Help is Needed for the Earthquake Survivors

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If you are looking for a way to provide direct support to the people of Turkey and Syria who have been affected by the February 6, 2023 earthquake, I recommend Catholic Relief Services (CRS) to you. Catholic Relief Services will support emergency relief efforts led by local partners in both Syria and Turkey with Caritas Turkey, Caritas Syria in Aleppo and Lattakia—where extensive damage has been reported—and other local partners. Already in Turkey, Caritas Anatolia, in coordination with authorities, is bringing displaced people to safe, open spaces and distributing hot meals and clothing.

Please consider giving to help and provide relief to the people whose lives have been devastated by this natural disaster. You can make a donation here: CRS Earthquake Relief.

Blessings of Christmas and Happy New Year

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I hope you all have the wonderful blessings of this Christmas season and have a bountiful, joyous, safe, and healthy 2023! We were fortunate to have my daughter, son-in-law, and grandchildren come for Christmas this year. Charcuterie was the lunch of the day for my grandson’s birthday on Christmas Eve. May God bless you each and every day!

Homilies for the 26th & 32nd Sundays in Ordinary Time

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My homilies from Sunday, September 25th (26th Sunday in Ordinary Time and November 6th (32nd Sunday in Ordinary Timeare now available at: Deacon Steve’s Homilies and Talks. The homily for the 32nd Sunday in Ordinary time is in both video and audio format. As always, your feedback is welcomed and appreciated.

Trip to the Pacific Northwest

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Clockwise from top left: Snake River at night, rainbow on the Columbia River in the Cascade Mountains, the north side of Mount St. Helens which exploded on May 18, 1980, and Domaine Serene Winery in the Willamette Valley.

After a long time away from Oregon and Washington States, we went back for a Snake and Columbia River Cruise. It is hard to explain the natural beauty of that part of the world. We had a magnificent trip highlighted by that natural beauty. Words cannot convey how wonderful it is. It makes you feel that all the craziness of the world really doesn’t matter all that much!

Christina Gross – Best Mother-In-Law Ever

~ Steve Swope ~ 1 Comment

My dear loving mother-in-law pictured with my wife to be in 1956 and at her 50th wedding anniversary. She left this world on Sunday for eternal life with God as she was destined to be from birth. No man has had a sweeter and more loving mother-in-law than me. Christina was cheerful, supportive, kind, and loving during the 49 years we knew each other.

She was fun, kind, but a killer at Pinochle and would not let you slip anything past her. I will miss her greatly as will her husband Ben, her six living children and her grand and great-grand children.

Christina was a woman of faith and I know that she is in the arms of God, ready to intercede for us. God bless you Christina. Your husband, children, grand and great grand children will miss you. Speaking for Elizabeth, Kim, Maricela, and me as in-laws, we will miss you as much as we miss a mother. You were that for us and we are grateful. Rest In peace dear mother.