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About Heppner gazette-times. (Heppner, Or.) 1925-current | View Entire Issue (Feb. 23, 2022)
Heppner Gazette-Times, Heppner, Oregon Wednesday, February 23, 2022 -- THREE Spiritually Speaking Reflections for Lent By Fr. Thankachan Joseph Last Sunday, through the story of Saul and David, we were reminded to forgive those who offend us. This Sunday’s Gospel begins with these words of Jesus: “Can a blind person guide a blind person? Will not both fall into a pit?” (Lk. 6:39). The season of Lent is an invitation to introspect our lives and realize the dark spots of our lives and turn to the light of Christ and live well. I am sure many of you are familiar with the term “Lent.” Lent is a season of intense prayer, fasting and fidelity to the word of God. Lent is a time of introspec- Fr. Thankachan Joseph tion. On Ash Wednesday, we read from the Gospel of Mathew, Chapter 6, the Lenten tasks expected of all of us. We read in the book of Exodus the Israelites grumbling, even after the amazing things God had done for them (Ex 17:3-7). In them, we recognize ourselves. This is a particular time that we set aside to work on ourselves for forty days, so we don’t end up wandering around in the wilderness for forty years. We do things to burn off the fat that’s weighing us down, try to improve our spiritual diet, and do some spiritual exercises to strengthen the muscles we call “virtues.” Every year, as soon as the season of Lent begins, the first question many people ask is, “What will you do for Lent?” Some will answer, “I will give up smoking,” or “I will give up alcoholic drinks,” or “I will give up watching movies and TV.” Others may say, “I will go for daily Mass,” or “I will read one chapter of the Gospels every day.” But you who neither smoke nor drink nor watch movies and TV, you who go for daily Mass and read Gospels every day, for you, what is there to give up? Some of my thoughts on that which we need to GIVE UP to be with Christ and be like Him: (Some of you parents may train your children in a meaningful practice that is almost vanishing from our Christian traditions.) 1. GIVE UP grumbling. Instead, “In everything give thanks.” 2. GIVE UP 10 to 15 minutes in bed. Instead, use that time in prayer, Bible study and personal devotion. 3. GIVE UP looking at other people’s worst points. Instead concentrate on their best points. We all have faults. 4. GIVE UP speaking unkindly. Instead, let your speech be generous and understanding. It costs so little to say something kind and uplifting. 5. GIVE UP your hatred of anyone or anything. Instead, learn the discipline of love. 6. GIVE UP your worries and anxieties. Instead, trust God with them. 7. GIVE UP TV one evening a week. Instead, visit some lonely or sick person. There are those who are isolated by illness or age. 8. GIVE UP buying anything but essentials for yourself. Instead, the money you would spend on the luxuries could help someone meet basic needs. 9. GIVE UP judging by appearances and by the standard of the world. Instead, learn that there is only one who has the right to judge, Jesus Christ. So, the real question of Lent is not so much, “What will I give up for Lent?” but rather, “What do I wish to be- come as a result of Lent?” (More Christ-like, more child- like, more human, more understanding, more committed to my daily routine of life and apostolate, etc....) The Lenten season begins with the blessing of the ashes from last year’s Palm Sunday’s palm branches and applying the ashes on the foreheads of all the believers who attend the services recalling how the people of God listened to God’s prophets and took upon themselves severe fasting and self-denial activities. On Ash Wednesday, we read from the book of Joel; the prophet is inviting everyone with these words: “Return to me with your whole heart, with fasting and weeping and mourning; Rend your hearts not your garments and return to the Lord your God” (Joel 2: 12). Start giving thanks in everything. Start focusing on others’ best points. Let your speech become more gener- ous and understanding. Learn the discipline of love. Turn from anxiety, live today and let God’s grace be sufficient. Visit some lonely or sick person. Spend only on essen- tials; we are called to be stewards of God’s riches, not consumers. Learn not to judge yourself or others. There is only one who has the right to judge, Jesus Christ. O ld T imers ’ N ighT Thursday, March 3rd Dinner at 6:00pm Remembrance Walk Collins graduates Run returns from lineman college Shamrocks are in the air and the Friends Help- ing Friends group has an- nounced the return of the St. Patrick’s Day Remem- brance Walk/Run. The an- nual event will be held Saturday, March 12, with registration starting at 8:30 a.m. and taking off at 9:30. Registration will be held outside the United Meth- odist Church and prereg- istration is highly encour- aged. To preregister, mail your registration to Friends Helping Friends, c/o Kathi Dickenson, PO Box 566, Heppner, OR 97836. Friends Helping Friends has been holding the Annual Walk/Run since 2009. Each year fundrais- ing efforts have supported local needs. Past recipients include Pioneer Memorial Home Health and Hospice, Willow Creek Terrace, Pi- oneer Memorial Hospi- tal, South Morrow County Fire and EMS, communi- ty members and clubs in need and Pioneer Memorial Physical Therapy. This year the event will raise funds to purchase mobility devices to assist with safely trans- ferring patients for Pioneer Memorial Home Health and Hospice and new equip- ment for funeral services for Sweeney Mortuary. Everyone is invited to attend the March 12 event to walk, run and support the community. Bag sale scheduled The Neighborhood Center will be having a bag sale on Wednesday, March 2 from 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. at 441 N Main Street, Heppner. Shop for the entire family and fill up a bag with clothing, shoes, books, games, music and movies. The first bag purchased is $15 and the second bag will be sold at the discounted price of $5. All other merchandise is 50 percent off this day only. Proceeds from the sale help fund the food pantry and other emergency assistance programs. The Neighborhood Center also has vendor space available in their large parking lot right on Main Street for the Wee Bit O’ Ireland Celebration March 11-13 and 18-19, 2022. Available spaces are 10 by 10 ft. and 10 by 20 ft. No electricity hookup or public restrooms are available. Stop in to pick up a vendor application and reserve your spot. For additional information or prices for the vendor spac- es, contact Lisa Patton at 541-676-5024. Roy Collins completes lineman college. -Contributed photo. Roy Collins, a 2020 Heppner High School grad- uate, graduated Friday, February 11, 2022, from the North West Lineman College in Meridian, Ida- ho. After a very intense, 15-week curriculum, Roy graduated with a multitude of certificates and qualifica- tions. After graduation Roy was offered a job at Track Utilities in Meridian. ALL NEWS AND ADVERTISEMENT DEADLINE: MONDAYS AT 5:00 P.M. Randall Peterson selected as St. Pat’s Grand Marshal By Bobbi Gordon Randall Peterson, own- er of Peterson’s Jewelers in Heppner, has been selected as grand marshal for this year’s Wee Bit O’ Ireland St. Patrick’s celebration. The St. Patrick’s celebration will run for two weekends this year, from March 11 through March 19. Peterson will preside over the Great Green Parade to take place on Main Street in Heppner on March 12 at 1 p.m. When asked how he felt about being selected as grand marshal, Peterson told the Gazette, “I was surprised and happy to be chosen.” He continued, “I am glad to be recognized.” Peterson added he didn’t know if they were providing a special car for him to ride in for the parade. ALL NEWS AND ADVERTISEMENT DEADLINE: Steak Salad Roasted Potatoes Asparagus Garlic Bread Dessert MONDAYS AT 5:00 P.M. Randall Peterson “It would be nice to ride in a Cadillac convertible, but I don’t think there is one in town.” He noted that he is concerned about what they have in store for him, saying, “When people come into the store to congratu- late me, they have a twinkle in their eye, so I am not sure what they might be up to.” The St. Patrick’s com- mittee told the Gazette, “Randall was selected be- cause we felt it was time for him. He was born here and is an important part of our community, both personally and in his investment as a business.” Randall is well known in town as the owner and operator of the town’s jew- elry store. He began work- ing at the store when he was 10 years old, first learning watch and clock repair from his father. Peterson’s Jewel- ers was founded in 1928 by Randall’s father, John Oscar Peterson. According to a news article published December 9, 1998, in the Heppner Ga- zette-Times, years ago the store was open until 9 p.m. on Saturdays to accommo- date farmers, ranchers and their hired hands who came to town. Saturday was a busy day, the day most of the watch repair work was brought in and picked up. Randall apprenticed under his father, who was a master in the jewelry trade and noted for his engraving by hand with a sharp steel instrument before stainless steel was prevalent. Randall learned the trade, work- ing at the family business during high school. After taking time to attend col- lege at Whitman in Walla Walla and North Idaho College at Coeur d’ Alene and completing a two year stint in the Army, Randall returned to Heppner to help his parents in the store. His father, J.O. passed away in 1960, staying ac- tive in the business until 1959, when Randall took over operation. He and his wife, Marlene, operated the store together until her passing. In 1998, Randall said he had no plans for retirement. The G-T article quoted Randall as saying, “A lot of my classmates stop by, and many have retired. But I don’t think I would like it. I like to work, and I like to keep busy.” Obviously, Peterson meant what he said since he is still actively running his store nearly a quarter of a century later. P ancake S uPPer Pancakes, Ham, Fruit Beverage Tuesday, March 1, 2022 5pm - 7pm Hopeful Saints Ministry (Episcopal Church) Corner of Church and Gail St All proceeds benefit local community needs Adult $5, Student $4, Family $15
