Contents

Pope Leo XIV closed the Holy Door of St. Peter's Basilica, concluding the Jubilee Year of Hope.

2026 Lend a helping hand brunch Blanchet House March 1, 2026, 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Portland Art Museum 1219 S.W. Park Ave. Portland, OR 97205 Information: Steve Cook 503-241-4340 ext. 103 scook@blanchethouse.org To register $125 Single $250 Couple $1,500 Sponsor table of 8 $3,000 Dorothy Day Sponsor table of 8 $6,000 Al Riley Sponsor table of 8 Cash donations Registration now open Registration closes Feb. 15

"And we, too, follow stars — We are stargazers!

St. Peter's Basilica, Rome The Vatican broadcast of the Solemnity of the Nativity of the Lord Midnight Mass with Pope Leo, presiding: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yX7yi7pTg7k

The 100 Year Anniversary Mass of Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception (St. Mary) Feb. 14, 2026 at 5:30 p.m. 1716 N.W. Davis St. Portland, OR 97209 https://archdpdx.org/news-events Celebration of Hope Annual fundraising gala CATHOLIC CHARITIES Feb. 20, 2026 5 p.m. Reception; 6:30 p.m. Dinner Hyatt Regency Convention Center 375 N.E. Holladay St. Portland, OR 97232 catholiccharitiesoregon.org

Annual Crab Feed St. Cecilia Parish and School Jan. 24, 2026 at 6 p.m. 5105 SW Franklin Ave. Beaverton, OR 97005 Menu: All you can eat crab (or roast chicken on request) Clam chowder, coleslaw, potatoes Green salad and garlic bread Soft drinks, beer and wine COST: $50 in advance $55 at the door Ages 15+ event Website to purchase per person or tables of 8 or 12 Information: John Meek 503-590-5805 Oregon Sacred Music Colloquium Jan. 30 — 31, 2026 Mount Angel Abbey 1 Abbey Driv

Pope Leo names Bishop Ronald A. Hicks as Archbishop of New York

Advent readings remind us that we are all surrounded by fear and fallen stones.

Announcements for job openings in parishes and schools in the Archdiocese of Portland and Diocese of Baker can be viewed on the link, below. Listings

Obituaries

The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops selected Archbishop Alexander Sample and Bishop Peter Smith, both of the Portland Archdiocese, to leadership roles.

The Rev. Gary Smith, SJ, writes of his ministry on the streets and in the jails of Portland.

"Eucharistia" is a Greek word meaning "eucharist" or "thanksgiving.

Advent season is time to hope, not just for good things, but for great ones.

Advent marks the first sanctification of adults seeking full initiation into the Catholic Church at Easter.

Gene Sharp's book "From Dictatorship to Democracy" is free online, emphasizing that dictatorships have weaknesses and implode.

The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) released a "special pastoral message" on Nov. 12, criticizing the government's deportation plan.

As Pope Leo XIV marks the Ninth World Day of the Poor on Sunday, Nov. 16, he reminds Catholics of the heart of Jesus' words and example.

Portland Archbishop Alexander K. Sample grieves "fear and anxiety" sparked by deportation policy.

For almost 75 years, Blanchet House has created its own paths to dignity and solidarity in service.

The Grotto's Christmas Festival of Lights Nov. 28 to Dec. 30 (except Christmas day), 5 to 9 p.m. 8840 N.E. Skidmore St. Portland, OR 97220 Enter at N.E. 85th and Sandy A walk-through event across the sanctuary grounds Millions of Christmas lights Puppet shows in the plaza tent at the top of each hour Grotto Carolers perform at the bottom of each hour Choirs from schools, churches, civic groups perform in the Chapel of Mary Snacks and beverages available for purchase Free par

Saint John Henry Newman became a Doctor of the Church on Nov. 1, All Saints Day. A convert to Catholicism, he was a theologian of note, an academic, historian, writer and poet.

November, the month when Catholics remember and pray for those who have died, is a good time to reflect on purgatory.

By now you know that Inquiry is the first of the four-stage process for becoming Catholic. During this stage, the emphasis is reflecting about faith. Many wonder how their lives could be more meaningful if they turn their faith to the Catholic Church. Our church teaches that the journey is less about an inquirer seeking a faith they choose than it is about an inquirer answering God’s call. “The Lord is gently knocking at the window of your soul," Pope Leo XIV said during the