True Christmas celebrates Jesus, who is tender, humble, pope says

VATICAN CITY — With Christmas just over a week away, visitors came to St. Peter's Square with their Baby Jesus figurines for a traditional blessing by the pope.
WATCH: Even in death, ‘every second counted’: Couple brings Cuddle Cot to St. Vincent Medical Center

At 21 weeks pregnant, Carly Itami went into premature labor with her first child. Admitted into the emergency room with her husband at her side, the distraught mother gave birth to a daughter, Evelyn June. The tiny body was lifeless; the baby’s heart had stopped beating in the womb.
Knights fund ultrasound machines

SALEM — Two Knights of Columbus councils have teamed up to help a Salem pregnancy clinic get two new ultrasound machines.
Catechism revision adds impetus in death penalty abolition fight

WASHINGTON — Changes in law and public opinion have had their role to play in the quest to end capital punishment in the United States, but Catholic teaching also has played a part, according to Robert Dunham, executive director of the Death Penalty Information Center.
Oregon parish and African school ‘walk’ with each other

LAKE OSWEGO — Members of Our Lady of the Lake Parish are walking side by side with Tanzanian nuns, teachers and students who want to empower girls to help their east African nation.

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Local

WATCH: Even in death, ‘every second counted’: Couple brings Cuddle Cot to St. Vincent Medical Center

At 21 weeks pregnant, Carly Itami went into premature labor with her first child. Admitted into the emergency room with her husband at her side, the distraught mother gave birth to a daughter, Evelyn June. The tiny body was lifeless; the baby’s heart had stopped beating in the womb. READ MORE>>
Three women, three tales of fighting for life

Three Catholic women who serve on the Archdiocese of Portland’s Life, Justice and Peace Commission shared their stories touching on challenges to the culture of life. READ MORE>>

Parish and School

Apparition Re-enacted

Luis Heredia, dressed as St. Juan Diego, and Erika Tafoya, dressed as Our Lady of Guadalupe, pose for a shot after an apparition performance in honor of the Guadalupe feast day celebration at St. Matthew Parish in Hillsboro.

Pope Francis and Vatican

True Christmas celebrates Jesus, who is tender, humble, pope says

VATICAN CITY — With Christmas just over a week away, visitors came to St. Peter's Square with their Baby Jesus figurines for a traditional blessing by the pope.

Living Faith

Epiphany Mass set

The Sisters and Donnes of Reparation invite the public for a Mass of Thanksgiving on the Feast of Epiphany, Sunday, Jan. 6. Devotion to the Magi has been a part of the sisters’ charism since their founding in 1953. Adoration and the Stations of Christmas are scheduled for 2 p.m., and Mass with Father Jon Buffington as celebrant starts at 3 p.m. A potluck follows the liturgy. The events take place at the convent, 2120 SE 24th Ave., Portland.

Nation and World

Catechism revision adds impetus in death penalty abolition fight

WASHINGTON — Changes in law and public opinion have had their role to play in the quest to end capital punishment in the United States, but Catholic teaching also has played a part, according to Robert Dunham, executive director of the Death Penalty Information Center.

Arts and Entertainment

Christmas preparation overwhelms Advent's, church musicians say

WASHINGTON (CNS) — Have a holly, jolly ... Advent?

Viewpoints

Futility of war

There can be no celebration of bravery occasioned by war. With Jesus, we can only agonize that we still continue to condone the futility of war.

Even in death, ‘every second counted’: Couple brings Cuddle Cot to St. Vincent Medical Center

Motivated by their own grief, Nick and Carly Itami give bereaved families more time with their babies

South coast food box program a ‘marvel’ of compassion

Knights of Columbus convene partners to feed 1,300 households in a region pestered by poverty

Holding tradition, but engaged with the world

One Franciscan Sister seems to have succeeded in living out the balance

Deaf Catholics at peace worshipping in their language

They know each other’s hardships, can open their hearts

Retired police chief helps Catholic agency deal with growth

Pete Kerns adds strategic planning to the ‘brilliance’ at St. Vincent de Paul of Lane County

Archbishop Sample's Column

So what happened?

Most Rev. Alexander Sample

I have recently returned from the annual fall meeting of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB). It was at this meeting that the U.S. bishops were prepared to address in a strong manner the current crisis in the Church, a crisis that revolves around the bishops themselves and the negligent handling of cases of sexual abuse and misconduct in the past.