Advent 2015 Volume 32 Issue 5 St. Philip Benizi Catholic Church 18211 S Henrici Rd. Oregon City, OR 97045 BENIZI NOOZ ADVENT- A NEW BEGINNING Advent season ushers in a new liturgical year in the church’s calendar. The word advent comes from the Latin word ‘adventus’ meaning coming or arrival. The Lord is coming, therefore great preparations must be in place to receive the Son of Man, the Prince of Peace, the Lord of Lords and the king of the universe. The message of advent to all is to remain alert, vigilant, steadfast in faith and persistent in strength. Advent season is a season of four weeks geared towards the birth of our Savior. Advent’s familiar sights and sound stir in us a readiness to receive our savior, while sharpening our sense of the world’s need for redemption and of the mystery of God’s becoming human for us. It is a time to look towards the end of time and the coming of Christ. It is a time of expectation and faith, of hope and confidence in the goodness of people; a time to recognize the presence of Christ as we look forward to commemorating his coming into the world and our lives. We are called during the season of advent to realize what is before our eyes - the love of God - and to encourage others to acknowledge this love as well. Our call is to be watchful and alert as we prepare to celebrate the birth of Christ here and now, and his return in time. This year’s advent season is so special because it marks the beginning of the year of mercy. The Extraordinary Jubilee of Mercy proclaimed by Pope Francis starts from December 8 - November 20, 2016, so the jubilee runs through this liturgical season. With great joy we enter into the Extraordinary Jubilee of Mercy, which Pope Francis calls ‘ a special time for the Church, a time when the witness of believers might grow stronger and more effective’ (Misericordiae Vultus, 3). Let us take the call of Pope Francis to see this liturgical year as a special time in the church and our personal lives to continue to bear witness to the gospel of mercy and to grow stronger in our faith and more effective in implementing the good news of Christ. As disciples of Christ may we resolve to follow the directives of the Church to make the advent season and the Jubilee year fruitful. Finally, let us not see advent as a once a year thing, but to realize that every day is advent, so we should be alert, watchful and be ready to open anytime He comes knocking. May God help us to make the best of advent season and the year of mercy. Father Paschal Ezuruike
Transcript
Advent 2015
Volume 32 Issue 5
St. Philip Benizi Catholic Church 18211 S Henrici Rd.
Oregon City, OR 97045
BENIZI NOOZ
ADVENT- A NEW BEGINNING
Advent season ushers in a new liturgical year in the church’s calendar. The word advent
comes from the Latin word ‘adventus’ meaning coming or arrival. The Lord is coming, therefore great preparations must be in place to receive the Son of Man, the Prince of
Peace, the Lord of Lords and the king of the universe. The message of advent to all is to remain alert, vigilant, steadfast in faith and persistent in strength.
Advent season is a season of four weeks geared towards the birth of our Savior. Advent’s familiar sights and sound stir in us a readiness to receive our savior, while sharpening our
sense of the world’s need for redemption and of the mystery of God’s becoming human for us. It is a time to look towards the end of time and the coming of Christ. It is a time of
expectation and faith, of hope and confidence in the goodness of people; a time to
recognize the presence of Christ as we look forward to commemorating his coming into the world and our lives. We are called during the season of advent to realize what is before our eyes - the love of God - and to encourage others to acknowledge this love as well. Our call
is to be watchful and alert as we prepare to celebrate the birth of Christ here and now, and his return in time.
This year’s advent season is so special because it marks the beginning of the year of mercy. The Extraordinary Jubilee of Mercy proclaimed by Pope Francis starts from
December 8 - November 20, 2016, so the jubilee runs through this liturgical season. With great joy we enter into the Extraordinary Jubilee of Mercy, which Pope Francis calls ‘ a
special time for the Church, a time when the witness of believers might grow stronger and
more effective’ (Misericordiae Vultus, 3).
Let us take the call of Pope Francis to see this liturgical year as a special time in the church and our personal lives to continue to bear witness to the gospel of mercy and to
grow stronger in our faith and more effective in implementing the good news of Christ. As
disciples of Christ may we resolve to follow the directives of the Church to make the advent season and the Jubilee year fruitful.
Finally, let us not see advent as a once a year thing, but to realize that every day is advent,
so we should be alert, watchful and be ready to open anytime He comes knocking. May
God help us to make the best of advent season and the year of mercy.
Father Paschal Ezuruike
Pastoral Council 2015-2016 President: Lindy McDonald
Vice President: Need Volunteer
Past President: Lydia Roskey
Secretary: Mary Lou Silvander
Communications: Bill Breshears
Evangelization: Ed Schneider
Helping Hands: Bill Breshears
Jeannine Breshears
Liturgy: Deacon Jim Pittman
Parish/Family Life: Loretta Payne
Youth Minister: Katy Schnoor
Religious Education
Youth: Gail Williams
Religious Education
Adult: Lydia Roskey
Social Justice: Becky Wooten
Join us on the 4th Thursday of each month
at 7:00pm in the Parish Center.
Special Dates for Advent
November
1 Feast of All Saints -
Holy Day of Obligation Party after 10:30 Mass 11 Veteran’s Day - Office
will be closed 22 Family Advent Party after
the 10:30 Mass in the Parish Center 26 Thanksgiving Day
29 First Day of Advent
December
4 Women’s Christmas Tea
8 Immaculate Conception - Holy Day of Obligation 13 Christmas Play at 6pm in
Parish Hall 17/18 Prepare Christmas Baskets
in Parish Hall at 6:00pm 18 Penance Service at 7:00pm 24 Christmas Eve
Vigil Mass at 5:00pm Night Mass at 10:00pm
25 Christmas Day Mass at 9:00am
January
1 Mary Mother of God -
Holy Day of Obligation
Parish Staff
Pastor: Father Paschal Ezurike Office Manager: Karen Henry
Music Director: Debbie Schaffer
RE Director: Gail Williams Youth Director: Katy Schnoor
Welcome New Parishioners
Josephine Brodie Veronica Foley
John and Ginny Wells Maggie and Dick Wright
Don Caldwell
Deaths
Josephine Brodie Sept 14, 2015
FOOD ITEMS NEEDED
For Our Helping Hands CHRISTMAS BASKETS
Christmas is a time for giving and this is your opportunity to spread some
Christmas cheer to the less fortunate in our community. The Helping Hands ministry at St. Philip Benizi Catholic Church is asking you, the parishioners, to help
supplement our emergency food program by donating food items to our food closet. In case you are unfamiliar with this program, Helping Hands provides an
emergency food response to the working poor, unemployed, and underserved in rural Oregon City. Our catchment area includes Redland, Beavercreek, and Oregon City.
Helping Hands maintains a small food closet in our Parish Hall. We are able to quickly respond to individual needs of food to those identified or referred individuals and families. These people are presented to us by such community agencies as St.
Vincent DePaul, Clackamas County Mental Health, and Oregon City school counselors. We also respond to individual requests. We will serve the hungry
regardless of documentation and standard eligibility requirements.
Last Christmas season, our program provided food baskets to 57 families. We
will be assisting families again this year. As you know people are hungry year round, so our program also provides emergency food baskets throughout the year. We are determined to maintain our pantry’s emergency food supply to continue to meet the
growing needs of our community while providing the healthiest foods we can for our
fellow brothers and sisters. We do not want to turn anyone away!
Helping Hands relies on material and monetary donations to keep a sufficient food supply in our pantry and help maintain operational funds. Our program is currently funded by donations from our parish members. Needs not covered by donations are funded through the church’s Helping Hands ministry
commission budget. We are very appreciative of all donations which have been given to this ministry.
Thank you in advance for your donation! We are truly grateful for any
donation you can provide as it will assist us in meeting the growing needs of our community. Please refer to the flyer on page 4.
canned meats, pie filling, 2# cheese, butter or margarine, eggs, potatoes, laundry detergent,
toothpaste, soap and toilet paper.
Remember to use store coupons and “buy one, get one FREE” items for donations.
PAPER BAGS are by the doors of the Church for items needed. Please return to baskets in Church.
Perishable items, please bring to the Parish Office. DEADLINE DATE:
December 13th
Thank you!
Helping Hands Christmas Giving Tree
Gift Purchase Pointers
“The greatest joy is in giving; after all, God gave Christ for us.” ― Ashley Ormon Many of our community families are blessed through the generosity of our parishioners who participate in the annual Giving Tree. The gifts we give may be the only presents these kids receive at Christmas. It is in the joy of our giving to those in need where we receive our blessings. But there have been concerns expressed the past few years. The kids fill out their wish list, and we have seen more expensive gifts listed, such as high-tech items (iPods, iPads, gaming consoles, and video games). Parishioners are getting discouraged and not participating in the Giving Tree since they don’t feel they can afford to purchase these expensive gift items. Equality is another area of sensitivity. Some parishioners are able to spend more and buy everything listed on the gift tags, and others may feel their budget can only allow them to purchase one item off the list. Helping Hands reviews all the gifts purchased and supplements the gift purchases when possible to make sure each family member receives equal value in gifts (so one kid doesn’t get noticeably way more than other family members). This has put a strain on the Helping Hands budget. We want to make sure this community service continues, so here are some recommendations for gift giving in order to make this program more successful and rewarding: School counselors will be advised to work with the families to list gift items that are more reasonably
priced. High-tech and high priced gift items will not be listed on the giving tags. The gift items are just a “wish list” and parishioners should not feel as if they need to purchase everything on the list. Helping Hands works to create equity in the gifts provided to each family member, so $50-60 value for each family member is a standard we try to achieve. If parishioners feel they can contribute more, rather than going overboard for one kid, take multiple
tags and provide equally for each of them. Parishioners who want to give more, consider hosting all the kids in one family to make sure the gift
giving is distributed equally. The Giving Tree tags will be available in the entry of the church starting November 21st. We appreciate your annual generosity and look forward to the continuation of the Helping Hands program through our annual Christmas Giving Tree. God bless you for your service!
To all my friends in Christ Jesus, I would love it if you could all join us on Sundays at 9:10
am. This Bible study is great. Scott Hahn and others do a wonderful job of going deeper into the Word of God. We as a class are filling our spirit's up with the Meat of God's Word. One class member even said today, "I am getting so much more information than just reading because Scott and others are going into the Word more deeply." We are realizing there is so much depth to the Word. Even the words themselves, in Hebrew or Greek are so much richer than English. Every other week, we watch a video presentation with Father Matthew Kauth on the previous weeks chapter. He is amazing. So much knowledge in one person. He is totally speaking forth God's Word. Join us and partake! We fallow the RE class schedule.
love 4Life, Lydia Roskey
P.S. Speaking of life, Judy and I and others have gone and prayed quietly in front of the planned parenthood clinic in Milwaukie. It is so peaceful and gratifying to know that we are bringing God's presence to "those least of His". We just hold signs and pray and/or sing. We just know that Jesus is working through us. Even the people in cars notice us. Every person who sees us has to think of what is going on, and has to make a decision for or against. God will lead them into all Truth. Come join us - we go from 4-6pm every weekday.
St. Philip Benizi
Celebrates
The Feast of All Saint’s Day on
Sunday, November 1st
Gather in the Hall after the 10:30am Mass
Celebrate with Saint games, snacks and saintly friends!
Come and create activities that will help your family prepare for the coming of Jesus during the
Advent Season.
Children who are interested in participating in
the Christmas Play this year, roles will be handed out during the party.
The Christmas Play will be Sunday, December 13th at 6:00pm.
“Celebrate the Season”
with
A Women’s Christmas Tea
December 4, 2015 at 6:00pm
Enjoy tea sandwiches, decadent desserts, gourmet coffee and tea, jubilant song, inspiring decorations and friendly conversation
Seasonal and Inspirational Music
A dramatic musical presentation “Wrappings”
by Marcia Whitehead
Plan to join us for a delightful evening
Tickets on sale for $10.00 each or
host a table and your ticket is free!
For ticket information contact: Elaine Keavney 503-631-2285
MARY IS ADVENT
We all know the story of Christ’s birth and the beauty of the blessed family. But as a mother, I cannot help but think about Mary during this Advent season and be profoundly
influenced by her unselfish answer of saying “Yes” to God. God did not tell Mary that she would be given a royal status or a luxurious lifestyle or even a pain free existence if she
would conceive and give birth to His Son. He just told her in simple words that He wanted her to be the mother of His
Son. And she said Yes. I believe Mary knew deep in her heart as she watched her
son grow that He was different from other children – just as we know deep in our hearts that our children are different
from other children. On that night in a dark stable when she gave birth to Jesus and immediately cradled Him in her
arms, did she know how different her life would become just by saying yes to this new life?
When I was growing up, I knew very little of Mary. She was often put up on such a high pedestal that she seemed to be unreachable. These past couple of years, I have developed
a closer relationship with Mary, she seems reachable now. She is right next to me, under-standing, caring, relating to all the ups and downs, the joys and fears, and the happiness
and sorrows of motherhood. I find myself turning to her many times for answers, guid-ance and consoling for my own children. And I know deep in my heart, that Mary is watching over my children when I cannot.
On Good Friday at the cross Mary experienced the most piercing pain any mother could
endure. Knowing this, would she have said “no” to God’s messenger? We all will face some sorrow, some pain as mothers, knowing this would we have reconsidered having a child? I don’t think Mary would have said no and I know I would not. The joys that my
children have given me, and keep giving me greatly outweighs the sorrows. God never promised it would be easy – just as He never promised Mary it would be easy. As with Mary, we need to have the faith that God will be with us always.
As the season of Advent gets closer and closer, feel Mary’s excitement and uncertainty as
she prepares for the arrival of her new baby. Jesus forever changed Mary’s life – just as our children forever change our lives and will continue to change the lives of others as they pursue their own personal journey.
Mary is Advent. Enjoy this time with your children, with your family, and remember the true meaning of the season.
By Gail Williams
FOR MY BIRTHDAY The music of the dance that would be me sang with resonance of the One Who Sent Me. In tandem, the gentlest urging sent me, a secret verse in the love song of the universe. The Beloved chants, and my heart lifts in answer: "Here!" Heather Hannam 9/8/09
RADICAL AVAILABILITY It is the heart behind my heart that calls out in whispers to come and meet my Beloved. In the kernel of uncreated light that loves at my core, I AM waits for my yearning, yearning that will turn my face inward and hold court with LOVE itself. The mystery of my story calls and enraptures. I am a prisoner to the journey. I awaken to the divine appointments and see Beloved's touch is everywhere - in the inner and in the outer. I meet the One Who Sent Me everywhere I am sent. The heart behind my heart whispers its gift: "Welcome home." Heather Hannam 10/12/09
MARY'S ANSWER What drew you in, Mary, to Father's open heart? What called to you so deeply that not to answer "yes" was never the option? You were bound to Beloved's will from the instant of your being thought into existence. What magnetic force, invisible to the eye, was yielded to by every cell of your created self? Where is that wee Marian in me, that I may return to the innocence of my creation and answer, "yes, Lord", once more. Heather Hannam 8/17/12
Curious about the Catholic Faith? Are you a
Confirmed Catholic who’s ready to explore your faith anew?
RCIA - Rite of Christian Initiation
Tuesdays @7 PM
Classes are held in the Parish Center.
Call Ed Schneider, RICA Coordinator at 503-631-3942 or Fr. Paschal at 503-631-2882
Tools of the Trade
I was a Police Officer for the city Of Portland for 28 years. When I was hired I was given a set of tools that served me well over those years. Some of the tools I carried on my person- a 9mm Glock, loaded magazines, mace, nightstick, leather gloves, handcuffs, bulletproof vest, plastic ties, rubber gloves, and a taser. There was one tool not issued by the city and hidden in a small pocket in front of the center breastplate of my vest. A blessed rosary. The rosary was there to not only keep me safe but to remind me of my faith. During hard times I would touch that area of my vest and say a short prayer for strength. I was never left unaided, a blessing promised by Mary for those who are faithful to her rosary. My love for Mary and her rosary came early in my faith walk. Relating to Mary as my Mother came easy for me and seemed to keep me strong. When I pray the prayers of the rosary I become so solid, so loving, so committed to God, that only receiving Holy Communion tops it. Mary brought me closer to the Holy Spirit, who in turn brought me closer to the Son, Jesus Christ. The blessings I have received kept me grounded in a career that takes its toll on its warriors. During my career I dealt with several criminals but I came in contact with true evil only two times. I believe that I was protected by the Holy Spirit both times because the heightened alert I felt inside was some-thing I can't describe. One of the evil persons actually told me after transporting him to jail that he had intended to kill me if I had given him the chance- the Spirit had not given him the chance. Over the years as I taught third graders in Sunday school I realized how many of them did not know how to pray the rosary. Most of them told me that their parents didn't either. I was sad-dened by this so I dedicated all year to teaching them the rosary. Some of you might think that took a long time but it wasn't. There is a lot to learn when it comes to the decades, the mysteries etc. Soon the kids joined the adults saying the rosary before the 10:30 mass and even leading the prayers. Nothing was more satisfying than to see them do that. If the world, your family, your life is getting you down join us at 10:00am every Sunday in the Church to pray the rosary. If you don't know how, just come and listen and it won't take you long to get it perfect. All of us could help the world's problems, our families problems and our own problems by praying the rosary--that is a promise of our Lady Mary. In fact there are 15 promises, and my favorite is that she will stand beside us and fight to save us when we meet God upon our death. Come pray with us and see what happens, I dare you. Becky Wooten
A special thank you goes out to Loretta Payne for accepting to chair the Parish/Family Life Commission,
Thank you Loretta!
Adoration
How does Adoration relate to my life?
Eucharistic Adoration inspires us, feeds us, and give us the grace to make Christ
relevant in our relationships, activities, leisure, work, and in our service to those who are in need. By spending time with Jesus in Adoration, we are made more mindful of Him and His presence with us always. Our church is open every
Thursday from 8:30am to 10:00pm. Take an hour or more or less to visit Christ—He is patiently waiting for all of us.
Submitted By:
Mary Lou Denman - 2010
Advent Schedule
Penance Service:
Dec. 5th: Christ The King at 10am Dec. 9th: St John the Apostle at 7pm Dec. 18th: St Philip Benizi at 7pm
Dec. 19th: St John the Baptist at 10am
Christmas Mass:
24th: Vigil Mass at 5pm 24th: Night Mass at 10pm
25th: Christmas Day at 9am
Jan. 1st: Mary Mother of God - Holy Day of Obligation at 9am Mass
Parish Happenings
Youth Sponsored Mass
Fourth Sunday of each month at
10:30am Mass
Adoration
Thursdays from 8:30am-10pm
Divine Mercy Chaplet 3pm
RCIA
In the Parish Center on Tuesdays at 7pm
Youth Group Our group went to Bauman Farms on Sunday, September
27th. We had two new youth attend with us, the Bui family. They are related to the Baurer family. There were a total of 12 kids and adults that attended. The weather
was beautiful and we had a great time. We have started a new curriculum on the Mass with the
8th-12th graders. The kids seem to like that it is interactive.
HEART PRINT IMPRESSIONS OF A SPECIAL FRIEND
As I travel on life’s way, I want to leave a foot print that will touch someone today.
To be only a call away. To hear you laugh or cry. To make your living better.
There is no greater tribute to which one can ascend, than to earn the simple title …
The one that’s called a friend. Don Caldwell
Bible – Light
And God said let there be light. The word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path - Psalms 114:105
And God said let there be light. And I will bring the blind by away that they knew not; I will lead them in paths that they have
not known: I will make darkness light before them, and crooked hings straight. - Isaiah 42:16
And God said let there be light. I am the light of the world: he that follows me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the
light of life. - John 8:12
And God said let there be light. Then Jesus said unto them, yet a little while is the light with you. Walk while ye have the light,
lest darkness come upon you: for he that walks in darkness knows not whither he goes. - John
12:35
And God said let there be light. For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give
the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. - 2 Corinthians 4:6
And God said let there be light. The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? the LORD is the strength of my life;
of whom shall I be afraid? - Psalms 27:1
And God said let there be light. My light is breaking forth like the dawn……… - Isaiah 58:6
I’m walking as a child of the light - Ephesians 5:7
Jacqueline Arn
The Pastoral Council would like to encourage one of our parishioners
to volunteer to become our next Pastoral Council Vice President.
We are searching for you.
Where are you!
Contact Father Paschal or any Pastoral Council member
