Heppner Gazette-Times, Heppner, Oregon Wednesday, March 2, 2022 -- THREE
Spiritually Speaking
Turn away from sin
and turn to God
By Fr. Thankachan Joseph
I left the US on Wednesday and reached home on Fri-
day. When I left Heppner, it was freezing,
and I reached my home town in India to a
climate of scorching heat. That made me
reflect on the fact that the Church, too,
is going through a season of transition.
From Ash Wednesday onwards we are
invited to introspect and make necessary
adaptations in our lives, ready to enter the Fr. Thankachan
season of Lent, a time of turning away Joseph
from our sinfulness and turning towards
God and godly ways.
Like the grumbling Israelites in the Book of Exodus,
we often forget the marvelous things God has done in
our lives, leave Him aside and turn to worldly things for
temporary advantages. For many of us, then, Lent is the
spiritual equivalent of New Year’s resolutions. We set
aside time to work on ourselves for forty days, so we
don’t end up wandering around in the wilderness for forty
years. (But in the early days of the Church, Lent was not
so much a time to focus inward a time to focus outward,
a time not just for personal growth, but for growth of the
Church.) Lent is an invitation to fast, pray, and give alms
for the forty days preceding Easter.
On Ash Wednesday, as the priest applies the ashes on
the foreheads of the faithful, he reminds each one of us
that from dust we have come and to dust we shall return.
So, before we return to dust, during the season of Lent
the church invites everyone to fast and feast, for Lent can
also be a season of feasting:
Fast from judging others; feast on the Christ dwelling
in them. Fast from emphasis on differences; feast on the
unity of life. Fast from apparent darkness; feast on the
reality of light. Fast from thoughts of illness; feast on
the healing power of God. Fast from words that pollute;
feast on phrases that purify. Fast from discontent; feast on
gratitude. Fast from anger; feast on patience. Fast from
pessimism; feast on optimism. Fast from worry; feast
on divine order. Fast from complaining; feast on appre-
ciation. Fast from negatives; feast on affirmatives. Fast
from unrelenting pressures; feast on unceasing prayer.
Fast from hostility; feast on non-resistance. Fast from
bitterness; feast on forgiveness. Fast from self-concern;
feast on compassion for others. Fast from personal anx-
iety; feast on eternal truth. Fast from discouragements;
feast on hope. Fast from facts that depress; feast on facts
that uplift. Fast from lethargy; feast on enthusiasm. Fast
from thoughts that weaken; feast on promises that inspire.
Fast from shadows of sorrow; feast on the sunlight of se-
renity. Fast from idle gossip; feast on purposeful silence.
Fast from problems that overwhelm; feast on prayer that
undergirds.
Fifteen Great Ways to Fast during Lent – we still
have time. Let’s turn away from our sinful ways through
Lenten fasting. Lenten fasts have a tendency to be orient-
ed or even limited towards things like giving up food or
TV. Instead of giving up sweets or TV, why not try one
or more of these “Lenten fast” ideas. They might bring
your family more benefit than fasting from food or from
watching less TV. I like to suggest fifteen different ways
to make your Lenten fast more meaningful:
1. Fast from anger and hatred. Give your family
that extra dose of love. 2. Fast from division. Strive
for unity with everyone. 3. Fast from judging others.
Remember how Jesus overlooks our faults. 4. Fast from
low self-esteem, pessimism and negativity. Be positive in
your outlook on life. 5. Fast from discouragement. Have
hope. 6. Fast from personal anxiety, fear and worry. Jesus
is watching over our lives. Put your trust in Him. 7. Fast
from lethargy. Have enthusiasm for life. 8. Fast from prob-
lems that overwhelm your life and wear you down. Pray
and ask Jesus for help. 9. Fast from complaining. Stop and
try to appreciate all the moments of joy. 10. Fast from too
much self-concern. Put yourself in the others’ shoes. 11.
Fast from resentments or bitterness. Forgive those who
have hurt you. 12. Fast from negative conversations or
gossip. Encourage one another. 13. Fast from spending
too much money. Reduce your spending by ten percent
and give the savings to the poor. 14. Fast from too much
of the world. Try to give extra time to Jesus. 15. Fast from
forwarding anything that would hurt Jesus in any way.
Justice Court Report
Morrow County Justice of the Peace, Glen Diehl, has
released the following Justice Court report:
-Clerissa J. Arnold, 35, Ione, was convicted of vio-
lation of basic rule, fine $200.
-Juvenile, Lexington, was convicted of failure to
display plate, fine, $115.
-Juvenile, Lexington, was convicted of driving with
improper lighting, fine $165.
-Jonas M. Healy, 41, Heppner, was convicted of
failure to display plate, fine $115.
Valby Lutheran Church
Valby Road
Ione Oregon. 97843
Church Services
1st & 3rd Sundays
10:00 AM
Available for:
Weddings • Funerals
Family Events
541-422-7300
Old
Country
Church
All Are
Welcome
Obituaries
Douglas Raymond
Marlatt
Debra Lee (Yocum)
Jones
Those who loved Doug-
Douglas Raymond
Marlatt entered this life las, remember him as a kind
on September 25, 1969, in and giving soul, with the
Pendleton, OR, the son of biggest heart, who served
Wilma Lee Bothwell and everyone. Every family
member has fond
Wesley Virgil Marlatt
stories of how he
Sr. of Heppner. He en-
would go out of his
tered eternal life Feb-
way to make their
ruary 20, 2022, from
lives easier through
his home in Umatilla,
his loving service.
OR. Graveside ser-
Douglas was
vice for Douglas will
be held in Heppner at Douglas Ray- a member of the
the Heppner Masonic mond Marlatt IBEW local 112 as
a material handler.
Cemetery, at 11 a.m.
He is remembered as a
March 5, 2022.
He was a member of hard worker who was re-
The Church of Jesus Christ lentless in accomplishing
of Latter Day Saints, Uma- difficult tasks and staying
tilla River Ward, Hermiston until the job was complete.
He was loved by his fellow
Oregon Stake.
He grew up in Heppner, co-workers for his wit and
graduating from Heppner will be missed.
Survivors include his
High School in 1988, where
he played football, and father, Wesley V. Marlatt
loved learning. He was a Sr. of Finley, WA; sister,
life-long learner and was Melody Marlatt of Santa
an avid history buff. His Ana, CA; sister and broth-
friends and family would er-in-law, Rosanna and Jo-
joke about Douglas being seph Vandacar of Umatilla;
quicker than Google in brother and sister-in-law,
giving an answer and was Wesley and Sarah-Anne
thus dubbed Doogle, for Marlatt of Irrigon; sister
his quick mind and accurate and brother-in-law, Lovena
and Lee Clinkenbeard of La
memory.
Douglas will be most Grande; sister and brother-
remembered for his infec- in-law, Starla and Larry
tious laugh and cunning Lozier of Finley, WA; sister,
sense of humor. His niec- Alisha Looslie of Pendle-
es and nephews looked ton; 10 adoring nieces and
to him as the cool uncle nephews, and seven great
who always brought great nieces and nephews. He
fireworks and loved to was preceded in death by
join them in playing video his mother, Wilma Marlatt.
Sweeney Mortuary of
games. He loved bringing
smiles to people. Whenever Heppner is in care of ar-
he saw something that he rangements. The online
thought would bring joy, condolence book is avail-
he would make sure they able at www.sweeneymor-
tuary.com.
received it.
Debra Lee (Yocom) she especially loved the
Jones, 66, of Pendleton, Seattle Seahawks. Watch-
passed away on Febru- ing the games with family
ary 16, 2022, at Legacy and friends each week was
Good Samaritan Hospital her favorite thing to do. She
in Portland, OR of COPD also loved creating art from
and asthma complications. unconventional materials
A celebration of life will and enjoyed sharing her
be held Saturday, March 5, creations with others. Her
hats for every season
2022, from 1 to 3
and holiday will be
p.m. at the Pendle-
missed by all.
ton Shari’s restau-
Survivors include
rant banquet room.
her daughter, Bren-
All are invited to
da (Tom); grandson,
attend.
Rylee; siblings, Mil-
Debra was born
lie, Jack (Renee) and
to Joe and Hilda Debra Lee
Marie (Darin); nieces,
Yocom on April (Yocum)
Olivia, Nicole and
18, 1955, in Altur- Jones
Heather; nephews,
as CA. She grew up
in Lexington and graduated Travis, Justin and Zachary;
from Heppner High School grandnieces and nephews,
in 1973. She raised two Bryson and Airyanna, Bris-
daughters, Jane and Brenda, bin and Ridley, Tommy
as a single mom. They lived and Miranda, Hannah and
in Spokane, Milton-Free- Lincoln.
She was preceded in
water and Pendleton
Debbie was a devoted death by her parents, Joe
“Nam” to her grandson, and Hilda; daughter, Jane;
Rylee, and had a very spe- nephew, Joseph and broth-
cial relationship with her er-in-law, Leland.
Sweeney Mortuary of
grandnephew and grand-
niece, Bryson and Airyan- Heppner is in care of ar-
na. She was “Aunt Deb- rangements. The online
bers” to her nieces and condolence book is avail-
able at www.sweeneymor-
nephews.
As an avid NFL fan, tuary.com.
Chamber offers
tourism learning
opportunity
The Heppner Chamber
invites everyone to come
learn how the Destination
Development project for
Morrow County will help
communities cultivate re-
gional visions; identify
strategies to harness the
power of tourism; and de-
velop unique experiences
in culinary and agritour-
ism, outdoor recreation,
bicycle tourism, cultural
heritage tourism and more
from Umatilla and Morrow
County Tourism Director
Karie Walchli. The meeting
will be held at the Gilliam
and Bisbee Building at
noon on March 3, with
lunch catered by Upper
Place Concessions.
“Building tourism in
a manageable, sustainable
way can stimulate the local
economy, protect, and en-
hance local resources and
foster community pride—
without compromising the
qualities that make this
place so special,” Walchli
said.
Lunch will consist of
homemade chili and corn-
bread for $10 per person.
Please RSVP to heppner-
chamber@gmail.com or
541-676-5536 by 4 p.m.
March 2 to receive a lunch.
No RSVPs are required
if not requesting a lunch.
The meeting is open to
everyone.
A second, more in-
depth meeting with Karie
Walchli will be held March
31 at 7 p.m. also at the Gil-
liam and Bisbee Building.
Additional information will
be available at a later date.
Beverly Lucille
(Blake) Fitzgerald
Beverly Fitzgerald, 77, ability to relate to the el-
passed away October 18, derly and often spent time
2021, at her home in Salem visiting with and driving
from complications of Par- older friends to church, etc.
kinson’s disease. Beverly
Bev was preceded in
was born March 13, 1944, death by her husband, Da-
in Pendleton, OR to Willard vid Fitzgerald and her par-
ents, Willard and
and Shirley Blake. She
Shirley Blake.
spent her childhood in
She is sur-
Heppner and graduat-
vived by and
ed from Heppner High
will be greatly
School in 1962.
missed by her
She went on to grad-
daughter, Anna
uate from Oregon Col-
lege of Education with Beverly Lu- Fitzgerald; her
a degree in elementary cille (Blake) sisters, Barbara
Fitzgerald
Teachout (Dale),
education. While there
Jenny Weaver
she met and married Da-
vid Fitzgerald. They were (Allen), Karen Kreder
married for 55 years and (Butch), Kathy Ross (Steve)
and her sisters-in-law, Carol
had one daughter.
Bev spent more than Dryden (Bill) and Terry
30 years teaching in the Sa- Crocket (Randy) and many
lem-Keizer school districts. nieces and nephews.
Beverly will be remem-
After retirement she was
active in the Salem Retired bered during the regular
Teachers Association and morning worship service
the Salem garden club. She at the Hopeful Saints Min-
made 100s of pounds of istry (Episcopal-Lutheran
candy for the garden club’s Church) on Sunday March
annual Greens Show fund 13, 2022, at 10 a.m. Please
join Beverly’s sisters at
raiser.
Bev took her love of noon for a gathering up-
teaching and her creativity stairs at the Gilliam and
and worked and taught Bisbee building, where
classes at the Stampin Cat local friends are providing
in Salem for several years. food, and everyone can
She also played a big part in reminisce and tell their
organizing her high school favorite Bev stories.
Memorial contributions
reunions. She and her hus-
band David delivered for may be made to the Hopeful
the Meals on Wheels pro- Saints Ministry, PO Box
gram in Salem. All her life 246, Heppner, OR 97836.
Beverly had a wonderful
Morrow SWCD to meet
Morrow SWCD will
meet Tuesday, March 8 at
6 p.m. virtually via Zoom.
If you wish to attend the
Zoom or join over confer-
ence call, please contact
the SWCD beforehand at
541-676-5452.
Meetings of the Mor-
row SWCD are open to the
public.
O ld T imers ’ N ighT
Thursday, March 3rd
Dinner at 6:00pm
Steak
Salad
Roasted Potatoes
Asparagus
Garlic Bread
Dessert