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J anuary 31,1996 • T he P ortland O bserver
tn M. I saacs
Visiting edifices erected to house
those who profess a belief in God,
sometimes leaves a sour taste in one’s
mouth. When you hear warring voic­
es in the choir; singers attempting to
out-sing each other; inappropriate
music being sung in order to show­
case certain choir members; direc­
tors who cannot direct but are al­
lowed to wave arms in front o f choir
groups, because no one as courage
enough to state an obvious fact; that
this person’s gift is in another area. It
is also obvious to people in the con­
gregation that some choir members
are not committed to practice or even
to attending Church gatherings, un­
less they are out front, showcased
and applauded. Choirs are mentioned
first because they usually are the first
voices you hear after Devotional pe­
riod is over.
Speaking o f Devotion; it is hard to
maintain a reverent non-critical de­
meanor, when the Scriptures are not
read properly and with meaning;
when it sounds as if the person read­
ing the Scripture has never heard or
seen the words at any time through­
out their lives. When Praise Songs
are sung as if they are a chore to sing;
when songs led by a member o f the
congregation are frowned upon and
when spontaneity is a definite no, no.
Taking a hard look at some o f the
things one can hear, beginning with
Sunday School or Church School,
through general Services, leaves one
wondering if man knows God at all.
One hears the introduction to the
Sunday School lesson being read
word for word, rather than hearing an
enlightened discussion o f the Scrip­
tures as inspired by the Holy spirit.
One can also find the Scriptures by
passed in preference for contempo­
rary discussions on today’s social
problems; or one finds Church School
turned into prayer meetings or con­
fessionals or gripe sessions. Sunday
School T e a c h e r’s M eetings are
turned into planning sessions for so­
cial gatherings and the faults o f other
members are aired openly and with
malice.
One hears the bragging on accom-
plishments; such as where they’ve
been and where they say God has
sent them and how well their name is
known in far places, and tacked on
the end o f the “brag” is the phrase
“God has blessed us” . Listening to
all this self praise, one knows why
there is no evidence o f the blessings
o f God.
One waits and waits for evidence
o f spontaneous devotion. W aits
breathlessly
uicauiicssiy for
ior an
an old
oia hymn
nymn to
to be
be
sung; but finally realizes that viable
Worship is stifled by the rigid appli­
cation o f a form o f W orship created
by a man or men, for the express
purpose o f exalting a certain man or
men. There is visible evidence that
the gifts o f believers are refused ex­
pression, that is unless they form a
platform for the exaltation o f the self
proclaimed leaders.
It is an abomination to God, when
a “pecking order” is established in
the Church Membership, in the name
o f one man’s idea o f order, under the
guise o f “being on one accord” . The
Bible says in Matt. 23.12, “And who-
soeverexaltshim selfshallbe abased;
and he that humbles him self shall be
exalted” . Proud self-important be­
havior has no place in G od’s House,
whether it be evident in the Pulpit or,
in the Pews. One feels offended by
these forms o ofW
f Worship
orship and deflnite-
definite-
ly feels compelled to look further for
a more spiritual congregation.
To say that these types o f gather­
ings, that profess to Worship in G od’s
Name, do not exist is to cover one’s
eyes and ears and bury one’s head in
the sand. To say that there is no hope
for such gatherings is to deny the
power o f God. For we know that the
Law o f God is spiritual; but we are
carnal, sold under sin. It is necessary
for men to know the Law before he is
converted; to know G od’s Will and
approve the things that are more ex­
cellent, being instructed out o f the
Law.
The cure for non-excellence in
W orship is in thus saith the Lord:
“Incline thine ear unto wisdom, and
apply thine heart to understanding;
Yea, if thou criest after knowledge,
and liftest up thy voice to under­
sil
standing; If thou seekest her as sil-
ver, and searchest for her as for hid
treasurers; then shaft thou understand
the fear o f the Lord, and find the
knowledge o f God. “Prov. 2:2-5,
Beware of the leaven o f the Phari­
sees, which is hypocrisy”. Luke 12:1,
“ Where is boasting then? It Is Ex­
cluded. By what Law? o f Works?
Nay, but by the Law o f faith” . Rom.
3:37, “For by Grace are we saved
through faith; and that not o f our­
selves; it is a gift o f God, not o f
works, lest any man should boast.
“ Eph 2:8, The Church is divinely
established, and is built upon the
foundation ofthe Apostles and Proph­
ets, Jesus himself being the chief
cornerstone; In whom all the build­
ing fitly framed together groweth
unto an Holy Temple in the Lord; In
whom ye also are builded together
for an habitation o f God through the
Spirit” . Eph 2:20:22.
Changes do S t. M ary's CathedraF Enhance i t s Liturgy A n d (Beauty
*v’c I
The restoration o f St. M ary’s
Ca
thedral in Portland involved struc­
turally strengthening several parts of
the Building and bell tower, and at
the same time making change to en­
hance Cathol ic worsh ip and the beau­
ty ofthe building. Heating, air condi­
tioning and mechanical systems were
replaced, new lighting installed and
electrical systems upgraded and a
new sound system installed. The choir
loft was rebu i It and balcon ies, deemed
no longer safe, were removed from
the transept areas. The removal of
the balconies will allow, for the first
time, a complete view o f the histori­
cal stained glass windows in the tran­
septs.
The architect for the renovation
project was Thomas Hacker and As­
sociates. Jocelyn Helgerson served
as project manager. The architect for
the renovation project as Thomas
H acker and A ssociates. Jocelyn
Helgerson served as project manag­
er. The general contractor was A.C.
Crouch To
EicadFinc
jubdee
Four-time Grammy Award win­
ner Andrae Crouch has been con­
firmed as one of the major perform­
ers in the Daytona Beach area’s new­
est event, Gospel Jubilee. The event,
to be held April 12-14, 1996, is a
cooperative effo rt betw een the
Daytona Beach Area Con vcntion and
Visitor and the School Street Church
of God In Christ.
Pastor Andrea Crouch, who cur­
rently leads one of the largest con­
gregations in the Los Angeles, Cali­
fornia area, will give one of his award­
winning perform ances on Friday
evening, April 12 beginning at 7 p.m.
Events and entertainment during
the three-day Gospel Jubilee week­
end will be held in the Daytona Beach
Oceanfront Bandshell, overlooking
the "W orld’s Most Famous Beach.”
The weekend will include an am a­
teur competition for gospel groups
and individuals, and will conclude at
noon on Sunday, April 14 with a
religious service and presentation.
B n m rvv »• V ,
ie U D „ I .,L K 4 III
Schommer&
Sons, . . . with
Ralph Mill­
er serving as job superintendent.
The Cathedra is the chair o f the
bishop o f the diocese, placed in the
principal church o f the diocese, sig­
nifying his authority and responsibil­
ity. The term cathedral derives its
name from this. The Cathedra in St.
Mary’s was originally used by Arch­
bishop William H. Gross, CSsR, in
the previous Cathedral at Third and
Stark streets, built in 1885. It has
been in use by Archbishops ever
since that time. After being stolen in
1992, and recovered three months
later, the Cathedra was reupholstered
and refurbished. The Cathedra is
placed in the center o f the apse.
The historical stained glass win­
dows in the transepts were from the
earlier Cathedral built in 1885, and
removed when that building was de­
molished after the great flood in 1894.
Having served in the current St.
Mary’s for nearly seventy years, the
stained glass windows, which may
. I
I
■ ■
date back to an even older building
from the 1870’s, were sent to North
Adams, MA. for restoration. Six ar­
tisan s from C um m ings S tudios
worked to carefully clean the grime
and soot from each window section
as well as replacing most o f the lead­
ing used to hold the windows togeth­
er. The windows were dirty after
years o f exposure to dust, smoke
from candles and incense and even
condensation from people breathing.
These historical windows have re­
turned to the transepts.
The renovation plans call for eight
new stained glass windows in the
nave. English artist and design mak­
er Deborah Coombs is working on
the design ofthe new windows. The
new windows will depict some o f the
saints and blessed ofNorth and South
America. While the new windows
will not be installed by February 14,
it is hoped that the designs for the
windows will be completed by then.
The new windows will be construct­
ed by Commings Studios. The re­
stored Cathedral will include two
Reconciliation rooms, replacing the
old confessionals. They are placed in
the south corner o f each transept.
Where one o f the old confessionals
was placed, there wi II be a new shrine
in honor o f Mary as Our Lady of
Perpetual Help. The new art work is
being developed by Brother Claude
Lane, OSB, o f Mount Angel Abbey.
It will replace an historical icon,
which was stolen from the Cathedral
and destroyed in 1992. Another old
confessional will be replaced by an
ambry to hold the Holy Oils blessed
each year in the Cathedral. The chil­
dren o f Cathedral School are donat­
ing the ambry. The school parents
are donating one o f the new stained
glass windows, which will be placed
over the ambry' area.
A new baptistery was built at the
entrance to the nave, and serves as
reminder o f one’s sacramental en­
trance into the Church family. The
Now that the rush o f the Holiday
season is over, so is the rush for
contributions o f food for the home­
less.
The Church o f Scientology donat­
ed 75 pounds o f pinto beans, cases of
ramen, packages o f cold cuts and
several cans o f fruits and vegetables
to Salvation Army’s Harbor Light
Food Program.
“ I think we tend to forget that
people are going hungry all year
long”, says Rev. Scherer o f the
Church o f Scientology o f Portland,
“And it’s hard for these homeless to
try to pick themselves up by the boot­
straps when they’re hungry.”
A cook from the Harbor Light’s
kitchen says that while their food
supplies greatly increases over the
Holidays, the number o f homeless
that eat at the facilities increases as
well.
The Harbor Light’s Meal Program
feeds 25 to 100 homeless people per
day, and up to around 140 per day in
the winter months.
Harbor Light reports that the ma­
jority they feed and house are white
males and approximately 10 per cent
are African-American. There has also
been a slight increase o f women us­
ing the facilities. Locally funded, the
Salvation Army has 13 different pro-
that it liberates you fro m envy,
h atred , und m alice.
— W . Som erset M augham
To Advertise
Call 288-0033
J ourney
CATHOLIC
COMMUNITY
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Building Strong Families
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M o rticia n & Funeral D ire cto r
The Less o f a loved one
is always a traumatic
experience. But it can he
made easier i f you contact
a facility that has your
interest at heart.
“Where the Best is Yet to B e!”
8501 N. Chautauqua Boulevard
Portland, Oregon 97217
(503) 240-PRAY
Worship Services:
Church School:
Bible Study:
Radio Ministry:
1
ALPHA CHI PI OMEGA
SORORITY « FRATERNITY
ALPHA MU BETA CHAPTER
I.
presents
St. Stephen’s - Corner S. W. 13th & Clay - Portland, OR
A.A. CO X , SR.
JEROME G. TANNER
A. Funeral Director
Sundays at 11:30 AM
(503)282-3780
BISHOP GRACE C. OSBORNE, PASTOR
(503)281-4891
CHARLENE COX TANNER
Manager
1021 NE Grand
6th Floor, Ballroom 4
grams in the Portland area that are
dedicated to improving the quality of
life for those in need.
Rev. Scherer states, “In our teach­
ings, we believe that society is com­
posed o f individuals... it’s not j ust some
massive group. Society cannot im­
prove unless each and every individu­
al takes responsiblitiy for his own con­
dition and hisenvironment around him.
Our church supports those groups who
honestly make an effort to help people
help themselves.”
To find out how your church can
help, contact the Salvation Army
Divisional Headquarters on 1785 NE
Sandy Blvd at 234-0825.
* * *
T h e g re a te s t eo iiip eiiH atio n
o f old age is its freed o m o f spir­
i t . A n o th e r r o m p r n s a t io n is
service will be held Tuesday evening
at 7:00 p.m., February 13. Bishop
Kenneth Steiner, Auxiliary Bishop
and Archdiocesan Administrator, will
lead the prayer service. A second
public tour will be conducted after
the Vespers service.
The Mass for the Dedication o f a
Church will be held on Wednesday,
February 14, beginning at 4:00 p.m.
Archbishop Wil I iam J . Levada, Arch­
bishop o f San Francisco and former
Archbishop o f Portland, will be the
principal celebrant. Cardinal Roger
Mahony, Archbishop o f Los Ange­
les, will be the homilist. They will be
joined by Bishop Kenneth Steiner,
Archbishop Cornelius M. Power,
retired A rchbishopof Portland, bish­
ops and abbots from the Pacific
N o rth w e st,
F a th e r
Jo sep h
Jacobberger, Pastor o f St. Mary’s
Cathedral Parish, and by the priests
o f the Archdiocese o f Portland.
tjrace Covenant JeFFowship
Picking U p Post-EFoFiday (BFues
Cox Funeral Home Inc.
Jerome G. Tanner
A. Funeral Director
baptistery is o f octagon shape with
the gates being from the old altar
railing. The baptistery includes a
marble font and an immersion pool
with ancient symbols o f Baptism in­
side. The new altar 'yas moved to the
crossing o f the transept and the nave.
It was placed on a raised platform to
enable better visibility and participa­
tion in the Mass. The marble used in
the altar, baptistery, ambo and Eu­
charistic chapel is the marble from
the Cathedral’s old communion rail.
The baptistery and altar are connect­
ed by the main aisle walkway com­
posed o f new Carrara Italian marble.
The 1926 linoleum under the pews
was replaced by hardwood floor. New
lighting has been specially designed
throughout the building.
The Cathedral, which has been
closed for over a year, will be open
for a public tour on Tuesday, Febru­
ary 13, at 2:30 p.m. A Vespers prayer
Sundays; 8:00 A M , 11:00 A M & 6:30 PM
Sundays; 9:30 A M to 10:30 A M
Wednesdays; 10:30 A M & 7:00 PM
Sundays; 8:00 A M on KBM S
Rev. James E. M a rtin , Ph.D.
Rev. Jeffery W. Jackson
Senior Pastor
Assistant Pastor
Valentine,
Sunday, February I I , 1996
3 :0 0 -6 :00pm
Holiday Inn Airport
1
Adults $7.00 Children 12 & U nder $3.00
Great Gospel Music
Hats From All Over The Northwest
Lonnie; 281-9223 Arice; 281-2540 Geneva: 285-1159
I