Good Friday

The following pictures are used with permission from photographer Richell Chiu.

Christ our Light and Joy

New art work for Easter! Alleluia! Alleluia!

The 2012 Paschal Candle: "O truly blessed night, when things of heaven are wed to those of earth.” The deep blue band studded with stars for the top border of the design represents the “blessed night” of the Easter Vigil and our prayer that this candle will “overcome the darkness of this night.” The cross on the front of the candle is similar to the cross inside the tabernacle. It is the cross that Jesus bore on Good Friday that allows us to “Exult” on the blessed night, for Christ has risen. Through the cross we obtain eternal life, when heaven is wed to things of earth.


"accept this candle, a solemn offering, the work of bees and of your servants’ hands” The bottom border of the design contains bees and vines to help call to mind all of God’s creation including the work of bees. It is through our cooperation with God’s creation that we are able to create this beautiful candle as the symbol of the light of Christ, rising in glory, scattering the darkness of our hearts and minds. Pope Benedict’s tells us in his Easter Vigil homily that “The cooperation of the living community of believers in the Church in some way resembles the activity of bees. It builds up the community of light. So the candle serves as a summons to us to become involved in the community of the Church, whose raison d’être is to let the light of Christ shine upon the world.”


"The ladder which Jacob saw is the Church, which has its birth from the earth but its way of life in heaven.” St. Bede the Venerable. The wedding of heaven and earth is illustrated with an image of Jacob’s ladder on the back side of the Paschal candle. What joy we have in knowing that Jesus died and rose from the dead and is now fully present to us in the Eucharist.

Chrism Mass

The Chrism Mass was celebrated Monday night, April 2, 2012 at the Cathedral. Some of the RCIA Elect and Catechumens took part in this very special celebration.

Deacon Paolo Dayto, seminarian, visits with a few of the candidates from St. Juan Diego.

The Candidates prepare to present the gifts to Archbishop Vlazny.

Fr. John processing out at the end of Mass. In recent years, the Chrism Mass has also acknowledged the ministry of priests. At this Mass they renew their commitment of service and receive the prayers and support of the people.

Getting ready for Easter

The stanchions are almost finished. They will be used to rope off the baptismal font at the Easter vigil.

Pilgrimage to Mt. Angel

Deacon Paolo Dayto led a pilgrimage to Mount Angel Abbey which is the location of a Benedictine Monastery and a seminary for the Archdiocese of Portland.

Looks like the younger crowd is enjoying the museum.

Just like any good monastic community we have Side 1 and Side 2 (below).

Hand carved statue of Madonna and Child in the Abbey Church.

A tour inside the Mount Angel Abbey Church.

The organ inside the Abbey Church.

Book of the Elect

Bishop Steiner signs the Book of Elect with Fr. John Kerns looking on. (above)
The Book of Elect with all the signatures. (below)

RCIA Elect and Candidates for Full Communion

We celebrated the Rite of Sending this past weekend (Feb 25/26) and then joined with other parishes at the Rite of Election at the Cathedral on Sunday afternoon, Feb 26. Please keep the Elect and Candidates for Full Communion in your prayers as they enter their final preparation period which will culminate with the celebration of the Sacraments of Initiation at the Easter Vigil on April 7.

Edward Hebert

Eugene Boltz

Gary Wilkes

Art Bahrs

Kyle Mabey

Liana Hebert

Mark Weston

Sarah Richardson

Jen Worth

Wayne Hudson