do, so that my life might have full value and full meaning?”

“To discover the ‘project of life’ that can make you plainly happy, start listening to God, who has a design of love for each of you,” writes the Pope. “With trust, ask him: “Lord, what is your design of Creator and Father of my life? What is your will? I wish to complete it.

“Be sure that he will respond. Don’t be fearful of his reply!”

4. Come and follow me!

“The Christian vocation springs from a proposal of love from the Lord and can be realized only thanks to a response of love,” writes Benedict XVI, adding that, “The saints welcome this demanding invitation.”

The Holy Father calls youth to welcome “joyfully” their vocations, “to live intensely and fruitfully in this world.”

The young, rich man “unfortunately, does not welcome the invitation of Jesus and he leaves saddened,” points out the Pope. “He did not find the courage to separate himself from material goods to find the greater good proposed by Jesus.

His sadness “is that which is born in the heart of each person when he does not have the courage to follow Christ, to carry out the right choice. But it’s never too late to answer him!”

The Year for Priests highlights the Lord’s “radical choice” of some for the vocation of the priesthood, religious and missionary life, writes the Pope. “Do not be afraid” … because “He knows how to give profound joy to he who responds with courage,” the Holy Father encourages young people.

The Pope also invites those called to married life to “welcome it with faith, working hard to establish a solid base to live a great love, faithful and open to the gift of life … ”

5. Oriented towards eternal life

“What must I do to inherit eternal life?” is a question that comes up in “particular painful moments of existence” when we experience death or failure, relates the Pope in the message.

He assures the youth that “Asking ourselves about the definitive future that awaits each of us gives full meaning to our existence, since it orients the ‘project of life’ not towards limited and passing, but broad and deep horizons that bring us to love the world … to dedicate ourselves to His development, but always with the freedom and the joy that are born of faith and hope. They are horizons that help to put the earthly reality in absolute terms, feeling that God is preparing us for a bigger perspective …”

The Pope concludes his thought with an exhortation to the youth not to forget “this prospect in your project of life: we are called to eternity. God has created us to be with Him forever.

“He will help you to give a full sense to your choices and give quality to your existence.”

6. The commandments, way of true love

As Jesus reminds the young man, the commandments are “essential points of reference for living in love, for distinguishing clearly the good from the bad and building a solid and lasting project of life,” the Pope writes. “Also to you, Jesus asks if you know the Commandments, if you work to form your consciences according to the divine law and if you put them in practice.”

“This goes against today’s mentality that proposes a freedom unrelated to values, rules, objective norms and invites denial of every limit to the desires of the moment,” points out Pope Benedict. “But this type of proposal,” he observes, “instead of leading to true freedom, makes man a slave to himself, to his immediate desires, to idols as power, money, unbridled pleasure and the seductions of the world, making him incapable of following his native vocation to love.”

The commandments were given to us because God “wants to educate us in true liberty, because he wants to build with us a Kingdom of love, of justice and of peace.”

“Listening to them and putting them in practice doesn’t mean alienating onesself, but finding a path of freedom and of true love, because the commandments don’t limit happiness, but indicate how to find it. Jesus at the beginning of the dialogue with the young rich man, reminds him that the law given by God is good, because ‘God is good,'” writes the Pope.

7. We need you

Young people today might find themselves in a difficult situation marked by a lack of employment opportunities, ideal references or concrete prospects for the future, the Pope observes. Despite the difficulty or feelings of impotence, “do not let yourselves be discouraged and do not give up your dreams!”

“Instead, cultivate in your hearts great desires for fraternity, justice and peace.

“The future is in the hands of those who know how to seek and find strong reasons for life and hope. If you want it, the future is in your hands, because the gifts and the riches that the Lord has closed in the heart of each of you, molded by the encounter with Christ, can bring back true hope to the world!” says the Pope.

It is the faith in his love that, making you strong and generous, will give you the courage to confront with serenity the path of life and assume family and professional responsibilities. Work to build your future through serious routes of personal formation and study, to serve the common good in a competent and generous way.

The Holy Father includes the challenges that young people are called to respond to today to build a more just and fraternal world: “the use of the resources of the earth and respect for ecology, the just division of goods and the control of financial mechanisms, solidarity with the poor countries within the human family, the fight against hunger in the world, the promotion of the dignity of human work, service to the culture of life, the construction of peace between nations, interreligious dialogue, the good use of means of social communication.”

“These are challenges that ask for a demanding and exciting project of life, in which to put all of your riches according to the design that God has for each of you,” the Pope explains.

This “isn’t about carrying out heroic or extraordinary gestures, but of acting by putting in fruit our own talents and possibilities, committing oneself to progress constantly in faith and love.”

Pope Benedict XVI concludes the letter by inviting everyone to learn about the lives of the saints, particularly those who are priests in this special year that honors them.

Through their lives, we can see God’s guidance and their experience of finding their way “day after day, in faith, hope and love.

“Christ calls each of you to work with Him and to assume your responsibilities to build a civilization of love. If you follow his Word, your way will also be illuminated and it will lead you to high goals, that give joy and full meaning to life.”

The message concludes with the prayer, “May the Virgin Mary, Mother of the Church, accompany you with her protection” and the Pope’s assurance of his prayers and blessing “with great affection.”

This year’s World Youth Day will be celebrated on a diocesan level on Palm Sunday, March 28

Crisis in Haiti, Fr John Corapi (Video)

“In so far as you did it for the least of my brethren, you did it for Me…” 

 

END OF POST /BEGINNING OF PRAYERS

Fr. Bill Holtzinger: ‘Return to normal liturgical actions this weekend Jan. 23/24, 2010’

Hello All,

After consultation with the Pastoral Council, recognizing that Three Rivers Hospital has ended their flu alert, and that Josephine County has ended their state of emergency regarding the flu, I am ending our own alert for St. Anne’s, St. Patrick of the Forest, and Our Lady of the River.

Starting this weekend, Jan. 23/24, 2010, we will return to our normal liturgical actions which includes the return of offering the Precious Blood at Mass, shaking hands at the Sign of Peace, and relaxing the request about the form of receiving communion.

If, as common sense would dictate, a person feels sick or exhibits symptoms of illness which could be deemed as contagious, they should consider not coming to Mass. If someone is no longer contagious, but has the remnant symptoms of illness, say a cough or serious runny nose, I ask that they consider the sensibility of the community and refrain from receiving the cup or shaking hands with others. Again, common sense is the norm.

Thank you all for your patience with these Emergency Flu regulations that have effected our Liturgy these past several months.

May God bless you in this new year!

Blessings,

Fr. Bill

Pastor

St. Anne Catholic Church

1131 NE 10th St.

Grants Pass, OR 97526

http://www.stannechurch.com

SPF Confirmation Class Recap 01.20.10

Welcome!  

 

“Now you know why Jesus wants to make us fisher’s of men…”

    

Overview:  

Despite our class schedule conflicting with the Bible Study folks and time spent at choir practice, we did manage to carry out some of our planned studies and activities, even with the loss of class time.    

Believer, Unbeliever Exercise:   

Who is Jesus? / How can I come to know Jesus?   

Sorry to put you all to the test on your faith right from the start! But, my purpose was twofold…    

First, I wanted an idea of your knowledge and comfort level when faced with the question(s) of who Jesus is and how would one come to know Him if asked by an unbeliever. And honestly, I am impressed by many of the answers I heard in response, along with your willingness to do so!    

 If you chose in class to pass on the questions, don’t worry about it. This exercise was geared toward letting each of us know that we all continually need to grow in knowledge of Our Lord. Which, brings me to my second purpose for the exercise:    

 To develop within your hearts a true thirst to both love and be loved by God, and then, direct you toward the only way anyone ever comes to concretely know Jesus Christ and become His true witnesses in the world—the Spirit of Love, the Holy Spirit…    

Major Class Note:   

Remember to write the following within your journals:   

We come to know the Holy Spirit through the Church in:    

 – in the Scriptures he inspired;    

 – in the Tradition, to which the Church Fathers are always timely witnesses;    

 – in the Church’s Magisterium, which he assists;    

 – in the sacramental liturgy, through its words and symbols, in which the Holy Spirit puts us into communion with Christ;    

 – in prayer, wherein he intercedes for us;    

 – in the charisms and ministries by which the Church is built up;    

 – in the signs of apostolic and missionary life;    

 – in the witness of saints through whom he manifests his holiness and continues the work of salvation. 

Odds and Ends: 

Looks like we’ll move class to Monday night from now on, but will confirm with you all…  

Finally, below is an example of  the Holy Spirit found in the witness of saints through whom he manifests his holiness and continues the work of salvation…

“Amid dangers, difficulties, and doubts, think of Mary, invoke Mary’s aid…. If you follow her, you will not stray; if you entreat her, you will not lose hope; if you reflect upon her, you will not err; if she supports you, you will not fall; if she protects you, you will not fear; if she leads you, you will not grow weary; if she is propitious, you will reach your goal….”  

St. Bernard, Second Homily on the Missus est: PL CLXXXIII, 70-71.

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2010 March For Life — Grants Pass, Oregon (Pics)

I stood in for the regular video guy at the march this year (he was up in Portland). UTUBE of the event should be up soon. Until then, check out these pics starting with the Pro life dogs walking pro bono publico… “for the public good”

Note: “Pro bono” doesn’t translate over quite the same in dog language, it’s something closer to saying, “I’m for bones.”

Thumbnails…

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Confirmation: in the Spirit…

Baptism is “the doorway to the spiritual life; it makes us members of Christ and draws us into the body of the Church.”

Ecumenical Council of Florence -1439

“In confirmation the baptized “are joined more completely to the Church; they are enriched with special strength by the Holy Spirit and thus are more solemnly obliged to spread and defend the faith in word and deed as true witnesses of Christ.”

Second Vatican Ecumenical Council, Dogmatic Constitution on the Church, Lumen Gentium — 1964

But, how do we come to know the Spirit?

From the Catechism of the Catholic Church:

687 “No one comprehends the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God.”7 Now God’s Spirit, who reveals God, makes known to us Christ, his Word, his living Utterance, but the Spirit does not speak of himself. The Spirit who “has spoken through the prophets” makes us hear the Father’s Word, but we do not hear the Spirit himself. We know him only in the movement by which he reveals the Word to us and disposes us to welcome him in faith. The Spirit of truth who “unveils” Christ to us “will not speak on his own.”8 Such properly divine self-effacement explains why “the world cannot receive [him], because it neither sees him nor knows him,” while those who believe in Christ know the Spirit because he dwells with them.9

688 The Church, a communion living in the faith of the apostles which she transmits, is the place where we know the Holy Spirit:

– in the Scriptures he inspired;

– in the Tradition, to which the Church Fathers are always timely witnesses;

– in the Church’s Magisterium, which he assists;

– in the sacramental liturgy, through its words and symbols, in which the Holy Spirit puts us into communion with Christ;

– in prayer, wherein he intercedes for us;

– in the charisms and ministries by which the Church is built up;

– in the signs of apostolic and missionary life;

– in the witness of saints through whom he manifests his holiness and continues the work of salvation.

Prayers and Holy Mass this day for all Christian youth preparing for confirmation in the Spirit, and their teachers.