CONVERSATIONS about CATHOLICISM
FOUR WEDNESDAY EVENINGS: SEPTEMBER
17 & 24 OCTOBER 8 & 15
7:00 to 8:30 PM
In Carvlin Hall 2408 SE 16th Avenue, Portland, Oregon
October 8: God's Word, but whose words? What does the Bible mean to Catholics? Presenter: Barbara Harrison
October 15: Can a religious person be spiritual? Is there a "Catholic" spirituality? Presenter: Fr. Michael Evernden, CSP
Human Trafficking: Modern Day Slavery. Featured speaker Rani Hong, trafficking survivor and founder of Tronie foundation, which establishing “homes of freedom,” shelters for women children suffering from the exploitation of human trafficking. November 6, 7–9pm at the Providence Portland Medical Center Auditorium, 4805 NE Glisan St., Portland. Presented by the Intercommunity Peace & Justice Center and co-sponsored by the Archdiocese of Portland—Office of Justice & Peace.
Women of all ages!!!! Women of all life-styles! Bring your mothers, aunts, cousins, fellow employees, friends, daughters (high school and older) our annual ‘Women as Witness’ symposium had to be rescheduled for a variety of reasons. BUT—we are back on target and excited to announce that Saturday, Nov.15th, 9-3:30, Sarah Hart will being flying in from Tennessee to be our presenter. The topic for the day is “Daughters of God: Day of Reflection” based on Older Testament women) which Sarah presents nationally. This year the Oregon Catholic Press will co-sponsor this event which starts with the retreat during the day and a FREE CONCERT—Open to everyone— in the evening. Sarah is a recipient of six Unity Awards for her music and is a songwriter for OCP. The retreat will have presentations, prayer, stories, laughter, music and small-group interactions. The symposium is $30 which includes snacks, lunch and materials. Please call the parish office (Barbara Harrison—503-231-4955) to sign up by November 7.
Save the date! The St. Philip Neri Advent Retreat, facilitated by Fr. Michael, will be the weekend of December 5-7 at the Shalom Prayer Center in Mt. Angel. The cost is $113 which includes accommodations Friday & Saturday night and meals through breakfast on Sunday. This is a wonderful way to gift yourself and/or a loved one this holiday season. A $50 deposit is required to reserve a space. Sign up and make your deposit at the parish office in the Paulist Center. Space is limited so act today! For more information, contact Matthew Pearl @ 503-970-3937 or mjmpearl@aol.com . Shalom!
Sheltering Homeless Families: Our next Daybreak rotation is
October 5-12. We need volunteers to cook dinners, provide overnight hosting and transportation to guests in the programs mini-bus. If you are interested in helping out or would like more information please contact Michelle Kinsella 503 235-3276 or www.pdxpax.org/daybreak
Addressing Global Warming...
as a Community—In collaboration with the Franciscan Spiritual Center and Oregon Interfaith Power and Light, Ecumenical Ministries of Oregon will offer a five-week class to prepare individuals to offer community forums or classes about this topic to others in your community. The class will use "Global Warming: Changing CO2urse" from the Northwest Earth Institute as a guide for discussions. There will be additional resources. The class is limited to 30 people. When: September 30, October 7, 14, 21 and 28. Place: Paulist Center, Cost: $25.00 for book of readings. Pre-register: Joy Wallace, Franciscan Spiritual Center, 503-794-8542, or jwallace@francisspctr.com
If you are a Reader or want to be a Reader for our Liturgies there will be a required training/retraining on Saturday, September 27, 10–Noon. Please mark these dates on your calendar.
Attention parents and kids of all ages… A committee has formed to enhance the Religious Education offerings for families and children (birth to teens) here at St. Philip Neri. We need your input. A survey is available in the pews and at the back of the church for you to complete and leave for us. We want to know what your dreams are for the parish’s religious education program, what you’d like to see offered, and what you are willing to participate in. Look for the surveys in the next three weeks and please help us meet your needs! —Beth Lough and Susie Bobenrieth.
The Religious Education ‘Family Gatherings’ program (grades 1-6) offers families whose children are home-schooled, in public schools or private schools—other than Catholic—the opportunity to gather once a month to experience faith-based formation. Our first meeting will be Sunday, October 5th, 11:45–12:30PM in the Paulist Center, St. John’s Room.
Bread for the World Sunday: Bread for the World Sunday is an opportunity for churches to renew their commitment to overcoming hunger and poverty in God's world. On October 19 and other Sundays this fall, worshipping communities across the country will join together in lifting up their voices on behalf of hungry people. This year's observance takes place at a time when soaring prices for food and fuel have created an urgent hunger crisis – both in our own country and overseas. An additional 100 million people have fallen into poverty and are at risk of hunger and starvation. For ideas of how you can get involved personally, visit www.bread.org .
Rachel’s Vineyard: If you are a woman or man suffering from an abortion, experience God's forgiveness and compassion on a Catholic Charities Rachel’s Vineyard weekend retreat November 14-16, in Port¬land, or March 6-8, 2009, in Medford. Participation is strictly confidential. For more information contact: Lori Eckstine, Catholic Charities Project Rachel Coordinator at 1-800-249-8074 or E-mail: E2Lori@aol.com . The cost is $150 for meals, room, and all retreat materials. If you have a financial burden, assistance is available! For more information about Rachel’s Vineyard, visit the national website at www.rachelsvineyard.org .
Are you looking to adopt a child? Catholic Charities has over 100 years’ experience placing children in loving homes. Our next adoption orientation is October 17 & 18. We also offer free one on one information interviews. For further information, please contact Pregnancy Support & Open Adoption Services at, 503-238-5196.
SISTER OF SAINT MARY'S OF OREGON
Weekend with the Sisters: If you are between the ages of 18 & 35 and would like to learn more about religious life as a Sister of St. Mary of Oregon, you are invited to spend the weekend of October 17-19 with the community in Beaverton, Oregon. Please email (srcharleneh@ssmo.org) or call (503-906-1131) to introduce your¬self, reserve a spot, or get more information.
Paper Recycling: Support the parish and the environment-easily! Just put all your recyclable paper (including newspapers and magazines, but not cardboard) into the big tan bins at the edge of the parking lot along Division St. St. Philip's gets a cash rebate for every bin that is filled, and the old paper gets turned into new paper. The faster we fill the bins, the faster we will get the money to support the work of the parish.
Recycle your inkjet cartridges and help your parish at the same time. Look for the Recycling box in the foyer of the Church. For every cartridge we recycle we get paid CASH. We can conserve valuable resources and energy, save money, and reduce pollution all by remanufacturing these used cartridges. Your reward will be a warm fuzzy feeling in your heart for helping raise much needed funds for our parish. Questions? Contact Jeanne McPherson at 503-231-4955 ext. 103.
Such a deal! Do you remember those Entertainment Books you purchased last summer about this time? You bought the 2008 book and as a bonus you get the 2007 free. The new 2009 books will be available for pickup beginning August 3rd at the BBQ. A limited number of the 2008 books (which can be used until November 2008) are also available for the same great price when you purchase the 2009 book-both for only $20.00 (again-that's two for one!).
DIVORCE, ANNULMENTS, VALIDATIONS: Marriage is a civil and religi¬ous commitment. Once the State dissolves a marriage through divorce, the ex-spouses are free to marry again according to civil law. The Church, on the other hand, examines the religious covenant of the two individuals involved to determine if there is cause for a declaration of nullity. An annulment does not affect the legitimacy of children in any way. A declara¬tion of nullity does not dissolve or erase a marriage, but rather declares that a true sacramental marriage did not occur according to the vows. Information is of course confidential to protect all parties involved. You are not required to contact a former spouse. If you are interested in finding out more about an annulment or marriage validation, please call Father Tully.
