catholicsentinel.org

From the Archives

"Working together, we enter more deeply into the mystery of our God."
Teach ‘Laudato Si’’

I am concerned that Pope Francis’s encyclical, “Laudato Si’,” is missing from the pulpit.
Totally sincere

We ought not finding fault with and discourage young climate activists without contributing any solution to the issues they address.
Care for families

These organizations are united in opposition to our own government’s inhumane separation policy that has torn children from their parents, placed them in detention camps, and failed to keep adequate records that would facilitate reuniting them with their families.
Good columnist

He clearly understands the timeless value of our Declaration of Independence and our Catechism of the Catholic Church.
Think safety

The facts of this incident clearly illustrate the need for every parish to develop protocols for dealing with a host of safety, security and medical issues that are occurring far too frequently in today’s society.
Great pictures

The Padre Pio Mass at The Grotto was wonderful.
Unchristian story

I cannot for the life of me understand why a minor incident involving a mentally ill man was splashed on the front page of the Catholic Sentinel.
Human activity

The World Health Organization estimates 7 million worldwide premature deaths last year due to air pollution. The organization also estimates there were more than 150,000 deaths on the planet in 2017 directly from global warming alone.
Feeling a part

I think feeling that you are part of the parish is important. The article about why people leave the church addressed the problem of not addressing parishioners’ needs.
Harms the church

Clearly, this type of liberal thought harms the Catholic Church and it should be admonished.
Values unite us

Our common values like caring for “the least of these” should unify Americans on the issue of climate change.
When will we?

The latest amazing technologies strongly suggest global warming is the result of humans. If we don’t believe the sky is falling now, when will we believe it? We must act while it is falling, not after it has fallen.
I laminated it

I am absolutely delighted at the wonderful section on 150 years of St. Vincent de Paul. It was just perfect.
What an issue

It’s the best newspaper I’ve read in a long, long time. I read for hours.
Receiving Jesus

Maybe the question in the poll should have been, “Do you believe you are receiving Jesus?"
Strong miracles

If you continue to doubt after reading even one of these books, God help you! These are the strongest and most earth shattering miracles ever known.
Study before vote

As election season continues into full swing, we need to read and think about the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ admonitions in their publication, “Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship,” listing the Christian values and personal characteristics candidates should possess.
How we dress

Just exactly what is proper attire in the eyes of God? Unless one wears something very distracting and revealing, as far as I am concerned, this is the least that God will concern himself with when one attends Mass.
No false witness

Pope Francis’ “Laudato Si’” was not intended to scare children to death.
Open up wonder

It is unconscionable that having failed to scientifically prove man-made global warming, the activists, the media (including the Sentinel), and the teachers (including Catholic school teachers) have turned to terrifying our children with this “the sky is falling” notion.
Cardinal Levada had vision

He demonstrated vision and understanding in allowing us to establish a new model of a Catholic school.
It depends

I look at the letters to learn what other readers care about.
Let them think

I encouraged my students to think, to practice faith early and to find their own voice within it. I taught out of the U.S. bishops’ catechism and mixed it with various media, religious order visits, and field trips and had guest speakers and teachers from various aspects of the faith, church and archdiocese.
Pay attention

Having already raised eight children, it took constant vigilance, wit, discussion, perseverance and prayer to get through. Mind, this was in the ’60s and ’70s — look at what parents have to contend with today.
Help our unbelief

Our Lord promised he would be with us until the end of time. He truly is — in the Eucharist.
Get truth out

In this era of failure to get to the truth and sort it out so that Catholics will once again be able to rely on the teachings of their priests and bishops, I am reflecting on politicians and public leaders who claim to be Catholic but consistently support abortion and continue to receive holy Communion.
Promote mercy

This diary of St. Faustina is full of many wonderful promises and blessings and graces our Lord is waiting to bestow on us if only we ask. This devotion is so powerful many sinners have been converted, those who have left the church have come back.
Slow to anger

In my opinion, have we lost trust in Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ who may just be as frustrated as we are and who wants the violence to stop.
Proper attire

There appears to exist a casual attitude toward being appropriately dressed to attend Mass.
Tough final years

I was ashamed to be in classes when paper wads were thrown at nuns as they tried to teach. Father Lester the disciplinarian had his hands full trying to keep rowdy students in line.
From the Archives

Here's a reminder of youth workers from days past.
Responsibility

In a time of nearly full employment in the U.S., the vast majority of citizens are personally responsible for saving $400 for emergencies.
Give, don’t take

Notice Jesus did not tell the young man to go and sell his neighbors’ goods and give the money to the poor.
Mom taught me

Mom and I bonded on any and all aspects of the subject. She had established her authority, but more importantly I possessed knowledge of God’s gift to me.
Absolute miracle

Every time I attend Mass, daily, I consider that this absolute miracle takes place all over the world at every Mass celebrated on that day.
Why exploit us?

I was extremely shocked, offended, and amazed that the editor would choose to use not one, but two suggestive drawings.
Sign remains

One indication of our esteem for Father Gary is the tribute which hangs in our volunteer closet: “We Love you Father Gary.”
One plan

God created the environment and gave stewardship to us as followers, not for its destruction.
It motivated me

I just read Katie Scott’s excellent story on Father Gary Smith in the Catholic Sentinel. Thank you for the wonderful storytelling.
Excellent piece

I was inspired and grateful for the ministry and generosity that Father Smith has given to so many of God’s folk and continues to give.
Coming apart?

I think if only Luther could have hung around for 500 years, he would be watching the church he opposed so strongly coming apart from within.
More participation

You hit a grand slam by saying that, for Catholics, the “pinnacle” of doing this is by receiving the sacrament of the Eucharist, the Body and Blood of Jesus Christ.
Creative welcome

We should be just as creative as Our Lord.
Which Catholics?

We should remember there are many people who, when asked, claim to be Catholic even if they are not practicing.
Marriage values

I guess that was back in the day when people were shocked. Our current president has not been true to any of his three wives, it appears.
Senators or nuns?

In the past 12 months, we witnessed the actions of our U.S. senators and representatives in the Kavanaugh and Russia hearings. So, who is preferable to exercise more control over our health care: Congress or the Sisters of Providence?
Erosion of faith

Claiming that a person’s personal life and policy perspectives are influenced by the Catholic faith is disingenuous when she actively advocates for and supports policies and legislation that is intrinsically evil and opposed to basic Catholic doctrine and teaching.
Young people? Their parents do not know the faith

Those who were taught like me, 16 years of Catholic education under my belt, were weakly and many times incorrectly taught something other than the long held truths of the church.
Give us more

Far too many of your readers do not comprehend the growing number of groups constantly trying to use the church as ammunition to manipulate Catholic voters.
Red, white, blue

Through this our nation’s consecration, Mary’s blue light leads us to our Lord Jesus with the red and white of his Divine Mercy.
Same concern

Why are they not worthy of the same concern as throngs of people flooding the border?
May it help

To him, the procession was “an abomination” given the pain he and his brother have suffered and what he sees as a failure to make adequate reparations.
Wake up soon

How many people are being deluded into accepting our current society’s view regarding Christ’s teachings or Scripture? They go to the polls and vote individuals into office who ignore or are ignorant of Christ’s teachings.
I don’t get it

How can attending a Latin Mass with “smells and bells” somehow enable Mass attendees to come to a “mature, balanced position where self-determination and the demands of law can be harmonized”?
To know Jesus

Jesus wants us to know him personally. To do that we must spend time reading and praying from the Bible every day.
It was a toothbrush

The instrument of discipline for the Saturday “invitation” I received to clean the Christ the King Parish parking lot was not a broom, but a toothbrush . . . My last visit with Father Weber was at Laurelhurst Village where the would-be wily sleuth was in hospice care. I thanked him for his post-disciplinarian life of pastoral care for many folks, including my sister.
American idea

Oregon’s governor and majority legislators have embarrassed our state by wholesale support of abortion for any reason, at any time, with the killing paid for by Oregon taxpayers.
Was he Catholic?

I am confused. The second paragraph says Lane County tape recorded the “sacramental confession of triple murder suspect Conan Wayne Hale. The fourth paragraph says, “Hale is now on death row — and has become Catholic.”
A sweet sound

If we can’t make room or have patience for loud children during Mass, we will perpetuate the shame and disappointment these parents feel and that sometimes push them away from the church.
Catholics’ special role in leadership

Throughout history, Catholics have always been at the forefront of major change because we hold the revealed truth of God’s word as eternal and unchanging.
I pray for her

I find it distressing that in the article "A Capitol Faith", the Catholic Sentinel chose to highlight Rep Jennifer Williamson as an example of "Catholics whose faith influences both their personal lives and their policy perspectives".
Pragmatic pass

These Church leaders took a pragmatic pass while the faithful spoke out for justice. If the abortion industry is ever to be curtailed and the pre-born are ever to have a legally recognized right to life, it will be because people of conscience demand it.
I object

That is obstruction of justice.
Why laud her?

Why should a Catholic publication laud a legislator who has dramatically distanced herself publicly from perennial Catholic teaching on the sanctity of life?
No buts about it

The Sentinel gave Rep. Jennifer Williamson and Rep. Mike Nearman undo publicity.
Get it together

Congratulations on an article worthy of the Pulitzer. Through the story of Nichole and the concern and involvement of her parents, the truth about sex trafficking in Oregon is exposed.
Bad for kids

Beaverton’s school district has adopted Oregon’s K-12 Comprehensive Sexuality Education program. The 3Rs curriculum normalizes porn, discriminates against religion (especially Catholics), and encourages sexual relationships among the young.
Important film

Since our government funds Planned Parenthood, every government official should be required to see this film. If they continue to fund the organization, that will show they agree with the lies, falsehood, harm, suffering and pain women are plagued with.
WATCH: Call for film

From July until October 1961, more than 200 times Our Lady is reported to have appeared to four girls in Garabandal, Spain, with a message she wanted to spread throughout the world. It was a message of love and warning.
Halt propaganda

Anti-evangelization is still roaring out its propaganda and is still making many converts, especially among our young people. Local examples are not lacking.
Joseph a model

I find it curious Joseph is a silent figure in the Gospels. But I think the answer comes from that old adage, “actions speak louder than words.”
It’s time

It is now time for Congress to fulfill its responsibilities to protect our democracy, the system of checks and balances in our Constitution, and the rule of law and proceed with impeachment.
Compelling story

It is definitely one of the better stories I have seen written about this disturbing and tragic issue.
Like father, like son

Cut to 1997, 33 years later. “Come look,” said our son Tim, 40 years old.
God’s joke?

A response to an evolution doubter.
Smiled broadly

“There you are!” the archbishop said. Enthusiastically, he made the sign of the cross on my husband’s forehead as my John smiled broadly.
Rethinking unions

Your piece has brought home to me, once again, the dilemma of my own 36-year union membership and my faith. Today’s unions are as invested in wielding political power as they are in watching out for working stiffs.
Papal numbers

John Paul II was elected pope 41 years ago and he died 14 years ago. Furthermore, he was elected pope at age 58 and he died in the 85th year of his life.
True empowerment

Spend a few hours perusing Portland — by bike, of course — and you’ll likely see food carts, tattoos, impressive vegetable gardens, microbreweries and hipsters. You may get a whiff of pot. And you almost certainly will pass a strip club. The city has the highest number of clubs per capita in the United States, according to Priceonomics, a data crunching firm in California.
On faith freedom

In early 2019, in King v. Warner Pacific College, the Oregon Court of Appeals held that, under an Oregon statute, a Christian school can expressly discriminate against a job applicant on the basis of religion, and can prefer applicants who are Christian.
Moving tribute

Poignantly, like Our Lady, forever bound to this earth, forever mourning the death of her son, the 870-year-old cathedral is among the most moving tributes to our Judeo-Christian culture, blessing us, calling out to us, mournfully. Are we listening?
Darwin dissent

The Genesis account is not scientific per se, but that does not mean it is not historically accurate.
On foot ministry

A big shoutout for the rest of those who make up our core team for the ministry — Elaine Bergman, Mary Davidson, Diana Stiger and Cathy Smith. It takes our dedicated volunteers to make our foot-care ministry successful.
Working on me

I find myself more devout, far more cognizant that Mass is a sacrifice.
Positive message

His journey to the church via the University of Portland, his fiancee/wife and RCIA reminds us of good news despite negative worldly news.
Last instruction

The last instruction Jesus gave at the Garden of Gethsemane was, “Put your sword back into its sheath, for all who take up the sword will perish by the sword.”
It’s not Norway

I wonder, do the big houses of Norway have lots of Southsiders, Nortenos or Latin Kings in the prison mix? Does Oslo have sizable neighborhoods of Crips, Bloods or Gangster Disciples? Are the arctic regions home to neo-Nazis and white supremacists?
Spirit still here

To my mind, the Spirit moves through us and through time and followers of Christ need to be open to the Spirit’s voice in the present, not downplay its contemporary influence.
Is it a sign?

Now the dollars are flowing in by the millions to rebuild Notre Dame. But perhaps we are being given a sign — is it time to rebuild the one, holy, Catholic and apostolic church?
Note to president

But because I care about you as a fellow Christian, and because I care about our nation and those who turn to us for hope and relief and a better shot at life, I remind you now.
God’s sign

I believe it was God’s sign to trust in his loving care and his plan included the church who pray for me.
Mom’s song

For many years my mother told me a poignant story. Her mother, Jennie Parrott, a concert pianist in the 1890s, played only for family and friends after getting married. Four-year-old Ruth (my mother) especially liked to hear her mother play and sing the ballads of the time. My mother said one song always made her cry, but could not remember the name of the song.
Educate us

A solid program for adult religious education involving all our parishes would be the place to begin.
It’d be nice

It would be nice if we Roman Catholics would say: “I am privileged to go to Mass.”
You left it out

It was a wonderful article on the theology and church teaching regarding artificial birth control, but I find the lack of an allusion to the post-fertilization (abortifacient) effects of a great many of the currently available contraceptive methods disturbing.
No more hiding

It is difficult to ask a victim to forgive when abusers hide and are hidden.
Not afraid

We at Parents’ Rights in Education are not afraid. We are the group that stopped the infamous Adolescent Sexuality Conference held every year in Seaside right across from Our Lady of Victory Church. This Catholic will continue to support the goals of PRIE.
Not health care

Infanticide is a moral, not political, issue. This crime should be shouted down from the pulpits of every church in our country.