Summer 2013

Volume 30 Issue 2

St. Philip Benizi Catholic Church 18211 S Henrici Rd.

Oregon City, OR 97045

BENIZI NOOZ

We asked, you said…

Last winter Father Paschal attended a vicariate meeting at which attendees discussed parishioner attendance and participation, or lack of. One discussion lead to another and it was decided St. Philip Benizi would once again reach out to parishioners to learn what was on their mind, this time via telephone. So a committee began making calls. Not all telephone numbers were current and a few parishioners were not interested in being surveyed but by far the majority seemed pleased to be asked. As might be guessed, not all the comments were warm and fuzzy, but all were recorded and made part of the final compilation. Father directed that statements and plans of action be prepared to be published in the weekly bulletin. Publication began on Easter Sunday, March 31, and has continued weekly. They are reprinted below. Many issues will be studied by the Administrative and Parish Councils for the Five-Year

Plan. St. Philip Benizi and the committee are sincerely grateful to all parishioners who

participated in this survey. Our goal, with your help, is to become a more caring parish which attempts to reach the needs of all parishioners.

Homebound Outreach – Parishioners requesting Communion at the time of the project were accommodated immediately through coordination by the parish business office. Other homebound parishioners, or those planning rehab, hospital stays, and medical procedures and desiring the presence of a priest are urged to call Father Paschal at 503-631-2882, Ext. 20. Parishioners are also reminded of the Mass for the Sick on the first Saturday of every month at St. Philip Benizi. The Blessing of the Sick is for all with chronic and acute health issues.

Coffee Hour – You went to a coffee hour and no one would sit with you. Regular coffee hour attendees look forward to reconnecting with their friends each week, but most also enjoy meeting newcomers and would not intentionally shun a new face. Recognizing that most people gravitate to their own comfort zone, coffee hour hosts will be urged to attempt to acknowledge newcomers and extend the hand of welcome, and newcomers are encouraged to step out and approach those they have not yet met. Transportation - Sometimes parishioners cannot attend Mass due to lack of transportation. A parishioner has stepped up to help facilitate that lack, particularly along the Redland Rd. corridor. Parishioners are urged to call or email Mike Regan at 503-702-6457 or drmregan@yahoo.com. Mike will coordinate names and locations of parishioners who need rides with other parishioners who can provide the needed rides. Please feel free to contact Mike if you need a ride or can offer a ride. Support Groups -Various types of support groups are needed: New Mother, Grief, Family to Family for mental health, to name a few, and there are St. Philip Benizi parishioners who are willing and able to facilitate them. For New Mother, call Amy Peterson, 503-928-5970. For Grief Support, call Judy Bible, 503-631-7332. For Family to Family, call Judy Winter, 503-807-2621. Tools for Caregiving is available at the Franciscan Spiritual Center, 503-794-8542. Help is available…seek the help you want or need.

Continued on page 2

Continued from page 1 Volunteerism -You donate to the food closet - thank you. Evangelization is vital to our mission to answer Jesus’ call. But wait…there’s more! Volunteering is also donating of oneself in terms of time and talent. St. Philip Benizi cannot thrive without volunteers, whether in the church or around the complex. The Liturgy would not be accomplished without servers, sacristans, choir, ushers, cleaners, Eucharistic ministers, linen launderers, and lectors. The Time, Talent, and Treasure drive once each year provides each parishioner the opportunity to offer themselves to volunteer from picking up litter on Redland Road to donating food for funeral receptions. If you don’t know who to talk to about volunteering and donating whether one time or on a regular basis, please call the parish office Monday through Thursday, 503-631-2882, for more information. Volunteer opportunities abound on the Pastoral Council and its many committees. Volunteerism is good for mental health…tis more blessed to give than to receive. God is not outdone in His generosity. We were told some parishioners who signed up on Time, Talent, and Treasure were not called, leading to dissatisfaction with the system, and for that we apologize. Pastoral Council leadership has been urged to contact each person under their Commission whether or not a project is in progress. Council members are volunteers, too, and if you feel you can be helpful facilitating

the areas in which you are interested or want to learn, please call the Commission head. If you don't know who that is, once again call the parish office. You are needed. You are the church. Prayer Chains - Prayer chains are not a substitute for a face to face conversation with a close friend; however, they provide ways to request help in the form of prayer. Others are willing to pray for your intentions whether or not you know them personally. At St. Philip Benizi we have two ways to act quickly, the telephone prayer chain and the email prayer chain. Peggy St. Andre, 503-631-3531, facilitates the telephone prayer chain while Heather Hannam manages the email prayer chain, hahannam@juno.com. Specific details are not necessary - a general request for financial assistance, healing, or simply special intention is sufficient. We strive to respect the dignity and privacy of others while seeking divine intervention. God knows our needs. And do you know about Caring Cards? Volunteers send cards of encouragement to folks in the parish who may need cheering up. If you know of someone who needs cheering, please call the parish office Monday through Thursday and tell the staff. They will make sure your thoughtfulness will result in a message with a postage stamp on it. You can make a difference. Communications - You like the bulletin and the newsletter! Did you know the last three issues of the bulletin and latest newsletter are stored on a rack in the church entrance? This helps us catch up on parish news when we return from traveling or otherwise being away from the parish for any reason. The parish secretary creates the bulletin each week, using paper that has Dear Padre and other teaching pre-printed on the reverse, all excellent sources of timely parish and church news. Bill Breshears is the newsletter editor who is constantly in the hunt for articles and other information. In addition to including the First Eucharist class, the next newsletter will include biographies of parishioners who will be graduating high school this spring. Read about these youngsters you have watched grow up. And finally we have the parish website www.philipbenizi.org so when you are on the road you can access the parish news on the electronics of your choice. We stay in touch so you can stay in touch. Involvement - The parish is being run by a small group of parishioners and cliques have formed. True statements, as these are the same people who repeatedly donate their time and talent for parish projects and work in concert with parish staff. Parish income does not allow outsourcing all the parish needs to commercial entities and it is a natural phenomenon to bond with others with like interests. The Parish Five-Year Plan will be updated this year, providing an excellent opportunity for all parishioners to become more involved with planning the future of the parish and get better acquainted with our fellow kneelers. Only by joining the ranks of people involved in the process will we overcome the feeling of exclusion. Yet to come in future bulletins: Parish picnic, social events, reverence, penance services, parish debt, Our Father sung, church sound system.

Pastoral Council 2012-2013

President: Lydia Roskey Vice President: Lindy McDonald Past President: Ed Schneider Secretary: Mary Lou Silvander Communications: Bill Breshears Evangelization: Ed Schneider Facilities: Ron Palmer Helping Hands: Bill Breshears Jeannine Breshears Liturgy: Jean Kirsch Parish/Family Life: Volunteers Needed Youth Minister: Katy Schnoor Religious Education Youth: Gail Williams Religious Education Adult: Lydia Roskey

Social Justice: Janet Tankersley

Join us on the 4th Thursday of each month at 7:00pm in the Parish Center.

Special Dates for Summer

June

16 Father’s Day Breakfast 24-28 Vacation Bible School

July

4 Independence Day 24 - 28 SPB youth attending

Stubenville NW

August

23 St. Philip Benizi Feast Day 25 Parish Picnic @ St Philip

Benizi

September

2 Labor Day 15 Religious Education classes begin

Parish Staff

Pastor: Father Paschal Ezurike

Business Manager: Susan Park

Parish Secretary: Karen Henry Music Director: Debbie Schaffer

RE Director: Gail Williams

Youth Director: Katy Schnoor

New Parishioners

Dan & Kimberly Mitchael and family Oregon City

Baptisms

RCIA March 30, 2013

Deannia Dempsay

Pamela Dempsay

Lucio Dempsay

Jennifer Kahut

Ray Silvander

Babies

Maple Williams - April 2013

McKenzie Stalberger - April 2013

Peyton Jo Ray - May 2013

First Communion

RCIA: March 30, 2013

Deannia Dempsay, Lucio Dempsay, Pamela Dempsay,

Jennifer Kahut, Dale Kerlin, Ray Silvander

2nd Graders: May 5, 2013 Mai Alexander

Natalia Chianello

Danika DeLaczay

Max Dodge

Anna Henry

Wyatt Lawson Conner Moog

Mason Olson

Makayla Pearson

Jackson Wise

Jeremy Wise

Confirmation

March 30, 2013

Deannia Dempsay, Lucio Dempsay, Pamela Dempsay

Jennifer Kahut, Dale Kerlin, Ray Silvander

Deaths

Theresa Hamilton - February 5, 2013

Maria Konnersman - March 8, 2013

Joanne Lisac - March 27, 2013

Vacation Bible School

An Epic Adventure Awaits!

New friends * Amazing experiments * Wild games Lip-smacking snacks * Surprising adventures * Incredible music

What: Vacation Bible School Where: St. Philip Benizi Parish Center

When: June 24-28th From: 9:00am to noon, Monday through Friday

For more information, call: Gail Williams @ 503-631-8659 Or email: gail.williams@wcssoft.com

SPB Youth Group The youth group wants to thank everyone in our parish community. Without you, we wouldn’t be having 14 youth members going to the Catholic Retreat “Steubenville NW”. The retreat theme this year is “Chosen”: Love is the strongest force in the world. It is unconditional. It never fails. And, at its center, love is a choice. This summer, we will explore that our ability to love is only because God first loved us (1 John 4:19). He chose us. God’s greatest desire is to be with us; not because of anything we can do for Him, but simply because He loves us. We will experience a love that has no limits, no end, no strings attached and discover the reality that nothing can separate us from this love. We are CHOSEN. I am excited to announce that four girls from our youth group have been accepted to the LEAD

program. Franciscan LEAD is a five-day, Christ-centered, sacrament-soaked, prayer-fueled

immersion in Catholic teachings on leadership, evangelization, and discipleship inspired by the

life and witness of St. Francis of Assisi. The leadership philosophy is based on the foundation that

youth leadership flows from a personal relationship with Christ. Therefore, they first give teens the

tools to grow closer in their relationship with Jesus and then give them the essentials for servant

leadership and evangelization. Franciscan LEAD is held the week before each Steubenville Youth

Conference; beginning Monday and ending Friday afternoon when the participant will join their

group for the weekend youth conference. The cost is an additional $275 per person. Abby Williams,

Melissa Payne, Katelyn Victoria and Chelsea Schwartz will be attending this year’s program.

Please congratulate them the next time you see them.

A Memorable Afternoon

By Gail Williams

Eleven young people, along with Katy Schnoor and myself spent the weekend at the Father Bernard Youth Center in Mt. Angel, April 20th and 21st. The theme for the weekend focused on what our new Pope Francis has been emphasizing – to treat all human beings with dignity and respect and to be generous in sharing our time and talents. One of the scheduled activities for the weekend was visiting a group home of nine adult men in downtown Mt. Angel. After being graciously welcomed into their home by one of the residents, our group spent a couple of hours tossing Frisbees, playing ball, singing songs, playing card games, and visiting with the men. We found out that Tim loved his faith and looked forward to attending Mass at St. Marys. Joe enjoyed welcoming everyone with a handshake and likes to play bingo. Wally could not communicate with words, but he created his own sign language system. With the help of his adult caregiver, I found out Wally likes to pray for others and looks forward to his Friday afternoon trips to Tiny’s Tavern. Two other men loved to listen to music as two of our youth played their guitars and sang. But Michael was the most memorable. He graciously introduced himself and asked each one of us our names, but with his short term memory, names were forgotten. But we didn’t mind him asking us again. He loved playing ball with our group and he was so encouraging when someone caught the ball. We found out that Michael would play ball all day if you let him. Our group only spent part of an afternoon with these men, but in that afternoon we met Jesus in disguise.

Graduating Seniors

Ty Breshears graduated from Gladstone High School. He plans to

attend Clackamas Community College. Awards, Recognitions, Scholarships, etc.: Honor Roll - Four years, National Honor Society Junior and Senior years, First Team All-Conference: Baseball and Soccer. Summer Plans: During the summer I will be playing baseball for the Northwest Stars College Prep Team. Plans for the Future: Next year I plan on attending Clackamas Community College where I will major in Graphic Design. Also I will be playing baseball for the college Team. After CCC I plan to transfer to Oregon State to finish my studies.

Grant Lindquist graduated from Oregon City High School.

He plans to possibly attend Clackamas Community College. Summer Plans: Playing tennis and working at Subway. Plans for the Future: Working and playing in tennis tournaments. Possibly going to CCC in the fall of 2013.

Alekj Nova graduated from Oregon City High School.

Awards, Recognitions, Scholarships, etc.: Lettered in Athletics. Summer Plans: As much as I would like to take the summer off, I have a couple

of jobs lined up for spending money. I do plan to spend time with my family and my friends. Plans for the Future: I’m excited to go on to college and set my sites on becoming a police officer. Knowing I have the blessings of my faith and family along the way will make my journey that much more successful.

St. PHILIP BENIZI IS BLESSED By Gail Williams

Sunday school teachers are a special group of people and are a vital part of children’s ministry. They regularly sacrifice their time, money, and resources to spend a brief hour each week offering spiritual training to the children and youth of our parish. They help introduce Biblical concepts to students and then help explain what they just introduced. The thank yous are rare and the rewards often put on hold until arriving in Heaven. So … THANK YOU teachers! You make an eternal difference in every child that comes into your classroom. For that, I’m thankful. To the following people, thank you for teaching Sunday School this year:

Jacque Arn – Preschool Teacher Dan Henry – Preschool Aide

Kari Burnside – Kindergarten/First Grade Teacher Stephanie Dodge – Second Grade Teacher Heather Chianello – Second Grade Aide

Val Henry – Second Grade Aide Becky Wooten and Kristine Bible – Third Grade Teachers

Tami & Chris Vanderwerf – Fourth Grade Teachers Tracy & Rob Moog – Fifth Grade Teachers

Barry Presnall – Sixth – Eighth Grade Teacher Katy Schnoor – High School Teacher

WHY SUNDAY SCHOOL TEACHERS ARE IMPORTANT

There’s a time and a place that’s special each week, where we are eager to learn of the Word that we seek.

The lessons are studied and scripture is read but let us go back a few days, instead.

Your week is so busy and filled with “to do’s” like everyone else not a minute to lose.

Your family, your business, work never ending your precious few moments you’re ever still lending.

But you make the time to prepare for Sunday when you know someone will listen to the words that you say.

So with God’s special guidance, with prayer and with time you prepare for each Sunday, the Word we can find.

Thank you for giving us an hour each week knowing it is the Word of the Lord that we seek.

And today we are blessed and grow more each day because you dedicate your love to the Lord in this way.

We wouldn't have Sunday School if it weren't for you.

So today we say thank you for all that you do.

by Dania Hann-Lachapelle

FIRST COMMUNION

Sunday, May 5, 2013

(back row): Jeremy Wise, Conner Moog, Wyatt Lawson, Mason Olson, Jackson Wise

(front row): Makayla Pearson, Mai Alexander, Danika DeLaczay,

Anna Henry, Natalia Chianello, Max Dodge

Adult Education

The Resume of Jesus Christ

Address: Ephesians 1:20 Phone: Romans 10:30 Website: The Bible. Keywords: Christ, Lord, Savior, and Jesus

Hello. My name is Jesus -The Christ. Many call me Lord! I've sent you my resume because I'm seeking the top management position in your heart. Please consider my accomplishments as set forth in my resume.

Qualifications I founded the earth and established the heavens, (See Proverbs 3:19) I formed man from the dust of the ground, (See Genesis 2:7) I breathed into man the breath of life, (See Genesis 2:7) I redeemed man from the curse of the law, (See Galatians 3:13) The blessings of the Abrahamic Covenant comes upon your life through me, (See Galatians 3:14)

Occupational Background I've only had one employer, (See Luke 2:49) I've never been tardy, absent, disobedient, slothful or disrespectful. My employer has nothing but rave-reviews for me, (See Matthew 3:15-17)

Skills Work Experiences

Some of my skills and work experiences include: empowering the poor to be poor no more, healing the brokenhearted, setting the captives free, healing the sick, restoring sight to the blind and setting at liberty them that are bruised, (See Luke 4:13)

I am a Wonderful Counselor, (See Isaiah 9:5) People who listen to me shall dwell safely and shall not fear evil, (See Proverbs 1:33) Most importantly, I have the authority, ability and power to cleanse-you of your sins, (See I

John 1:7-9)

Educational Background I encompass the entire breadth and length of knowledge, wisdom and understanding,

(See Proverbs 2:5) In me are hid all of the treasures of wisdom and knowledge, (See Colossians 2:3) My Word is so powerful; it has been described as being a lamp unto your feet and a

lamp unto your path, (See Psalms 119:105) I can even tell you all of the secrets of your heart, (See Psalms 44:21)

Major Accomplishments I was an active participant in the greatest Summit Meeting or" all times, (See Genesis 1:26) I laid down my life so that you may live, (See II Corinthians 5:15) I defeated the archenemy of God and mankind and made a show of them openly, (See

Colossians 2:15) I've miraculously fed the poor, healed the sick and raised the dead! There are many more major accomplishments, too many to mention here. You can read

them on my website, which is located at: www dot - the BIBLE. You don't need an

Internet connection or computer to access my website.

Mary Mother of God Mission Society Reviving the Catholic Church in Eastern Russia

Board

Chairman

David Sonnen

Most Rev. Cyril. Klimovich, DD

Rev. Joseph Illo

Rev. Joseph Fessio, SJ

Rev. Benedict

Groeschel,CFR

Rev. Richard Wey

V. Rev. Robert Stoeckig

Sandra Sonnen

Melanee Targia

Ilona Sorensen, OCDS

Rev. Douglas Grandon,

Ph.D.

Lynn Grandon

Mary Jo Peyton

Officers

President

V.Rev. Myron Effing, CJD

Vice President Terrence Kopp, KCHS

Chief Financial Officer

Rev. Daniel Maurer, CJD

Secretary

Susan Gray

National Coordinator

Vicky Trevillyan

We also have even more applicants who are begging us to join (from the Philippines

including a priest, from Vietnam, and from Kenya), but we can’t afford the financial strain

right now!

So we are for sure grateful for your donation! Amazing things are happening, so we are

looking for more support! Then I received a letter from a lady seminary professor asking to

join our Sisters’ community. It is so exciting to see so many young people now wanting to

enter religious life! Something is stirring in the parish, too, as there are many more visitors

than before, so maybe lots of people are looking. The concerts have all been overcrowded,

so many people have been in our church, and our parish youth group has been really active.

And did you see the webpage that Vicky created about “Put the Seminarians on the Bus!”

One by one they are getting a seat there! Thank you for your help without which we can’t

do anything!!

We’ve begun plans for the 17th annual Far Eastern Catholic Youth Conference. The youth

are getting more and more organized and committed to the Church. Besides our Russians,

we expect to have American, Koreans, Filipinos, and Indonesians at the Conference this

year. I’m excited about the theme, which is “The Task of the Church among the Peoples”.

We hope a lot of the young people will see their own personal vocations among the things

we’ll take about at the Conference. Our parishioner Pavel will be the conference leader. He

is a young military neurosurgeon who does a great job with the conference. That will be in

the last week of July and early August. Please pray for it!

National Office: 1736 Milestone Cir • Modesto CA 95357 • 209-408-0728

U.S. e-mail: USOffice@vladmission.org • Russia e-mail: myron@catholic.vladivostok.ru

Website: www.vladmission.org Fax: 209-408-8665

Dear Benefactor, May 15, 2013

We have something very wonderful to be grateful for! On May 8 we accepted six novices

into our novitiate! All are good, experienced men, and all will make good priests, I think!

All have college degrees, and several even will be ready for ordination in two years!

Please celebrate with us! Here is a picture:

Some good news I got this morning: The winner of the North Carolina Beach House drawing is a long time benefactor from

Sauk Rapids, MN! It was great fun having the drawing, and I’m glad a good benefactor got it. But better luck next time!

I’ll let you know when another opportunity comes along.

Spring is here! I planted some decorative cabbage seeds and squash seeds in my Western windows. Fingers crossed!

I wanted to buy some acorn squash seeds last Fall when I was in America, as I have never seen them here. I went into the

Rural King in my hometown of Evansville, IN and asked if they had any seeds left from summer. “No” was the answer, but

then he said, “There are still a few things in a bucket on aisle 15.” I found the bucket, and you won’t believe this: Inside was

ONLY acorn squash seeds! My guardian angel must have been there first! Anyway, Brother Jacob and Tatyana worked up

the garden already, and have it planted. Waiting for rain!

We will be finishing the Month of May by the time you get this, but we for sure remembered you at prayer during

the “Month of Mary”! We always have a special devotion to the Most Holy Mother of God during May, as we

count on her prayers and protection!

Happy Corpus Christi coming up. We will remember you during our annual procession. Don’t forget to pray for

us! God bless you! Thanks for your prayers and help.

Yours truly,

V. Rev. Myron Effing, CJD

National Office: 1736 Milestone Cir • Modesto CA 95357 • 209-408-0728

U.S. e-mail: USOffice@vladmission.org • Russia e-mail: myron@catholic.vladivostok.ru

Website: www.vladmission.org Fax: 209-408-8665

Summertime Spirituality

Remember—God doesn’t EVER take a vacation from you, so

be sure to include Him in your summer plans. Get to Mass

wherever you are. Your trip will be blessed.

For MASS TIMES anywhere:

www.Masstimes.org

Parish Happenings

Youth Sponsored Mass

Fourth Sunday of each month at 10:30am Mass

September—May

Adoration

Thursdays from 8:30am-10pm

Divine Mercy Chaplet 3pm

Scriptural Rosary 8pm

WASHINGTON (CNS) — The U.S. bishops’ second annual Fortnight for Freedom — a period of prayer and fasting to raise awareness of challenges to religious liberty, both nationally and internationally — is planned for June 21 to July 4. The observance kicks off with Archbishop William E. Lori of Baltimore celebrating an evening Mass June 21 at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary in Baltimore. It will conclude with a noon Mass July 4 to be

celebrated by Cardinal Donald W. Wuerl of Washington at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in the nation’s capital. The website http://www.Fortnight4Freedom.org has details of fortnight events and suggested activities for parishes and families, as well as fact sheets, educational resources and suggested prayers for the observance. The site includes a study guide on the Second Vatican Council’s Declaration on Religious Freedom, “Dignitatis Humanae,” and quotes about religious freedom from the nation’s Founding Fathers and the writings of Blessed John Paul II and Pope Benedict XVI. Archbishop Lori, chairman of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ Ad Hoc Committee for Religious Liberty, noted the fortnight occurs just weeks before Aug. 1, the date final rules take effect for implementing the federal contraceptive mandate, requiring most employers to provide contraceptive coverage for employees. The Catholic Church and other faith groups object to the requirement “coercing us to violate our deeply held beliefs,” the archbishop said in a statement.

CLASSIFIED ADS

For sale: Brand new, stainless steel

double sink 33x22 - $100 Call Casey at 503-631-2558

Professional moving boxes for sale, $100—approximately 60 plus quantity,

assorted sizes. Also includes moving straps. Proceeds will be donated to St. Philip Benizi. If interested, call

Casey Storey at 503-631-2558

Sunday,

June 16th

St. Philip Benizi

Parish Center

9 AM to Noon

Bring Dad AND the Family

to enjoy a scrumptious,

delicious breakfast

prepared by

wonderful Chefs!!

COST:

All Dads EAT FREE!

$5.00 per person (over age 3) Family: $20.00

(Immediate Family only, please)

Volunteers needed to help with the picnic – set-up, clean-up and cook. If you can help, please call the parish office.

2013 St. Philip Benizi annual

Parish

PICNIC

AUGUST 25th at 11:30 St. Philip Benizi Church Grounds

Come one and all!

Meet fellow parishioners!

Bring a side dish or salad.

The parish will provide hamburgers, Veggie-burgers,

hot dogs, beverages, cups, plates & silverware.

And Ice Cream Sundaes for dessert!

Bring your favorite lawn chair. Games for Kids and Adults!!

To celebrate the feast day of St. Philip Benizi,

please bring some canned food for our

Helping Hands Food Closet.

From Heather Hannam: PROMISE

In the smallness of my being, I seek a glimpse of the knowing promised.

In recesses newly revealed, a desire to see myself in a clear and cleaner way emerges.

Humbled audacity hones onto the mirror of Beloved's reflected light, assured since my creation that I can find myself there.

In the eternal heartbeat, I am lifted and rested in a singular holy rhythm.

In the eternal breath, sacred life force fills and sustains my simple reflexive efforts.

How still can I be, lest I lose my balance by even a stray thought?

I know I could be, should be knocked flat by the force within the luminance yet it wills to sustain me upright in a command of love.

A single moment allows me the grace to see.

I come face-to-face with created light, the promise now known. 4/25/13

YES

How can I not say "yes" to a God who said "yes" to me first? What insolence holds tightfisted to a limited version of who I am to be?

Where has an imperfect arrogance veiled a path so perfect that I am sitting in wait for what I am to become?

Inward comes the call, the at-first feeble "yes", whose gentle, humble strength begins to unfurl the fingers and turn the palms toward sky.

My muscles twitch, defying the grave inertia, and I will myself to stand, stepping forward through the disintegrating gauze.

There lies the path, journey stones awaiting my passing, calling out the way to Beloved's heart.

Here I am! Here I come! Led to you by the resonant sound of your "yes". 4/27/13

PERFECTED WILL

Perfect my will, Lord, that it aligns with yours.

The very gift that raised me above the animals is the vehicle that carries me far from you.

Freedom to choose turns my back to your face when left alone with only me to please.

Vapid pleasure grows wearisome, no substance to sustain me.

And still I am in charge of me - with no one to blame - the other gift of freedom.

In charge, I turn to face you, expecting to see your back.

Instead we meet heart to heart, my desire no longer the treasure I seek, but rather for that

which pleases you:

My will, perfected, aligned in yours. 4/27/13

St. Philip Benizi—Redland 18211 S. Henrici Rd. Oregon City OR 97045

Office Hours: 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM Mon.-Thursday

Closed on Friday

Phone: 503-631-2882

Fax: 503-631-7443

www.philipbenizi.org

BeNiZi NooZ is published by St. Philip Benizi Parish Communications Commission. Comments and suggestions may be sent to the parish office.

Mass Schedule

Mon, Wed-Fri 8:00 AM

Tuesday 6:30 PM

1st Sat. only 8:00 AM

Saturday 5:30 PM Vigil Mass

Sunday 8:00 AM & 10:30 AM

RECONCILIATION

Saturday 4:30 PM — 5:00 PM

Eucharistic Adoration

Thursday 8:30 AM to 10:00 PM

St Philip Benizi Mission Statement

The Primary and only purpose of the Church is that of Jesus Christ

who came into the world to fulfill the will of His Father. Thereby

this becomes the mission of St. Philip Benizi parish, to proclaim the

kingdom of God, to build up the parish community as a witness of

God’s love and care for the world, to be the invitation to become

what God has called us to be.

This mission is best accomplished through individuals working with

others who accept the same purpose. This forms a parish

community and the work achieved with the guidance of the Spirit is

called ministry. In this way we are directed to work toward God’s

purpose of “wanting all men to be saved and come to the knowledge

of the truth.” (1 Tim 2:4)

Since the inception of St Philip Benizi, volunteers have been a

mainstay of the smooth functioning of the parish as we strive to

fulfill the St Philip Benizi Mission Statement.

You are the hands that bring the body of Christ to those who

hunger for the Bread of Life. You are the catechists who I

introduce the great truths of our faith to our youth and others.

You are the voices that proclaim God’s Word.