Cardinal Francis George Passed Away - We are so fortunate to have had him as our Archbishop.

Archbishop Sample was saddened to hear of the loss of his predecessor, but noted that his death came during the Easter season. “May he now rejoice ...

4/17/2015 2:35:00 PM Cardinal George dies The former Oregon spiritual leader is dead at age 78 Archbishop (Cardinal) Francis George, Archbishop Cornelius Power and Archbishop (Cardinal) William Levada at Archbishop George's installation Mass at St. Mary Cathedral in Portland, 1996. Benedictine Abbot Peter Eberle, Archbishop (Cardinal) Francis George, and Father Patrick Brennan at Mount Angel Abbey. + view more photos Cardinal George teaches to Catholic school children in Yakima, Wash. Staff and news service reports Cardinal Francis George, an intellectual leader in the U.S. Catholic Church for decades, died of cancer April 17 at his Chicago home. The former Archbishop of Portland was 78. Cardinal George stepped down last year after 17 years as spiritual head of Chicago’s 2.3 million Catholics. At the time, Eleanor Franczak, a member of St. Michael Parish in Orland Park, summed up the cardinal’s tenure this way: “He was one of us. He wasn’t any better or worse, just a normal person.” That was an assessment the cardinal probably would appreciate, despite his reputation as a preeminent scholar and defender of the faith. “His legacy will be felt for many years to come,” said Archbishop Alexander Sample. “He was an intellectual giant in service to the Church and a man of deep faith – a true believer.” Archbishop Sample was saddened to hear of the loss of his predecessor, but noted that his death came during the Easter season. “May he now rejoice with all the angels and saints in the Kingdom of Heaven as we now pray that he sees his Lord face to face,” said Archbishop Sample, who had a long conversation with Cardinal George earlier this year. “I was able to express to him what an inspiration and example he has been to me as his ‘younger brother’ among the bishops,” Archbishop Sample said. Despite being hindered by a polio limp, the young Francis George, a Chicago native, joined the Oblates of Mary and served in Africa and Asia. He became a philosophy professor and regional provincial then vicar general of his religious order. When he was named Bishop of Yakima in 1990, he learned Spanish to better minister to the people. He was appointed Archbishop of Portland in April 1996. He asked Oregon Catholics to teach him how to be a good bishop. In return, he promised to help them become good missionaries. “His service was his intellect,” says Msgr. Patrick Brennan, pastor of St. Mary Cathedral in Portland and president-rector of Mount Angel Seminary during the 1990s. “I remember his vast intelligence and sweeping views of every issue,” Msgr. Brennan says. “He would speak at the drop of a hat on anything and it was like an encyclopedia, so logical, so clear. If you had a question, he would serve you by assisting you in that way.” Less than a year after the Portland appointment, St. John Paul II named him to fill the position in Chicago, which was left vacant by the death of Cardinal Joseph Bernardin. He became an eloquent spokesman for why God and religion should be a respected part of public life. And while the nation’s bishops were struggling with clerical sexual abuse, Cardinal George insisted that zero tolerance was the only course consistent with the church’s beliefs. As a cardinal, he offered counsel and support to three popes. In his last years, Cardinal George suffered with cancer and spoke publicly about it. Early this year, he told a group that he was in God’s hands. “A man of peace, tenacity and courage has been called home to the Lord,” Chicago Archbishop Blase Cupich said just hours after the death. Cardinal George is fondly remembered in Oregon. Archbishop John Vlazny says he was somewhat intimidated when he was appointed as the successor to Cardinal George as Archbishop of the Archdiocese of Portland in 1997. “But he quickly quickly and quietly gave me all the support and encouragement I would ever need.” “He was a true brother in the college of bishops and a dedicated servant leader among God's people,” said Archbishop Vlazny. “I visited him in early February and somehow we both knew it was the last time. He was always kind and understanding in our mutual dealings. He lived and died prayerfully and courageously. A great churchman, a holy priest. Well done, your Eminence. May he rest in peace.” “He was just about the most inspiring person I ever met,” says Anne Marie Van Dyke, an Archdiocese of Portland pastoral center staff member who worked in the building during Cardinal George’s tenure. “He had an aura about him. The first day I met him, I thought, ‘If ever we have an American pope, it could be this man.’” Along with his intelligence came a sense of humor. Once, Van Dyke’s workmates urged her to write a poem asking the archbishop to proclaim a day off on Easter Monday. She had regrets right after sending it. Was that inappropriate for so great a man? But then came his response, also a poem, which ended, “But not this year.” "His faithful service and knowledge of the Catholic Church were a welcome addition to our mission,” said John Limb, publisher of Oregon Catholic Press, where Cardinal George served as chairman of the board during his time in Portland. “He will be missed — in Portland, in Chicago and in the Church around the world." “The impact that Cardinal George had on the Archdiocese of Portland far exceeds the short time he was here,” said Mary Jo Tully, chancellor of the Archdiocese of Portland. “I was always touched by how attentively he listened to the least of our worries. If it was important to us, it was important to him. From the beginning, we knew that he cared for us. His concern for us followed him to Chicago. Years after he left, he still asked about specific parishes and priests. He inquired about situations that were unresolved when he left. Those of us who worked with the Cardinal prayed for him through his battle with Cancer and today we remember him in our prayers with great affection.” Ed Langlois, a staff member at the Catholic Sentinel, met Cardinal George at St. André Bessette Parish in late 1996. Langlois introduced his newborn son to the archbishop, and apologized that the infant had more hair than the bald churchman. “Being bald is the only thing that would make your son better looking,” Cardinal George responded without a pause. The next year, when Cardinal learned that Pope John Paul II had named him as the successor to Chicago Cardinal Joseph Bernardin, he asked in surprise, “Are you sure the Holy Father has considered all the options?”

Latest Status on Bill Diss - Legal Fight for Purity in Oregon

Here is the latest status on Bill Diss from Precious Children of Portland.  He has been fighting since 2007 for the purity of our youth and the demise of Planned Parenthood's MLK abortion mill.  Please keep him and his family in your prayers.

Bill Diss the teacher who was walked out of Benson Polytechnic High two years ago has working diligently with an attorney hired by the union and by an attorney hired by Life Legal Defense Foundation.

Bill spends many hours a week on his case and recently was deposed by the lawyer from the school district.  He had to undergo questioning for one and a half days and on April 21, 2014 he will be part of arbitration hearings where the school district and his lawyer will question different students and teachers.

Mr. Diss has requested prayers from everyone and he will be at the arbitration for six days.  Bill is now self employed and teaches home school families and works part time at the local community college.  Bill encourages all the faithful to defend the purity of our youth and lives of the preborn.

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Here's more information on Bill.

Dear Friends,

Bill Diss, former Benson High School Math and Electronics teacher, lost his job approximately 3 years ago with Portland Public Schools because of Planned Parenthood.

Bill is now in the thick of litigation, and needs your prayers, especially on:

April 21, 22, 23, 24. And April 27 and 28.

He had to take 4 full days off of work / tutoring to accommodate these dates.

And he is under intense grilling for about 6 hours for 4 of the days!

Please pray that the Holy Spirit guides his thoughts and responses, and his lawyers'.

Also, he asked for prayers for the parties on the other side. We pray for mercy and justice for all involved!

Thank you so much, and may God Bless and keep you.

Theresa Ruesink

40 Days for Life Portland

GUEST POST on Oregon Health Authority Form and Teenagers Consent for Sterilization

This particular bill HB2678 was filed "pre-session" which means that it is one of those favored to receive extra early attention. The two sponsors are listed as Robert Nosse (D) and Michael Dembrow (D). The bill was introduced in early January and there was a public hearing Feb. 16, 2015.
No one spoke against the bill but it was highly praised by officials of Planned Parenthood, Oregon Nurses Assoc.and others.

In 2011, I became aware of a 2-page document available through the Oregon Health Authority which is a consent form for sterilization of girls and boys age 15-20. This permission paper even provides interpreters who "assist" young people in signing for sterilization. This permission sheet mentions that if the young person does not want to be sterilized, he/she will not suffer withdrawal or withholding of benefits provided by projects or programs receiving federal funds !!

Carol
++++++++++++

Below is a portion of this consent form for 15-20 year old males to become sterilized by the Oregon Health Authority.  Thanks to Carol for the link and her connections.

Here is the link in pdf form      .https://apps.state.or.us/Forms/Served/oe0742b.pdf

Physician's Statement

Statement of Person Obtaining Consent

"Shortly before I performed an operation upon _______________________(name of individual to be sterilized) on   _________ (date of sterilization operation), I explained to

 him/her the nature of the sterilization operation

___________________________(specify type of

 operation), the fact that it is intended to be a final

 and irreversible procedure and the discomforts,

 risks and benefits associated with it.

I counseled the individual to be sterilized that alternative

methods of birth control are available which are temporary. I explained that sterilization is different because it is permanent. I informed the individual to be sterilized that his/her consent can be withdrawn at any time and that he/she will not lose any health services or benefits provided by Federal funds.

To the best of my knowledge and belief the

individual to be sterilized is between 15-20 years

of age and appears mentally competent. He/

She knowingly and voluntarily requested to be

sterilized and appears to understand the nature and consequences of the procedure."

Archbishop Sample Visits State Capitol to Stand Up for Religious Liberty.

Archbishop Sample did something unprecedented by standing up for Religious liberty and visiting the Oregon State Capitol and welcomed by Senate Majority Leader Peter Courtney (D).   His presence was observed and inspired many that day.

Senate Bill 894 would require religious employers to provide health insurance to cover abortions.  There were only two who spoke in opposition to SB894 at the public hearing, a lobbyist for Oregon Family Council and a concerned gentleman.  Although our "dog in the fight" said he was in the audience at the hearing, he wasn't observed on tape or by those in attendance (he could have been watching on a monitor, but remember he lobbies for other organizations too. Since he still hasn't publicaly stated he is against abortion when he voted to legalize it when a legislator in 1969.) He also said he did lobbying by phone, however those "in the know" differ in opinion.  We are left to wonder.  

 However, Archbishop Sample stood up for Oregonians himself and we are thankful for that.  There are four Democrat Senators who are also standing up for Oregonian's religious freedom and a great thanks go to them.  We are grateful and humbled. 

Here is an article by Oregon Faith Report.

Religious liberty concerns over SB 894

April 1, 2015

By Oregon Faith News Note,

Senate bill would require religious employers to provide health insurance to cover abortions

If Senate Bill 894 passes, religious employers would be required to provide health insurance covering abortions for their employees. The bill does not exempt religious employers from the requirements that health insurance plans cover women’s reproductive health care, including contraception, abortion, and preconception and postpartum care. The bill also limits cost-sharing for services and drugs used to terminate pregnancy. The coverage under a health benefit plan for services or drugs used to terminate a pregnancy may not impose a co-payment or coinsurance that exceeds 10 percent of the cost of the service or drug and may not be subject to a deductible.



The bill declares that restrictions on abortion coverage interfere with a woman’s right to make personal decisions regarding her own body and negatively impact her health and well-being. Restrictions also deny her constitutionally protected right to a safe and legal medical procedure.
Those opposed to the bill, like Oregon Family Council,  argue that it forces religious organizations to violate their consciences and set aside strongly held moral values. They believe SB 894 infringes on their religious freedom.

The bill has over 30 sponsors and has been passed on to the Senate health care committee.
You can read the full text of SB 894 here.

Inspirational Moment: The Titanic-A Catholic Priest-Confessions

The untold story of the Titanic’s Catholic priest who went down hearing confessions

 Titanic

Amidst all the tales of chivalry from the Titanic disaster there is one that’s not often told.

It is that of Fr. Thomas Byles, the Catholic priest who gave up two spots on a lifeboat in favour of offering spiritual aid to the other victims as they all went down with the “unsinkable” vessel.

A 42-year-old English convert, Fr. Byles was on his way to New York to offer the wedding Mass for his brother William. Reports suggest that he was reciting his breviary on the upper deck when the Titanic struck the iceberg in the twilight hours of Sunday, April 14th, 1912.

According to witnesses, as the ship went down the priest helped women and children get into the lifeboats, then heard confessions, gave absolution, and led passengers in reciting the Rosary.

Agnes McCoy, one of the survivors, says that as the great ship sank, Fr. Byles “stood on the deck with Catholics, Protestants and Jews kneeling around him.”

“Father Byles was saying the rosary and praying for the repose of the souls of those about to perish,” she told the New York Telegram on April 22, 1912, according to the website devoted to his memory, FatherByles.com.

In the words of the priest’s friend Fr. Patrick McKenna, “He twice refused the offer of a place in a boat, saying his duty was to stay on the ship while one soul wanted his ministrations.”

Nearly two weeks after the disaster, The Church Progress in St. Louis, Missouri wrote this moving tribute to the heroic priest:

In almost every line that has been written, and in every sentence that has been spoken, there stands boldly out above every other expression a picture of sublime heroism that will be copied into the pages of history. And well it may, for it is deserving of that honor.

But when it is, mention should be made of one whom pens and tongues have almost forgotten in their accounts of this awful sea tragedy. Among those who safely reached the land again no one seems to have been aware of his presence on the ship, but we may hope that many who meet him in a blissful eternity will praise God that Father Thomas Byles was there to administer absolution unto them.

From LifeSite News by Patrick B. Crane