Donkeys for Palm Sunday

I met the two donkeys who will lead our Palm Sunday processions before all the Masses at the new church, Saturday April 12 and Sunday April 13. Their names are Poncho and Daisy, and as you can see they are very friendly. The blessing of the palms will start 15 minutes before each Mass, and we will gather at the entrance to the school, along the main road leading to the new church and parish center.

A vintage crucifix

Shown here is a vintage crucifix that is displayed in the showcase in the vestibule of the historic church. Most probably this cross was displayed either on the altar or in the reredos behind the main altar. Other historic artifacts will be displayed from time to time on this blog. Sunday March 30 is designated as History weekend at the Community Center where parishioners are asked to share memorabilia and other nostalgic memories from the past, all related to St Francis of Assisi parish.

Life Crystal

The Respect for Life Group in our parish has just received a Life Crystal which will be displayed in the historic church in honor of Pro-Life. It is a three-dimensional image of the hand of God holding an unborn foetus, with the quote from Isaiah "I am your Creator. You were in my care even before you were born."

The Annunciation

Annunciation by Paolo de Matteis (1712)

And the angel said unto her, "Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favor with God.  And, behold, thou shall conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shall call his name JESUS.  He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: And the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David:  And he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end."  Then said Mary unto the angel, "How shall this be, seeing I know not a man?"  And the angel answered and said unto her, "The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God.  And, behold, thy cousin Elisabeth, has also conceived a son in her old age: and this is the sixth month with her, who was called barren.  For with God nothing shall be impossible."  And Mary said, "Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word."

Too further accentuate the humanity of Jesus, the church places this feast exactly 9 months before the birth of Christ on Christmas, the term for a human pregnancy. Jesus is conceived today on this Solemnity of the Annunciation of Mary by the Angel Gabriel.

Appointed Pastor

With Bishop Cary at the School Mass in January 2014

Bishop Liam Cary has just sent me a letter appointing me the new Pastor of St Francis of Assisi Parish in Bend. The Bishop will be celebrating all the Masses this weekend in our parish, and preaching at all of them, on this Third Sunday of Lent. Welcome to our and your parish, Bishop Cary. Here is a copy of the letter:
 
18 March 2014
Dear Father Cassar,
 
By virtue of this letter, I appoint you Pastor of St Francis of Assisi Church in Bend, effective today, 18  March 2014, for the usual term of six years, with the option of renewal upon its completion.
 
With this appointment you are to exercise all the duties and enjoy the faculties and privileges attached to your office as stipulated in the Code of Canon Law, the Pastoral Guidelines of the Diocese of Baker, and legitimate diocesan customs. As pastor you are specifically entrusted with the complete oversight of St Francis of Assisi School.
 
I very much appreciate your willingness to assume this position of service to the parishioners of St. Francis of Assisi, Father. May the Good Shepherd strengthen you to imitate His self-giving love and so lead your people to the good pasture of the Kingdom.
 
In Christ Jesus
Most Reverend Liam Cary
Bishop of Baker.

Sonogram machine blessed

Fr Julian blessing the Sonogram machine

On Sunday March 16, a new Sonogram machine was blessed and dedicated at the Pregnancy Resource Center in Bend. The Knights of Columbus coordinated the efforts to buy this machine and the donations came rolling in within a few days. Included here are a few photos of the ceremony when the new Ultrasound/Sonogram machine was blessed. Our parish is very proud and honored that it contributed to the gift of life, helping many young women continue with their pregnancy, when seeing the heart-beat of their baby after only a few weeks. Let Life Live.

Pat Creedican, K of C president addressing the attendees

Marian Prayer Program

The image of the Immaculate Conception has been visiting various parishes in the northwest, and these past few days, it has been right here in our parish in Bend. This is a program started by the Knights of Columbus, and the image circles various parishes as people pray the Rosary and offer devotions in honor of Mary. This particular image is a replica of the image that hangs above the main altar of the Basilica-Cathedral of Notre-Dame de Quebec. It was painted by Sister Mary of the Eucharist in 1925, to replace another painting that was destroyed by fire in 1922. This is the 16th program of the Knights of Columbus to use a sacred image as its centerpiece. The first such program was held in 1979, and over these 35 years, the prayer programs have brought together more than 16 million people at some 140,000 prayer services conducted at local councils and parishes.

Saint Patrick

Statue of St Patrick at the historic church

Saint Patrick was born around 385 in Scotland, probably Kilpatrick. His parents were Calpurnius and Conchessa, who were Romans living in Britian in charge of the colonies.
As a boy of fourteen or so, he was captured during a raiding party and taken to Ireland as a slave to herd and tend sheep. Ireland at this time was a land of Druids and pagans. He learned the language and practices of the people who held him. During his captivity, he turned to God in prayer. He wrote "The love of God and his fear grew in me more and more, as did the faith, and my soul was rosed, so that, in a single day, I have said as many as a hundred prayers and in the night, nearly the same. I prayed in the woods and on the mountain, even before dawn. I felt no hurt from the snow or ice or rain."

Patrick's captivity lasted until he was twenty, when he escaped after having a dream from God in which he was told to leave Ireland by going to the coast. There he found some sailors who took him back to Britian, where he reunited with his family. He had another dream in which the people of Ireland were calling out to him "We beg you, holy youth, to come and walk among us once more."
Then he began his studies for the priesthood. He was ordained by St. Germanus, the Bishop of Auxerre, whom he had studied under for years. Later, Patrick was ordained a bishop, and was sent to take the Gospel to Ireland. He arrived in Ireland March 25, 433, at Slane. One legend says that he met a chieftain of one of the tribes, who tried to kill Patrick. Patrick converted Dichu (the chieftain) after he was unable to move his arm until he became friendly to Patrick. Patrick began preaching the Gospel throughout Ireland, converting many. He and his disciples preached and converted thousands and began building churches all over the country. Kings, their families, and entire kingdoms converted to Christianity when hearing Patrick's message.
Patrick by now had many disciples, among them Beningnus, Auxilius, Iserninus, and Fiaac, (all later canonized as well). Patrick preached and converted all of Ireland for 40 years. He worked many miracles and wrote of his love for God in Confessions. After years of living in poverty, traveling and enduring much suffering he died March 17, 461.

Historic church details

An angel in the reredos behind the main altar

Some details of architectural quality from the historic church in downtown Bend. The church was built by the Franciscan Capuchins in 1920, and we are now only 6 years from celebrating its centennial. Some restoration was done recently to the pulpit, chairs, kneelers, the main door, a notice board and a showcase with various historic artifacts.

A detail of the recently restored pulpit

Pope Francis - Happy Anniversary

Pope Francis, blessing the people during Mass.

It's been one year since the election of Cardinal Jorge Bergoglio as Pope Francis, a Jesuit priest from Argentina. H has become quite a popular Pope among Catholics and non-Catholics alike, and what impresses people the most is his humility, reaching out to the poor and those who are 'on the fringe', a similar characteristic Jesus showed by reaching out to sinners, tax-collectors, prostitutes, lepers, the sick, and the those who were otherwise shunned by the rest of society. From this parish dedicated to Saint Francis of Assisi, we congratulate Pope Francis on the first anniversary of his historic election, and we all wish him Ad Multos Annos! To many years...of health, good will and pastoral leadership.

Pope Francis biography - click once to enlarge

Stations in our Churches

The Stations of the Cross are prayed every Friday in our new church here in Bend. There are three styles of Stations placed in each of our churches/chapels. All of them are of a different style, as these photos can testify...these represent the 12th Station in each church.

Stations in the new Church at St Francis in Bend, OR

The Stations in our historic church

Stations in St Clare's chapel, made from olive tree wood

Stations in our school

Our St Francis School has displayed a series of Stations of the Cross crafted by one of the teachers, Mrs Linda Rode and her daughter. They are made of felt and will be displayed throughout the season of Lent in the school corridor. A blessing of the set of Stations will take place on Wednesday after the morning Mass, and the children with their teachers will pray the Stations occasionally during the next 40 days.

Our Vibrant Youth

Youth from Bend and Klamath Falls before their departure to Boise Idaho.

Our Youth Group recently participated in the ICYC Convention held in Boise, Idaho - that is the Idaho Catholic Youth Convocation which is held annually. Before our youth from Bend departed, Fr Julian gave them a special blessing for a safe trip and a rewarding weekend, which was on February 28, March 1 and 2. 

Fr Julian blessing the youth before their departure

A group from Klamath Falls drove up to Bend and then filled the bus with young people and headed towards Burns, picking up a few more from that parish, and then off to Boise. The last photo shows the entire group of young people from the Baker Diocese with our beloved Bishop Liam Cary.

Baker Diocese youth with Bishop Liam Cary (click to enlarge)

Make sure to check Fr Julian's blog at www.fatherjulian.blogspot.com

Ash Wednesday

We start today the Lenten season with the celebration of Ash Wednesday. We burned the palms last week, so that we can have the ashes we use today, to remind us of two important things: our mortality and our need to repent and turn to God. Whereby the priest or minister will say as he imposes ashes: “Remember that you are dust and to dust you shall return,” or “Turn away from sin and believe in the Gospel of Jesus Christ.”

People receive the black ashes on their foreheads, but in European countries, the ashes are usually burned from olive branches, which become brownish ashes, and they are placed on the top of the head of each person. Either way, this is time to start our penitential journey, and do more praying, more penance and less of the negatives that people are often guilty of.  I encourage as many parishioners as possible to attend daily Mass whenever possible, and the Stations of the Cross every Friday at 7 PM in the new church.

Pope Benedict receiving the ashes last year

St Francis and St Clare relics

Relic of St Francis and St Clare

Here is now the second relic of St Francis of Assisi and St Clare. They are visible in the showcase in the historic church vestibule, as you enter on the left, but they will be displayed on the main altar on their respective feast-days, October 4th and August 11th respectively.

Detail of the same relic

Franciscans relics

Relic of the Capuchin Franciscan Saints

Whenever you visit the historic church, you may notice a showcase of artistic and historic value in the vestibule.There are old photos, some vestments, chalices, crucifixes and others. You will also see two relics which contain the fragments of bones or clothing of some of the Franciscan saints who have lived in years past. These photos here show the relics in case. There is also another relic of St Francis of Assisi and St Clare, and I'll show this one to you on another day.

Detail of the same relic (click to enlarge)