+HSSQHU*D]HWWH7LPHV+HSSQHU2UHJRQ Wednesday, May 8, 2024 7+5((
Spiritually Speaking
~ Letters to the Editor ~
Father Thankachan Joseph
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Nash for Senate
We are grateful to have
known and worked with
Todd Nash for a number
of years, and we are proud
to voice our strong support
for Todd as our next State
Senator. Todd’s dedication
to our community, his un-
matched leadership experi-
ence, and his commitment
to representing our values
make him the clear choice
for this important position.
Todd is trustworthy and
makes decisions in the best
interest of people around
him and for the populations
he serves. Whether it’s ad-
vocating for rural economic
development, supporting
our farmers and ranchers,
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benefit working families,
Todd has a proven track re-
cord of getting things done.
He understands the
history and culture of our
communities, and the chal-
lenges facing our district,
and he has the vision and
experience to address them
head-on. His leadership is
grounded in common sense
and practical solutions. He
listens to the concerns of
his constituents and works
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Nash will be a strong voice
for us in the Oregon Sen-
ate, and we encourage our
fellow voters and neighbors
to join us in supporting him
in the upcoming election.
Let’s elect a leader who
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work tirelessly to build a
brighter future for all of us.
Vote Todd this May.
Sincerely,
Bryan and Lou Ann Wolfe
Hermiston, OR.
Dear Protesters
Dear Protester, I’m
tempted to be a little snarky
and call you and all your
friends Village Idiots who
aren’t capable of making a
moral judgment, but since
I realize I’m dealing with
students, I’ll keep it civ-
il………and at a third-
grade level. Listen, Honey,
you need to understand that,
even though it’s fun to be in
the limelight and get lots of
attention, it’s not always a
good idea. You see, people
will lie to you and tell you
things that aren’t true just
to get you to go along with
them. They will even show
you fake maps and tell
you that Israel stole land
from the state of Palestine
(which isn’t really a state
and never has been). They
won’t tell you that the land
has belonged to Israel for
thousands of years because
then they would have to
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up, shout obscenities, and
destroy colleges.
Just a note: lying in
the middle of a road and
stopping cars only makes
you look like you aren’t
very smart….and it could
get you injured or put in
jail. (Remember, The Pok-
ey isn’t very fun and there
aren’t any video games, cell
phones, or Skittles for you
there).
I know the posters
they handed you say, “Free
Palestine” and your slogan
is “From the river to the
sea,” (which means the peo-
ple of Israel shouldn’t have
a place to live and should all
just die). But what you’re
really doing is supporting
bad people (also known as
Terrorists). You see, Israel
is not keeping the Pales-
tinians from being free….
their own leaders are. Did
you know these terror-
ists killed the Palestinians
who tried to leave and get
to a safe place? And did
you know that these “lead-
ers” (they call themselves
“Hamas”) hid behind their
own people and used them
for shields…like you would
when you have a bully after
you and you hide behind
your teacher? Only Hamas
hid behind children, mom-
mies, grandmas, and sick
people. This is NOT what
good people do.
So, the Palestinians
need new leaders that care
about them. Destroying Is-
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But remember, people have
what’s called a “right” to
defend themselves against
bad people. If a bully start-
ed punching your little
brother, he would need to
be stopped, and stopping
him is the right thing. So,
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protect their families.
See, the people you’re
defending have done very
horrible things. Some
things even involve little
babies, ovens, and big,
sharp knives. These are
things only the worst peo-
ple in the world would do.
This is what happens when
people listen to the Devil.
You need to be careful and
stay away from people like
this. You don’t want to end
up where they will.
And another thing….
your friends might tell you
that the Bible is just a fairy-
tale. I’m going to give you
an assignment. I want you
to read the Bible and decide
for yourself….because do-
ing your own research and
coming to your own conclu-
sions is all a part of growing
up. Meanwhile, stay out of
the street.
“You will seek me and
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with all your heart.” Jere-
miah 29:13
By Susie Crosby from
Prineville, Or.
Commissioner
Roy Drago, a
positive force
in county
government
Dear Editor,
As a fellow member of
the Morrow County Com-
mission, I have had the
distinct pleasure of serving
alongside Commissioner
Roy Drago for the past year.
It is with great enthusiasm
that I write to express my
unwavering support for his
election.
Commissioner Drago’s
dedication to our communi-
ties is evident through his
extensive involvement in
various organizations and
committees. His work with
the Association of Oregon
Counties (AOC), Blues
Intergovernmental Council,
and the Boardman Chamber
of Commerce, among oth-
ers, has been instrumental
in fostering regional col-
laboration and economic
development.
His commitment to
the Boardman Communi-
ty Development Associ-
ation and the Boardman
Food Pantry showcases his
compassion and drive to en-
sure that all residents have
access to essential services
and support. Furthermore,
his leadership on the CREZ
III Board and the East-
ern Oregon Association
of Counties (EOCA) has
been pivotal in addressing
the unique challenges and
opportunities facing our
region.
Commissioner Drago’s
proactive approach to pro-
tecting and using our natural
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participation in the Forest
Collaborative and the Low-
er Umatilla Basin Ground
Water Management Area
(LUBGWMA). He is also
a member of the Wolf Dep-
redation Advisory Council
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the wolf population on our
local ranchers.
%H\RQGKLVR൶FLDOGX-
ties, Commissioner Dra-
go’s involvement in local
sports as a coach for ASA
Softball, Little League,
and Columbia Youth Bas-
ketball demonstrates his
personal investment in the
well-being and develop-
ment of our youth.
In every capacity,
whether it be serving on
the Morrow County Budget
Committee or his extensive
study and involvement with
development of the Ambu-
lance Service Area (ASA)
plan, Commissioner Drago
has shown an unwavering
commitment to fiscal re-
sponsibility, community en-
gagement, and transparent
governance. Commissioner
Drago does his homework,
is honest and hardworking,
and he knows the issues.
His election would en-
sure the continuation of this
valuable knowledge and
contributions to our county.
I urge my fellow citizens to
cast their vote for a leader
who has proven time and
again that he is dedicated
to the prosperity and bet-
terment of all of Morrow
County.
Sincerely,
David Sykes, Chairman
Morrow County Board of
Commissioners
Todd Nash
is built to be
OUR Senator!
Growing up in a small
rural community gave me
an appreciation for heart
felt handshakes, ingrained
in me the value of integrity,
and showed me the impor-
tance of local neighbors
working together. Through
the years Todd Nash has
always stood out to me. He
is a man to look up to, and
the kind of rare leader who
is passionate and steady
without needing to be the
loudest voice in the room.
He is unlike many of the
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who somehow become ca-
reer politicians, and sets
himself apart with his gen-
uine care for the betterment
of our personal lives and
communities.
I have been so inspired
with his willingness to step
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many community roles! He
brings an air of thoughtful
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and willingness to work
with others to any challenge
he is presented. Todd is
great about seeing potential
in people, and encouraging
them to grow and accom-
plish as much as they can.
People who get the chance
to work with Todd will sim-
ply get more done!
Todd’s values and pri-
orities for our state give me
personal hope and confi-
dence for the future of my
family here. Todd knows
we want to live and raise
our children in safe com-
munities, where our law
enforcement professionals
have the support they need!
He sees we are tired of the
continuing cycle of crim-
inals who get regurgitated
back onto our streets, and
wishes to see meaningful
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ers. Like us, he strongly
holds to our constitutional
rights, and the heritage that
has helped build our great
state. He also believes
that children are precious
and should be supported in
their right to life, as well as
the chance to grow up in a
thriving community!
Todd isn’t one to brag,
but I am here to tell you he
is strongly supported by
retiring senator Bill Hansel,
the NRA, several dozen
County Commissioners,
The Right to Life Pact, and
many other’s! Todd Nash
is the man for this job,
and will work hard for us.
Please join me in support-
ing him with your vote!
Clayton Lowe
La Grande, Oregon
The Morrow County
Republican Party May
Meeting
The Morrow County
Republicans will meet at
6:30 pm, Thursday, May
16th at the Lexington
School, Lexington, Oregon.
PCPs and anyone interested
in the county Republican
Party are encouraged to
come and join the discus-
sions.
Ballots were mailed out
to registered Morrow Coun-
ty voters on May 1st. Bal-
lots need to be returned on
Tuesday, May 21st. Four-
teen candidates running for
the various positions pre-
sented their pitches at the
MCRP Candidates’ Forum
held last Saturday in Lex-
ington. This was recorded.
The recording is available
on the “Dale Bates Produc-
tions” Facebook page and
also the “Morrow County
Republicans” Facebook
page.
Ranked Choice Voting
will be on the November
ballot. Chairman, Clint
Carlson will report on
Ranked Choice Voting and
the efforts underway to
DEADLINE:
MONDAYS
AT 5PM
educate the voting public.
Tickets are still avail-
able for the MCRP Rifle
Raffle. Individuals who
would like to purchase tick-
ets can contact their local
PCP or Chairman, Clint
Carlson.
Precinct Committee
Person, PCP, positions are
open for Lexington, Hep-
pner, Boardman, and Irri-
gon. Individuals interested
in one of these positions
are encouraged to attend
this meeting to learn about
the positions. PCP appoint-
ments can be made during
MCRP meetings.
The Republican Party
is open to individuals inter-
ested in conservative ideals
and values. The Republican
Party platform can be found
at https://oregon.gop/. For
more information on the
Morrow
County Republican
Party, contact mocoreps@
gmail.com.
Submitted online to
Heppner Gazette-Times
5/6/24
Ascension – an invitation to
mount the throne of God
On this Seventh Sunday of Easter, the Catholic
Church celebrates the Ascension of the Lord into heav-
en after having completed His earthly life. The feast of
Ascension is a day for renewing our hope in the goal
toward which the Lord is leading us, namely, a place
in His Kingdom. This event was preceded by the com-
missioning of the apostles with a mission – to preach
the Gospel to the whole world. We are so busy doing,
achieving, and making progress that we can forget what
life is truly about, preparing to meet God in heaven. The
Ascension of Jesus reminds us that we are “only pass-
ing through” here, as we say. We are pilgrims on a jour-
ney. Just as Jesus’s earthly life was temporary and He
ascended to sit at the right hand of the Father, so also our
lives here are temporary, will come to an end, and we
will meet God in the next life. The Ascension of Jesus
reminds us in all of our busyness not to forget what life
is all about. We are mere pilgrims here. We need to seek
the things that are above.
What is Ascension of Jesus? Forty days after Jesus
rose from the dead, He ascended into heaven, reaching
back to His destination. It was a moment of prodigious
celebration. All the angels gathered around Him and
asked about His life and mission on earth. Jesus was
glad to share His wonderful experience of living with
mankind, His life struggle with priests and rulers on
earth, and how they condemned Him to die on a cross
because He stood for the cause of the subalterns and the
marginalized of the society. How He failed to impart the
love of the Father to the priestly clan and their refusal to
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salvation. The Lord has already built a bridge between
heaven and Earth. He has come and lived with us and set
connectivity to God and human beings.
Why did Jesus Ascended to the father? The letter
of Paul to the Philippians says, “Our Lord Jesus Christ
ascended to receive the glory due to Him as the victor
over sin and death” (2:8-9). Jesus in the Gospel of John
reminds us in several places that He needs to ascend to
the Father for the Advocate to come to us. Jesus reminds
us that He is ascending to the Father to prepare rooms
for us, to welcome us all back to heaven, etc., (14:2).
How to make Ascension Possible in our Life?
Paul in his letter to the Colossians, gives us this intact
message: “So if you have been raised with Christ, seek
the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the
right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are
above, not on things that are on earth.” Paul reminds
us that ascension is possible for everyone. He suggests
three ways to ascend to the Father:
1)
Material Ascension: With the Ascension of
our Lord Jesus Christ, we are being led to our material
freedom. Poverty is converted to riches, lack is convert-
ed to abundance. The works of our hands are blessed.
(Deut. 28:12; Psalm 90:17). From a tendency of amass-
ing wealth for oneself, we need to have an option for
the poor, like Francis of Assisi who was born in a noble
business family, but the love of Christ made him leave
aside everything and follow Christ, who was poor and
chaste.
2) Mind Ascension: An old proverb goes like this:
“A sound mind dwells in a sound body.” When our
minds are engaged in material things and things of this
world, we can say that we are in mental slavery, which
leads to acute depression, worry, anxiety, fear, etc.
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tendency in this present world to waste time in front of
social media, enjoying and taking pleasure in that which
stimulates our sense organs. Our eyes and ears need to
be controlled to ascend above this world of sensual plea-
sures.
After Jesus ascended into heaven, the Holy Spirit
came down to empower the followers of Jesus to be-
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always with us to ascend from this present way/style of
life to a life worthy of His disciples through our words
and actions.
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