Our SIS ministry began in 2004, as we led Emmaus Retreats for the women of St. Clare.

9/13/25

Dear friends,

Congratulations to Fr. Don Gutmann on the 34th anniversary of his ordination in the Portland cathedral.  How blessed we are to have this hard-working, faithful man as our pastor. God bless him on his pastoral journey!  A good example of his caring leadership is the Blessing of Backpacks at each of the three weekend masses this Sunday--for students from any school, any age group.

Many thanks to all the workers, all the helpers, and all the supporters and participants in last week's One Mass and Parish Picnic celebration.  I think it's nice to know that Fujii Produce, Bannings, Safeway, and Chef's Store all showed real community support with their contributions to our event.

September brings us into fall and into busy parish activity times:

Next Saturday, the September 20th meeting of Sisters in the Spirit: 9:30 to 11 a.m. downstairs in the parish office.

Next Sunday, September 21 will be the Ministry Fair. Come before or after Sunday mass and see what's happening in our parish--and how you can participate in an area that you find interesting.  

Wednesday mornings, after morning mass--from 9 to 10:30 a.m.--there will be Small Group Discussions on a selected book. The one this fall is on sharing your faith with your family. See bulletin for more information.

A new activity will be Dinner Talks on a Thursday evening about once a month: There will be light dinner, a guest speaker, and sharing in the Parish Hall from 5:30 to 7 p.m.  The first will be on October 23, when the subject will be Prayer; guest speaker Jerry Roussell.

St. Clare Red Cross Blood Drive will be Thursday, September 25    2:15 to 7 p.m. in the parish hall.

Men's ACTS Retreat  November 13-16

St. Vincent de Paul needs: canned vegetables, especially green beans; apple sauce; hearty soups; and hot and cold cereals.

Our Pastoral Council has chosen as our theme for the coming liturgical year, "Come, Holy Spirit"--a nice chance to share once more my favorite Holy Spirit Prayer:

Come Holy Spirit, fill my heart with your holy gifts.  Let my weakness be penetrated with your strength this very day, that I may fulfill all the duties of my state conscientiously; that I may do what is right and just.  Let my charity be such as to offend no one and hurt no one's feelings, so generous as to pardon sincerely any wrong done to me.  Assist me, oh Holy Spirit, in all my trials of life. Enlighten me in my ignorance, advise me in my doubts, strengthen me in my weakness. Help me in all my needs: protect me in temptations and console me in afflictions.

    Graciously hear me, oh Holy Spirit, and send your light into my heart, my soul and my mind. Assist me to live a holy life, and to grow in goodness and grace. Amen.

God bless you and yours in the coming week.

Sheila Cullen