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Heppner Gazette-Times, Heppner, Oregon Wednesday, September 2, 2020 -- SEVEN Spiritually Speaking The painful responsibilities of love By Fr. Thankachan Joseph SDB, St. Patrick Church such issues impartially. The victim should privately We share a tendency to think that we are only re- address the offender and attempt to resolve the disagree- sponsible for our own actions and behavior and ment without outside involvement. If that we have no responsibility for the actions of that fails, the victim should bring two others around us. But what we reflect on today or three witnesses and confront the is the obligation of faithful co-members of a offender again. If the dispute is still un- community to get back ones who go astray. This resolved, the matter should be brought is especially so in matters of justice and moral- to the attention of the entire community. ity; we cannot avoid our responsibility. If we If the offender refuses to adhere to the are believers, we have a responsibility to God recompenses prescribed by the commu- for others. We tend to excuse ourselves from nity of believers, Jesus suggests that the this onerous task by giving all kinds of excuses: delinquent may be excluded from the “Why not live and let live?” or “If I point out Church. The key point in this passage her mistake, she will get angry and reject me,” we need to notice is that Jesus does not Fr. Thankachan Joseph or “Do I really have to say what’s on my mind? discourage disagreement within the Why rock the boat?” To approach this painful community of believers of the Church; duty of fraternal correction entails many qualities: cour- He acknowledges the reality of conflict and error and age, compassion, patience, gentleness, humility, sincerity, offers His disciples a means for addressing such matters. reverence, a desire to preserve the other’s good name, It is in the conclusion to this teaching that the message of prudence, delicacy, tact, mutual dialogue, true listening hope is found: If decisions are taken in prayer, then the and mercy.”- Harold Buetow. community can be assured of God’s assistance. The first reading, from the prophet Ezekiel (chapter Two aspects of Jesus’s teaching here are outstanding: 33:7-9), is all about the personal responsibility of the city He has standards and he wisely makes headway. The guardian. The reading refers to a primitive kind of polic- first step is to go to the offender and speak directly to the ing, the watchman who stood on the Palestinian hills and person rather than to anyone else. “If your brother does blew his trumpet to warn of invaders. The prophet speaks something wrong, go and have it out with him alone, about the pros and cons of taking watch of the city; any between your two selves.” (18:15). So often everyone failure on the part of the watchman would often result gets to hear about the problem except the person con- in death, either death for many or all the members of his cerned. Gossip can destroy relationships and a person’s city, or his own death because if he failed to do his job he good name. Christians are called to deal with one another would be executed, as liable for the lives of the people. honestly and personally – no anonymous complaints to Prophets like Ezekiel saw themselves as watchmen over authorities, no whisper campaigns. The Gospel says that the spiritual dangers that threatened God’s people. The the offended party, not the offending one, should first seek prime qualities expected of a watchman were a mean- compromise. If the first step does not work, the second ingful presence to others, alertness to possible dangers, step is to bring one or two others along with you, not for and personal responsibility to sound a warning on time, the purpose of proving the other person wrong, but to irrespective of whether people heeded it or not. If a sen- help in the process of settlement. Only if that does not try fails to warn, he bears grave responsibility for other work, you proceed to the third step, which is to refer it people. In our role as lookouts, regardless of how well to the local community of faith, the Church. The whole or ill others receive our message, we, like Ezekiel, keep process should be inspired by a spirit of forgiveness and our integrity by speaking out. not to attest who is right and who is wrong. The central theme of the second reading is Love. St. If all of these fail, there is always something we can do Paul’s Letter to the Romans (chapter 13:8-10) goes like individually and in common - a short prayer for each other. this: “Owe nothing to anyone, except to love one another.” United prayer is more powerful, sensible, and effective Saint Paul defines love in his first letter to the Corinthians than resentment in our responsibility towards one another. (13:4) as follows: “Love is always patient and kind; love “I tell you solemnly, if two of you on earth agree to ask is never jealous; love is not boastful or conceited.” Paul anything at all, it will be granted to you by my Father in points out that the underlying reason for our responsibility heaven. For where two or three meets in my name, I shall towards others should be love. Obligation ceases to be an be there with them.” Is Jesus playing the numbers game issue when there is fullness of love. Love does not only with us? Using two or more adds pressure on God to an- require doing nice things towards others, it also means swer our prayer? Obviously not, Jesus is using numbers tough love that is seen especially in fraternal correction. to impress upon us the importance of praying with others, Paul believes that people who honestly do everything as opposed to praying by ourselves. When we pray with motivated by love will find all else falling into place. others, he will be present to us. God’s presence is felt in In the Gospel of St. Matthew (18:15-20), Jesus’s our midst and his power becomes operative in us. What teaching deals with the relationship of members in the we cannot do alone, we can do in terms of correction and kingdom of God. He addresses a common occurrence in forgiveness, healing and service, when He is with us. May the Christian community: a dispute between two members we find the strength to speak up when needed. of the Church. Jesus outlines practical tips for settling Port of Morrow plans changes at Boardman golf course The Port of Morrow plans to rename the Willow Run Golf Course to Marker 40 Golf Club. By Andrew Sykes The Port of Morrow announced a name change to the recently purchased Willow Run Golf Course in Boardman. Beginning in September, the execu- tive golf course will now be known as the Marker 40 Golf Club. The new name is taken from the mile marker 40 sign located on the Co- lumbia River at Boardman. “I’m excited to see an establishment that’s been in Boardman for so many years receive a new brand,” says Torrie Griggs, execu- tive director of the Board- man Chamber of Com- merce. “The golf course will continue to grow and thrive alongside our devel- oping community. It is a great recreational opportu- nity for both residents and visitors to Boardman.” “The Port of Morrow has engaged in conversa- tions over the years about the benefits of a new golf course in Boardman. The chance to purchase Willow Run Golf Course was the perfect opportunity to con- tinue the legacy and vision of Dallas Wilson and to maintain this facility as a recreational asset for our community and region,” says Port of Morrow Eco- nomic Development Direc- tor Lisa Mittelsdorf. The Willow Run Golf Course opened in 1972 as Wilson’s River Run by Dallas Wilson. Rod and Kenna Punches purchased the golf course from Wilson in 2004 and continued to maintain and operate the public course. The Port of Morrow, on June 24, voted unanimously to pur- chase the 19-acre course for $500,000. A View from the Hill By Doris Brosnan A few months ago, Joe Gifford, son-in-law of Ernie and Mary Jean McCabe, who were living at Willow Creek Terrace, posted signs in the back yard reminiscent of the Burma-Shave signs familiar to all the residents. Pertinent to the Covid-19 pandemic, but with a sense of humor, the signs con- tinue to bring welcoming smiles during this serious crisis. Burma-Shave was an American brand of brush- less shaving cream famous for its advertising gim- mick of posting sequential highway roadside signs for advertising. They appeared from 1926 to 1963 and in 1929, became humorous rhyming poems. An exam- ple of six sequential signs that piqued the travelers’ curiosity and sense of hu- mor as they covered the miles between each addi- tional sign: “Every shaver / Now can snore / Six more minutes / Than before / By using / Burma-Shave.” Visitors are welcome to walk around to the back for a look at the signs. (Might stimulate one’s own rhym- ing-signs ideas.) Administrator George Nairns adamantly announc- es that the signs at the front of the Terrace state a fact. She continues to commend the staff for their devotion to the residents, their ob- servance of all safety rules at the Terrace, and their caution when not at work to avoid any potential health threat. But staff involvement is not all work and no play, as was obvious during what is normally fair week in Morrow County. They had helped residents complete their projects intended for entry in the fair, the horse- shoe-based door decora- tions still brightening the halls and the bird-themed quilt that still delights from the wall in the dining room. Everyone also kept in mind their usual Wednesday treat at the fair, the Tillamook ice cream social. A past rodeo-fair royal who wishes to remain anonymous treat- ed everyone to Tillamook “Malted Moo” (as in cow?) ice cream. Nairns pointed out that sponsorship and funding of the Port of Morrow’s “School-to-Work” pro- gram, administered by Ka- lie Davis, enabled the staff to devote more time for such projects. And she is pleased to report that two students involved in that program have become Ter- race employees. She also is pleased to report that the newest member of the staff is Tiffany Aker, who is interested in pursuing a medical career and is out- standing in her work with the residents and fellow staff members. Another pleasurable activity at the Terrace is the preparation for birthdays, and on Friday, September 4, an especially impressive birthday will be celebrated: Bonnie Gates will celebrate her 100 th birthday with all the fanfare it deserves. Readers are encouraged to send Bonnie birthday cards to 400 Frank Gilliam Drive, and to join the drive-by parade, from 4:30 to 5:30, as Bonnie sits outside or at her window to appreciate the honoring of her special day. Bonnie’s window will be decorated for easy iden- tification for people who come to wish her a “happy birthday.” Administrator Nairns agrees that the staff at the Terrace are heroes as depicted by the sign at the front. Signs resembling Burma-Shave advertisements were posted at Willow Creek Terrace. On the following Sat- urday, the 12 th , the staff and residents will get to celebrate another birth- day, as Rita Dezoete has them join her for a special birthday lunch. And family and friends will be wel- come to help her celebrate with visits that follow the COVID-19 guidelines. Weekly activities led by staff members continue, as do the morning discussions, and this coming month pro- vides several special-day opportunities for lively and/or memory-filled chats: Newspaper Carriers (pri- vate contractors still not yet just a memory) – 9/4; Waf- fles (1869?) – 9/6; Labor Day – 9/7; Sewing Machine (1790, home-use 1800’s) – 9/10; Grandparents – 9/13; Golden Girls (35 years ago) – 9/14; Guacamole (popu- larized in USA in 1990’s) – 9/16; Constitution – 9/17; Cheese Burgers (1926) – 9/18; Centenarians – 9/22, which is also the first day of Autumn; One-Hit Won- ders – 9/25 (can anyone name those tunes/singers?); Hunting and Fishing – 9/26; First Responders – 9/27; and Jerry Lee Lewis (85 years old) – 9/29. September 13 begins “Assisted-Living Week,” recognizing the evolution of the facilities since the 1980’s, and the week ends with “Locate an Old Friend Day,” on which the staff will assist any resident who wishes to search for and reach out to someone with whom contact has been lost. The next week, beginning on the 20 th , focus during exercises in the morning will include some Tai Chi movements intended to improve balance, since it is recognized as “Balance Awareness Week.” Resi- dents and staff at Willow Creek Terrace recognize the importance of the phys- ical and mental stimulation from the variety of activi- ties offered each day – from birthday celebrations, to discussions, to exercis- ing, to sharing meals with friends, to playing games, to relaxing with favorite TV shows… all are viewed as critical to life on the Hill. Growing Generations Together Time to Renew your Line of Credit and begin planning for next year. 75 Y ears New Customers Welcome! Heppner Ione SINCE 1945 Russell Seewald Amber Schlaich 279 N. Main Street 280 Main Street 541-422-7466 541-676-9125 Member FDIC
