catholicsentinel.org

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.
Come together

What appear to be “new” changes at Mass are causing a division within our church. There are two factions: pro-change who support our pastor, and anti-change who oppose our pastor.
Try the military

I think you overlooked one other avenue a person could take if he didn’t want to go to college. That would be the armed services.
Here’s to Hughes

Humbly, Patrick Hughes provided a harbor and springboard in Oregon for many immigrant Irishmen.
To bury the dead

Execution laws should remain on the books to give police room for negotiation with serial murders.
We have a duty

The horrific treatment of families along our border needs immediate attention.
Well-portrayed

I live and move among many who either are incarcerated or on the move on the outside. I thought you portrayed the realities with care.
It takes force

St. Pope John Paul II worked for social justice but he worked against liberation theology and communism. The modern usage of “social justice” seems to advocate redistribution of wealth and equality through totalitarian mandates.
Austerity affirmed

In the Middle Ages it was a common practice to observe the removal of the word “Alleluia” from the liturgy during Lent with some degree of ceremony and pageantry. The practice is returning in many places.
Magnificent gift

Did you know that after only eight weeks, an embryo’s organs are functioning, and at 12 weeks, it can smile and make a fist? How lucky we were to have our precious child at a time before it was legal for a doctor and parent to make the newborn infant comfortable while they collaborated on whether or not they would kill it.
Include laity

I believe that clergy sex abuse would have been greatly reduced if parents and married couples had been appraised of the magnitude of the misconduct decades ago and been given an opportunity to be heard.
Define them

Perhaps you could explain the words for our enlightenment.
A caring priest

St. Agatha Parish, you are very fortunate to have such a caring priest.
Little knowledge

Those who would welcome a return to Latin in worship would leave many of us as outsiders.
Not champions

These politicians and legislators think of themselves as champions of social justice. Clearly, they are not.
Train leaders

Unfortunately, the majority of bishops and priests are not educated or equipped to confront the foundational leadership issues inflicting great damage on our church. The leading and management of an organization requires specialized education the church does not currently provide.
Broke my heart

How can the faith which sustained me for 75 years not recognize the intellectual dishonesty of such “scientific” claims?
Total delight

I had the vision that our young Catholic and other children in our schools are getting prepared to make wonderful contributions in the years ahead.
Leave it to God

If we stand by as executions happen, then we, as Catholic citizens, must acknowledge that not everyone has a right to life.
Nary an apology

To anyone who saw the full video recordings of the Covington boys at the D.C. March for Life, it’s obvious that these Catholic high school students were lined up on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial, waiting for their bus, when they were confronted.
Pray for leaders

Pray for our president and other leaders, asking forgiveness for our sins, fasting and praising God for his goodness and love. Yes, my continued prayer is for God’s sovereignty, divine providence and glory to cover the earth as the waters cover the sea.
In God’s eyes

Created in God’s image, we are all equal before God with human dignity and rights. Our church, communities and country benefit from the courage, skills, energy, aspirations and cultural diversity of newcomers.
Transformation

We need to remember and believe that altar bread and wine, once consecrated, has undergone a complete transformation into the body, blood, soul, and divinity of our Lord God, Jesus Christ.
Is it practical?

I applaud the directives as pointing us toward meaningful worship but wonder how it will be worked out in the real world.
Know the science

If we truly want to end the scourge of child sexual abuse — and I believe the church does — then we must understand pedophilia, hebephilia, and ephebophilia, otherwise the changes we institute will miss the mark with devastating consequences.
Proof in pudding

Acupuncture was a great influence and I am thankful that God sent me there or I wouldn’t be writing you this missive today.
Which is better?

Which political philosophy is better for religious freedom
Truth is truth

Despite what some argue, the teachings of the church do not change.
A letter instead

Do you realize how many people will not have medical services because of this recommendation?
Can we kill?

Oregonians for Alternatives to the Death Penalty hold the viewpoint that a death penalty represents more violence. In fact, the death certificate on an executed person lists the cause of death as “homicide.”
No obligation

The first principle for immigration in Catholic understanding is that people have a right to migrate. However, the responsibility to find a place to migrate to is theirs, and no individual or country has an obligation (moral or otherwise) to provide this.
Fear clericalism

The new handbook for the liturgy which is described as adding “mystery and awe” is an example of what Pope Francis referenced as a basic problem in our church. The pope stated that sex abuse in our church stems from “elitism and clericalism, an inability to be near the people of God.”
Love handbook

The Archdiocesan Liturgical Handbook addresses most of the issues that I have been praying about for many years.
Mugs of love

In what they call “Mugs of Love,” wonderful students from St. Mary’s Academy in Portland brought boxes of mugs to the St. Francis Dining Hall before Christmas.
No limits

Labeling all preachers of the prosperity gospel as hucksters is convenient, but inaccurate.
Praying it will end

An even greater concern than the terrible school shootings are the 30,000 people in the U.S. who die needlessly each year from gun violence including suicide, accidents and domestic disputes.
It’s a keeper

What a joy it was to read Michael van Der Hout’s remembrance.