Dear St. Rose family,
The theme of our convocation this week was healing. We all need God's healing. What things have caused you pain in your life? When these wounds are not healed, they can be transferred instead of transformed. This can happen at a global level, too.
As we enter Respect Life Month and approach Columbus Day/Indigenous Peoples' Day, it is important to acknowledge both the good and the bad of the past. How can we—as a parish and ultimately as a society—move forward from where we are right now to heal ourselves and those around us?
It's not easy to be vulnerable, but it is in vulnerability that we begin a real conversation with God. And this is where we will find the path forward. Tell Him your greatest worries and hurts. Acknowledge the wrongs in your life and those you see within the world. Sit with the pain in silence and allow God in. Ask Him how you can seek justice to help right the future. Ask Him for the strength to make good choices and to be a good neighbor to all those around you. Sometimes it truly is as simple as that. If each of us names and allows Christ to heal our wounds, the wounds of our culture can be transformed, too.
I look forward to seeing you all again this weekend, renewed from the fraternity and healing that the convocation offers. I am praying for healing in all of your lives and in our world, too.
Peace to you,
Fr. Matt
Learn to do right; seek justice. Defend the oppressed.
Take up the cause of the fatherless; plead the case of the widow.
—Isaiah 1:17
RESPECT LIFE MONTH
The prophetic papal encyclical Evangelium vitae (The Gospel of Life) was written by Pope St. John Paul II in 1995 to reaffirm the value and inviolability of every human life and to appeal to all people to respect, protect, love, and serve every human life. Here is a brief overview of this important document.
CONCERNS ABOUT POSSIBLE CHURCH VANDALISM
After Masses recently, Fr. Matt mentioned that several Northeast churches were warned of potential vandalism on Columbus Day/Indigenous Peoples’ Day. The threat is believed to be connected to similar acts that occurred over the summer, prompted by Canada's discovery of 1,000+ unmarked graves at former residential schools for Indigenous children. While vandalism is not the answer, it is important to acknowledge and condemn the disregard for human life.
St. Rose was not vandalized over the summer and we do not anticipate issues this weekend. However, a small group of parishioners has agreed to be on prayerful vigil for us and will call the police should a disturbance arise. Please support them from home with your prayers. Pray for greater respect for all life. Pray that the wrongs of the past come to light and are rectified to the best of our ability—peacefully and without violence.
SVdP FOOD PANTRY INFO
Want to donate food? Specific needs this week include:
- Canned vegetables, tuna fish, all soups and
- shelf stable milk
Collection bins are in the small parking lot weekly at these times:
- Tuesdays, 1-2:30pm
- Wednesdays, 10-12:00pm
- Fridays, 8-10:00am
Need help? If you need food, rent, or utilities assistance, please call the Portland Council Emergency Services clearinghouse (503-235-8431) to get to our SVdP.
Have time to volunteer? If you are able to volunteer please contact Karen Pinder directly.
RENT/MORTGAGE RELIEF AVAILABLE
Thanks to very generous donations within our community, we have a COVID-19 Relief Fund to help parishioners severely impacted by the pandemic and resulting economic conditions. Please complete this form to apply for assistance. Contact the parish office (503.281.5318) with any questions.
PRAYER TO HONOR THE GIFT OF LIFE
O God, source of all life and goodness, you fashion human lives in your image and likeness, and through your love, give each human life dignity, sacredness, and priceless worth; awaken in every heart new reverence for the least of your children, and renew among your people a readiness to nurture and sustain your precious gift of human life at all stages, and in all conditions.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.
Amen.
Courtesy of Catholic Charities USA
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“Jesus said, In truth I tell you, there is no one who has left house, brothers, sisters, mother, father, children or land for my sake and for the sake of the gospel who will not receive a hundred times as much, houses, brothers, sisters, mothers, children and land — and persecutions too — now in this present time and, in the world to come, eternal life.”
— Mark 10:29-30