Seasons of Nature and Faith

Dear Parishioners,

Fall is now upon us. The leaves of our trees are turning color, some in a brilliant kaleidoscope of beauty. Eventually, the leaves will fall to cover the ground. Nature is telling us a story about life and death. Later in spring, it will complete the story when new leaves appear and our trees will be full of life once again. It all reflects the Paschal Mystery, Christ’s suffering, death, and resurrection. The Church recognizes how nature, indeed all of creation, proclaims the glory of God (cf. Psalm 19:2).

The Liturgical seasons also reflect God’s creation. As we pass into winter, the days get shorter. When it is dark, we reflect on the Star of Bethlehem and celebrate the coming of the Light who is Christ Jesus. About this time, our days start to become longer. Easter comes at a time when new life is coming forth, spring. I know that many would love it to be summer all the time. For me, I enjoy the changing of the seasons. I mourn the loss of warm weather, but now more than ever, I am glad to see God’s creation bring clouds to water the land and give snow to the mountains. What season do you like the most? Can you see the beauty in each season?

Nature has dealt us many blows from fires, floods, storms, and earthquakes. Those are physical evils, yes. Yet even despite the destruction and death they caused, God is always at work. In each of the many tragedies that have befallen us, God has inspired people to heroic virtue and acts of sacrificial love. How did you feel last weekend as the rains returned to our parched land? I welcomed it. For me, God gave a renewed appreciation of its importance in our lives. Our air was washed clean from the smoke that has plagued us, and I could see our surrounding mountains. I assumed local fires were impeded by the precipitation as well.

If you haven’t thought about this or find some seasons more difficult than others, ponder on the life of Christ and how each part of his Paschal Mystery can be reflected in creation. Then pray that God will inspire in you a deeper faith to see the beauty about you, regardless of the time of year. May we, as stewards of God’s creation, ask our Lord to give us a renewed vision of the beauty and gift of our world which God has given us. May we, in turn, be mindful of our attitudes and actions which help protect or harm our local and global community. May such acts of appreciation and stewardship give glory to God!

Blessings,

Fr. William Holtzinger
Pastor

Sacrifice and Masks

Dear Parishioners,

Thank you for all the sacrifices you do for the community! This past week, we were called to wear masks in order to mitigate the risks for parishioners and school families from COVID-19 and its Delta variant which has become the most dominant form afoot. This was done out of a sense of pastoral responsibility and prudential judgment. None of us are happy about any of the recent events in regard to the pandemic. But, there is merit in obedience and care for others. We live out our faith as Church by personal, one-on-one sharing of our hearts and faith and putting the concerns of others above our own. 

I understand that some do not agree with some of the requirements or other regulations that have come to us over the past 18 months. Yet, their sacrifice and willingness to still follow the regulations is commendable when in light of their consideration of others who may be scandalized or fearful to even come to Mass when they might see others not following those guidelines. I am proud that our parishes in Southern Oregon and throughout our Archdiocese have followed, as best as each could, the guidelines and requirements. I know that other churches have disregarded them altogether. I believe the Catholic Church’s “Preferential Option for the Poor” calls us to lift up the weak and to put those who are sick or at risk in the forefront of our hearts and minds.

One of the purposes of the Mass is to offer and receive sacrifice, offering our burdens to Christ while also proclaiming Christ’s suffering, death, and resurrection in our lives. In doing so, we are given consolation and enter into communion with Christ and his meritorious death and Resurrection. 

In the beginning of the Eucharistic Prayer the priest says, “Pray my brothers and sisters that my sacrifice and yours may be acceptable to God the Almighty Father.” And the community affirms this desire in response. So, it is in these times that the requirement of wearing a mask, as given to us by the local Church, is one such sacrifice we can quickly identify that we offer up during Mass.

May the proclamation of the Word and the reception of the Eucharist give us the strength to be joyful witnesses to God’s love despite and through the sufferings that befall us in these difficult times. Again, thank you all for your faithful response and sacrifice. May we all offer it up as a sacrifice of love for those who suffer more than we do.

Blessings,

Fr. William Holtzinger
Pastor

The Bread of Life Discourse

Dear Parishioners,

Beginning last week, the Universal Church’s liturgical calendar celebrated the 17th Sunday in Ordinary time (although St. Anne was able to transfer the feast of her patron to the same day). It began a several week reading of what is called “The Bread of Life Discourse” from the sixth chapter of John which began with the miracle of the Multiplication of the Loaves and Fish. It concludes with Jesus’ teaching about how he is the “Bread of Life” and that we must eat his flesh and drink his blood so that we might have life within us.

While the Gospel of John did not include the “Institution Narrative” at the Last Supper, as did the Synoptic Gospels (Matthew, Mark, and Luke), John recounted Jesus’ first remarks and teachings about the Eucharist which preceded the Last Supper. It is only in the Gospel of John where we read Jesus implore with great passion that he would not only give his flesh and blood for us (think Crucifixion) but also that his followers were to eat his flesh and blood. Those who heard Jesus teach this had mixed reactions. For the common Jew of the day, it would have been reasonable to find his words off-putting and repugnant. Towards the end of the discourse, we find that many disciples left him to return to their former ways of life. Turning to Peter, Jesus asked if he will leave too. Peter responded, “Master, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. We have come to believe and are convinced that you are the Holy One of God” (Jn 6:68-69).

If we take Jesus seriously, (and we do), it would seem to me, compelled to make one of two choices: 1. conclude that Jesus meant these things metaphorically or symbolically, or 2. conclude that Jesus meant truly, literally what he said. 

If we side with the first option, then we should conclude, as the famous Catholic, Flannery O’Connor once put it, “To hell with it.” Why go to Mass when the Eucharist is merely a symbol or sign? Why give our adoration to it? In fact, we should stop doing this altogether, for it would be blasphemous, indeed, it could be considered one of the highest forms of sin against God found in the First Commandment(, idolatry. We should never worship what is not God. At most, we might give it reverence to a symbol like we do any other signs of Christ such as the Cross, Altar, the Paschal Candle, and such. But that is it. In this case, it would be a waste of time to build tabernacles and churches and services focused on this mere symbol. 

But, if we conclude, as the Church has from it’s beginning, that the Eucharist is truly, substantially, mystically Christ’s body and blood, soul, and divinity, then our worship is just that, worth-ship—something worth our time and energy in devotion and adoration.

Clearly, if we read Chapter 6 of John, we read about those who chose the second option and left. Others, may have taken Jesus literally, but did not understand. And while choosing the first option, they just followed him because of his miracles. Then there were the likes of Peter, who likely didn’t understand, but took Jesus literally, maintained his faith, suspended his confusion, desired in his heart to ascent to Jesus’ teaching, and placed his trust in the words and person of Jesus. I can imagine Peter thinking:

“Okay, Jesus. I really don’t understand what you are talking about. This seems strange. But, you have never let us down. You have shown yourself to be the Messiah. You have claimed that you are the Son of God. And no one could do the miracles you have done if God were not with him. I will trust that you will explain this new teaching in time. Besides, you have always spoken the truth and have the words of everlasting life.” 

Thankfully, Jesus makes his teaching clear at the Last Supper when he says, “This is my body” and “This is my blood” (think “institution narrative”) while presenting the bread and wine of the Passover meal. In the Last Supper, Jesus revealed that the Passover was not longer just the remembrance of Moses leading the Israelites out of slavery, but now would be the way the Messiah would passover death to eternal life, giving us himself as a perpetual sacrifice once and for all for the salvation of the world. Jesus revealed that he would be the final Lamb of God who would take away the sins of the world. In giving us himself in the Eucharist, he gave us way to commune with him through time as well as a vehicle for healing and grace until the end of time. Instead of giving us manna to eat, he would give his very self.

Please take time to read the whole of the sixth chapter of the Gospel of John. If you would like to talk about this in person, I or Fr. Stephen Kenyon would be more than happy to listen and walk with you in your journey of faith.

Blessings,

Fr. William Holtzinger
Pastor

A Year To Remember Ends and a New One Begins

Dear Parishioners,

Last week, we concluded the academic school year, one that will go down in the history of amazing years for our humble school. God was blessing this important ministry all through the hard times of constant change and in the months when some regulations were rescinded. We added two new teachers, Katie Alderman and Samantha Austria-Gerig amidst the throws of the pandemic. New drop-off and pick-up procedures were created and executed. Grants and other funds were miraculously made available to help us excel in creating a safe environment for our students, faculty, and staff. The PTO stepped up to do new and heroic things for the school. And the list goes on. With Summer Vacation beginning, please keep our children and their families in your prayers. Ask God to protect them and help them grow in faith and wisdom. Please pray also for the new teachers who have and will be hired between now and the end of the Summer. God is doing some amazing things in and through our school.

Next weekend, we say goodbye to Fr. Arjie who has been serving here for the past three years. Last weekend he offered Mass at our Missions of Our Lady of the River and then St. Patrick of the Forest. Next weekend, he will be offering all the Masses here at St. Anne. Maybe you might let him know of your support this one last time as time allows after the Masses. He will be heading to St. James in McMinnville and its missions as the Parochial Vicar with Fr. Mike Walker. Please keep in your prayers, as he begins a new journey in his priestly ministry. We wish him well and pray that his gifts will shine forth for the glory of God!

Following Fr. Arjie, we expect to received our new Parochial Vicar, Fr. Stephen Kenyon, in the days that follow. Work will be done, as per usual, to the parish house on Churchill in preparation for his arrival. He will immediately be scheduled in our common weekday and weekend Masses schedules  starting July 1st. Please extend him your prayerful support and warm welcome St. Anne style!

Anthony Hoangphan will be concluding his Pastoral Year on Sunday, July 4th. He will be returning home in Tigard for the rest of the Summer and will continue on his Theological studies at Mount Angel Seminary in the Fall. God willing, he will be ordained a deacon next Summer. Please let him know of your prayerful support. 

It has been a year to remember. Through the good and bad, we kept the faith and did our best to offer what we could in the ways of ministry, Sacraments, and most importantly, the Mass.  May God who has been with us through it all continue to keep our hearts and minds open to the things he wants to do in us in the coming year.

Blessings,

Fr. William Holtzinger
Pastor

Retreats: Being Good Stewards of Our Souls

Dear Parishioners,

Last week, the priests of our Archdiocese were away for our annual retreat. Thank you to everyone who prayed for us while we were on retreat. These times are challenging for us all. As such, we priests are called to walk with you and lead you to our Lord who is our Shepherd. I deeply believe that an annual retreat should be part of all of our lives, for without it the constant challenges of life can become overwhelming.

We all need to keep our focus on Jesus and his Gospel. When is the last time you went on a retreat? Has it been years? Maybe never? As the Church opens up and we journey out of the pandemic, please keep your eyes on our bulletin. We frequently post retreats that are happening around us and beyond. While some may be virtual (which is good), the most effective are those which are in person. You might be surprised that you can call the various retreat houses in our state and they can set up a private retreat with periodic meetings with a priest or spiritual director. My favorite individual retreats have been silent retreats at Our Lady of Guadalupe Trappist Abbey in Carlton, OR. Mount Angel Abbey is another great option. And of course, as things open up, our own local St. Rita Retreat center in Gold Hill is a great option that does not require much travel. I am praying and discerning about how St. Anne can offer a retreat in the coming school year. What do you think? I know that it is hard to get away, yet we seem to be able to do it for vacations which may last a week or two. And these are good. Might we also consider carving out three or four days to renew our hearts and souls in God? If you have been struggling to ground yourself in your faith, a retreat is a fantastic and powerful way to be a good steward of your soul. Ponder and pray about this all!

Blessings,

Fr. William Holtzinger
Pastor

Pentecost 2021

Dear Parishioners,

Maranatha! Come Holy Spirit! That is the call I wish for us all to have, and most especially this weekend on the Solemnity of Pentecost. In these days, we most certainly need to keep our focus and not get distracted by the darkness around us. So many people are struggling to find peace and joy. May you are one of them. While vacations, days off, entertainment, and many other activities are good for the soul, nothing is better than a deep indwelling of the Holy Spirit who is our consoler, guide, and advocate in times of need. Call on the Holy Spirit to give you peace beyond circumstances and passing issues. Surrender yourself and push aside arrogance, pride, or anything else that may impede the Holy Spirit from entering your heart. Life is to be lived fully. Jesus wanted us to experience it in abundance, and the Holy Spirit is the person who can make that happen if we just allow it. A start may be to pray with earnest the following prayer or something from deep within your soul:

Come, Holy Spirit!
Fill my heart.
Kindle in me the fire of your love.
Help me push aside anything which may block you,
And renew my life from the inside out.

Blessings,

Fr. William Holtzinger
Pastor

Special Convocation/Retreat with ACTS XXIX

Dear Parishioners,

Thank you all for your prayers for all of us priests who attended the special convocation at the beginning of this month. The Surrender Novena was a perfect vehicle of grace targeting our need to submit ourselves to Jesus Christ and let him take over and heal whatever is broken. The convocation was more akin to a retreat, and I believe it was an experience unlike any gathering of us diocesan priests together. 

The event took place in one of the newest and certainly the biggest Catholic church in the Archdiocese. The building was originally the home of New Hope Christian Church and was purchased this past year by of Our Lady of La Vang Parish. After doing some research, is is well double in square footage from the previous location of Our Lady of La Vang Parish. It seats a whopping 2,170 people in their main nave which compares to 575 in their previous church. The pews and seats in the nave are arranged in a semi-round fashion before the sanctuary and has two levels. Let’s just say that there was enough for the each of the 140 priests in attendance for our convocation to have about 15+ feet from the nearest person.

Fr. John Riccardo and his ACTS XXIX team came and offered us some thought provoking talks during the event. I say “event,’ because it wasn’t simply about learning more about our faith, but creating a space and time for us to ponder on our own struggles, suffering, and need for healing. If you would like to get a taste of the first day, pick up a copy of Fr. Riccardo’s book, “Rescued: The Unexpected and Extraordinary News of the Gospel.” I used this book in preparation for this past Triduum (Holy Thursday, Good Friday, and Easter Vigil) and Easter Sunday Masses. The rest of the time was marked by time of fellowship and and opportunities for confession, adoration, and quiet prayer. Possibly the highest point came when the ACTS XXIX team offered private opportunities to have hands laid upon each of us priests while lifting us up in prayer, specifically for healing. I’ve been to many gatherings of the presbyterate (diocesan priests serving the Archdiocese), and I have offered a fair number of retreats where we would lay hands on the retreatants, but this has never been the occasion for us priests as a whole. There were a couple times for us to publicly share about the time we were spending together. And let’s just say it was heartfelt, sometimes raw, and some priests truly made themselves vulnerable by taking some risks in their sharing. It was all very healthy. It inspired and challenged me. I had to go to confession twice while I was there due to what they shared and how it revealed things to me. 

Two other highlights were the personal testimonies of faith, conversion, and admission of personal struggles from Bishop Peter Smith and Archbishop Alexander Sample. After Archbishop Sample shared in his closing remarks to us priests, we stood and applauded him for quite some time for being so frank and vulnerable with us. Another priest then shouted out that we should pray over him and as that priest laid hands on the Archbishop, another prayed a beautiful prayer of thanksgiving and aid for our lead Shepherd.

This gathering was the beginning of some healing work for many of us priests, assuming we are willing to do our homework. In the beginning of October, we will be gathering for our normal/annual convocation, and as providence would have it, we will be lead by Dr. Bob Schuchts, the founder of the John Paul II Healing Center. We were given his book, “Be Healed: A Guide to Encountering the Powerful Love of Jesus in Your Life.” Much of his work was presented by the ACTS XXIX team during our time together. So, once again, God is at work doing what he does best. Please continue to pray for us priests, as we do for you. God is great and does amazing things!

Blessings,

Fr. William Holtzinger
Pastor

COVID Risks And Our Part

COVID Risks & Our Part

Dear Parishioners,

As of this writing (Tuesday, April 27), it is unknown which counties will be returning to the “Extreme Risk” status in the state. As of yesterday (Monday the 26th), the OHA reported 319 patients were hospitalized across the state, passing the 300 mark which Gov. Brown said would return counties like ours into the Extreme level. This will also be the case for the county where the priest’s special convocation is to be held. That introduces some questions that will need to be addressed due to gathering guidelines. Since the convocation is essentially a retreat and is truly a religious gathering, that wouldn’t cancel the gathering. The issue will be lodging and food. I have hope those will be ironed out.  

Beyond these issues, many businesses may have to curtail how they operate, most poignantly, restaurants and other similar entities. This effects not just employers, but their employees and the overall well-being of our county and state. It is a concern that our care facilities could once again be closed to family members and other visitors who further the overall health of those in those facilities. We may have to adjust our parish office hours or availability for walk-ins. All of this increases our suffering and challenges our faith.

While it is in the purview of the Governor to determine the response to health risks in our state, we have a part to play in regards to how we participate in the overall wellbeing of others. One way involves getting vaccinated. Here at St. Anne, we are working to host a clinic for vaccinations in proximity to our Mass times on the weekends. The timeline is not yet set as I write, but I hope it will make this opportunity more convenient. The second way involves being more conscientious and faithful to the behavioral guidelines set forth by our healthcare officials. That means wearing our masks correctly and maintaining the appropriate distancing just to name two major factors known to reduce the spreading of the virus.

As Catholics, we are called to care for the common good. We are people of hope, and look towards not only the end of the pandemic, but ways that God is working in and through the current situation. I was recently reminded that even this pandemic should not deter us from proclaiming and living out our faith. Indeed, it is through these times that some of the best of our faith has been demonstrated. So many people have given of the time, talent, and treasure! It is truly inspiring. Instead of being pulled down by the things about us, remember the Holy Spirit is with us always. If we dare to be open, we can be part of miracles, for God takes delight in turning darkness into light, suffering into triumph. We are people of hope and joy beyond our circumstances, for it is God who strengthens us.

Let us all play our part in the well-being of others.  Let us renew our prayers for an increase in faith, hope, and love. Remember that it is through sacrifice that Christ triumphed over death, and our sufferings can be salvific for ourselves and others. By our sacrifice, we give glory to God and love our neighbor. 

Please pray for us priests, the coming convocation, and the ongoing activity to re-invigorate our priestly vocations. Please pray that more people will be mindful of the risks to others for COVID-19 and be open to do their part in reducing its spread. We are all in this together. May we Catholics be beacons to our community of faith, love, and self-sacrifice for the good of our brothers and sisters. As my mother has encouraged by her prayers, specifically the Surrender Novena, “O Jesus, I surrender myself to you. Take care of everything!

Blessings,

Fr. William Holtzinger

Pastor

He is Risen!

Dear Parishioners,

Praise be Jesus Christ! He is Risen!

I hope this Easter weekend brings you all a renewed hope in the saving power of God over evil, as he conquered the evil one and opened up the way to eternal life in heaven. This is the Good News, or rather Great News for all time! 

This past year has been full of pain, sorrow, anger, suspicion, violence, and death. All of this is tragic. All of this was darkness and sad. Yet, all of this was known ahead of time by our Lord. All of this was borne upon the shoulders of our Savior on the cross. All of it was joined to His death AND RESURRECTION! Yes! Christ conquered death and is offering us life, hope, and joy beyond and through the sufferings of this life.

This year, I have had a share in my own sufferings, and yet and I continue to be full of hope because of Christ who loves me and accompanies me through it all. Be encouraged! Be lifted up at this new no matter what has happened or is happening now that causes you so much pain. Jesus is our divine counselor and doctor. He knows the depth of it all. His love is complete and full just for you! Let go of anything that blocks his love. Know that he wants you to be with him in eternity, yet has a purpose for you here and now on Earth. Praise be the Lord!

O my Jesus! I surrender myself to you. Take care of everything!

Fr. William Holtzinger
Pastor

One Year Later... Where Is Our Hope?

Dear Parishioners,

Last week, our world memorialized the near shutdown caused by the global pandemic. Last week marked the stoppage of most of those things we hold dear such as going to church, in-class learning for schools, eating out at restaurants, gathering with friends, working in an office with other employees, and more. Quarantines were set in place for those who may have been exposed to the virus. Businesses shut down. People were sequestered in their homes and could not visit other family or friends. People’s addictions and mental illness became worse. Many lost their jobs and some businesses closed for good. More tragically, over a half a million people lost their lives due to the effects of COVID-19 either directly or indirectly. Suicide rates climbed. Each of us likely know someone who fell ill due to coronavirus and many of us know someone who even died. These are some of the dark sides to the pandemic. A question that many have asked is, where is God in all of this? Does he care that we are suffering? Such questions are reasonable and answers can be shrouded in mystery. If the Father sent his Son so that we would not perish (cf. John 3:16), then where has he been this whole time? Let me offer a response. While God’s permissive will allows for sin and evil, including pandemics, that does not mean he doesn’t care. Indeed, he cares more than anyone, and his response is more profound and eternal than a quick fix.

God has been in the hands of first responders, doctors, nurses, and respiratory therapists. He has been in the work of scientists who found a way to create therapies that help people fight off sickness from COVID-19. He has been in some of the work of politicians who have been scrambling amidst the divisiveness of the political environment to secure financial aid to those in need and protections for the most vulnerable. God has been in the ministers and laity of churches who reached out to pray and accompany those who were sick, sometimes putting themselves in harms way. He has been present in those who could only visit via an outer window of a nursing facility to let their loved ones know that they are not alone. God has been with teachers and staff who worked beyond their training in order to allow children to receive the best education possible given the restrictions placed upon them. God has been in the work of the myriads of people who have made efforts to call or write letters to those who were most isolated and vulnerable. God has been present in the efforts to bring food to the  poor or those who lost their jobs and struggled with food insecurity. He has been in the truck drivers and distributors of food, grocery employees, utility workers, and construction workers. God has been present in people who have spent extra time, energy, and money to communicate helpful and uplifting content as well as make more easily available the tools to communicate via the Internet. The list goes on and on. 

We are approaching Holy Week which begins with Palm Sunday. In these coming liturgies, we are given the ultimate answer, by the Father through Jesus, how much we are loved and cared for by God. In His Paschal Mystery, our Lord definitively answers the question with which I began this letter. He set in motion the ultimate response to suffering and death in our world. He sent his Son to take on our suffering, sin, and death. He became that grain of wheat that fell and died, only to rise again in glory. In doing all of this, Jesus Christ allied himself with humanity’s fallenness, was lifted high on the cross, and died for our sins. He pulled humanity through death and rose from the dead so that we too could rise with him when our final day comes. He has redeemed us and opened Heaven for us, that place where we hope to live in ecstasy with God, the Angels, and Saints forever!

This is the hope in which we find meaning. This is the consolation we have for those who have suffered so much in the pandemic. It is the divine mercy in which we place our trust for those who have died. It is the Good News, the center of the Christian faith, the reason why the Church exists, and the message we need to be reminded of and share with others. 

May the light of our faith shine ever brighter despite and through the darkness of the pandemic and other tragedies which befall us. Remember, Christ is the way, the truth, and the life. Let us surrender all our worries, losses, and concerns to him. We surrender ourselves to you, Jesus. Take care of everything!

Blessings,

Fr. William Holtzinger
Pastor