+HSSQHU*D]HWWH7LPHV+HSSQHU2UHJRQ Wednesday, April 24, 2024 7+5((
Spiritually Speaking
~ Letters to the Editor ~
Father Thankachan Joseph
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the true vine and we the branches. Thus, we must remain
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Remaining in Christ’s Love
Parenthood Drotzmann Drotzmann
It’s been a long two
days. Constant mooing…. for Senate
for Senate
literally every two seconds.
I kinda wanna hug her and
punch her lights out at the
same time. This isn’t the
normal soft moo of moth-
erhood. It’ her angry moo.
It’s loud, guttural and says,
“give me back my baby….
or else”. Weaning is tough,
no matter who ya’ are. I
should know. Been there
a bunch.
People think the hard-
est years of motherhood
are the early years. No
sleep, dirty diapers, runny
noses, and no time to your-
self. It can take its toll. It’s
exhausting. But wait….
there’s more. Just about
the time you think you’ve
got it down, you blink and
it’s June, graduation, and
in a few short months….
you’re saying goodbye.
Why don’t you just rip my
heart out and run over it
with the tractor. It would
be more merciful. I’d love
to say how wonderful it is
to see your little projects
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wish them well and now
you have less laundry and
more time to yourself. It’s
little compensation….or
consolation. If there’s a
switch that makes it easy
to go from important care-
giver and major worrier to
an occasional text, I haven’t
found it yet.
I have seven children.
Believe it or not, not all of
them think I’m awesome.
Some like me better than
others. Some tolerate me
like you would an annoying
neighbor. I have one that
has decided I’m not worth
the effort. It breaks my
heart…. every day.
You always hear how
we need to make our par-
ents proud. Do we ever
hear about making our kids
proud? Because that’s what
I want. It amazes me how
many people have adult
children that haven’t talked
to them in years. Why? It’s
understandable if these par-
ents were horrible people,
abusive, or didn’t give their
kids even their basic needs.
But more commonly, It’s
because of a disagreement
that wasn’t settled….or
hurt feelings that should
have been healed long ago.
We’re all humans with is-
sues that make us do or say
things we regret. It would
make it a heck of a lot eas-
ier if we could all practice
a little forgiveness…even
when it still hurts.
It’s not supposed to
be this way. We’re all
supposed to live like the
Waltons…one big happy
family living in the same
farmhouse with Gramma
and Grandpa and everyone
within earshot. Hugs and
advice are supposed to be
readily available. Grand-
kids are supposed to be on
Grandpa’s knee or helping
Gramma with the biscuits.
To be fair, parents ar-
en’t the only ones who
have it rough. The current
Garden of Life isn’t a great
environment in which to
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fort is knowing that Jesus
loves my kids and grand-
kids even more than I do….
and He is doing everything
possible to see that we all
spend eternity together.
So, if you’ve got par-
ents, show them love, com-
passion, and forgiveness….
and call your mom.
“Honor your father and
mother, so that your days
may be long in the land
that the LORD your God is
giving you.” Exodus 20:12
By Susie Crosby from
Prineville, Or.
When choosing candi-
dates to represent Board-
man in the Oregon Leg-
islature, we need proven
leaders with experience
bringing people together
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facing their community.
That is why I am support-
ing Dave Drotzmann for
State Senator in District 29.
Dave has a deep under-
standing of the issues af-
fecting our region. As a
small business owner and
Hermiston Mayor, he has
prioritized investments to
add more family-wage jobs
and improve the quality of
life for residents. He will
bring this approach to Sa-
lem, focusing on projects
and programs that make
our state a better place
to live and do business.
Dave knows that our econo-
my in Eastern Oregon relies
on smart and sustainable
usage of natural resources.
These resources are our
shared heritage and the
lifeblood of our communi-
ties. As State Senator, Dave
will make sure everyone’s
voice is heard and craft
balanced policies that allow
our farmers to continue
farming, ranchers to contin-
ue ranching, and loggers to
continue logging — while
simultaneously protecting
our environment, outdoor
recreation, and tourism.
I urge my fellow Orego-
nians to join me in voting
for Dave Drotzmann in the
May 21 primary election.
Dave has shown what is
possible when we all work
together, and he will be a
tireless advocate for our
region and values.
Debbie Radie, Irrigon
Or.
As a fellow Eastern Or-
egon mayor, I have come to
admire Dave Drotzmann’s
hard work and accomplish-
ments on behalf of our
region’s largest city. That is
why I am throwing my full
support behind Dave for
State Senator in District 29.
Not only does Dave em-
body our conservative val-
ues — including Second
Amendment rights and the
right to life — his lead-
ership has helped usher
a new era of economic
growth and opportunity.
By making smart invest-
ments in infrastructure,
Hermiston boasts an im-
pressive pipeline of 2,000
new houses and has seen the
creation of 1,200 new jobs
over his tenure as mayor.
In Boardman and Morrow
County, our economy is
closely intertwined with
Hermiston, and their suc-
cesses have simultaneously
helped to spur our own local
growth. In that regard, Dave
has been an invaluable
partner to strengthen the
entire Columbia Basin. I
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bring this same spirit of
prudent stewardship and
community empowerment
to the Oregon Senate.
I wholeheartedly endorse
Dave Drotzmann in the Re-
publican primary on May
21, and I encourage my
fellow citizens to join me
in casting their votes for a
leader who will truly make
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Paul Keefer, Board-
man, OR.
Drotzmann
for Senate
of leader we need, having
served on the Hermiston
City Council for many
years — the last 12 with
Dave Drotzmann as Mayor
— I feel I can accurate-
ly attest to both Dave’s
heart for Eastern Oregon
and his leadership skills.
Dave has proven himself
to be an excellent leader. In
Hermiston, he has been at
the helm during these past
few years of tremendous
growth and has continu-
ously advocated for the
good of all the community.
Dave has also been in a
leadership role for the
League of Oregon Cities
for the past several years.
He currently serves as
president of the league,
which serves cities of all
sizes throughout our state.
Dave is pro-life, pro-Second
Amendment, and pro-per-
sonal responsibility, which
I wholeheartedly support!
He believes in local con-
trol, which encourages
needed housing develop-
ment, smart use of our
natural resources, and
well-funded public safety.
Dave believes we need to
rein in government taxes
and spending. He believes
spending should be focused
on projects and programs
that make the state a better
place to live and do business.
I believe the leadership
that Dave has brought to
Hermiston would serve
District 29 well. Please
join me in voting for Dave
Drotzmann, Republican for
State Senate District 29.
Rod Hardin, Hermis-
ton, OR.
I am pleased to write
this letter in support of
Dave Drotzmann for our
next Oregon State Senator.
In Oregon, we are still in
post-pandemic recovery.
We need strong representa-
tion from the local level on
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every one of us.
Dave Drotzmann
has experience in build-
ing thriving communities,
addressing citizen safety
concerns, and has actively
worked toward solutions
for our unhoused popula-
tion. He has volunteered
his time to better the lives
of children and families
and participated on the
Hermiston School District
Board to support education.
He has built a thriving busi-
ness and has participated on
many boards and service
groups. Dave continuously
shows up for people — all
people. His level of insight
and knowledge will be the
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Eastern Oregon.
He will work to re-
duce taxes; increase af-
fordable housing; support
economic development;
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and educational opportu-
nities for individuals going
into the workforce; address
youth truancy laws; sup-
port addiction and recov-
ery services; and, most of
all, support safe, thriving
communities. Please stand
with me and vote for Dave
Drotzmann as our next Or-
egon State Senator.
Jenni Galloway, Pend-
leton, OR.
District 29 is home to abun-
dant agriculture, forestry,
energy, and recreation that
powers local economies.
If our communities are
to thrive, we need elected
officials who understand
and appreciate what it takes
to manage these natural
resources — creating local
jobs, feeding the world, and
preserving our heritage for
future generations. That
is why I am supporting
Dave Drotzmann for state
senator.
Agriculture is a critical
industry not just for Eastern
Oregon, but our state as a
whole, accounting for more
than $5 billion in annual
production. Meanwhile,
logging on state forests
provided another $97 mil-
lion for county and state
governments in 2022. With
his small business back-
ground, Dave will advocate
for policies and investments
to keep farmers farming,
ranchers ranching, and log-
gers logging, giving rural
voices a much-needed seat
at the table.
At the same time, Dave
is an avid hunter who be-
lieves in maintaining our
state’s natural splendor and
all the recreational opportu-
nities that come along with
it. Dave understands that
economic prosperity and
environmental stewardship
are not mutually exclusive.
We can achieve both, with-
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expense of the other.
Dave has made his
home in this area for over
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every day to protect and
preserve our way of life.
Vote for Dave on May 21.
Tyler, Kenzie, and Lu-
cas Hansell. Hermiston, Or.
Drotzmann
for Senate Nash for
Drotzmann is the kind
Drotzmann
for Senate
To live in northeast Or-
egon is to love our region’s
bountiful outdoors. Senate
Senate
As a former State Rep-
resentative for House Dis-
trict 58, I am writing to
express my unwavering and
enthusiastic support for my
good friend Todd Nash for
State Senate District 29. It
was a privilege for me to
meet Todd 10 years ago
when I was running for of-
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his dedication to serving
his community as well as
the state organizations he
was involved in. Todd has a
thorough understanding of
the issues facing Northeast
Oregon and deep commit-
ment to address them.
During my tenure in
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trips to Salem to testify on
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rity, leadership and com-
munication skills set him
apart and now make him
an outstanding candidate
for State Senate. His track
record of thoughtful and
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volumes to his ability to
represent the best interests
of Senate District 29.
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that Todd Nash will serve
his district and community
with distinction if elected
as the next State Senator
for District 29. I urge you
to join me in supporting
Todd’s candidacy and cast
your vote for him in the
upcoming election.
Sincerely, Greg Barreto
Former State Representative
House District 58. Bend, ID
DEADLINE:
MONDAYS
AT 5PM
in Him if we wish to bear much fruit. He is inviting every
one of us to remain in His Love. The Gospel reading of
the days narrates the aspect of his divine love for each
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remain with the main stem. The parable of the vine and
the branches narrates to the faithful to stay with him and
enjoy the blessings of lives. As the branch that bears much
fruit when it remains with the trunk and properly cut and
pruned. Similarly, he prepares everyone to go through the
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is the true vine, and we are his branches. As branches
crafted on the true vine, we are expected to bear positive
and good fruits in Christ.
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immediately after the call of Saul on his mission to Da-
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Apostles (9: 26-31), one remarkable thing we see about
Paul is that after his dramatic conversion his life changed
completely. Immediately, he was transformed from Saul
the persecutor, to Paul the preacher of the good news. He
wasted no time in bearing fruit in Christ. This is because
his conversion was true and genuine. The post pandemic
season is an occasion God gives to every one of us to ex-
amine one’s own life and return to him. The consequence
of his true conversion and believe in Jesus Christ was a
great harvest of souls which continues till today. He bore
good fruits because he was a “deeply crafted and rooted
branch” in Christ, the true vine. Paul bore abundant and
lasting fruit through his works and charitable deeds.
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(3:18-24) reminds us that: “…our love is not to be just
word or mere talk, but something real and active. Only
through this can we be certain that we are the children
of truth…” John seems to remind us of the saying that:
“Action speaks louder than words.” The word of God
transforms us because it is real and active. So, we cannot
love God or keep his commandments without concrete
works of charity and mercy. Also, we cannot remain in
Christ without bearing fruits as a mark of our union with
him.
The 5 th Sunday’s gospel is a call to strengthen our
relationship with Christ in order to continue to live in Him.
Through the parable of the vine and the branches parable
Jesus tries to emphasis the type of relationship that should
exist between us and Christ. That is, the relationship be-
tween a vine and its branches. No branch can have life or
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Likewise, in our spiritual life and journey as Christians,
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vine, in whose name we were baptized. We are created,
and called to remain in Christ for a purpose, and this
purpose is, to bear durable fruits in him. So, instead of a
passive life, to be in Christ means to live an active and
positive life characterized by charity, peace, holiness,
pure reverence, and love for God, and for our neighbors.
In other words, it is possible to bear good fruits in Christ
through a good and virtuous life.
If we go through the gospel passage carefully, we
come across the invitation of the Lord to stay/remain/
abide in him. We can notice in these 8 verses at least
8 times these words occur, or repeated. That shows the
importance of our stay with him. We need to take this call
seriously as we face the situations of uncertainty. As we go
through the hazardous time of our life it is a nice gesture
of the Lord to remain in him and to enjoy the serenity and
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Today, the church provides us the opportunity to re-
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us is to keep moving forward in faith with Him, trusting
his graces, freeing our own hearts so that we can free the
hearts of others. How is my relationship with Christ, the
true vine? Am I still living in him? Have I born any good
fruit in Christ? Bearing fruit in Christ means growing
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