January 25 is the feast day of our Parish, the Conversion of St. Paul.  He was a misguided sinner who became a great saint.  Indeed as the Apostle to the Gentiles he made sure that our Church is a church for all peoples.  We are all called to such conversion and are all called to be saints.  Please join us for Mass at 5:30 pm followed by the second annual feast day dinner afterwards in the community hall.  Although he wasn't Italian, St. Paul died in Rome.  Our school children are preparing a song and some presentations to read as they will enjoy dinner with all of us.  Please come and enjoy!  -Fr. Scott Baier

​OUR NEW PRIEST has been announced and we are thrilled to welcome Father Scott Baier who will begin here on July 1, 2021. Fr. Baier has included an introductory letter:
 My name is Father Scott Baier (pronounced buy-er).   I will be coming to Saint Paul, officially beginning my life and ministry with you on July 1, you should see me at the Rodeo that evening!  I am looking forward to being with you in this beautiful church and place in Oregon and to lead this community in prayer and the service of Christ.  A little about myself:  I grew up in Vancouver, Washington where my parents still live (my brother's family live in Portland) and then I went to the University of Washington, where I majored in Russian Literature and then later to Mt. Angel Seminary.  I was ordained in 2015. I am finishing 3 years as parochial vicar in Tigard, Oregon at St. Anthony Parish before this I was in neighboring Woodburn at St. Luke parish.  I humbly ask for your prayers and for your patience in the transition.  I have already met a couple of times with Msgr. Moys and I have also met with Amanda Davidson and Kelly Mullen and they are helping me to understand what to expect and to know.  I thank them for their help, their welcome, and their legacy.  I have a great love for our Lord and for his presence in the Holy Eucharist, the Body of Christ.  I am committed to loving you his people also, the mystical body of Christ!  On a more earthly level I enjoy bicycling, and I am looking forward to having a garden once again.  In my younger, and certainly more reckless years, I climbed the East Buttress of El Capitan, 1300 feet straight up, in Yosemite in a day.  Now I prefer to have at least one foot on the ground!  I speak some Russian and am very proficient in Spanish.  Once I arrive at the end of June I will venture out to meet people in the parish.  Please also feel welcome to come by the office and to say hello!  Please pray for me and I will pray also for you.  We are in this together!
Fr. Baier
RECTORY PROJECT- As we welcome a new priest to our parish it is our responsibility to ensure the rectory is in move in ready condition. Several rooms are in need of fresh paint, the entire house needs to be cleaned, carpets are due for a professional cleaning, a few furniture items need to be purchased, along with other small projects to ensure a nice welcome for Fr. Baier.  To offset these expenses we are asking for donations for these projects. If you can help financially please send checks to the parish office, PO Box 454, St. Paul, OR. 97137. If you prefer to donate your time helping to clean or with small projects please email the parish office at [email protected]. 
MEMORIAL MASS FOR ANDREW JOHN FIEGER, Sunday, June 6th at 11:00. Join us at Mass, or outside the church after Mass for coffee and donuts to remember Andy.
FAREWELL TO MONSIGNOR MOYS - We will honor Monsignor Moys Sunday, June 20, 2021 after the 9:00 AM Mass. Cake, donuts and refreshments will be served on the church lawn directly after Mass. Please plan to stay or drop by around 10:00 to bid our Father goodbye and share a memory with him before he moves to retirement. Monsignor’s last Mass here in St. Paul will be June 27th.

​MASK UPDATE: The Governor announced last week that fully vaccinated people no longer need to wear masks or social distance in most public spaces, following a new guidance issued by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Effective immediately, churches in western Oregon can allow fully vaccinated people to attend Masses and faith gatherings without wearing masks or social distancing.
We will continue to keep every other pew roped off so that we maintain distance between those who are vaccinated and those who are not.
Reminder – If you become exposed to anyone with COVID-19 or become ill yourself please self quarantine. If you have any flu like symptoms please do not attend Mass.
CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR FIRST COMMUNICANTS – The following students received their First Holy Communion this past weekend:  Jennifer Antonio-Luna; Kate, Allison and Grace Chastain; Wyatt Davidson; Addison, Lydia and Logan Gray; Claire McKillip; Clay Merten; Joseph Pohlschneider; Carly Wolf; Isabella Woodland.
DEATHS IN THE PARISH:
Mary McKay recently passed away. Mary was a long time resident of St. Paul and faithful parishioner. A graveside service is scheduled in the St. Paul Cemetery on Saturday, May 22nd at 2:00 PM. Please keep her and her family in your prayers.
Eusebio “Chevo” Bermea Sr. passed away April 22, 2021. Chevo was resident of St. Paul and worked at Marion Ag for the past 19 years.  His funeral will be May 19th at 11:00 AM in the church with a burial following at the St. Paul Cemetery.
MEMORIAL MASS FOR ANDREW JOHN FIEGER, Sunday, June 6th at 11:00. Join us at Mass, or outside the church after Mass for coffee and donuts to remember Andy.
FAREWELL TO MONSIGNOR MOYS - We will honor Monsignor Moys Sunday, June 20, 2021 after the 9:00 AM Mass. Cake, donuts and refreshments will be served on the church lawn directly after Mass. Please plan to stay or drop by around 10:00 to bid our Father goodbye and share a memory with him before he moves to retirement. Monsignor’s last Mass here in St. Paul will be June 27th.
SAINT PAUL PAROCHIAL REGISTRATIONS FOR THIS COMING FALL ARE NOW AVAILABLE ONLINE AT WWW.SAINTPAULPAROCHIAL.ORG,  OR BY EMAILING THE SCHOOL, [email protected].
YOUR GRADUATE NEEDS YOU! Connecting graduates to their college campus minister is incredibly important so they can connect with students of the same faith. With the Newman Connect app you can make this happen instantly! Search for the Newman Connect App on your Apple or Android device. 

NORTHWEST FAMILY SERVICES MOTHER-DAUGHTER & FATHER-SON PROGRAM, SUNDAY, MAY 16, 3-5PM. The Mother-Daughter Program, for girls ages 9-12 and their mother/guardian and the Father-Son Program, for boys ages 10-13 and their father/guardian, will be offered online via Zoom or in person at St. Edward Catholic Church, 5303 River Rd N, Keizer OR. These programs help families prepare for the physical, emotional, and social changes that adolescents can expect to experience in the years to come. COVID-19 health and safety protocols will be followed. The cost is $10 per family per program and pre-registration at www.nwfs.org/md-fs by May 12, 2021 is required. For more information, please email [email protected] 

SAINT PAUL PAROCHIAL REGISTRATIONS FOR THIS COMING FALL ARE NOW AVAILABLE ONLINE AT WWW.SAINTPAULPAROCHIAL.ORG,  OR BY EMAILING THE SCHOOL, [email protected].
CATHOLIC CHARITIES – The 2021 Catholic Charities Annual Appeal is this weekend, May 8-9. The need of the poor and homeless in our Oregon communities is greater than ever and your generosity and concern show that we care and share in their plight. Contribution envelopes are available at the church entrances. Please mail your donation directly to Catholic Charities using these pre-paid postage envelope. Checks may be made to Catholic Charities. Please include your parish name on the envelope.

‘STEP INTO SPRING’ FOOD FEST AT ST. EDWARDS IN KEIZER, MAY 15-16. A walk in event featuring favorite foods from local organizations; O’Fest Sausage from Father Taaffe, Ice Cream from the Dairy Wives, Tamales from St. Edwards to name a few. Saturday, May 15, 11 AM – 7 PM, Sunday, May 16, 11 AM – 4 PM. 
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YOUR GRADUATE NEEDS YOU! Connecting graduates to their college campus minister is incredibly important so they can connect with students of the same faith. With the Newman Connect app you can make this happen instantly! Search for the Newman Connect App on your Apple or Android device.

RETROUVAILLE SPANISH WEEKEND IN OREGON. Is your marriage tearing you apart? A Retrouvaille weekend experience help husbands and wives re-establish communication and gain new insights on themselves as individuals and as a couple. The first ever Spanish weekend is June 4-6 at the Mt. Angel Retreat House. See the flyers and brochures at the church entrance for more information. Save the date for the next English weekend, August 6-8, at the Mt. Angel Retreat House. 

​BBQ CHICKEN SALE - The St. Paul Parish BBQ chicken sale that was announced at Masses this past weekend has been CANCELLED.
VIOLA MCKAY, a long time member of our parish, passed away recently. A graveside service is scheduled for Wednesday, April 21 at 11:00 AM at the St. Paul Catholic Cemetery. Please keep Viola and her family in your prayers.
SAINT PAUL PAROCHIAL SCHOOL REGISTRATION for the 2021-2022 school year is now open for current families. Contact the school or visit their website for more information. www.saintpaulparochial.org
CATHOLIC HOME MISSIONS COLLECTION will be taken during the weekend of April 24/25. Today, over 40% of dioceses in the United States and its territories are unable to fund the essential pastoral work their communities need. Your support of this appeal helps them meet these faith formation  and sacramental needs. Please prayerfully consider how you can support this appeal.
A WORD AMONG US - the latest addition is now available at the church entrance, or in the news stand on Monsignor's front porch.
CONFESSIONS are heard each Saturday evening from 4:30-5:30 in the church sacristy. 

​HOLY WEEK MASS SCHEDULE:
Holy Thursday, April 1, 6:00 PM
Good Friday, April 2, 6:00 PM
Saturday, April 3, 7:00 PM
Easter Sunday, April 4, 9:00 AM AND 10:30 AM**
**A 10:30 AM Mass has been added on Easter Sunday to avoid exceeding our capacity. We are in need of a reader and a a Eucharistic Minister for this Mass. If you are trained in one of these areas and can help please respond to this email or call the parish office, 503-633-4611.
EASTER LILIES - Thank you to those who donated to the Easter Lily fund. Your generous donations totaled $470, enough to offset the entire cost of the flowers.

ST. PAUL FFA FUNDRAISER- St. Paul FFA is having a Drive-Through Dinner Fundraiser! Dinner includes; Pulled Pork, Beef Brisket, Mac-n-Cheese, Garlic Mashed Potatoes, Green Beans, and a Roll. Order online by April 7th. Pick-up on April 11th from 3:00-5:00 pm. Cost $21.00. Go check out our Facebook or Instagram page for the link to order. Call St. Paul High school at (603)-633-2541 for more information or questions!
Calling all Men of Faith - fathers, brothers, sons, husbands, priests and deacons.  Our Lord is Calling YOU! Register now for the Men's Silent Retreat on April 30-May 2, 2021
with RETREAT MASTER: Fr. Augustine Hilander, OP. THEME: "How to love Jesus more through devotion to his HOLY NAME!" Retreat Rate is $200 which covers the retreat, lodging and all meals. Seating is limited, so please REGISTER EARLY! Register online at www.olpretreat.org or call for information at 503-649-7127. Hosted by the Franciscan Missionary Sisters of Our Lady of Sorrows  Join us at Our Lady of Peace Retreat for this uplifting Men's Retreat!

Holy Week Mass Schedule:
April 1, Holy Thursday - 6PM
April 2, Good Friday - 6PM
April 3, Easter Vigil - 7PM
April 4, Easter Sunday - 9AM
CONFESSION SCHEDULE- BESIDES THE SATURDAY 4:30-5:30 PM CONFESSIONS WILL BE THIS TUESDAY, MARCH 23 FROM 11:30 AM TO 1:00 PM AND WEDNESDAY, MARCH 24, FROM 6 PM TO 7:30 PM IN THE CHURCH SACRISTY.
CATHOLIC RELIEF SERVICES COLLECTION will be taken up this weekend, March 27/28. Funds from this collection provide food to the hungry, support displaced refugees, and bring Christ's love and mercy to vulnerable people here and abroad. Please give generously to the this collection and help Jesus in disguise. Collection envelopes can be found at the church exits.
PARISH WEBSITE - our parish website is: www.stpaulparishweb.org. Pulpit announcements will be posted under Parish News each Tuesday. 

DEATH OF MERLE KIRK- We are saddened to hear that Merle Kirk passed away last week. His funeral Mass will be Friday, March 26 at 11AM in the church with internment to follow at the St. Paul Cemetery. Please remember he and his family in your prayers.

STATIONS OF THE CROSS- The Portland Cathedral is hosting the Stations of the Cross online at 7PM each Friday during Lent. The Archbishop will celebrate live streamed Mass from the Cathedral each Sunday at 11AM. www.maryscathedral.com

Calling all Men of Faith - fathers, brothers, sons, husbands, priests and deacons.  Our Lord is Calling YOU! Register now for the Men's Silent Retreat on April 30-May 2, 2021
with RETREAT MASTER: Fr. Augustine Hilander, OP. THEME: "How to love Jesus more through devotion to his HOLY NAME!" Retreat Rate is $200 which covers the retreat, lodging and all meals. Seating is limited, so please REGISTER EARLY! Register online at www.olpretreat.org or call for information at 503-649-7127. Hosted by the Franciscan Missionary Sisters of Our Lady of Sorrows  Join us at Our Lady of Peace Retreat for this uplifting Men's Retreat!

​All Catholics 14 years and older are reminded to abstain from meat during the Fridays of Lent.
Please avoid any kind of tree on the parish grounds, especially our two badly damaged giant fir trees at the entrance to the church from Christie Street.
STATIONS OF THE CROSS: The Portland Cathedral is hosting Stations of the Cross online at 7 PM each Friday during Lent. The Archbishop will celebrate a Live-Streamed Mass from the Cathedral each Sunday at 11 AM.
FORMED.ORG For those who have signed up for Formed.org please tune in to the Wednesday Lenten Series called Search. Archbishop Alexander Sample will appear live on Chris Stefanick’s “The life you were made for” this Wednesday, March 10 at 5PM.
CONFESSIONS - Currently confessions will be held in the Church sacristy each Saturday between 4:30 & 5:30 PM. A portable confessional has been set up to accommodate penitents. Enter and exit through the sanctuary through the left door.
FINANCE COUNCIL MEETING - The parish finance council will meet this Thursday, March 11, at 7 PM in the school lunch room. Please wear masks and practice social distancing.
SAINT JOSEPH MASS, 12:00 NOON, FRIDAY, MARCH 19.
CONFIRMATION CLASS - The high school confirmation classes have been suspended until next Fall. Candidates: please drop off your yellow “Chosen” workbooks with a slip of paper with your name on it after Mass or in the Catholic Sentinel stand on the front porch of the rectory. Thank you candidates for being so faithful.

EASTER LILIES - If you would like to make a donation to offset the cost of the Easter Lilies for the Altar Society please send checks to St. Paul Parish, PO Box 454, St. Paul, OR 97137. Please note 'Lilies' in the memo. 

February 26, 2021
 
Dear Members of the Body of Christ in Saint Paul ad Western Oregon,
 
            This weekend, February 27-28, is Commitment Weekend for the 2021 Archbishop’s Catholic Appeal. Special self-stamped return Catholic Appeal envelopes will be available in the church or, you can make use of the Appeal pledge envelope copies attached to this week’s ACA parishioner email letter.
 
            The theme of this year’s Archbishop’s Catholic Appeal is to “Return to Christ,” a reference to the Covid  Virus’ impact on early Mass closures and restricted numbers attendance at indoor and outdoor large group gatherings in Oregon and elsewhere which affected family life, church and school.
 
            We are thankful that both viral infections and hospitalizations are beginning to decline thanks to distancing, smaller group gatherings, wearing face masks, disinfecting work places and homes and an increasing number of vaccinations to prevent catching the virus or diminish the impact of its effects.
 
            Due to the impact of the virus and the recent ice storm with the loss of power to homes and businesses and its impact on many of Saint Paul’s tree orchards and the damage to trees causing them to become a hazard to human traffic, we are facing a different lifestyle with many restrictions and limitations.
 
            In spite of all of the above and the interruption of our social gatherings and inter-communication, the needs of many people still remain and we as Christians are called to be Christ-like in our compassion, hearts and actions as if it is Christ himself, which it is.
 
            By financially contributing to this year’s Archbishop’s Catholic Appeal, you are helping to support the education of our youth in Catholic schools and parish religious education and faith formation programs as evidenced by our new, accessible “Formed” videos, the establishment of an archdiocesan-wide evangelization movement among our people, deaf ministry, prison ministry and youth and college pastoral outreach and formation ministries and support for our Catholic schools.
 
            Let us “Return to Christ,” not only to Mass in person when the pandemic subsides, but also to our Christian lives as servants of Christ continuing his work here on earth by living in him in both heart, mind and action so that others may see and receive from us Christ himself who accompanies us in our journey here on earth and gives us the Spirit to lead others and ourselves to lovingly proclaim the Gospel of Christ.
                       
 
                                                            Gratefully yours, In Christ
                                                            Msgr. Gregory Moys, Pastor

Both weekend Masses for this weekend are cancelled due to icy conditions and power outages.