News - August 2018 RSS Feed

Last weekend at the end of Masses, I spoke briefly about the clergy sexual abuse that is once again in the news, this time with some horrible abuse in Pennsylvania involving many priests, some bishops, and way too many victims. I find all of this embarrassing, shaming, and very, very sad.

Hello, everyone! So good to be back with you (yes, even you, Fr. Dave and Fr. Hans!). If you were here last weekend, you heard Fr. Dave address the latest clergy sexual abuse crisis at the end of Mass. It’s obvious that we’re now faced with something very serious, and truthfully, very evil. Many of you, I know, have been following the developing story in the news.

I have written many times about one of the organizations we work with in the community: Women’s Life Change Center. Part of the Union Gospel Mission and located on 103rd and Walker Road, it is a live-in facility that treats 20-25 women at a time along with their children.

Brett’s back, James is gone, Ally (Pastoral Apprentice from Notre Dame) arrives this week, and teachers are trickling back in. Summer is winding down and full scale planning for the school year is underway.

Every few months I get into a conversation that will include a statement like “all they need to do it get a job to improve their situation”. It is true that, for some, relying on a handout seems to be the answer. My personal experience is that those that do take this approach constitute a very small percentage of all those who need help.

I comment regularly to people I see about how impressed I am with our summer attendance here at Holy Trinity. I am grateful to see our Masses full week after week, holiday weekends and summertime included. Well done, folks.

Faith Café is a ministry that Holy Trinity has been involved with for many, many years. It is a unique ministry in that multiple churches of different faiths work together to provide a hot meal once each week. The meal is served every Sunday at 5:00pm at Bethel Congregational Church, which is located near the Beaverton City Library.

Oh boy, August is here! Our school is actively gearing up for the new school year. In talking in our students, most are not even remotely ready to get back! I have witnessed over and over, however, that when they get back with their friends the enthusiasm quickly grows (not so much for homework and getting up early in the mornings though!).

Hundreds of people are served by the Food Closet each week with food and other assistance. Hundreds more have been helped through other aspects of the Outreach Ministry. The interaction with many is limited, sometimes to just a single event. They get the help they need and while grateful, they move on.