Parish and School News - Catholic Sentinel

Parish food and fun

LINCOLN CITY — Food, games, entertainment, a garden and plant market, arts and crafts, home-baked pastries and breads, and a country store with collectables will be featured during the fourth annual Raise the Roof Fun Festival at St. Augustine Parish here.
Priest reassignments

Two parishes that are staffed by religious orders are welcoming new priests this summer.
Construction begins at St. John Fisher

When Father Richard Thompson first heard the pounding of concrete outside the church at St. John Fisher, he was celebrating morning Mass at the Southwest Portland parish. “That’s music to my ears,” he told Massgoers.
CYO lacrosse faces off with kids K through 12

As lacrosse continues to grow and flourish in the Portland metropolitan area, many youth players are experiencing the sport for the first time with the Catholic Youth Organization. Since 2011, CYO coaches have been guiding kids through basic fundamental skills to advanced techniques.
Track and field lands another successful year

CYO has just ended its 2018 season with some of the best championship meets ever. The Roadrunner’s Regionals, for the third- and fourth-graders, were held at La Salle Prep on the east side, with Our Lady of the Lake overall team winner, and at Valley Catholic on the westside won by St. Pius X. Both meets were held May 12.
Catholics explore transformation through Eucharist

SALEM — Hundreds gathered at the Salem Convention Center for Schola Cantus Angelorum’s sixth annual Sacred Liturgy Conference to hear speakers examine the year’s theme — transfiguration in the Eucharist.
Corpus Christi in Brookings

Parishioners from Star of the Sea Parish in Brookings marched in honor of Corpus Christi. The procession was a first for the small coastal parish.
VBS at Holy Cross

Holy Cross Parish in North Portland will welcome children for a July 9-13 vacation Bible school based on the astronomical theme “Quest for Jesus (in Outer Space!)”
Where the word has been

Our Lady of Sorrows Parish in Southeast Portland celebrated its diversity at Masses on Pentecost by putting pins into a world map. The apostles and all the others who received the Holy Spirit were enabled to spread the message of Jesus throughout their world; the parish celebrated where the word of God already has been.
Auction nets $1 million

More than 700 guests gathered to raise their paddles high in support of the young women of St. Mary’s Academy at the school’s 30th annual auction, “Pearls of Wisdom.” Cathy Marshall of KGW-TV served as the master of ceremonies for the evening, held at the Oregon Convention Center. The event raised nearly $1 million.
Serious soccer fun

OREGON CITY — Once again chants rang out in the halls of St. John the Apostle School here. Red Team versus Black Team; physical education teacher versus priest. The fourth annual Epic Soccer Game took place April 27, and just as in years past it did not disappoint.
Celebrating a first Mass

Freshly ordained Fr. Brent Crowe celebrated his first Mass at Sacred Heart Parish in Medford June 3. The new priest went through RCIA at the southern Oregon parish.
Café Justo opens for business

MILWAUKIE — Café Justo opened on the campus of La Salle Prep this spring, selling coffee drinks to support Mexican growers and raise money for scholarships.
Transitions at Jesuit High School

After 12 years at Jesuit High School in Portland, Jesuit Father JK Adams will leave this summer to serve as theology teacher and chaplain at Gonzaga Preparatory School in Spokane, Washington.
Concert for young adults

TIGARD — Worship, fellowship and live faith testimony filled the church hall at St. Anthony Parish here May 19.

The concert, geared for young adults, was sponsored by the parish and Couples for Christ, a group of family evangelizers.
Closing a chapter in their lives

For four years, students at western Oregon’s Catholic high schools spend five days together every week. They study together, they play sports together, they perform together. They become a community. Then comes graduation — the last time many of them may ever see each other. This is part of the reason that graduation night parties thrive at the schools.
Principal also set to ‘graduate’

Karen Asbury has helped weave the fabric of Portland’s Catholic school community for 45 years. She’s spent the last 23 of those as principal of St. Rose School (formerly Archbishop Howard School), where her colleagues say she set a foundation in faith, service and academic excellence.
Farewell to 20 from St. John the Baptist

MILWAUKIE — The class of 2018 from St. John the Baptist School counts 20 members. Commencement was Tuesday, June 12, at St. John the Baptist Church.
St. John the Apostle eighth-graders sent forth

OREGON CITY — St. John the Apostle celebrated its eighth-grade graduates with a baccalaureate Mass at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, June 12, at St. John the Apostle Church.
Sherwood grads: When paths diverge, bonds unite

SHERWOOD — For eighth-graders, the end of the school year marks a divergence in the path of life. At St. Francis School here, the welcoming family atmosphere and faith-filled education provides an enduring bond.
Saving Pan: A culinary rescue mission

It seems as though everyone wants to write a book. Three freshmen at St. Mary’s Academy already have checked off that life goal.
St. Clare grads immersed in tradition

Eighth-graders at St. Clare School in Southwest Portland soon joined the ranks of fellow alumni as they celebrated their graduation at 7 p.m. Friday, June 8, in St. Clare Church.
Eighth-graders partner with Catholic Community Services

EUGENE — St. Paul Parish School here celebrated the graduation of 31 eighth-graders at 6:30 p.m. Monday, June 11, at St. Paul Church.
‘Star qualities’ at St. Cecilia

BEAVERTON — St. Cecilia School held its graduation for 31 eighth-graders at 7 p.m. Tuesday, June 12, at St. Cecilia Church here.
St. Pius X eighth graders graduate June 11

St. Pius X School in Northwest Portland sent forth 62 graduates at 6:30 p.m. Monday, June 11, at St. Pius Church. Salutatorian is Sadie Nanson and valedictorian is Avery Powers.
St. Luke graduation June 8

WOODBURN — St. Luke School here will celebrate its 12 graduated in a Mass and ceremony Friday, June 8, at St. Luke Church.
UP has largest class in history

The University of Portland celebrated its commencement last month with nearly 1,200 graduates earning degrees — making the class of 2018 the largest graduating class in the university’s history.
Sacred Heart says goodbye to 20

MEDFORD — Sacred Heart School here celebrated its 20 eighth-grade graduates at 6 p.m. Thursday, June 7, at Sacred Heart Church. Celebrations continued after graduation in the parish hall.
48 to graduate from O’Hara

EUGENE — O’Hara held a graduation Mass for its 48 eighth-graders at 8:30 a.m. Monday, June 11, at O’Hara. Graduation is set for 7 p.m. Tuesday, June 12, at St. Mary Church.
St. Agatha grads to leave peace legacy

St. Agatha School in Southeast Portland held its graduation for 22 eighth-graders at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, June 12, at St. Agatha Church.
Nativity: Tools to succeed

St. Andrew Nativity School in Northeast Portland celebrated 28 eighth-graders during its graduation at 7 p.m. June 14 at the school.
Central Catholic to graduate 218

Central Catholic High School celebrated the graduation of 218 students June 1, in the University of Portland Chiles Center.
St. Therese grads ready for next step

Eighth-graders from St. Therese School in Northeast Portland graduated June 12 at St. Therese Church.
‘I love being in a system where I can watch my students progress’

STAYTON — Regis St. Mary School will graduate 33 seniors and 20 eighth-graders this year. The seniors’ baccalaureate Mass was Thursday, June 7, at Immaculate Conception Church. Graduation was Sunday, June 10, at the Regis campus. Valedictorian is Emily Adams and salutatorian is Rachel Dolby.
Commencement at Mount Angel Seminary

SAINT BENEDICT — The students of Mount Angel Seminary’s graduating class of 2018 celebrated their baccalaureate Mass Friday afternoon May 11 and commencement exercises the following morning.
Marist’s top grads committed to service

EUGENE — Marist High School will graduate 139 seniors in the class of 2018.

The baccalaureate Mass was Friday, June 8, at Marist and graduation was Saturday, June 9, in the Marist gymnasium.
Valley Catholic eighth-graders graduate June 9

BEAVERTON — A graduation ceremony honoring the 84 graduates of Valley Catholic Middle School was held at 7 p.m. Saturday, June 9, in the Valiants Gym of the Valley Catholic Athletic Center.
St. Mary’s Academy grads prepare for collegiate study in tech to art fields

St. Mary’s Academy held its graduation for 174 seniors at noon Saturday, June, 2 at the University of Portland’s Chiles Center. Valedictorian is Bea Pickett and Kara D’Ascenzo is salutatorian.
Jesuit class of 2018: ‘Men and women for others’

Jesuit High School celebrated 301 graduates this year. The baccalaureate Mass was Saturday, June 2, at Jesuit and the graduation was Sunday, June 3, at the University of Portland Chiles Center.
Visitation cultivates ‘friendship that will last a lifetime’

FOREST GROVE — Visitation School honored 14 graduating eighth-graders Sunday, June 10. The commencement ceremony was at Visitation Church.

The students relate to each other like a family in the way they are supportive and work together, said school administrators.
‘Be your own brand’

MILWAUKIE — La Salle Prep will say farewell to 142 students this year. Graduation is set for 11 a.m. Saturday, June 16, at Rolling Hills Community Church in Tualatin.
Sisters’ values nurture excellence at Valley Catholic

BEAVERTON — The Valley Catholic High School commencement ceremony was held for the 85 graduating seniors at 2 p.m. Saturday, June 9, in the Valiants Gym of the Valley Catholic Athletic Center.
Farewell to 25 at Holy Family

Holy Family School in Southeast Portland will honor its 25 eighth-graders during this year’s graduation, held 7 p.m. Tuesday, June 12, at Holy Family Church.
De La Salle seeks community’s help in search for new building

De La Salle North Catholic High School is inviting community members to help in the search for a new school building. The school has called the building at 7528 North Fenwick Avenue home for the last 11 years.
De La Salle North students overcome obstacles

De La Salle North Catholic seniors Abel Getachew and Felix Songolo have won full-ride scholarships to Georgetown University in Washington, D.C. Getachew’s family is from Ethiopia, and he came to Portland as a seventh-grader.
Holy Cross students ‘una familia’

“Somos todos una familia.” “We are all one family.” These were the words and the sentiments shared in a speech by student council co-presidents Gabriela Granados and Ida Fogarty at the annual donor dinner at Holy Cross School in North Portland.
St. Matthew School says goodbye to grads, provides relief to those in need

HILLSBORO — St. Matthew School remains committed to a curriculum rich with opportunities to serve. In fulfilling their mission statement, St. Matthew “nurtures the heart and mind of every student to live, learn and serve with the compassion of Christ.”
St. Francis grads dedicated to service

BANKS — The graduation Mass for the eight St. Francis of Assisi School eighth-graders is set for 11 a.m. Sunday, June 10, at St. Francis of Assisi Church here. A reception will follow.
‘Dorothy in Wonderland’ a schoolwide effort

ST. PAUL — St. Paul Parochial School will honor six eighth-graders at St. Paul Church here. As of press time, the graduation date was not finalized.

Students took to the stage at the St. Paul Community Hall May 3 for the musical “Dorothy in Wonderland,” a modern combination of “Alice in Wonderland” and “The Wizard of Oz.”
14 to graduate from St. Joseph in Salem

SALEM — St. Joseph School’s 14 eighth-graders will celebrate their graduation Wednesday, June 13.
Blanchet sends forth 42

SALEM — Blanchet School will honor 43 graduates this year. The baccalaureate Mass is set for 7 p.m. Friday, June 8, with graduation Saturday, June 9, at 1 p.m.
The Madeleine students are changing lives

The Madeleine School will hold its graduation for 30 eighth-graders at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, June 12, at The Madeleine Church in Northeast Portland.

Madeleine students on the Water1st youth board made big strides in their first year.
Former abortion clinic leader speaks life to crowd

LAKE OSWEGO — The audience at Our Lady of the Lake Parish here sat teary eyed as Abby Johnson described a prenatal child flinching and flailing its arms as a suction machine was turned on in its mother’s womb.
WATCH: Beehive in Catholic school viewed as ecological, religious tool

It's not unusual for kindergartners to fear bees, but the little ones at St. John Fisher School in Portland flock to a buzzing hive in their school's library to get a close look at the flying creatures with stingers.
Priest seeks to weave holy space amid cultures

HILLSBORO — Father Hugo Maese embodies the multicultural nature of the Catholic Church.

Born and raised along the United States-Mexico border in El Paso, Texas, Father Maese is the son of Mexican immigrants. Fluent in English and Spanish, he has feet in two cultures.
Essay winners announced

For the third year in a row, St. Mary’s Academy students received three of the five awards for the Garaventa Center Catholic High School Essay Contest.

Theme of this year’s contest was “Notes to My 12-Year-Old Self.”
Mother’s Day in pre-K at O’Hara

EUGENE — Each spring, O’Hara School’s pre-K students can be found hard at work drawing portraits, completing interviews, learning how to dance, brushing up on their manners and more. Preparation for the annual Mother’s Day luncheon is serious and hard work for these young students.
Celebrating a Birthday with Charity

Rather than birthday presents, Angelo Bortolazzo, now age 9, asked his friends to bring food for the poor.
New beginnings at St. John the Baptist Parish

MILWAUKIE — Three leaders from St. John the Baptist here are ending their parish ministry work this summer.
Newman Center turns 100

CORVALLIS — Men, women and children marched through the streets praying the rosary and singing even through the unexpected torrential downpour. The public display of faith was part of the celebration of the 100th anniversary of the Newman Center at Oregon State University.
WATCH: Peace and Pentecost

MILWAUKIE — Amid multicolored spring flowers May 19, Christ the King Parish here offered a big bouquet of languages, dances, songs and prayers for peace. It was a show of unity that only a Catholic parish could offer.
5 UP students offered Fulbright grants

The University of Portland has announced that five students have been named finalists for the 2018 Fulbright awards to teach English, do research or attend graduate school abroad.
In the presence of grace