St.

Philip Neri Parish

The Northwest Paulist Center
For Evangelization & Reconciliation
2408 SE 16th Avenue l Portland, OR l 97214
www.stphilipneripdx.org

Parish Office 503-231-4955 l Fax 503-736-1383

Guided since our founding in 1912 by the missionary vision of the Paulists, committed to the mission of
Jesus, and dedicated to be welcoming to all, we, the community of St. Philip Neri, strive to reach out, to
reconcile and to promote unity for all Gods creations through worship, education, and service toward the
common good.

Fourth Sunday of Advent s December 20, 2015

MINISTERS NEEDED

HOLIDAY MASS SCHEDULE

Thursday, Dec. 24:
5:30pm Family Mass
9:00pm Mid-eve Mass
Friday, Dec. 25:
9:30am Christmas Mass
January 1: Mary, Mother of God
9:30am Mass

HOLIDAY OFFICE CLOSURES

Thursday, Dec. 24, Close at noon
Thursday, Dec. 31, Close at noon

WILL YOU BE HERE FOR OUR

HOLIDAY LITURGIES?
Please consider helping as a Eucharistic Minister or
Welcome Minister at the door. Signup on the bulletin
board in the foyer or contact the office. You will be
contacted ---so please leave a phone or email address.

Help with the Masses: The 9:30 Sunday Masses are in

need of one Reader and two Eucharistic Ministers to serve
once a month. The 4pm Saturday vigil needs one Reader
and three Eucharistic Ministers to serve once a month. The
schedule will start in January. Please think about helping to
serve the Mass and community---and then call the parish
office to volunteer this month.

MICHAEL ALLEN HARRISON CONCERT

Thank you to all who supported the concert. We sold more
tickets and had a bigger crowd this year. Thank you to the
Altar Society ladies for the delicious cookies they baked, to
those who worked the concert & to the staff for all their
help. A special thank you to Barbara Masvidal for
decorations and Anita Donahue for the great advertising.
We dont know what the net is from the concert as we are
waiting for the expenses to come in. We are planning on
using the money for refinishing the stage floor and painting
the stage area in Carvlin Hall. It was a great concert. We
had an extra special guest and it was enjoyed by all.

WERE GLAD YOU ARE HERE

If you are new to the parish, visiting from across town, across the country, or other parts of the world, welcome &
you
for worshiping with us! Fill out one of the Welcome Cards in the pew racks and drop it in the collection basket or give it
one of the priests. Stop by after Mass and introduce
If you have any questions or would like more information, please call the office, 503-231-4955.

Fourth Sunday of Advent December 20, 2015

Saturday, December 19th:
Sunday, December 20th:
Monday, December 21st:
Tuesday, December 22nd:
Wednesday, December 23rd:
Thursday, December 24th:

Friday, December 25th:

Saturday, December 26th:
Sunday, December 27th:

8:00am Mass
4:00pm Mass
9:30am Mass
10:30am Mass
8:00am Mass
8:00am Mass
8:00am Mass
5:30pm Mass
9:00pm Mass
9:30am Mass
8:00 am Mass
4:00pm Mass
9:30am Mass
10:30am Mass

Jo Hill
Catherine Trotters
People of St. Philip Neri
Deaf Community
Christopher Chung Hung Oh
Marcy McPherson <B>
Joe Brugato
Janice Baccellieri Aichele
Michael Baccellieri
For all seeking shelter
Bob Finn
Stephen Chang-Seop Oh
Brian McPherson
People of St. Philip Neri
Deaf Community

Chapel
Church
Church
Chapel
Chapel
Church
Chapel
Church
Church
Chapel
Chapel
Church
Church
Chapel

If you would like a Mass celebrated for you, for an anniversary of death, birthday, marriage, or other special event,
please fill out a Mass Intention form (located in foyer of the Church) or call the office.
Office Hours:
Mon, 9am 12pm
Tues Fri, 9am 4pm

Church Cleaning, Dec. 21-27, Anita Donahue & Glenda McCall

Parish Staff

A common theme I have read in many church bulletins is that stewardship is

NOT just about giving. It is also a spiritual way of living within the church
community, part of discipleship and giving of our time, talent and treasure. We
as a parish have been very fortunate over the years with the amount of time
that has been put into fundraisers, childrens liturgy, cleaning the church and
numerous other activities. This is very much appreciated. As we will have
celebrated Thanksgiving with our families and friends, we all have blessings in
our lives. We can share our blessings with our parish community and one
example of this is to provide a yearend gift to the parish. There are many ways
to accomplish this. Cash gifts are always appreciated, given the chronically
precarious position of Operating Income not always meeting Operating
Expenses. There are also specific items we need around the parish and we will
be preparing a A Wish List for Santa to share with you.
For those considering Estate/Planned Giving, both the Paulist Fathers and the
Archdioceses development offices have materials and advisors to assist you.
Please consider a year-end gift at this time, no matter the amount, as every gift
helps St. Philip Neri Parish. With the years end closely approaching, it is always
beneficial to review your expenditures for tax purposes as there are always
ways to give and you can benefit from the gift, a win-win for both the donor
and the parish. For more information, you can speak with Fr. Charlie or contact
Jeanne at the office, 503-231-4955, ext. 103. Thank you for your consideration
and for all that you do for the parish. As each one has received a gift, use it to
serve one another as good stewards of Gods varied grace. (1 Peter 4:10)

Pastor & Director of NW Paulist

Center
Fr. Charlie Brunick, CSP x118
frcharlie@stphilipneripdx.org
Parochial Vicar
Fr. Michael Evernden, CSP .x114
mecsp@mac.com
Parochial Vicar
Fr. Bill Edens, CSP .x113
frbill.csp@gmail.com
Director of Faith Formation
Barbara Harrison ...x107
barbarah@stphilipneripdx.org
Business Manager
Jeanne McPherson ..x103
jeannem@stphilipneripdx.org
Office Manager
Rose Wolfe ..x101
rosew@stphilipneripdx.org
Maintenance & Grounds
Ed Danila
edwardd@stphilipneripdx.org

Bulletin deadline is Tuesday noon

YEAR END GIVING

WEEKLY CHURCH CLEANING

The Altar Society coordinates the weekly cleaning of the church. The work
consists of light dusting, restocking burnt out candles, washing and filling the
holy water bowls, and straightening up pews. Teams of two people work
together so this would be a great opportunity to work with a friend or spouse and
a great way to help the parish. It only takes about an hour 4 times a year. If
you are interested or have further questions, please contact Marie Tedesco, 503233-1839 or the parish office, 503-231-4955.

Fourth Sunday of Advent December 20, 2015

Pastoral Corner
John of the Cross speaks of the Dark Night of the Soul. I always thought he was referring to the suffering of a soul
that longs for Gods presence but only feels Gods absence. But look at these verses:
On a dark night, kindled in love with yearnings
I went forth without being observed,
My house being now at rest.
In the happy night,
In secret, when none saw me,
Nor I beheld aught,
Without light or guide,
save that which burned in my heart..

Oh, night that guided me,

Oh, night more lovely than the dawn,
Oh, night that joined
Beloved with lover.
There he stayed sleeping and I caressed him
I remained, lost in oblivion;
My face I reclined on the Beloved.
All ceased and I abandoned myself,
Leaving my cares forgotten among the lilies.
John of the Cross (excerpts)

The words are deeply thrilling. This is love poetry, in which a Spanish mystic of the 16th century refers to Jesus as
his Beloved.
Soon it will be the shortest day of the year, and the darkness of night will claim over 14 hours of every day. Its a
time of rain and wind and exposure for those living on the streets.
On Thursdays I often volunteer at Night Strike, in which homeless people join volunteers under the Burnside Bridge
for haircutting, shaving, washing of feet, clean dry clothing, dinner, food for their pets, and conversation. In addition
to the volunteers under the bridge, teams of volunteers are sent into the city streets to pray for Portland and to
visit with the homeless that did not make it to the under-the-Burnside-bridge services.
I accompanied one of our young adults, Kurt, and his 6 members of his teenage group from Saint John the Baptist
parish in Milwaukie. We walked through the Pearl, noticing the contrast between the cliff-dwellers in the warm and
bright and dry condos and the dwellers of doorways and awnings. It was raining and people were trying to stay dry
and safe for the night. We stopped and talked with many homeless people along the way. They seemed genuinely
happy to talk with us and tell us about their lives. Homeless people usually receive little eye contact, as people like
me avert our eyes or cross the street to avoid engaging them.
But it is Advent, Christmas is in the air, and there is good cheer. Rejoice! The dark night is warmed and gladdened
by Christmas lights. Each light represents a human soul, many of whom are homeless. Each of these lights pierces
the darkness, sending a message of mercy and peace.
This light guided me
More surely than the light of noonday
To the place where he (well I knew who!) was awaiting me a place where none [other] appeared.
John of the Cross
Fr. Bill Edens

A Word from Servant of God Isaac

Hecker, Paulist Fathers Founder
These men should awake in our day an
enthusiasm similar to that inspired by the
Dominicans and Franciscans in the twelfth and
thirteenth centuries and by the Jesuits in the
sixteenth. They should attract around them the
best youth of the Church, and turn their
enthusiasm into those channels necessary to her
present development and her defense. They
should renew the apostolic spirit, life, and
courage. [On the Mission of New Religious
Communities, 1876]

Next Sundays Readings

The Holy Family of Jesus, Mary, & Joseph
December 27, 2015
Reading 1: 1 Samuel 1:20-22-, 24-28
Responsorial: Psalm 84:2-3, 5-6, 9-10 (see 5a)
Reading 2: 1 John 3:1-2, 21-24
Gospel: Luke 2:41-52

MORE PARISH NEWS

NEW YEARS WISH LIST
In November we moved the spinet piano from the Paulist Center Chapel to Carvlin Hall. Being much
smaller than the older upright currently in the hall, we will be able to move it around without scaring
the floor. The upright will be retired. In the meantime, if you happen to have a piano cover for a
spinet---that item is on our New Years Parish WISH LIST. Also on the WISH LIST will be
installing handrails for both of the side altars --Blessed Mother and the Tabernacle. This was
initially discussed at the Altar Society meeting and discussed by the staff. If you would like to
contribute to either of these itemsplease contact the parish office.

FOURTH SUNDAY IN ADVENT - LUKE 1:39-45

Our Gospel reading recalls Mary's actions after the announcement of Jesus' birth by the Angel
Gabriel. Mary walks 90 miles to visit Elizabeth, her cousin, who is pregnant. Elizabeth is probably
40+ and this is her first child. As was the custom, Mary is going to assist her in the last two months
before the birth. If we were to continue to read the verses that follow in Luke's Gospel, we would
hear Mary respond to Elizabeth's greeting with her song of praise, the Magnificat. Today, this prayer
is recited daily in the Liturgy of the Hours. Both women recall and echo God's history of showing
favor upon the people of Israel.
It is appropriate in this season of Advent that we consider the role of Mary in God's plan of salvation.
Elizabeth describes Mary as the first disciple, as the one who believed that God's Word to her would
be fulfilled. Mary's faith enabled her to recognize the work of God in her people's history and in her
own life. Her openness to God allowed God to work through her so that salvation might come to
everyone. Our question today: How am I open and cooperative in God's plan for salvation?

ADULT FAITH FORMATION

Can we help you with your continued spiritual journey this Winter/Spring?
Starting in February we would like to offer one or more of the following opportunities: Which would
you attend?
____Large/small group on Sundays during Lent
____Large/small group on Sundays during Lent
____Bishop Peter Smith Year of Mercy, Saturday, 10-1pm
____Stations of the Cross Fridays, 6:30, Lent
____Bible review of the Sunday ReadingsLent
____Panel/ one Sunday afternoon Feb/March:
Common Truths held by our traditions (womens
perspectivesJewish, Catholic, Muslim,
Buddhist, Protestant)
____Pentecost Retreat:
Weekend retreat in April Friday evening to Sunday noon
Do you have other suggestions?
__________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________
Please cut and return this piece in the Offertory. Or send your comments to
BarbaraH@stphilipneripdx.org.
St. Philip Neri Bulletin Insert

4th Sunday of Advent, December 20, 2015