Saint Paul Parish

Abundant Life in Christ

Dear Parishioners,         Well, I am going to take a turn writing a letter to you today. Usually you have a letter from Fr. William, but he took a couple of days off for this week and is down at the beach. I said “good for him” he doesn’t do such things often enough in my view.          I remember when I used to go to the beach. The ocean is a peaceful place to visit and to walk. Years ago in the later 1970’s I was assigned to the Sacred Heart Parish in Tillamook and I could get to the beach often then. I would go over to Oceanside and walk on the beach… it was great. I was new in the parish and I was feeling sort of guilty because I was walking on the beach more than I was visiting homes… so later I got up a little courage to home visit better, and I found out that I was so new the parishioners weren’t all that disturbed because I hadn’t come for a visit.         Things are going better for me - a little over a week ago I had some chest pains, so I went to the hospital… and when you tell them you have chest pains, they get all excited and start to really work you over and give you tests. Well they decided it wasn’t my heart… but never discovered for sure what it was. It was more in my upper torso and neck… maybe I had one too many hot peppers. Anyway, they gave me some meds I am not sure I need. But I have been feeling pretty good.         One of the problems with one of the medicines is that it pushes my blood sugar up… I don’t need that, but am getting off it in a few days.         I don’t have any grandiose vacation days for the coming future. I used to go over to Idaho, but am not doing that anymore.         A lifetime friend died up in my hometown, Chehalis, last week. We were friends for 78 years… met each other in the second grade and went all the way through grade school and high school together and would visit through the years. For the past 15 years he was progressively advanced in Alzheimer’s Disease, so he wasn’t so easy to visit with the past few years. I didn’t go to the funeral, but had a good talk with his wife and told her I wanted to come visit this week, because another boyhood friend was coming up from Honduras where he lives and we wanted to visit her together. So I am going up to Chehalis Wednesday to visit them all and a few other people I know up there. When I didn’t show up at the funeral some other friends called me to see if I was still OK - so I will see them too. A few people you know well stay in your hometown, although you aren’t there anymore…. but they remember you. That is a good feeling.         Hope you are all well and enjoying the parish. I really love living here, it gives me something to do that I like to do - visit with all of you and some of the older people or ailing people in their homes, and offer parish masses and just keep a little busier that I would at the Abbey. So thank you for having me and being so nice to me.                  Love and prayers,                                                               Father Joe   

Questions of the Week

Adults: In what circumstances am I most likely to forget my value in God’s eyes? What can I do to remember God’s love?

Children: Do I realize that I am the fortunate sheep who is loved and guided by Jesus, my shepherd?

We give back to God:  $7710.00

This week last year: $5946.00

Scripture Readings for the Week

                From the Family of Anna Schmidt….    On behalf of my brother, John, and myself, I wish to thank Fr. William, Abbot Joseph, and all the members of the St. Paul Church Community who contributed in many ways to the beautiful funeral Mass and reception for our Mother, Anna Schmidt. We shall never forget the strong support and thoughtfulness shown to us by so many. Our parents, now together again, would want us to thank everyone for your kindness to them through out all the years of their membership in the St. Paul Parish Community.                  Our Sincere Thanks,                           Kathy Peroff & John Schmidt

Mass  Intentions

Standing in the Need of Prayer:

For those who are ill in body and spirit, may they feel God’s healing in their lives. We pray especially for … Father Joe, Kory and Kaden Albright, Patty Anderson, Peggy & Jerry Andresen, Fred Baurer, Harry Boehmer, Ernie Carlson, Rosalie Cauble, Pat Cavanaugh, Hanna Doeden, Charles Eich, Mamie Fennimore, Charlotte Gerken, Chuck Grimes, Elaine Hartman, Frances Homer, Theresa Maurer, Margaret Olson,

Tony Pfeifer,  Maria Porras,

 Betty Stephen, and Kenny Steffen.

We remember…

Hugo Boehmer, who died Monday, April 7, and whose funeral will be Monday, April 14 at 11 a.m.

Our prayers and deepest sympathy are extended to

his family, relatives, and friends.

Looking Forward…

First Aid Course is Saturday, April 26, 9 a.m. - 1 p.m. in the Parish Center. Suitable for ages 12 and older.

Please call the office to register.

 Cost for this is yet to be determined.

In the Area

Caregiver Support Group meets every second Monday of the month at Mid-Valley Community Action Agency in Salem. This support group is open to all caregivers. Next meeting is Monday, April 14 from 1:30 - 3 p.m..

 For more information, please call Janele Walker at 503-393-0657.

Faith Formation

  Children:  Religious Education at 9 a.m. Sunday.Youth:

•       Please pray for the Confirmation candidates who have been on a service retreat this weekend in Mt. Angel.
•       Please join us for Youth Group on Wednesday at 7 p.m. in the SPY room.
•       Don’t miss the Theology of the Body for Teens: Love, life, and holiness with Deacon Harold Burke-Sivers at St. Joseph’s on April 19 at 1 p.m.  Flyers are available at the doors.
•       All Confirmation Candidates need to make sure to give a copy of their baptismal certificates to Carolyn as soon as possible. Our next session will be April 27, which will include their sponsor.

From Carolyn’s desk …