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About Heppner gazette-times. (Heppner, Or.) 1925-current | View Entire Issue (Dec. 22, 2021)
SIX - Heppner Gazette-Times, Heppner, Oregon Wednesday, December 22, 2021 Spiritually Speaking Holy family: a model for all families to imitate By Fr. Thankachan Joseph On the Sunday after Christmas, the Church continues to celebrate with the Feast of the Holy Family because Christ- mas is a family feast. The Holy Family is the example for all of us. The child Jesus is a beautiful example of how to be obedient to our parents, how to live sub- Fr. Thankachan missive to parents and their discipline. Joseph Mary teaches us to be caring mothers, spouses and sisters. St. Joseph is always spoken of in the Bible as a just man and lived a just life to become a good father. The Holy Family listened, obeyed, and, though they had to go through many struggles, lived the will of God in their lives. In the First Book of Samuel (1: 20-22, 24-28), we notice the dedication of a couple called Elkanah and Hannah, who were childless for a long time. They pray continually to God, who hears their cry and blesses them with a boy child called Samuel. Since God has given them a son, Hannah dedicates him to the service of the Lord, a beautiful example for all parents in our present situation of churches witnessing reducing numbers of ministers for the service of the Lord. An old song has these words: “I want to be happy, but I can’t be happy till I make you happy too.” Does this mean for everyone to try to always please everyone else? Or must one sometimes disagree if one is true to one’s conscience? Do parents sometimes need to correct their children and discipline them? Is a successful family one in which all the children excel in studies and extracurricular activities? A family where all behave with perfect manners and never quarrel? A family made up of perfectionists. Mother Teresa said: “God does not call me to be successful but to be faithful.” We are all human and have failings. Falling down on the journey of life and getting up again are part of growth. We can sin- cerely try to change undesirable behavior, with the grace of God and support and encouragement of loved ones. The Gospel of St. Luke (2: 41-52) describes the Jewish feast of Passover and its aftermath to which Mary and Joseph, according to their customary practices, take twelve-year-old Jesus. When Jesus becomes missing after the feast celebrations, surely the couple feels great anxiety and worries, but we see them going together hand-in-hand in search of the lost boy, in a spirit of prayer. We don’t see them accuse each other in their great misfortune. They lived in a tough time: Joseph and Mary lived during the time of King Herod, who was selfish and cruel. He sought to kill Jesus because he refused to see anyone higher than he. So, Joseph, taking Mary and the child, flees to Egypt. Couple spent time together: The Holy family was not spared from the problems and difficulties of day-to- day life, but their love, prayer, devotion, commitment in life and work kept them united. In the midst of troubles, they showed signs of encouragement, smiled at those who looked at them despairingly and prayed for them, a model family for us. Couple in communion with the Lord: The ordinary life of Joseph included the struggle for daily bread, as he worked at his carpentry. Mary worked at housekeeping chores and to help Joseph. Although Mary and Joseph were busy, both found time to be with the Lord. Work and prayer went side by side. Busy as we all are, do we find time to be with the Lord? Forgiving couple: In Nazareth, a group of people came around Jo- seph and Mary’s poor, modest, silent family, looking up to them as a model family. But another group sneered at them and tried to annoy and lay snares for them. They gathered around Joseph to gossip and urged him to even speak against the pregnancy of Mary. But Joseph would just shake his head. If an argument became heated and Mary’s eyes brimmed with tears, Jesus would cut the discussion short, “We must forgive! Forgive, not once but seventy times seven.” Many of our family issues could be decimated if married couples have the minds and hearts of Joseph and Mary. Jesus had excellent parents. Mary was the best mum and Joseph a just and prudent man. Parents today can learn from them how to teach their children to grow in obedience and respect. The Nazareth home reminds us that families have the responsibility of teaching their chil- dren the Faith and to model virtues. So, as we celebrate the Feast of the Holy Family, let us ponder how we can be a model, a family capable of being open to God’s will, of being loving and happy, of communicating more often and having more time for face-to-face family interaction, of bringing Christ into the lives of others. The North and South Transfer Stations will be closed on December 25th so our attendant can share Christmas with their family. ALL NEWS AND ADVERTISEMENT DEADLINE: MONDAYS AT 5:00 P.M. Snowmobile club gets new building A shed was recently constructed to house the snowmobile groomer for the 4-Corner’s Snowmobile Club. “It wouldn’t have been possible without the contributions, donations and volunteers from the many generous people in the community,” stated the press release. Contributions for the project came from Mon- ty and Susan Crum, Kim Cutsforth on behalf of the Howard and Beth Bryant Foundation, Mike Duncan on behalf of Silver Creek Contracting, Ross-Brandt Electric Inc, Adrian Frink, Willow Creek Valley Eco- nomic Development Group, Oregon State Snowmobile Association, Andy Ash- beck Trucking, Columbia Basin Electric Co-op, Blue Mountain Rentals, Petty- john’s Farm and Builder Supply, Miller and Sons, Brian Thompson, Ron Carl- son, Cliff Dougherty, Tate Gentry, John Griffith, Mike Gorman, Jim Lankford, Tom Wolff, and Steve Peck. The contributions were in the form of volunteer- ing, donating equipment or supplies, discounted pricing, granting a lease for the building and monetary donations. Snowmobile clubs are one of the reasons that trails exist. Members joining the club are what allows the local area to continue to have the groomer and keep the trails maintained and smooth throughout the winter season. The club is tentatively planning a play day on Saturday, January 1, 2022, at Kelly Prairie, if snow conditions cooperate. Anyone interested in joining the club should check out the Facebook page 4-Corners Snowmo- bile Club, which has a link to join electronically, and where information can be found about the Club and any events they will be having. Sheriff’s Report ...continued from page five December 2: Morrow County Sheriff’s Office re- ceived a report that Mullins, Cory Joe was arrested by MCPP on P&P detention. Lodged at UCJ, no bail. -MCSO received a report at Paterson Ferry Rd/Rr Tracks, in Irrigon. Agency assist- cautionary for armed suicidal subject, pinging on Paterson Ferry Rd. between Hwy 730 and I 84. Male left Pilot Rock at 0430 and his mom received a text this morning stating he was going to kill him- self. May have a semi auto Ruger hand gun with him. -MCSO received a report on S Main St, in Heppner. Neighbors dog chihuahua is constantly on the caller’s property. -MCSO received a re- port on Magic Garden Ln, in Irrigon. Caller reports that there are 15-18 dogs at this location, and she believes the owners have moved away and no one has been by to take care of them. Caller reports they are all hound dogs and are baying all the time and she has not seen the dogs out of their pens for over 3 months. She would like the dogs checked on for healthy living conditions and to see if they are getting taken care of. -MCSO received a re- port on Highway 74, in Heppner. Green suburban picked up a dog at the end of Water and is driving all over the road. Unable to locate. December 3: Morrow County Sheriff’s Office re- ceived a report at Western Route Rd/Willow Creek Rd, in Heppner. Caller reports that there is a red car, un- known make or model, sitting alongside the road where FS 21 Rd meets Western Route. Not blocking, no one around. Vehicle has 3 missing tires; the windows are painted and there are rocks on the vehicle -MCSO received a report on Se Park Pl, in Irrigon. Caller requests an ambulance respond to address for a client, 50’s male, difficulty breathing, sweating, very sick, not very cognizant. CCS is not on scene but will meet patient at GSH. Caller recommends LEO pres- ent at residence due to who lives at residence. Patient has threatened suicide by cop and is threatened by LE and may “freak out” if he thinks he’s being arrested. -MCSO received a report at Columbia River Equestrian Center on Highway 730., in Irrigon. MVA on 730 -MCSO received a report on W Highway 730, in Irrigon. Umatilla County terminated pursuit, requesting assistance. Female driver driving a blue dodge caravan headed west- bound on Hwy 730. Unable to locate. December 5: Morrow County Sheriff ’s Office received a report on I 84 W, in Boardman. Caller advised of a wrong way driver, travelling east in the westbound lane on 184. No vehicle description. Unable to locate. -MCSO received a re- port on Se Utah Ave, in Irrigon. Caller advised a Nissan Pathfinder went through the stop signs on Eighth and Seventh heading towards Division. Unable to locate. -MCSO received a re- port at E 2ND St/C St, in lone. White Pitbull and rottweiler puppy running loose in the area. Becoming a reoccurring issue. -MCSO received a re- port on Highway 74, in Heppner. North Hwy 74 btw Heppner and Lexing- ton a gray sedan passed in no passing zone, and they nearly struck another car. -MCSO received a re- port on Se Clover Ct, in Irrigon. Large black shep- herd running loose last seen going towards thirteenth no collar. MCSO located own- er and gave warning for dog as a public nuisance. -MCSO received a re- port at Irrigon Mini Mart on E Highway 730., in Irrigon. Theft occurred last night around 8-840pm. -MCSO received a re- port on Se Utah Ave, in Irrigon. Caller advised that a silver tundra speed down Utah and was headed to- wards division. Unable to locate. -MCSO received a re- port on Se Utah Ave, in Irrigon. Caller advised that a side by side is driving in an empty lot in front of his house. Unable to locate. -MCSO received a re- port at Green Acres on Paterson Ferry Rd., in Ir- rigon. Caller advised that on Friday (12/03) someone broke into the electrical box at her property. Under investigation. ALL NEWS AND ADVERTISEMENT DEADLINE: MONDAYS AT 5:00 P.M. From our co-op family to yours, wishing you a happy holiday season and a joyous new year. Learn more about how UEC is helping to power communities at: Hermiston Office Boardman Office 750 W. Elm Ave. Hermiston, OR 97838 (541) 567-6414 400 N.E. Eldrige Drive Boardman, OR 97818 (541) 481-2220
