catholicsentinel.org

Oregon Knights of Columbus meet to discern service

NEWPORT — The first six months of the 2019-20 Oregon Knights of Columbus service year have “been incredibly successful,” state deputy Ron Boyce told nearly 50 district deputies and other Knights during a midyear meeting held Jan. 3-5 at the Best Western Agate Beach motel here.
From pedal to pew: Family bikes to Mass in North Portland each week

Bicycling is perceived as Portlandy. Going to church? Not so much.

The Weisenbach-Folz family defies labels and embraces both.
Font thought to be used by founding archbishop

VANCOUVER, Wash. — A baptismal font likely used by Oregon’s first archbishop in the mid-19th century has long had a happy home across the Columbia River at St. James Proto-Cathedral here.

The oak font stands 4 feet tall and has a nifty pivot that allows the lid to swing open gracefully, revealing the life-giving waters.
Storylines that shaped the Catholic Sentinel

The writers of the Sentinel produced an eclectic Catholic journal from the start. The first issue in 1870 led with a 6,000-word tale about a Spanish Jew whose pride was tamed by life, leading him back to a beloved daughter. If the editors intended a Catholic allegory there, we missed it. The last page of the first issue includes a yarn about an Irish youth playing soccer with ghosts.
Msgr. Thomas Tobin, a local intellectual giant of the 20th century, is the subject of a new master’s thesis

A prescient man, the priest wanted to reform Oregon society according to Catholic social teaching. When that sputtered, he turned to bringing new life to local Catholic worship by reviving ancient rites of worship.
Top insurance agent two years in a row

For the second year in a row, Young Tran, a Knights of Columbus insurance agent and financial consultant based in Portland, has been named the top agent out of more than 1,300 in the United States, Canada and Puerto Rico.
WATCH: Once a homeless mother, she’s now a super-volunteer

MILWAUKIE — Someone repeatedly hacks into the website and other digital systems at Madonna’s Center for Life. The attacks, apparently from abortion rights supporters, wreak havoc on the small Catholic motherhood support ministry.
Garden sprouts in Springfield

SPRINGFIELD — Residents of the Thurston neighborhood here will have a chance to get into the dirt and get vegetables growing — even if they don’t have a yard.
Workshop explores dependency in relationships

Successful give and take in a relationship is a sign of healthy balance. When that balance is upset, feelings of excessive dependence or undue responsibility result.
Fr. Edmond Bliven had a hand in Sentinel editorials for five decades

He joined the Catholic Sentinel when Pius XII was in the Vatican and Ike was in the White House. Father Edmond Bliven could have served admirably in either place.
Origins of the Catholic Sentinel: Entering ‘often disastrous sea of journalism’ with trepidation, hope

“It is the task of the Catholic press to balance, to complete and, if necessary, to correct the news and comments about religion and the Christian life.”
Archbishop Brunett dies at 86; recalled for his 'presence and service'

SEATTLE — Retired Archbishop Alexander J. Brunett, who led the Archdiocese of Seattle from 1997 to his retirement in 2010, died Jan. 31. He was 86.
Longtime agency director: Love leads to truth

SALEM — In a moving farewell address, the longtime executive director of Catholic Community Services here said that serving the poor, whether they deserve it or not, is an expression of God’s love.
Beginning 'ad limina,' bishops reflect on call to sacrifice, to love

VATICAN CITY — Celebrating Mass at the tomb of St. Peter with his fellow bishops from Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Montana and Alaska, Archbishop Alexander K. Sample of Portland asked them to consider the red vestments they were wearing.
PeaceHealth earns heart care designation

SPRINGFIELD — The American College of Cardiology in December awarded PeaceHealth Sacred Heart at RiverBend Chest Pain Center accreditation. The recognition followed an onsite assessment of the staff’s ability to evaluate, diagnose and treat patients who may be experiencing a heart attack.
'A lifeline' at their fingertips

Neatly stacked boxes and plastic tubs flank Sherrié Janz in her small Southeast Portland apartment. Formerly homeless, the 53-year-old now has a place to put her modest assortment of clothes and household items, which she’d kept in storage for years.
Catholic Charities’ financial wellness program helps Iranian refugee launch a business

When Parvaneh Chavoshi Kivi arrived at Portland International Airport in 2017, she expected to see her Catholic Charities caseworker and a U.S. sponsor. Instead the Iranian refugee was met by a group of around 20 people, some offering flowers, others holding signs that read, “You are welcome here.”
Latest thinking on homework shuns rote assignments in favor of exploration, individually tailored projects

Poll students, and most won’t put homework on their top 10 favorite activities. But that may be the old kind of homework, which focused on drills, repetition and simply keeping a mind occupied.
How the process of making the Sentinel had evolved over the years

There might have been crates of carrots or leeks nearby the first run of the Catholic Sentinel, printed out of a greengrocer’s downtown Portland business in February 1870. Type was set by hand, likely letter by letter, the work illuminated from the glow of kerosene lamps. A mere 800 copies were in that inaugural batch of newspapers.
Family reaches out with warmth

EUGENE — One of the main philosophies at St. Paul School here is to instill an attitude of service and personal responsibility in each student. This attitude has been showcased for 11 years by the Clemens/Hakala/Posen families.
Regis St. Mary student raises funds for orphaned siblings in Africa

STAYTON — Regis St. Mary High School seniors Courage Minten, Eli Stuckart and Roger Cheng started a special community project at the beginning of the school year. Their goal: Give Courage’s siblings currently living in Ghana, West Africa, the opportunity to attend private school.
WATCH: Pro-lifers called to witness

SALEM —More than 2,000 marchers packed the square in front of the Oregon Capitol Jan. 25, reminding the state that unborn children also deserve rights.
Priest dismissed for inappropriate relationship

Following a revelation that he’d been involved in an inappropriate sexual relationship with an adult woman, Father Jonah Lynch resigned just before Christmas as administrator of St. Jude Parish in Eugene. The priest admitted to the behavior before returning to his religious community, the Priestly Fraternity of the Missionaries of St. Charles Borromeo.
Building bonds through letters

Hugs and high-fives were exchanged, as were choruses of “I’ll see you again soon!”

To most, this might sound like lifelong friends catching up, but in fact it was the first meet-up of the year between second grade pen pals from St. Clare and Our Lady of the Lake.
Madeleine class of 1969 celebrates 50th reunion

Thanks to the efforts of Patty Farrell and Margaret Hecht-French, members of the class of 1969 gathered in October at The Madeleine for an evening of memories, laughter, old photos and a school tour in celebration of their 50th reunion. While some of the classrooms looked the same and brought memories flooding back, other parts of the school left these former Madeleine students spinning in circles trying to figure out where they were in the building.
Helping St. Vincent de Paul conferences help the poor

Joe Weston, Portland’s own real estate mogul, is a man bigger than life. Back in 1995, Weston was honored as the St. Francis Dining Hall volunteer of the year. The Southeast Portland facility was then a St. Vincent de Paul agency. Weston had served food weekly at the dining hall for 10 years.
He held about $250 million in real estate at the time.
Cultivating stewards of God’s creation at Queen of Peace School

SALEM — Queen of Peace students are far from deficient in time spent outdoors. They are encouraged to bring appropriate gear — from rain jackets to snow boots — that corresponds with the current weather, so they are able to play carefree and are comfortable — not damp — when they return to their desks.
Remembering matching grants makes coaches’ lives easier

It’s free money, one CYO coach says.
Nativity students pray, advocate for justice

St. Andrew Nativity School students traveled across the country to attend the Ignatian Family Teach-In For Justice in Washington, D.C., in November.
New program offers support to senior priests

Father Ken Hume, 86, answers the door of his modest Oregon City house with a broad smile. “Well, good morning!” calls out the slim priest, a former long distance runner, scuba diver and military chaplain.
Altar society talking local politics

The altar society from The Madeleine Parish is working on more than cloths and candles. The Northeast Portland group is hosting a series on local politics.
Life insurance 101

“Life insurance is the No. 1 way to protect your family financially,” said Brian Dooney, an agent with Leonard Adams Insurance and a member of St. Mary Cathedral in Northwest Portland. (Clipart)
Prayers for peace in Gresham

A prayer service for peace is scheduled at St. Henry Catholic Church in Gresham on Monday, January 20, at 7 p.m. Honor Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s day by joining together in prayer as we pray for peace in our world, our country, our community, and our hearts.
Oregon Catholic high schools vigilant about safety

More people died or were injured in mass school shootings in the United States between 2000 and 2018 than in the entire 20th century, according to a recent study published in the Journal of Child and Family Studies. Thus far, Catholic schools have been spared from such a horrific event, but school leaders know they are not immune. When a gunman killed two people at a Christian church in Texas at the end of 2019, safety again surfaced as a top concern for faith communities and schools across the country.
Veterans honored by Archbishop Vlazny, Beaverton mayor

BEAVERTON — This past fall, veterans at Maryville were honored at a special event featuring Beaverton Mayor Denny Doyle, retired Portland Archbishop John Vlazny and the Oregon Air National Guard.
Immigration legal group receives Catholic grant

The national Catholic Legal Immigration Network has given a $180,000 grant spread over four years to Ecumenical Ministries of Oregon’s SOAR Immigration Legal Services.
STORIES OF THE DECADE

For the Catholic Church of western Oregon, it’s been a decade in which faith and secular culture alternately clashed and engaged. The church addressed new urgencies like immigration and climate change while offering society the truth and beauty of ancient teaching and liturgy. Here are what the Catholic Sentinel judged as the most important local stories and trends of the last decade.
Faith group to lead rally against possible war

BEAVERTON — Peace activists, including a Catholic team, have organized a peace rally set for 6 p.m. on Jan. 8 in Beaverton.
Providence names philanthropy officer

Kelly Buechler has accepted the post of chief philanthropy officer for Providence Foundations of Oregon. Buechler served as executive director for Providence Portland Medical Foundation for 16 years. He also oversaw philanthropic efforts for the Providence foundations in Hood River, Milwaukie, Medford and Oregon City.
Mount Angel lecture

ST. BENEDICT — Mount Angel Abbey’s 2020 Winter/Spring lecture series offers the first of four presentations on “Dante’s World and Ours” Saturday, Jan. 11 at 9 a.m. in the abbey library.
Seminarians serve the community ‘with great love’

Ben Condon uses tender, nearly homiletic metaphors regarding his experience working at Habitat for Humanity’s ReStore in Woodburn. Condon emphasized how modest his contribution is. He cleaned and made sure the donated items were appropriately stocked in the correct locations.
Demonstrators call welcoming children a life issue

A dozen lay Catholics have vowed to continue monthly processions at St. Mary Cathedral in downtown Portland to pray the rosary in solidarity with detained children at the United States’ border with Mexico. The group was part of a national Catholic campaign calling for the end to such detentions, which are “contrary to Gospel values as written in Matthew chapter 25, where we are called to welcome the stranger, feed the hungry and care for the sick,” say the organizers.
Faith in an age of time famine

Patricia Mackie, a member of Resurrection Parish in Tualatin and a family counselor, knows from personal experience how hard it is to juggle work, kids, marriage and faith. “My husband and I are constantly talking about this,” she says.
Catholic traditions in selling and buying your house

If you’re selling your house, there’s a set process. You hire a realtor and buy a St. Joseph statue. You bury the statue upside down, facing the house — or no, wait.
A new golden rule for seniors

No doubt it takes a village to raise a child, but it also takes a village — or even better a parish — to cheer on a senior. At St. Peter Parish in Southeast Portland, it’s the seniors themselves who shoulder some of that responsibility with their own Wednesday senior lunch (open to all ages) and bingo gatherings.
Marriage preparation offered

The Northwest Catholic Counseling Center in Northeast Portland hosts a marriage preparation workshop Saturday, Jan. 25, 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. at 8383 NE Sandy Blvd., Suite 205, Portland, OR 97220.
Franz Finley honored at Providence Portland

In recognition of Elsie Franz Finley’s decades of support (totaling more than $62 million) Providence Portland Medical Center has named the radiation oncology department in her honor: The Elsie Franz Finley Radiation Oncology Center.
Priest removed from diocese

REDMOND — After substantiated allegations of sexual abuse of a minor, the Diocese of Baker has removed a priest who had been serving in eastern Oregon since 2014.
Knights provide coats for kids

Partnering with a Knights of Columbus Supreme Council match program, the Oregon Knights gave more than 1,200 coats for Oregon children this winter.
Guadalupe celebrations show vibrant faith

The rain halted for several hours and a silver moon emerged from behind clouds the night of Dec. 12 as hundreds of worshippers walked into St. Alexander Church in Cornelius. After 24 hours of celebrating their beloved Virgin of Guadalupe, they were not done yet.
Naughty and nice: The rest of the story

Here’s one truth about Santa Claus, according to Mark Larson. “Santa wants everyone on the nice list,” he says. “That’s his whole goal.”
Border priest to speak Jan. 19

Jesuit Father Sean Carroll, executive director of the Kino Border Initiative, will speak in Portland on the agency’s work assisting and accompanying migrants at the U.S./Mexico border.
Former University of Portland employee allegedly assaults current administrator

Patrick Ell, a former University of Portland employee, was arrested Dec. 13 after allegedly assaulting an administrator of the North Portland school. Police say Ell, 52, was angered over how the school handled his daughter’s sexual assault complaint in 2016.
Ambitious initiative launched to reduce chronic homelessness in Portland

In an unprecedented partnership, three Oregon Catholic entities will apply creativity, smarts and ample roll-up-your-sleeves hard work to address a painful reality Portlanders observe daily: chronic homelessness.
Ugandan clinic wing to be named after Portland priest

A priest veteran of AIDS ministry in Portland inspired another Catholic clergyman to improve HIV outreach at a clinic in remote northwest Uganda. Dec. 1 was World AIDS Day.
You’d never know he had a grim prognosis in utero

It’s a rich, vigorous life for 12-year-old Andrew Wellnitz. He gets top marks in sixth grade at All Saints School in Northeast Portland — not easy. He plays football, basketball and baseball with zeal. He hangs out with friends and excels at video games. He manages a sometimes tricky existence with three younger sisters.
Lessons from the border

An Oregon delegation led by Catholic Charities served in Laredo, Texas, this summer, assisting migrant families and asylum-seekers at the ever-tightening border.
Providence, CareOregon to strengthen Medicaid and Medicare programs

Providence Plan Partners (PPP) and CareOregon announced that they intend to enter into a formal partnership to strategically align operations and services to better serve the health and wellness of Oregon’s poor and vulnerable populations.
Vatican laicizes former Diocese of Boise priest

BOISE — The Vatican’s Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith has informed Diocese of Boise Bishop Peter Christensen that Thomas Faucher, a former priest in the diocese, has been dismissed from the clerical state. Bishop Christensen has informed Faucher of the decision, which the Vatican calls “serious and unappealable.”