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Holy Spirit
Dear Parishioners,
Maranatha! Come Holy Spirit! Through the Holy Spirit, our Lord fulfills his promise not to abandon us. He gave us the Holy Spirit who has permeated the Church with his Divine presence to be our advocate, our helper. We Catholics don’t talk as much about the Holy Spirit, but focus more on Jesus. That’s not a problem, but our Orthodox brothers and sisters are much more focused on the Holy Spirit. Did you know that? Yes. It is true. Their theology is more “pneumatic” (Spirit-centered). Catholic theology is more Christocentric (Christ-centered). It’s understandable since Jesus was the Second Person of the Blessed Trinity who came to us so that we could see, talk, and touch him. His words are written in our Scriptures. He is even called, “The Word.” Curiously, we have no specific “words” from the Holy Spirit in the Scriptures, but certainly the Holy Spirit directed the first Apostles and Disciples in their missionary work as well as forbade some from preaching or traveling to certain places. When the Apostles and prophets spoke, they were communicating the desire and will of the Holy Spirit, so in this sense, the Spirit “spoke.” Today, this still occurs through many people in the Church. Of course, much discernment must be applied when someone “feels” guided by the Spirit. One simple guide is to test whether that which is being spoken is in line with the Bride of Christ: the Church.
We have descriptors in the Bible where the Holy Spirit appears in various visible forms such as flames or a dove. The Holy Spirit is the abiding presence of God which warms our hearts, lifts us up, and guides us to the Truth. It is the Holy Spirit who also guides the Church on her pilgrim way. In all the Church’s Sacraments, the Holy Spirit is present. Can you see where? Maybe list them out and see where you might be able to see the action of the Holy Spirit. Consider that some homework!
May this Pentecost bring you a renewal of the Holy Spirit dwelling in you. May you be set afire for love of God and his people. May you always be open, especially in times of need, for the in-breaking of the Holy Spirit to give you gifts you didn’t expect. God is amazing and through his Holy Spirit, miracles can and have happened. Will you allow a miracle to be done in you? Some Holy Spirit! Come!
Blessings,
Fr. William Holtzinger
Pastor
Dear Parishioners,
With the advancements in technology, communication has been made possible like never before. We are now able to communicate with each regardless of how far away we are. There are applications for our smart phones that can allow two people speaking different languages to understand each other in real-time. Advancements have also allowed us to be made aware of events as they happen and comment on them for everyone to read, share, or debate. The Church has sometimes lagged in this area, but has made great efforts to catch up. Pope Francis has further encouraged this advancement in our call to accompany each other on our journey of faith.
With this new power comes the potential for great good as well as evil. Many people have been reunited due to social websites while others have been stalked. Long lost relatives and friends have rekindled relationships and healed deep wounds while others have further promoted deception through misunderstanding and misinformation. The speed and access of social media is possibly the greatest sociological force since the creation of the Internet itself. The Church applauds these advancements in technology while also offering caution. Pope Francis noted in his Apostolic Exhortation, The Joy of the Gospel (Evangelii Gaudium):
We are living in an information-driven society which bombards us indiscriminately with data-all treated as being of equal importance-and which leads to remarkable superficiality in the area of moral discernment. In response, we need to provide an education which teaches critical thinking and encourages the development of mature moral values. (§64)
This is where St. Anne Catholic School, our Faith Formation ministries, and Youth & Young Adult Ministries play a vital role in our parish. Anything you can do to participate and/or support these ministries helps develop our faith and moral character. We all need to make use of and access the Internet in order to learn about our world. But we also need to do so to inform our consciences in the way of the Christian life. In order to have a mature understanding of the events of the world in light of the Gospel, we must also pair these means of education with a solid prayer life and openness to the Holy Spirit.
This weekend, we celebrate Pentecost, the outpouring of the Holy Spirit upon the Disciples, a gift to the Church to which we all have access. Spend this week pondering on the gifts that you have been given. Ponder on how you are being called to share the faith through these gifts, and ask the Holy Spirit to inspire you to go out and share God’s love and his Gospel to those whom you know and meet. Remember, we are not to shy away from the technologies before us, but to use them for the propagation of the faith. So, may the Holy Sprit enkindle in each of us a new fire to share the Gospel in our lives using whatever technologies are before us, not to be timid for fear of their misuse, but instead, making them vehicles of Good news, news that the world needs to hear.
Maranatha! Come Holy Spirit!
Fr. William Holtzinger
Pastor
Dear Parishioners,
It's great to be back from vacation. Apparently, Fr. Manuel invited you to come visit me, but I must have somehow missed you since I saw no parishioners the whole time. Darn! We could have had so much fun. Even though you didn't join me, I can report that I had a great time doing what I love the most: camping. I began by spending a couple days as Crane Prairie Reservoir, followed by five days at Beverly Beach just North of Newport, and then returned to Central Oregon for a couple days at Hosmer Lake (a kayaker's paradise). In all, I am so appreciative of God's amazing creation here in Oregon.
While I was gone, I prayed for our parish and missions and thanked Him for all the amazing things happening at our communities. Specifically at St. Anne's, I was so appreciative of all those inspired to give of their time and talent to make Vacation Bible School the great success it was. Specifically, I want to thank Nancy Trahern and her army of volunteers. Thank you! You inspired me. While I was gone, Natalie Scott took a band of adults and teens to Steubenville NW at Gonzaga University. While away, she texted me with reports of the amazing things God was doing. One word: Wow! If you are fortunate enough to attend the right Mass where a teen was able to offer their testimony this weekend, you will know exactly what I'm talking about. Thank you to all who made this event a possibility for our teens!
Two weeks ago, after a very involved process, we selected out new Pastoral Associate, however we are running into many road blocks with the process of immigration since she is a native of Canada. I've never been personally involved with these processes nor are all of the steps well spelled out. What we were hoping would take a couple weeks is now, as I write this, looking to take much longer. So, I ask you to please pray that God will clear the path so we can move forward. When such clarity and finality is made, I will make every effort to introduce her to you. In the meantime, please pray!
Finally, I want to proclaim that God is moving and the Spirit is inspiring many people. I hope you can see and join in this movement wherever you see it. A renewal of people seeking out His heart is evidenced by a stunningly large number of people who attended our last RCIA Inquiry gathering. It can't be explained by anything other than God's work.
Come Lord Jesus! Fill our hearts and make us new according to your plan. Heal our wounds and lift us up to be people of joy. May all our thoughts and and actions be submissive to your will. May we give you all the glory!
Thank you all for responding to the Spirit. Let us be afire with the love of God!
Blessings,
Fr. William Holtzinger
Pastor
It's great to be back from vacation. Apparently, Fr. Manuel invited you to come visit me, but I must have somehow missed you since I saw no parishioners the whole time. Darn! We could have had so much fun. Even though you didn't join me, I can report that I had a great time doing what I love the most: camping. I began by spending a couple days as Crane Prairie Reservoir, followed by five days at Beverly Beach just North of Newport, and then returned to Central Oregon for a couple days at Hosmer Lake (a kayaker's paradise). In all, I am so appreciative of God's amazing creation here in Oregon.
While I was gone, I prayed for our parish and missions and thanked Him for all the amazing things happening at our communities. Specifically at St. Anne's, I was so appreciative of all those inspired to give of their time and talent to make Vacation Bible School the great success it was. Specifically, I want to thank Nancy Trahern and her army of volunteers. Thank you! You inspired me. While I was gone, Natalie Scott took a band of adults and teens to Steubenville NW at Gonzaga University. While away, she texted me with reports of the amazing things God was doing. One word: Wow! If you are fortunate enough to attend the right Mass where a teen was able to offer their testimony this weekend, you will know exactly what I'm talking about. Thank you to all who made this event a possibility for our teens!
Two weeks ago, after a very involved process, we selected out new Pastoral Associate, however we are running into many road blocks with the process of immigration since she is a native of Canada. I've never been personally involved with these processes nor are all of the steps well spelled out. What we were hoping would take a couple weeks is now, as I write this, looking to take much longer. So, I ask you to please pray that God will clear the path so we can move forward. When such clarity and finality is made, I will make every effort to introduce her to you. In the meantime, please pray!
Finally, I want to proclaim that God is moving and the Spirit is inspiring many people. I hope you can see and join in this movement wherever you see it. A renewal of people seeking out His heart is evidenced by a stunningly large number of people who attended our last RCIA Inquiry gathering. It can't be explained by anything other than God's work.
Come Lord Jesus! Fill our hearts and make us new according to your plan. Heal our wounds and lift us up to be people of joy. May all our thoughts and and actions be submissive to your will. May we give you all the glory!
Thank you all for responding to the Spirit. Let us be afire with the love of God!
Blessings,
Fr. William Holtzinger
Pastor