Saint Thomas More Catholic Church February 23, 2020

WEEKLY MASS SCHEDULE STAFF Saturday 5:00 pm Pastor: Rev. Martin L. King Sunday 8:00 am Business Manager: Annette Berent 10:00 am Tuesday-Friday 8:20 am Development Director: Amy Dice SACRAMENT OF RECONCILIATION Religious Education: Margaret Schuster Saturday 4:00 pm or by appointment Bookkeeper: Virginia Calcagno MARIAN PRAYER GROUP Admin. Asst.: Sister Alexa Weight, SSMO 2nd-5th Tuesdays 7:00 pm

3525 SW Patton Rd. Portland, OR 503-222-2055 [email protected] www.stmpdx.org office hours, Mon-Fri 8-4

Seventh Sunday in Ordinary Time Matthew 5:38-48 Jesus said to his disciples: “You have heard that it was said, An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth. But I say to you, offer no resistance to one who is evil. When someone strikes you on your right cheek, turn the other one as well. If anyone wants to go to law with you over your tunic, hand over your cloak as well. Should anyone press you into service for one mile, go for two miles. Give to the one who asks of you, and do not turn your back on one who wants to borrow.“ You have heard that it was said, You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy. But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your heavenly Father, for he makes his sun rise on the bad and the good, and causes rain to fall on the just and the unjust. For if you love those who love you, what recompense will you have? Do not the tax collectors do the same? And if you greet your brothers only, what is unusual about that? Do not the pagans do the same? So be perfect, just as your heavenly Father is perfect.”

STM LENTEN RETREAT SAVE THE DATE— Saturday, March 7th See Flyer for Additional Details

Stations of the Cross & Soup Supper Join us for Stations of the Cross followed by Soup Supper on Fridays during Lent. Our first gathering will be Friday, February 28th. Stations of the Cross will begin at 6:00 pm with supper immediately following in the Parish Hall. For additional information or questions, contact Margaret Schuster at [email protected]

It’s Not Too Late to Sign-Up for a Lenten Group ! For over 20 years, STM‟s Lenten Groups have provided an opportunity for parishioners and friends to gather, reflect, discuss and share a spiritual Lenten journey together—a great way to get to know other members of our community! Each group selects its own book from a list curated by the STM Pastoral Team, and has a facilitator to help guide the weekly discussions.

If you would like to sign up for a group or for more information contact Margaret Schuster, our Religious Education Coordinator, or the Parish Office.

Let‟s make this a Lent to remember! THIS WEEK’S FELLOWSHIP HOSTING SCHEDULE

Saturday, February 22nd 2/22 6:00 Wine & Cheese 2/29 6:00 Wine & Cheese 4:00 pm Reconciliation 2/23 9:00 Bridlemile Guild 3/01 9:00 Broadmoor Guild 5:00 pm Vigil Mass 2/23 11:00 Volunteer Needed 3/01 11:00 Carolyn Harakal

Sunday, February 23rd RELIGIOUS EDUCATION 8:00 am Mass 10:00 am Mass Family Religious Education February 23rd at 9:00 am located in the 4th grade classroom Monday, February 24th Sacramental Preparation Tuesday, February 25th February 23rd at 11:30 am located in the 4th grade classroom 8:20 am Daily Mass Contact Margaret Schuster at 503-222-2055 or Michelle Nicholls† [email protected] Wednesday, February 26th 8:20 am Daily Mass Hand Carved Christian Gifts 6:00 pm Ash Wednesday You are invited to shop hand carved olive wood products from the Holy Land (Nativities, Crucifixes, Rosaries, Statues, and more) in Thursday, February 27th the Parish Hall, following each of our Mass celebrations this 8:20 am Daily Mass weekend, February 29 and March 1. More than 75 families in

Friday, February 28th Bethlehem hand carved these items. The proceeds from the sell- 8:20 am Daily Mass ing of these products help support Catholic families in the Holy Land. Thank you for your help and support. Madeline & William F. Humberston†

Monthly Parish Offertory Report Saturday, February 29th February 2020—Week 3 4:00 pm Reconciliation 5:00 pm Vigil Mass Average Monthly Offertory Needed $ 32,500.00 Basket Collection Month to Date $ 8,857.91 Sunday, March 1st eGiving Collection Month to Date $ 9,668.01 8:00 am Mass Total Offertory Month to Date $ 18,525.92 10:00 am Mass Offertory Budget FYTD $245,603.43 FEASTDAYS Offertory FYTD $237,900.58 STM fiscal year is July 1-June 30. Thank you ! February 23rd Writing your will or doing estate planning? Planning a funeral St. Polycarp and determining charity beneficiaries in lieu of flowers? Please Blessed Josephine Vannini Blessed Daniel Brottier remember St Thomas More Catholic Church or School! Sunday Reflection Leviticus 19:1-2, 17-18 1 Corinthians 3:16-23 Matthew 5:38-48

Recently, I posted a controversial article on social media, and not surprisingly, I was met with a slew of responses from friends describing ways they either agreed or disagreed with me. It was like a lot of social media debates — one sided, heated, and in the end, somewhat pointless. As I reflected, I wondered if my posting was necessary much less virtuous. Had I accomplished what I set out to do? Did I change anyone‟s mind, or did I stir up discord in friends who normally interact in unity? Was my posting helping further the kingdom of God on earth, or did I compete against that goal?

As I ponder the readings for this weekend‟s Mass, I find my answer. The theme of holiness is pervasive in each reading, but looking deeper, the theme of mercy shines even more. Indeed, all of Christ‟s followers are called to be as holy as he is. But more than that, the holiness we are called to is only made possible by his unending mercy, as the psalmist rightly proclaims: “As far as the east is from the west, so far has he put our transgressions from us.” It simply isn‟t enough to say we want to be like Christ. Instead, true disciples are called to be living witnesses of his love and mercy to all those they encounter — whether in person, online, or in passing.

The Rule of the Secular Franciscan Order shares that “… all people of good will, are called to build a more fraternal and evangelical world so that the kingdom of God may be brought about more effectively. Mindful that anyone „who follows Christ the perfect man, becomes more of a man [i.e., human] himself,‟ let them exercise their responsibilities competently in the Christian spirit of service.”

To me, this rule exemplifies precisely how we are to heed the words of Jesus in the Gospel. He doesn‟t call us to keep count, to hold on to grudges, or to constantly defend ourselves when wronged. When I posted the controversial article on social media, it was clear that everyone had an opinion to defend. Rather than helping build a more evangelical and fraternal world, the post became a space for “an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth,” only with words and intellectual arguments.

In the first reading, Moses is called by God to not only be holy, but to show no revenge. The antidote to the selfish desire for revenge is mercy. Even from the days of Moses, God has shown mercy is one of His greatest attributes. This mission of mercy is also given to all His followers.

The psalm continues with this theme as we sing of the Lord‟s kindness and mercy. I often wonder if my social media activity is a reflection of God‟s action or the opposite. I wonder if those who follow me could say my posts are “kind and merciful.” God reveals Himself as a just judge who speaks immutable truth, but this is not separate or isolated from His unending kindness and love toward humanity. If I don‟t follow that same mission, I cannot say I‟m truly Christian.

Reflection Continued on Page 5 Sunday Reflection Continued… The final gut check for me is found in the words of St. Paul in the second reading as he reminds us that we are temples of the Holy Spirit. This means that even those who disagree with me bear the image of God. They should be treated accordingly, not with a tolerance that accepts sin, or with an avoidance of proclaiming the truth, but through actions and words that truly exemplify the love we have received from our Father. This is a love that calls us to conversion and holiness, but one that is kind and merciful.

So, in the end, I realized that posting the article didn‟t help anyone see Christ better. Instead, it sowed a seed of division and discord. The readings this weekend urge us to live a life of mercy in order to be holy so we can be saints someday. A saint is one who sees the beatific vision. That vision needs to start on earth in how we treat those around us who are temples of the Holy Spirit, the same Holy Spirit with whom we want to spend eternity.

Angie Windnagle LPI

HOLY DAY MASSES Ash Wednesday Masses will be celebrated on Wednesday, February 26th at 8:20 am & 6:00 pm.

An Ash Wednesday Prayer: Toiletry Collection for the Homeless "Ashes to ashes. Dust to dust." Fr. Jim Galluzzo and his team collect travel size toiletries to share with the homeless. You remind us today, oh Lord, of our origin and end. In the beginning, You fashioned us in the Garden. Please drop your donations in the wicker basket in the church vestibule. You dignified dust with the Breath of Life. You made us in Your image and likeness. For more information, contact Maureen at You led Your people through the dust of the Sinai wilder- [email protected] ness to the Promised Land. You overcame temptation in the dry desert. You healed the blind with dirt and clay.

Three times Your body stirred the dust as you fell on the road to Calvary. Neighborhood House operates the largest food Hear the cry of Your people! pantry on Portland‟s west side and they need our One day we will return to dust. help! They provide emergency food boxes to This Lenten season, stir our minds to contemplate You, our approximately 500 families. There is a wicker hearts to love You, and our bodies to serve You in our container in the church vestibule where you can brothers and sisters. share your donations of canned or boxed food. May our prayer, fasting, and almsgiving be Your breath Some suggestions include peanut butter, tuna alive in us. fish, jam, and honey. Help us feed those in Amen. need! Connie Mc Dowell Principal Broker 503-802-6438

Connie McDowell Principal Broker Parishioner and Past School Parent Realtor for 30 Years 503-291-9898 503-313-5311 www.humberstonstravel.com

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