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About Heppner gazette-times. (Heppner, Or.) 1925-current | View Entire Issue (April 14, 2021)
FOUR - Heppner Gazette-Times, Heppner, Oregon Wednesday, April 14, 2021 Spiritually Speaking What are you talking about (Lk 24:17)? By Fr. Thankachan Joseph SDB, St. Patrick Church Have you ever experienced some- thing so strange you had to re-orient your life? Some experiences can overwhelm us, dazzle us, and sometimes change us. This is what we are experiencing now. The whole world is going through the threat of COVID-19. Any time anyone calls, the first question is, “How is the situation in your place? Is everything Fr. Thankachan under control?” I used to get plenty of Joseph calls to find out whether I was safe or not. I am sure that for every one of us one discussion is still the spread of COVID-19 and vaccination – whether to go for it or not. I just thought of summarizing the theme of this 3 rd Sunday of Easter as the title says: “What are we talking about?” A reading during this season is always from the Acts of the Apostles. We come across the courageous witness of St. Peter in the temple area. St. Peter recalls the sal- vation history once again to the people who gathered to witness the great miracle of the cure of the crippled man in the temple area. The reading concludes with the core idea of repentance. The pandemic has also invited the human race to this particular theme of repentance and conversion. The Gospel reading is the continuation of the ex- perience of the two disciples who are returning from Jerusalem to their hometown, Emmaus, shadowing Christ and His untimely death. These two disciples are returning with broken hearts, disappointments, hopelessness. I am sure that the whole world is now almost experiencing the same feelings of distress, fear, mental disturbances, dissatisfaction, disappointment, anxiety. In spite of this pandemic’s putting us all in distress and dismay, the Risen Lord invites all to a reflection as Isaiah says: “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, and your ways are not my ways” (Is 55:8). The Emmaus journey and its various stages follow: Walking away from Peace to trouble: In the first part of the Emmaus description, we see two disciples of Christ make a trip back to Jerusalem, which was known as the place of peace, to their own native town, Emmaus, the place of hot springs. They are walking away from Jerusa- lem, for they feel it is not safe to stay there because of all that happened with the crucifixion of Jesus the Nazarene. From the place of peace, they are moving to troubles. Caring Stranger’s accompaniment: The Gospel of Matthew concludes with these words: “And I will be with you always, to the end of ages” (Matthew 28:20). The Lord is always faithful to His promises. We, as human as we are, make promises to the Lord, but we are not always able to keep our promises. Even if we walk away from Him, like the wounded animal that Francis Thomas de- scribes in his poem “Hound of Heaven,” the Lord chases us and follows us to console and comfort us. The Lord has given us the sacraments and the Holy Scriptures as sources of encountering Him in our troubled moments. When we face difficulties and problems, we have a ten- dency to walk away from Him and look for comfort and solace somewhere else. But like the Hound of Heaven, He accompanies us, as we have noticed in the episode of the disciples of Emmaus. The Lord never leaves us to wander. In the Emmaus experience, the Lord is testing the disciples about their scriptural knowledge. He explained the whole scriptures to them, but their hearts were locked up or closed; they could not recognize him. Recognizing the Lord in the Breaking of the Bread: The disciples did recognize the Lord in the breaking of the bread at the dining table, and the Lord left us a memorial of Him in the sacraments, especially in the Eucharist. Do we recognize Him in the sacraments that we receive fre- quently and experience His comforting presence in those sacraments we receive? The Lord predicted thousands of years ago these types of pandemics and lockdowns, in the priestly prayer in the Gospel of John: “The time is coming, and is already here, when all of you will be scattered, each of you to your own home, and I will be left all alone” (John 16:31). How did the pandemic help us to grow in Christ Jesus? It will be nice to share with your family or friends some healing miracles of Jesus Christ. The Lord cures so many people in the four Gospels, you can every day share one the healing miracles of Jesus Christ with family or friends and become a witness of Jesus Christ. Let’s be strengthened in the spirit of the Lord. Let us place ourselves in the company of those who first heard the words of the two from Emmaus. Let us place ourselves in the company of those who evangelize others by word and deed. Let us walk and talk with those who serve the poor and needy in the name of Christ. Let us walk and talk with those who serve the children or those outsiders who seek Christ. For Christ walks with us when we serve others. During this pandemic season, we have lots of time with our dear ones at home to read the scriptures and stay safe. With others, we can be empowered in the word of God through phone messages and other social media; we can share with others scripture knowledge and fill our surroundings with a positive energy of Jesus Christ who is risen. Alleluia! Jesus truly is risen! K2 Aerial provides agricultural spraying of pesticides and broad cast spreading of dry materials such as seed or fertilizer. 541-980-8498 Located at the Lexington Airport ALL NEWS AND ADVERTISEMENT DEADLINE: MONDAYS AT 5:00 P.M. ~ Letters to the Editor ~ The Heppner Gazette Times will print all letters to the Editor with the following criteria met: letters submitted to the newspaper will need to have the name of the sender along with a legible signature. We are also requesting that you provide your address and a phone number where you can be reached. The address and phone number will only be used for verification and will not be printed in the newspaper. Letters may not be libelous. The GT reserves the right to edit. The GT is not responsible for accuracy of statements made in letters. Any letters expressing thanks will be placed in the classifieds under “Card of Thanks” at a cost of $10. Email to editor@rapidserve.net or upload to Heppner.net. Elect Kilkenny To the editor: We are writing this let- ter to endorse John Kilken- ny for Port of Morrow Commissioner. John has been a lifelong resident of Morrow County where he successfully op- erates a large generational wheat and cattle ranch. John understands the eco- nomic importance of the Port of Morrow and the effect its operations have on the entire county. John recognizes that diversity in industry is a cornerstone for continued economic devel- opment of the county and the role the port plays in it. We believe that John will be a good working part- ner with the county com- missioners and will provide an insightful perspective to future discissions. We are excited to have a candidate with John’s experience and energy who is willing to serve the resi- dents of Morrow County. We encourage voters to elect John Kilkenny, Port of Morrow Commissioner. Brian and Susie Thompson Kilkenny will bridge county and port To the editor: This is a letter of sup- port for John Kilkenny for the Port of Morrow Com- missioner. I am the mayor of the city of Heppner. The city faces many challenges with infrastructure, sewer, water and streets. Our com- munity depends on a finite number of resources to fund our schools and daycare. We have limited housing options. In short, we have many needs. The Port has been very generous with their support of past local projects. I am certain that the investment in the Kinzua site will be a great thing for our community. I am dis- tressed, however, that as the income from port projects has grown by several mil- lion, south county’s share has not grown. In fact, it has shrunk. I am hopeful that electing a commissioner who understands the make- up of the south part of the county will benefit us all, both north and south. John will help build a bridge with the county and the port. Please vote for John Kilkenny. Jim Kindle Good News Only By Doris Brosnan “It’s on my bucket list,” says Merry Chandler of her new multi-colorful, very short Kay Fowler styled haircut, and later this month, on the one-year anniversary of her stroke, Merry plans to adopt an- other, even more extreme hair style. This is “Stroke Awareness Month,” she reports, and she is taking these opportunities to bring attention to that fact and to how people can help in research efforts and the treatment of stroke vic- tims. Merry also says that May is “Aphasia Awareness Month,” which is an im- portant coincidence for her, as she suffers this disorder since her stroke, and she wants people to research the disorder so they will understand how it affects her and other sufferers. Ray Grace returned to his home two weeks ago, after two weeks in OHSU – following radiation treat- ments – for removal of his entire right leg because of sarcoma cancer, and then five more weeks in inten- sive rehabilitation. Dave Piper has been modifying Ray’s home, and Home Health is helping him with various needs, including setting him up with a meal train. Ray reports learning many things he had never before even thought of and knows he has more to learn, including how to drive a modified car. He says he is blessed with family and friends and many prayers offered for him. After four years of having just four-legged grandkids that go woof, Chris and Kathy Rauch are getting some two-legged grandkids this year. Daugh- ter Natalie and Leon Luna of The Dalles are having a boy at the end of April. Son Andre’ and Morgan Rauch of Pendleton are having a girl at the end of September. Chris and Kathy are looking forward to playing fetch with the new two-legged grandkids this year. Sidney Wilson, a se- nior at HHS, has been a powerhouse for the Mus- tangs’ volleyball program for four years. Although also a great asset on the basketball court, Sidney has chosen to sign a letter of intent to play volleyball for Walla Walla Community College, starting next fall. Her myriad of supporters in Heppner won’t have to travel far to watch her play home games. The Mustangs were fortunate to have five foot- ball games this year, and they were again a power- house that won those five, allowing only a total of 22 points against their 203. Patti Rill has recently chosen to devote more of her energies exclusively to her Upper Place Con- cessions in the food court on Main Street, Heppner. Patti previously worked in the kitchen of the Pioneer Memorial Hospital and ran her eatery, so now she can focus entirely on her break- fast-through-dinner hours, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., and she reports that after the weath- er warms into summer, her hours will expand to 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Kathleen Greenup will be moving back to her hometown soon. Kathleen will become the Director of Nurses at the hospital in May. Until her children finish their school year in Pendleton, Kathleen will commute, and then they hope to move into a home she is interested in. Of course, Joseph, Carmine and Lennon will be delight- ed to be nearer to grand- parents Greg and Janet Greenup and some cousins.. May is to begin with that MayDay Parade in Lexington, and more recent news is that a “Triple T” will be participating. Loyal and Betty Burns, Bob and Sharon Harrison, and Ken and Julie Nelson will be driving their Thunderbirds in the parade. Remember to call Juli Kennedy at 541- 350-3974 if you need more Perfect time to elect Kilkenny To the editor: I am writing this letter in support of John Kilkenny and his bid to be elected a Port of Morrow commis- sioner. John has run a highly successful farm and ranch operation in Morrow Coun- ty, some of which borders my farm. In my many deal- ings with John over the years, I have found him to be fair and honest, which I believe will serve him well as a port commissioner. With such a large and diversified farm and ranch operation, John has worked with big budgets and tight margins. These real-life business experiences make John an excellent candi- date. John has served all of Morrow County as a mem- ber of the Morrow County Planning Commission for several years. Through that work, he has strived to make each and every com- munity in Morrow County a better place to live and prosper. I know that he would continue that good work for all the citizens of Morrow County if elected. John recently retired from farming and ranching, making now the perfect time for him to invest his diverse knowledge, busi- ness skills and energy into being a Morrow County port commissioner. Please join me in voting for John Kilkenny, Port of Morrow commissioner. Thank you, Ken Grieb A View from the Green WCCC men compete The Willow Creek Country Club hosted 18 men for men’s play at the event held April 11. John Edmundson got KP on hole number 4/13 with 2’5” and Scott Burri- ght got KP second shot for 11’9” on hole 6/15. First place in net was a tie between Barry Munkers and Jim Swanson. Gene Orwick and Steve Marlatt tied for third. Duane Disque took first in gross. Second place was a three-way tie with Tim Wright, Kelly Fox and Rick Johnston. Men’s play for Sunday April 18 will take place in Arlington. Sign up will be at 9:30 and tee-off at 10 a.m. There will be no organized play in Heppner that morning and the course will be open. The next event will be the Mustang Scramble on April 25, with Greg Grant as the contact person for the event. A shoot-out will take place Sunday, May 2 and will be a two-man event. Gary Watkins, David All- stott and Dave Gunderson will be hosting the event. Over the tee cup The Spring Willow Creek Country Club Ladies’ meet- ing was held in sunny weather April 6. First team in the scramble was Virginia Grant, Tiffany Clement and Betty Carter. Second was Karen Haguewood, Sharon Harrison and Cindy Burright. information. Bringing back some- thing else that hasn’t been on the scene for a while, Ken and Jan Evans, of Irri- gon, report, “Yes, indeed, a reunion of HHS graduating classes from the 60’s is planned for Heppner for July 16-17.” Details are still being finalized, but an article in the Gazette Times explains what is planned so far. Watch for more in- formation and call Ken at 541-571-7982 for more information. The Ione Schools have a new superintendent/sec- ondary principal. Kevin Dinning comes from a po- sition in Bonners Ferry, ID, and will be taking the posi- tion from Rollie Marshall, who is retiring. If you are a Zoomer or Facebooker, you can tune into the candidate’s forum on the 22 nd . The Heppner Chamber will sponsor this event so participants can hear answers to questions from candidates for two Port of Morrow Board po- sitions and candidates for two Morrow County School Board positions. More in- formation coming as the date nears. Call the chamber office for information, 541- 676-5536. Even during these re- strictive times of limited interactions, some people have remained active in efforts to contribute to the good of our communities. The Heppner Chamber is asking for nominations of these outstanding adults, students, educators and businesses. Nomination forms are available at the chamber office, BEO and Heppner City Hall. Recog- nitions will be awarded at the newly scheduled Town and Country banquet, com- ing soon. As recently reported in the EO, the Lexington Airport is one of sixteen Oregon airports to receive grants from the Federal Avi- ation Administration. The $425,000 funds will be used for a guidance system for the runway and to improve the airport’s pavement. Another week of some “good news tidbits” has been such a pleasure.. We can continue to lift some spirits and brings some smiles to faces, at least tem- porarily, as long as contri- butions reach me. Anyone who has a tidbit is invited to email it to dbrosnan123@ gmail.com, call 541-223- 1490 or stop me on the street. As always, hoping some good news comes to everyone reading this. DEADLINE: MONDAYS AT 5PM
