Archdpdx $$$..Where it Goes / Advent - Our Anticipation, maybe this year, His Expectation?

Dear Advocates for Life, Third Sunday in Lent - Gaudete (Rejoice) Sunday - Pink Candle... This Sunday, the penitential season of Advent gives way to the joyful anticipation of Our Lord's Second Coming. When Christ comes again...no more anticipation exists, only the stark reality of His Expectations of us. Pray that we have kept the Faith, His Faith, having our priorities straight. Catholic employees paid with Catholic funds will certainly have many expectations. A Heavenly audit will be at hand. After four years, the Archdiocese of Portland has released the "Annual Financial Report" for 2008. Attached are comparisons of 2003-2003 (fiscal year 2004) and 2007-2008. Of the almost eight million dollars in 2002; the almost nine million dollars in 2003 and the thirteen million dollars it took to run the Archdpdx in 2008; the Respect Life Office is not mentioned in any budget. In this Archdiocese, it seems that Innocent human life is not a priority. However, funding the Office of Justice and Peace, IS a high priority with a budget of at least $107, 000 with more being spent for perks, a general retreat fund, travel to other countries and general expenses. Remembering the questions asked by the new Justice and Peace director of her board when hired by Mary Jo Tully in 2007... 1. "Why does the Office of Justice and Peace exist?" 2. "What do we hope to accomplish?" 3. "What are the values that guide us while we do that?" ...obviously a Justice and Peace office was not a matter of life and death...and souls/lives would have been saved with a Respect Life Office. However, groups like the "Saul Alinsky" Community Organizing Metropolitan Alliance for the Common Good (MACG), dissident Call to Action (CTA) with a women priests, married priests focus, and the pro-homosexual/pro-abortion Ecumenical Ministries of Oregon connection are all connected to the Office of Justice and Peace, and firmly entrenched and protected by the Archdiocese. The 2002-2003 budget shows an Office of Marriage and Family Life but that office was eliminated when director Jay Wonacott left. There was also no replacement for the Pastoral Services when Father Michael Maslowsky left to work for the SAGE-FEDE Corporation. What could be more important than families, marriage and innocent human life? These fundamental needs are not met in the Archdiocese of Portland with any money from the Archdiocesan Annual Appeal or Catholic collection plates. The Respect Life Office and Office of Marriage and Family Life do have a web page and links to resources....why not have the Office of Justice and Peace have just a web page and links to be fair. There will be much to answer for to Our Lord for from this Archdiocese. Knowing that even the hierarchy can go astray, the laity has been given the authority from Holy Mother Church to address these concerns when they cause scandal. "The Christian faithful are free to make known their needs, especially spiritual ones, and their desires to the pastors of the Church." (Canon 212, P2) "In accord with the knowledge, competence and preeminence which they possess, they have the right and even at times a duty to manifest to the sacred pastors their opinion on matters which pertain to the good of the Church, and they have a right to make their opinion known to the other Christian faithful, with due regard for the integrity of faith and morals and reverence toward their pastors, and with consideration for the common good and the dignity of persons." (Canon 212, P3) Persevering through the "Little Lent", making sure that we are in a state of Grace, in anticipation of His Return. God Bless you and yours, Carolyn "Much will be required of the person entrusted with much, and still more will be demanded of the person entrusted with more." Luke 12:48 www.vocalnews.org for Archives / Vatican/ Archdpdx info. VOCAL Voice of Catholics Advocating Life PO Box 458 Sublimity, OR 97385 503-769-4767 Member of the Catholic Media Coalition "In line with the Church, on-line with the World".