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About Heppner gazette-times. (Heppner, Or.) 1925-current | View Entire Issue (Jan. 20, 2021)
FOUR - Heppner Gazette-Times, Heppner, Oregon Wednesday, January 20, 2021 Spiritually Speaking Obituaries Graffiti and the call of Christ – How do we respond? By Fr. Thankachan Joseph SDB, St. Patrick Church Last week, the Gazette Times published the very shocking news of graffiti drawn on some churches and elsewhere. Confronted with the emerging details of this bad news, we feel numb and distressed. In the context of what has happened, I thought of making my reflections for this week on this. The first reading from Prophet Jonah (3: 1-5,10) is an invitation to Jonah to go to the city of Nineveh and preach the Good News of God. He walked around the city of Nineveh and preached; they listened and amended their ways and averted the wrath of God on them. We may see that, as in the city of Nineveh, God is asking every one of us to pay attention - to the needs of family and oneness of family. For instance, spend time together with the family instead of electronic gadgets and detaching oneself from the family koinonia communion. I think the present-day Lord is calling all of us who are addicted to social media and influenced by social media to “leave the NET and follow me.” In today’s world the first thing we look around for when we reach a destination is net connectivity and access to the Wi-Fi so we can sit back comfortably and get hooked to what is on the NET. The Gospel of Mark, chapter 1: 14-20, speaks of the beginning of the public ministry of Jesus. He started his public ministry by preaching about the kingdom of God. He too begins his preaching with the topic “repent and believe in the gospel.” The Lord calls all of us to have a change of mind and attitude and turn to Him. As far as we know, every one of the disciples was chosen and called personally by Jesus. We believe that God calls each one of us. God not only calls us to follow Jesus, but also calls us into the fields and careers of our lives. The call of these first four disciples shows us that he looks not externally but inside every one of us. He calls the unqualified and He qualifies them according to the nature of His call and mission. As He walks on the shores of Galilee, Jesus meets Simon and his brother Andrew casting the nets into the sea. Jesus told them to just follow him without a second thought, and we see these brothers following Jesus. How did they know him? Whether they had known him ear- ly, we have no idea. Jesus enters into the lives of these brothers to heal them. In the present-day context, we can see several people who go through sadness, desperation, brokenness, melancholy, exactly like Peter. These people certainly see Jesus entering into the lives of others, heal- ing them, curing them, giving them peace in their hearts, becoming their Savior – all these and more do they see. But they do not follow Jesus. Why? Because they put By Doris Brosnan Welcome to “Good News Only.” As long as individuals are willing to share their good news, this column will serve to get it out to the GT readers. Sometimes good news can be something as small and simple as City Manager Kraig Cutsforth’s at City Hall, “No one has COVID, we are all here and the sun- shine is great.” And sometimes, good news becomes the silver lining of a negative event, as what is true of a run- away airplane at the Lex- ington airport earlier this week. Apparently, the air- plane had the potential of wreaking havoc, but it was brought under control, and the good news is that no one was hurt. Community support is always good news, and we celebrate this fact time and again following criti- cal situations faced by our neighbors. Latest example: Jackie Alleman sent out a Facebook request last week that the grandsons of Claudia Ramirez (recent- ly deceased) needed help clearing out her house. For two days, almost forty peo- ple showed up to assist this family that has faced some overwhelming hardships. The Mormon Church fed the crew with help from the Catholic Church. Millers were efficient with provid- ing dumpsters for items not going with family or to their entire trust and hope in their boats and nets of this material world. These boats and nets might be the physi- cal and material security and wealth they enjoy. It might be the position they hold in the community, in society. It might be the material wealth they possess. It can also be the public influence they Fr. Thankachan Joseph have. It can even be the love and encouragement they receive from others. It might be the education they have, the job they do. When all these are there, they won’t feel the need to follow Jesus. Jesus talks through our failures. I am sure we con- demn and neglect some people with certain labels – maybe those who have graffitied - but Jesus loves those individ- uals, too. He desires to make them also His disciples. He leads them through failures and defeat by urging them to give up their boat and nets. The Lord wants them to trust Him entirely. The Lord enters into our lives in a special way, in a personal way when our lives become a failure in the eyes of the world, when we are hated by others, when we feel discouraged and when we feel neglected. When we bend our heads with shame and sorrow, when we can go to no one for consolation, then we will be able to hear the loving words of our Divine Savior telling us, ‘Son/ daughter, I love you; come, follow me.” Do we listen to this affectionate calling of the Lord? With “Come after me, and I will make you fishers of men,” the four fishermen are called with no further instructions whatsoever. They are called to a totally uncertain future and would surely have been scared out of their wits had they known what lay in store for them. God’s call is always into an uncertain future. When we enter into our callings, we have no idea how it will all end up. We choose our careers and jobs, hoping that we can use the gifts and talents God has given us, but there are no guarantees. This call actually leaves us with chal- lenges. How to put Christ first in everything of our life: A) Prioritize: Lk. 10:38-42 (Like Mary, you must make a decision to put Christ before everything.) B) Set Your Mind on Heaven: Col. 3:1-2 (Don’t be too absorbed with earthly goals. Instead, make heaven your goal.) C) Invest: Mt. 6:19-21, (“Jesus said your heart will be where you put your treasure. If you invest the treasure of your time, money, and effort in the Lord’s work, the Lord will become more important to you.”) Good News Only Community members help grandsons clear out deceased grandmother’s house. storage. Hats off to all. Another joint effort was also initiated by a single individual, resulting in a lasered metal silhouette sculpture in the Heppner Cemetery. Eileen Wilson reports that Joyce Kay Hol- lomon presented her idea to the cemetery committee, they approved it, and Dana Wilson and John Healy installed the sculpture of a soldier carrying a wound- ed soldier, a memorial to the “Wounded Warrior.” It shares space at the turn- around with a previously installed plaque dedicated to members of the military who have served in wars. The Ione Community Church has reached its goal, so after a few days’ work in the second week of February, members of the congregation will be enjoy- ing new carpeting in three of the church’s areas that have had the most use over twenty years of service. Determined not to replace the carpeting until they had enough money to cover the cost, the trustees have announced that they have now made carpet selection and are eager for the update. (A lesson in the importance of support and patience.) Good news for the US Forest Service and for the vitality of our area is the re- cent filling of two positions that had been empty for a while, archeologist and silviculturist. These two newcomers are joining the new wildlife biologist who recently moved to Heppner. Cindy Doherty reminds readers that, although the doors are locked because of COVID-19 rules, staff members at the office are available for appointments. Patience seems incredi- bly necessary in the wait for the COVID-19 vaccine to come to southern Morrow County, but the good news is that Ann Murray is hope- ful that this will happen soon, and Murray’s Drug has prepared for their role in administering it, “Ready to go as soon as we get it.” They plan to extend hours to expedite the process, and Ann reports that they do take names of individuals requesting the vaccine and will call those people to set up appointments. Although there is no cost to the in- dividual, she notes that individuals on Medicare will need to bring their red, white and blue Medicare cards with them. “Babies” are one topic of good news at Les Schwab Tire Center right now: John Gould reports that in about a week, son Thomas and his wife, Riley (daughter of Stacey Wilson), expect the birth of their first child, a son. Soon-to-be-grand- parents-Gould plan to fly to Georgia in three weeks to meet the grandson, their third grandchild. Puppies are babies, too, and Brian Holtz became the proud owner of seven wee Jack Russell Terriers about four weeks ago. Good news that these rambunc- tious short-haired cuties are growing quickly and will soon be available to good homes. Brian reports, however, that only two have not yet been spoken for. Eastern Oregon Uni- versity has spoken, and Madelyn Nichols has ac- cepted its offer of a $1,000 running scholarship and a $3,000 academic scholar- ship for next fall. Madelyn reports that she is looking forward to sharing a home with her brother, Hunter, and running with him for EOU. Good news for the siblings. K i m b e r l y G e o rg e , daughter of Kit and Shirley, is pleased with the challeng- es of her new position with Sedgwick, the organization she has worked with for twenty years. Good news for Kimberly is that she has filled several roles within the company over these years, keeping refreshingly new her responsibilities in each position. (Note that an article on George’s latest news appears in today’s paper.) Mike Brosnan looks forward to the arrival of what wife, Dawn, calls a “monster sprayer” that he Larry Allen Mills L a r r y A l l e n M i l l s Reading Program after he passed away on January retired; recognized by the 8, 2021 at the age of 84 at Heppner Beautification OHSU in Portland. Larry Program for work to estab- lived a life dedicated to lish and main- hard work, service to tain a welcom- others, and love of family. ing line of shade “His boisterous laugh, trees and shrubs keen wit, leadership, and to the northwest giving spirit will be great- entrance of ly missed by all that knew town; master of Larry Allen him.” ceremonies for Larry was born in Mills numerous com- Rockford, WA to parents munity events Harold and Mary (Loftin) including the rodeo, St. Pat- Mills. He grew up on a farm rick’s Day parade, and of northeast of Rockford and course, the Heppner Mus- graduated from Rockford tangs football team. Larry High School. His love of loved football and relished the family farm would play his over 28-years as the a major role in Larry’s voice of the Mustangs. chosen path in life. After But even above his graduation, he settled in dedication to work and Spokane with his wife Betty community was his dedi- and attended Kinman Busi- cation to family. Larry and ness College and worked Betty were married for over for Armour and Company sixty years and raised two in the industrial engineering children, Dianne Stickney department. In 1958, Larry (Mills) and Michael Mills. went to work for the Odes- Despite a busy schedule, sa Trading Company. His Larry always made time to bookkeeping skills led him attend his grandchildren’s to eventually be promoted sporting games, birthdays to assistant manager. and other significant events. In 1969, he accepted He worked with his broth- a position at the Morrow ers Bob and Dan Mills to County Grain Growers make sure that their fami- (MCGG) where his love of lies got together for a fam- working around the farming ily reunion every year--- a community resulted in him tradition almost forty years serving as general manager running, with only one for 29 years. During his brief interruption in 2020 time at MCGG, he served because of COVID. In the as the president of the Pa- end, above all, was family. cific Northwest Grain and Larry is survived by Feed Association and on the his loving wife, Betty board of the National Grain (Jahns) Mills; son, Mike and Feed Association. It and his children, Chloe was said that he was “the and Chandler; daughter, kind of leader that exists to Dianne (Bob) and her serve the people. He would children, Kellie Hoiland never back away from a (Zach), Richard Stickney challenge and wasn’t afraid and his children, Rebecka, to make a hard decision, all RJ, Mandy, Tiffani and while carrying himself with Angelika (Lars), and great- humor and humility.” great grandchildren Jaxyn, Larry would often say, Rhyson and Amara. “Community service is Due to COVID restric- the rent you pay for the tions a graveside service space you occupy on earth.” will be held for family only There is no doubt that Lar- at the Rockford Cemetery ry’s rent was paid in full. on Jan. 23 at 1 p.m. A me- Though the ways in which morial service will be held he served his community in Heppner at a later date. are too numerous to list, a The family has request- few of them were: Morrow ed that remembrances be County Agricultural Mu- made in the form of con- seum board member and tributions to the following volunteer; board member charities: Pioneer Memorial for the Red and Gina Leon- Foundation, Box 424, Hep- ard Foundation; interim city pner, OR 97836 or to the manager in 2005; 15 years Farm Foundation, Box 611, on the Morrow County Heppner, OR 97836. Health District Board, 25 Sweeney Mortuary of years of service on the Heppner is in care of ar- county budget committee; rangements. You may sign served on the Willow Creek the online condolence book Economic Development at www.sweeneymortuary. Board; volunteered to read com. to children at the Heroes ordered from a business in South Dakota, hoping to begin in February his new agricultural spraying busi- ness. Good news also is that Mike has taken and passed the required classes to gain his license, so now he waits, a bit frustrated with a delay resulting from a breakdown of the delivery truck. Babette Wall reports that this great weather is certainly good news, since she feels like “the Energiz- er Bunny.” as she bustles around town on long-await- ed walks. After surgery four weeks ago, she is finally happy to feel so good and so free. Some good news for readers who have not been aware of is a great, low impact outing about Hep- pner that young and old, individuals and families can enjoy while learning many things about the town. “The Talking Rocks” provide discovery of Heppner’s eventful history by follow- ing their route. On the brass plates of the sixteen rocks are brief explanations of sixteen important compo- nents in the town’s history (i.e., Individuals, events, industries). Brochures that show the locations of the rocks and offer more de- tailed accounts of each of those entities are available at the Chamber Office, City Hall, Murray’s Drug and Central Market. We all appreciate op- portunities to smile over someone’s “good news,” so this column will ap- pear as long as individuals are interested in sharing their good news with the GT readers. Anyone who doesn’t get contacted by me but has something to share is encouraged to email it to dbrosnan123@gmail.com. A phone call will also get the job accomplished: 541- 676-5382. Hoping all eyes reading this experience some good news to share next time. ALL NEWS AND ADVERTISEMENT DEADLINE: MONDAYS AT 5:00 P.M.
