Thanksgiving weekend, 2008, is almost here. It’s time for memories and sentiments of appreciation. 25 years ago during Thanksgiving weekend I was making my spiritual retreat in preparation for ordination to the episcopacy on Dec. 13. In so many ways, it seems like yesterday. In other ways, it has been a long, challenging but satisfying journey.

BEND — It seems like a long time since I have written about a recent travel experience within the Diocese. While there have been occasions of travel within the diocese other matters have been a bit more pre-occupying and have precluded any kind of detailed travel account.

Thirty-third Sunday
in Ordinary Time
Proverbs 31:10-13,
19-20, 30-31
1 Thessalonians 5:1-6
Matthew 25:14-30 or
25:14-15, 19-21

Our annual Thanksgiving Day is fast approaching. People of faith across this land count their blessings as we thank God for his providential care in our homes, in our communities and in this great nation. But when we count our blessings we can’t help but think of those who are not so generously blessed.

BEND — True hope-filled courage stands between imprudent silence and indiscreet speech. In my case, if there is an imprudent silence, that silence bespeaks not only the fear of losing the favor of men but also a fear of indiscreet speech.

The American bishops will be meeting at their annual fall general assembly in Baltimore from Nov. 10 -12. We gather as members of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB), an assembly of Catholic bishops from the United States and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Together we exercise certain pastoral functions on behalf of United States Catholics.

BEND — It might be a perception that my active rejection of safe environment programs for children as an unjustified intrusion on both the innocence of the child and the integrity of the family reflects a glimmer of courage. But there too, I simply am responding to the courageous resistance to these things already manifested by hundreds of concerned and faithful Catholic laity.

The Dedication of the
Lateran Basilica in Rome
Ezekiel 47:1-2,8-9,12
1 Corinthians 3:9c-11,16-17
John 2:13-22

Whenever we recite the Apostles’ Creed, we profess our belief in the communion of saints. What are we saying? We are saying that we really believe that we are united in Christ with all our sisters and brothers here on earth and all those who have died. This unity of faith and charity is achieved especially through our participation in the Eucharist.

BEND — Note that Eleazar has no illusion about the practical value of his fidelity. It would not cause the king to change the law, it would not cause his friends to convert, it would not result in a miraculous intervention by God. In worldly terms, his death is useless, his resistance futile.