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About Heppner gazette-times. (Heppner, Or.) 1925-current | View Entire Issue (Dec. 29, 2021)
Heppner Gazette-Times, Heppner, Oregon Wednesday, December 29, 2021 -- THREE Doherty appointed chair of Army Depot Epiphany- revealing as development group Spiritually Speaking the real Messiah By Fr. Thankachan Joseph The word “Epiphany” comes from an Ancient Greek word, “epiphainein,” meaning revelation, appearance or manifestation. For Western Christians, the Feast of the Epiphany marks the visit of the Magi to the Christ child. Many of us can recall this event, described in the Gospel of Matthew: the three wise men are Melchior, Caspar and Balthasar, who presented to the baby Fr. Thankachan Jesus gifts of gold, frankincense and Joseph myrrh. Christian theologians emphasize the epiphany as the manifestation of Christ to the Gentiles, i.e., their belief in Jesus as divine Lord and Savior of all people. Since the wise men came searching for Christ, found him, worshipped Him and offered Him gifts, mil- lions of people have followed in their footsteps and come to Christ. We, too, are doing just that this coming week. The Gospel of St. Mathew (2:1-12) describes well the visit of the Magi to the new born king of Israel. The term “Magi” originally referred to a clan of Persian priests with special claims to interpret dreams. Here, they appear as astrologers/astronomers who observed the movements of the stars as a guide to major events. The Magi, or wise men, seeing a sign in the heavens, learn that some import- ant event has taken place in the West, in Palestine. They follow the sign and reach the palace of King Herod and ask, “Where is the child who has been born King of the Jews?” (The Oracle of Balaam in the Book of Numbers 24:17 says, “A star shall come forth from Jacob, a scepter shall rise from Israel.”) King Herod is greatly troubled hearing the words of the Magi. He makes all efforts going through Scriptures; the experts find out that the child is to be born in Bethlehem. He lets the wise men go to worship the child, but he intends to destroy the child. The king knows that the new born child may not be a pretender to his throne but can cause unrest in Judea. Therefore, the best thing would be to eliminate him. Most often, instead of appreciating and approving the goodness of someone, we try to eliminate it at the root level itself. This Feast Day of Epiphany is an invitation to examine our conscience. What is my approach to the well-being of someone else? When Matthew was writing the Gospel around 85 AD, most Jewish people had rejected Jesus as the Messi- ah, though the proclamation had first been made to them. We read in the Acts of the Apostles how the Christian preachers were being delivered up to the Sanhedrins, flogged in the synagogues and dragged before kings for bearing testimony to Jesus. Meanwhile, Gentiles were flocking to the Christian communities, and, thus, the apos- tolate had become one of making disciples of the Gentiles (Matthew 28: 1). Matthew differentiates the believing Magi from the unbelieving lot lead by Herod and “all Jerusalem with him.” In spite of their claim of possessing Scripture and tradition, they fail to recognize the Messiah. For the Gentile, on the other hand, a glimpse of a rising star is enough to discern God’s presence in the world. However, Matthew is quick to add that the Magi could not find Christ with “their own” effort. Their wisdom and science needed to be complemented by the revelation in Scripture to find the precise birthplace of Christ. The gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh are another Epiphany: a revelation of the identity of Jesus as King, Priest, And Savior of the world. Jesus had not even started to talk or walk, yet it is clear to the whole world that He is God in human flesh. He rules as King with gold, He sanc- tifies as a priest with incense and is Savior of mankind, for Jesus’s body would be preserved with myrrh when He offers His life for our salvation. The three gifts manifested the future mission of the new born King-Messiah. This Feast of Epiphany brings a great message, that we need to trust and deepen our knowledge in scripture and traditions passed on to us for becoming better be- lievers in our faith. The three wise kings had a mission to fulfil, the mission to meet the Savior of the world and worship and adore Him. Let us ask the child Jesus to give us the faith of wise men so that we may, like them, fulfil the mission to love the Lord, serve Him and be faithful to Him forever. ALL NEWS AND ADVERTISEMENT DEADLINE: MONDAYS AT 5:00 P.M. COVID Boosters Available Now Fast. Easy. Convenient. Walk-ins welcome. Impulsores de COVID Disponibles Ahora By David Sykes acres, straddling both Uma- County Commissioner tilla and Morrow Counties. Jim Doherty has been After being appointed the new elected to the chairman of the Colum- chairmanship, bia Development Au- Doherty said it has thority (CDA); it was been an “arduous” announced recently. journey transition- The CDA is responsible ing the depot to for transitioning the local control, but Umatilla Army Depot he is ready for the from federal govern- Jim Doherty job. “There exists ment ownership to local County Com- a plethora of pos- control. All the chemi- missioner sibilities on the cals and munitions pre- vacant landscape viously stored there since that formerly held such 1941 have been decommis- horror. I look forward to sioned and destroyed, and working with our partners the site covers about 20,000 from the Oregon Military, National Guard and sur- rounding farms and neigh- bors,” Doherty said of pre- paring the land for change of ownership. After many years of work the CDA has still not decided who will own the land and what the uses shall be once the trans- fer is completed. The CDA is made up of four board members representing Morrow and Umatilla counties and the Ports of Morrow and Uma- tilla. Representative Greg Smith is the CDA director. Doherty, who was not pre- viously a member of the board, replaces Bill Tovey as chairman. “I feel blessed to have been chosen by my CDA colleagues to guide us through the absorption of the Chemical Weapons De- pot back to local control,” Doherty said after the ap- pointment. “This has been an arduous journey to this point. The CTUIR (Confed- erated Tribes of Umatilla Indian Reservation), ports and sister counties never wavered in their collective resolve, that one day, this would be a reality,” Doherty said. Obituaries Eddie Martin Gunderson Jr. Raymond Wilson Grace Eddie Martin Gunder- continued to be involved in R a y m o n d W i l s o n was also a published writ- son Jr. passed away De- many of their events. Grace, age 84, passed away er, writing a book on grief cember 17, 2021, at his Eddie enjoyed attend- peacefully with his family after losing his second wife, son’s home, at the age of ing Heppner High School by his side on Saturday, Nona as well as a book on 90. A graveside service with games, especially sitting December 18, 2021, in politics, which was a pas- military honors will with his buddies Heppner, OR. Ray was sion of his. Ray was preceded be held on Wednes- supporting Mustang born September 17, 1937, in death by his par- day, January 5 at 11 football. to Homer and ents, Homer Grace a.m. at Heppner Ma- Survivors in- Vivian Grace in and Vivian (Snyder) sonic Cemetery. A clude his son, Da- Methow, WA. Ray Grace and his second luncheon will follow vid (Tricia); grand- loved to travel the wife Nona Grace. at the Elks Club in c h i l d r e n , B r e n t world, exploring Ray is survived Heppner. (Kimmie) and their new countries and by his son, Clay and Eddie was born Eddie Martin daughter, Whitley, learning about dif- his wife Lolita Grace; May 29, 1931, to Gunderson Jr. Derek (Meghan) and ferent areas of the Raymond Agnes Lucille and their son, Easton; a world. He helped Wilson Grace daughter, Meschelle and her husband Hal Eddie Gunderson Sr. in cousin, who was like a son, build the plywood Nortonville, ND. He moved Jim Doherty (Pam) their plant and sawmill in Hep- Whitaker and two broth- to Heppner in 1945 where children, Jennifer, Sara pner, worked in Saudi Ara- ers, Mike Grace and Dave he graduated from Heppner (Brett) Davis and their chil- bia building desalination Grace. Ray also left behind High School in 1949. dren, Grayson, and Merris. plants, helped to build the three grandchildren, Mis- On July 21, 1950, he He was preceded in Guri Dam in Venezuela and sy and her husband Paul married Beverly Yocom. death by his wife, Beverly; also worked alongside his Miller, Stephanie and her husband Nick Griffitts and They were married in the son, Douglas; his parents; son in Hawaii. house that they moved into brother, Donald and a sister, Ray was a professional Shaun and her husband in 1963 and lived in, until Mary Schoonover. engineer by trade and an Casey Picard, and seven their deaths. They had two Memorial contributions inventor who was always great-grandchildren, Ash- sons, David and Douglas. can be made to Pioneer looking for ways to im- ley Miller, Wyatt Miller, Eddie was drafted Memorial Hospice, PO Box prove different tools and Gracie Griffitts, Harper into the Army in 1952 and 9, Heppner, OR 97836, or machines to make them Griffitts, Madelynn Grif- served in the Korean War. Heppner High School Ath- more useful. Ray was a fitts, Bailey Picard and He was extremely proud of letics, PO Box 67, Heppner, part of CSEPP (Chemical Captain Picard. Visitation will be held being a veteran and contin- OR 97836 or the BPOE 358 Stockpile Emergency Pre- ued to be a member of the Foundation, PO Box 494, paredness Program), and Saturday, February 19, American Legion until his Heppner, OR 97836. he served time as a Morrow 2022, from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. at Sweeney Mortuary death. After returning from Sweeney Mortuary of County commissioner. the Army, he went back to Heppner is in care of ar- He loved classical mu- in Heppner, OR. Graveside work at the mill until he rangements. The online sic and was never hesitant Services will follow at Hep- retired in 1989. condolence book is avail- to share his true feelings pner Masonic Cemetery at He enjoyed the out- able at www.sweeneymor- with those around him. Ray 1 p.m. doors, fishing, hunting and tuary.com. was an amazing artist and playing golf. Golf was a passion for many years, and he did get four holes in one. ing uninsured, fine $265. He enjoyed his grandchil- Morrow County Justice -Kaleb G. Tate, 30, -Brandon T. Peck, 25, dren, watching them play of the Peace, Glen Diehl, Ione, was convicted of dog Ione, was convicted of vi- sports, teaching them golf has released the following as a public nuisance, fine olation of basic rule, fine and the fine art of fishing. Justice Court report: $265; failure to drive within $165. After his retirement, -Rachael L Lantenbach, -Lane L. Bailey, 31, lane, fine $265 and failure Bev and Ed loved to go Heppner, was convicted of to report an accident, fine 33, Ione, was convicted of south to Arizona, meeting violation of basic rule, fine $440. shifting/leaking load, fine new friends along the way. $165. -Kevin L. Mudge, 44, $165. He spent a couple of years -Sage E. Ferguson, 18, -Bryan K. Collins, 18, Ione, was convicted of vi- working for the Forest Ser- Heppner, was convicted of olation of basic rule, fine Hermiston, was convicted vice and supervising YCC failure to use seatbelt, fine $165; driving while sus- of violation of basic rule, crews. He was presented $115. pended, fine $440 and driv- fine $165. a plaque for Mentor of the Year 1992-93 for dedicated 16x16 in 24x24 in service and support to per- sons with disabilities. Order your family He was involved for 70 years as a member of canvas prints BPOE #358, serving as today! exalted ruler in 1991-92 and Justice Court Report 20x16 in Rápido. Fácil. Conveniente. Se aceptan visitas sin cita previa. Off-site vaccinations available for businesses and home-bound patients. Call for details. Vacunas fuera del sitio disponibles para empresas y pacientes confinados en el hogar. Llame para obtener más detalles. Llame para obtener más detalles. New Rx Local App Available Now Nueva Aplicación Rx Local Daisponible Ahora Heppner Condon Boardman (541) 676-9158 (541) 256-1200 (541) 481-9474 www.MurraysDrug.com Print & Mailing Services 24x36 in 18x24 in *Design *Print *Mail Sykes Publishing 541-676-9228 WWW.HEPPNER.NET Submit News, Advertising & Announcements Letters To The Editor Send Us Photos Start A New Subscription Call Sykes Publishing for a FREE quote on canvas prints! 541-676-9228 Text Cell: 541-980-6674 david@rapidserve.net 188 W Willow St., Heppner
