On Sunday, Sept 25 we celebrated with our Filipino members the Feast of San Lorenzo Luiz. We had a lovely procession with the statue of San Lorenzo, along with songs and readings in Tagalog. Our Sunday hospitality was comprised of outstanding Filipino delights! 

We are grateful to all who help organize the celebration, particularly Zaida and Michael Schmich, Cora and Kevin Wrede, the Duran family, and members of the multicultural committee! Thank you all.

​See the pictures and video below. 

Just a few weeks ago we were approached by Fr. Mike Biewend and Deacon Mike O’Mahoney of the Madeleine Parish about developing a collaborative Youth Ministry program for both Middle School and High School. While their youth ministry efforts have been floundering, they have admired the work that Gabe and his Core Team have done at St. Charles. They asked if their youth could join with ours. Fr. Schwab, Gabe, and myself met with Fr. Mike and Deacon Mike to discuss the possibilities and the particulars. We proposed, and the Madeleine has accepted, the following arrangement:

• Youth from The Madeleine will join in with all Youth Group and God Squad activities at St. Charles.
• The Madeleine will recruit (with Gabe’s help) several adults to join the Core Team, and several youth to join the Youth Leadership Team
• Gabe will boost his time on youth ministry from approximately one-third to two-thirds.
• The Madeleine will contribute financially for some youth ministry program expenses as well as for a portion of Gabe’s salary and benefits.
• The Madeleine will commit to the same level of fund raising as St. Charles Youth Group.

 
This is a win/win deal for both parishes. The Madeleine gets a quality youth ministry program for its Middle and High School students. St. Charles gets the advantage that increased numbers bring to the program. There’s a lot more life and vitality in a group of 25-30, than a group half that size. And together, these youth, and their families will witness to the wider community a myriad of ways to cross socio-economic and ethnic boundaries.
 
You may wonder, if Gabe’s youth ministry responsibilities jump from one-third to two-thirds, what will he let go of, and who will pick up the slack. As you know, we secured a grant to hire a part time community organizer to work with the mobile home parks in the Cully neighborhood. Most of the social justice work that Gabe has been doing has been in that area (previously about one-third of job).
 
We recognize that there are challenges and risks in this arrangement, but we believe that the opportunity to be a witness of collaboration makes it worth taking the risks and embracing the challenges. As we move to implement this arrangement, we welcome your thoughts, concerns, questions, and ideas.

Reach Gabe Triplett at gabet@stcharlespdx.org or (541) 680-6509. Reach Leif Kehrwald at lkehrwald@stcharlespdx.org, or 503-351-9889.
 

​As you can see from the pictures below, the annual parish BBQ was enjoyed by many on Sunday, September 11. The meats were grilled to perfection by John Winchester and Truls Neal. Thanks to Magaret Retz for the BIG shopping trip(s)! Condiments, drinks, and all the fixin’s were prepared by the crew headed up by Marilee Hankins and Jo Martens. Terrific games this year: cake walk, seed spitting, hate balloon toss, and of course the bouncy house for children, courtesy of Judy Ludwigsen. Judy also did all the initial planning for the whole event. Thanks to Gabe and Sylvia Triplett for organizing the whole event. And much thanks to all those who help set up and clean up afterward. 

As one person remarked when it was all over, “I love being a part of the St. Charles community!” Couldn’t agree more!

(Vea el mensaje en español a continuación.)

Sacramental Preparation consists of a series of classes that help children prepare for their First Reconciliation and First Communion. This year, instead of the usual weekly classes, we will be holding Sacramental Preparation classes on a monthly basis. Classes will be meeting on the third Thursday of every month from 6:00pm to 8:00pm. Children preparing for their sacraments will meet in Room 15a, while parents are welcome to attend Father Schwab’s Continuing Education classes in the Parish Center or Tai Chi in the gym from 7:00pm to 8:00pm.
 
The dates for our Sacramental Preparation classes for this year are:
Thursday, October 20th
Thursday, November 17th
Thursday, December 15th
Thursday, January 19th
Thursday, February 16th
Thursday, March 16rd
Thursday, April 20th
Friday, May 12th : First Communion Mass Practice, 6pm-7:30pm
Saturday, May 13th : Annual Reconciliation Retreat, 9:00am – 2:00pm
Sunday, May 14th : First Communion Mass at 10:00am
 
Because our classes are on a monthly basis, we ask that you please commit to having your child at every class. Parent and child participation in the annual retreat is also mandatory so please mark your calendars early to reserve the day.
 
To register for Sacramental Preparation please contact Julie Hommes, Coordinator of Children's Religious Education, 503-929-3421 or juliehommes@gmail.com. 

We look forward to teaching your child and walking with them on this spiritual journey!  

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Preparación Sacramental consiste en una serie de clases que ayudan a los niños a prepararse para la Primera Reconciliación y Primera Comunión. Este año, en lugar de las clases semanales habituales, estaremos dando clases de preparación sacramental mensualmente. Las clases se daran el tercer Jueves de cada mes de 6:00pm a 8:00pm. Los niños que se preparan para sus sacramentos se reunirán en la habitación 15a , mientras que los padres están invitados a asistir a las clases de Educación Continua del padre Schwab en el Centro Parroquial o Tai Chi en el gimnasio 7:00-8:00.
 
Las fechas de nuestras clases de preparación sacramental para este año son:
Jueves, 20 de Octubre
Jueves, 17 de Noviembre
Jueves, 15 de de Diciembre
Jueves, 19 de de enero
Jueves, 16 de de febrero
Jueves, 16 de Marzo
Jueves, 20 de Abril
Viernes, 12 de Mayo: Práctica de Misa de Primera Comunión, 6:00pm-7:30pm
Sábado, 13 de Mayo: Retiro Anual de Reconciliación, de 9:00 am - 2:00pm
Domingo 14, de Mayo: Misa de Primera Comunión a las 10:00 am
 
Debido a que nuestras clases seran solo una vez al mes ahora, le pedimos que por favor se comprometa a tener a su hijo en cada clase. La participación de los padres y el niño en el retiro anual también es obligatorio así que por favor marquen sus calendarios temprano para reservar el día.
 
Para registrarse para Preparación Sacramental póngase en contacto con Julie Hommes, Coordinadora de Educación Religiosa de Niños, 503-929-3421 o juliehommes@gmail.com. 
 
Tengo ganas de enseñar a su hijo y caminar con ellos en este viaje espiritual!