íl?‘‘IJortlanb (©bserüer A p ril 12, 2006 Page B5 R eligion Wally Testa New Orleans Church Gets Reprieve St. Augustine founded in 1841 by free blacks (AP) — The ancient cypress doors were propped wide in the bright sunshine, palm fronds stacked high, pews filled and joyous music poured from St. Augustine as the histori­ cally black Catholic church celebrated Palm Sunday. The service came two weeks after the church was closed amid protests over post-Hurricane Katrina budget cutbacks that would have merged it with a larger neighboring parish. "What a historic morning for us to gather,” said Archbishop Alfred Hughes, who origi­ nally ordered the church shut down, but re­ turned to celebrate Mass on Sunday. The church was full for the first service, but unless the support continues, the reprieve for the church will not last. When Hughes re-consecrated St. August­ ine on Saturday he said he would examine the parish’s progress after 18 months to determine if it could avoid consolidation with a neighbor­ ing parish. Hughes agreed to reopen St. Augustine after negotiating with parishioners who had protested the church’s closing. St. Augustine, founded in 1841 by slaves and free people of color, is one of the nation's oldest black par­ ishes. The archdiocese sought to consolidate Father Jerome LeDoux holds a palm frond on Palm Sunday as he celebrates Mass at St. Augustine Church in New Orleans. (AP photo) St. Augustine as it tries to deal with $84 million in uninsured losses from Hurricane Katrina, which slammed into the Gulf Coast on Aug. 29. "I intend to be a regular now and support the church here,” said Gordon Cagnolitti, a New Orleans firefighter who described himself as multi-denominational. “I go to several churches, but my son and grandchildren go here and I will, too, from now on." Residential and Commercial Broker Oregon/Washington St. Augustine had failed to add many new members or carry on other pastoral functions required of a functioning parish, Hughes said when closing it. Under the plans announced earlier this year, (he church building would still be used for services, but parish functions were to be consolidated with neighboring St. Peter Claver. But the church had not reckoned with the deep feeling of the parishioners. Protest sprang up, and a small group of protesters shuttered themselves in the church rectory three weeks ago. Demonstrators interrupted Mass on March 26 — a desecration, Hughes said the next day, when he announced that the church building would be closed. The parishioners have set 12 goals to meet during the next 18 months, Hughes said. Among other things, they require the addition of from 3(X) to 400 families, the institution of religious education and a balanced budget by Oct. 1. If the parish does not meet the goals, it will be closed, Hughes said. But on Sunday the possible problems seemed far from anyone's mind. When a lay reader opened the service by welcoming those in attendance to St. Augustine Church, the crowd cheered and clapped, then people waved palm fronds and clapped to the hymn “Oh, Happy Day.” “It’s a joyous day, a great celebration," said Leola Brown, 77. “It shows the Lord answers prayers. This is my church. I want to attend it while I'm living and be buried from it when 1 die.” 503 267 7586 cell 503-2491903 office 503-249 6527 fax wtesfa1@comcast.net PROPERTIES. A memorial service was held March 22 at Ross Hollywood C h ap el fo r D onna F ran ces Gtxxllow who died March 16,2(XX> at the age of 69. She was born Sept. 30,1936 in G alesburg, III. and attended Galesburg High School and Knox College. She moved to Portland in March 1971. She loved basketball, particularly the Trail Blazers, and worked at Memorial Coliseum for several years to be able to watch the team play. She also came to be an avid Tiger Woods fan. She loved to talk, was opinionated and cooked soul food better than most people would believe. She held many jobs in Portland, working for JC Penney, Multnomah County Social Services, US Bank, the former Walnut Park Fred Meyer and recently offered childcare services, watching up to six children at a time in her home. She was a member of the Vernon and Humboldt Elementary School PTAs, and volunteered with Peninsula Little League. She loved the Rose Festival, attending the Grand Floral parade for many years sitting in the same spot on the parade route. Her parents Walter and Fern Dagen, sister Karen pre­ ceded her in death. She is survived by her brothers Walter and Michael Dagen of Galesburg; sister Kay Johnson of Conway, Ark.; sons Jeffrey Hetlin of Portland, Kevin Heflin of Santa Rosa, Calif, and Michael Goodlow of Sunrise, Fla.; daughters Brenda Elam of VillaGrove, III., and Leslie Goodlow-Baldwin and Lori Goodlow both of Portland; grandchildren. Ashley Goodlow, Raphael Goodlow, Andrew Heflin, Brianna Goodlow-Marshall, Ebony Foreman, Erica Baldwin and Angelina Goodlow; adopted grandchildren, Matthew and Michael Thrasher; Kiara, Marquis’ and Chamaria Taylor; Arianna, Kevina and Kiara Davis; many nieces, nephews and friends. Church Volunteer Honored A rea re s i­ dents are invited to a retirement blessing and cel­ e b ra tio n for church volunteer and lead er Maggie Gibson on S atu rd a y , April 22 from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the St Andrews Community Cen­ ter, 806 N.E. Alberta St. Maggie Gibson Gibson is re­ tiring from OPS Blue Shield and Regence Blue Cross Blue Shield after 27 years of joyous, marvelous and produc­ tive work. The special blessing will be offi­ ciated by Rev. Charles Lienert at 5 p.m. For more information call 503- 281-9936. FAX: STATE FARM (5 0 3 )2 8 6 1146 INSURANCE COMPANIES HOME OFFICES: BLOOMINGTON, ILLINOIS ERNEST J. HILL, JR. Agent WE'VE MOVED! 4 9 4 6 N. Vancouver Ave. Portland. OR 97217 R egis S alon Abel Specializing in Ethnic Hair Care Relaxer Color Lloyd Center 503.282.2888/8652 Steakadelphia 6800 NE M LK Blvd STEAKADELPHU 503-247-7211 V (I Block N o f Portland Blvd) G R IL L E D H O T (AP) — Star Jones solitude, m editation, Reynolds has urged prayer and soul-search­ members of a New Jer­ ing and - above all - pa­ sey church to realize the tience.” importance of faith in Jones Reynolds also their lives. urged the congregation “Beauty, wealth and to “do som e soul- success mean little if searching and maximize you have not devel­ their potential." oped a relationship with She signed copies of God,” the 44-year-old her book, “Shine: A co-host o f ABC’s day­ Physical, Emotional & time talk show “The Spiritual Journey to View,” said Sunday at F in d in g L o v e ,” for the First Baptist Church church members. of Lincoln Gardens in J o n e s R e y n o ld s Somerset, N.J. m a rrie d b a n k e r A1 Star Jones Reynolds “I’ve learned that a R eynolds in a sta r­ relationship w ith God is achieved through studded wedding in 2(X)4. 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