Congress has a deadline of Friday, February 13 at midnight to vote on DHS funding.
Jesus taught, ‘ For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, a stranger and you welcomed me, whnen I was naked and you clothed me, ill and you cared for me, in prison and you visited me.’ Matthew 25:35-36.
Contact your Congressional delegation – Senators and Representatives to vote against further funding for ICE, CBP and USCIS until changes are made.
Oregon and the Portland Metro is not “War ravaged and full of domestic terrorists.”
The FBI’s own Crime Data Explore indicates that violent, property and individual offense are at their lowest level since 2020. Portland ranks seventy-two in the nation in violent crime according to the FBI’s National Incident-Based Reporting System (NIBRS). Crime is not addressed via tweets or executive orders.
As elected, business, faith, and community leaders have stated, “Do not respond with violence or anger. Do not take the bait.”
Doctor Appointment, lunch and movie too!
Last month, my wife and I were in northwest Portland for a doctor’s appointment. All went well; I am going to live another day.
We finished early around lunchtime. With our canes, we walked to the Gastro Mania Mediterranean restaurant about four blocks away. Arriving we said people eating and laughing outside the restaurant basking in the sun. My wife ordered a chicken burrito, and I ordered a chicken gyro.
After lunch, we saw Downton Abbey movie at the Family Room Theater on Burnside Avenue and 10th. Not being sure if the bus or trolley would get us there on time; we walked the one ½ miles to the theater. We arrived 5 minutes early. Our walk was uneventful walk except for the uneven sidewalks and me losing my balance coming to the corner ramps of the sidewalks.
Downton Abbey’s message is social barriers that must change; there are no upstairs or downstairs upper or lower class.
Looking at a flat, Lord Grantham inquires, “Where is the upstairs to retire to for the evening and the downstairs for the servants’ quarters?’ His daughter Lady Mary replies, “You do not go up or down. You go to bed.”
There is a shady financial advisor and embezzler; he is shown his way. Others are conflicted by Lady Mary’s divorce; they come around because of the good she has done.
Actual Issues and Solution:
In the Portland area there are uneven sidewalks, cuts in mass transit, rising gas and grocery prices, strained healthcare access, and homelessness increasing in our area, etc.. Together government, faith, human rights, legal, community leaders, and citizens can address these issues.
For the Catholic members of the current Federal Administration, were you introduced to the principles of subsidiarity and solidarity in your adult faith formation?
Subsidiarity: “a community of a higher order should not interfere in the internal life of a community of a lower order, depriving the latter of its functions, but rather should support it in case of need and help to co-ordinate its activity with the activities of the rest of society, always with a view to the common good.”
Solidarity: “‘is manifested in the first place by the distribution of goods and remuneration for work. It also presupposes the effort for a more just social order where tensions are better able to be reduced, and conflicts more readily settled by negotiation. CCC:1940
Common Good:Let us put our time, talent, treasure, and spirit together working for the common good through:
Dignity of Persons: The common good is founded on the intrinsic value and dignity of each human person, meaning that social structures must serve the flourishing of all individuals.
Social Well-being: It emphasizes the need for social conditions that enable people to achieve their full potential, including access to essentials like food, health, education, and meaningful work.
Peace and Stability: A just social order requires peace and security for all members of society, achieved through morally acceptable means.
Solidarity: Recognizing humanity’s interconnectedness, the common good requires individuals and nations to work together for the well-being of others, extending beyond national borders.
Universal Destination of Goods: All created things are intended for the benefit of all people, fostering fair sharing of resources and emphasizing care for the environment.
Greetings as you journey with your fellow priests joyfully and hopefully led by Archbishop Sample along the path of Mission Renewal. A Mission Renewal not only for you, but a path you are to lead the People of God entrusted to you.
I humbling offer the following as points of reflection on this week’s Convocation and upon your return. If you do not receive this before your departure, please read and reflect upon your return.
Who am I?
My wife and I were married at one of your parishes, served with your music, and RCIA ministries. I have served Social Justice Ministries, and Knights of Columbus.
Mom and Dad and extended family instilled in me the love of God’s word in its practical application in the world. Mom was severed as a Salvation Army captain and youth ministry in downtown Chicago during the 1940’s. Dad taught me the dignity of work and helped First Nations in northern Saskatchewan develop their own wild rice and rock quarry businesses.
My Franciscan uncle was Librarian at St. Joseph Seminary and Law Library of the University of Chicago. His longest tenure was as Quincy College’s Librarian. One of my younger cousins is area director for Catholic Charities where she lives in Illinois.
Professionally, I worked for Providence Health and Services IS and served as its Mission coordinator. Subsequently, I served the poor and marginalized at Outside In. In retirement, I supported individuals applying for their citizenship in Philadelphia PA for Catholic social services. In the Portland metro area, I accompany immigrant families and individuals to Immigration Court Hearing through the Interfaith Movement for Immigrant Justice. Educationally, I graduated from Villanova VIISTA DOJ compliant immigration legal advocacy program (2020) I possess lay ministry certificate from the Archdiocese of Portland/Notre Dame University (2015). My Seattle University BPA (1981) gave knowledge of effective public policy, plus Catholic Social Teaching from theology to real world application.
Priest, Prophet, and King:
You and all People of God are anointed as priest, prophet and king at our baptism. In receiving the Sacrament of Holy Orders, you are ‘… enabled to act as a representative of Christ, Head of the Church, in his triple office of priest, prophet, and king.’ CCC 1581
As priests, you fulfill the first office by celebrating the Eucharist with and for the People of God, and Penance, Anointing of the Sick, Holy Matrimony and Holy Orders,
You serve as king/shepherd along with your parish councils and ministries.
In your role as prophet, you share the Word, preach on it, and call your congregations to be the light in the world through their actions. “In the same way, your light must shine so that it can be seen by others; this will enable them to observe your good works and give praise to your Father in heaven.” Matthew 5:16
We no longer continue with the winner take all in the public square words and actions. Let us become the sons and daughter of God. “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.” Matthew 5:9 NRSVCE
If we are angry, do not resort to violence or encourage other to violence. “You must understand this, my beloved: let everyone be quick to listen, slow to speak, slow to anger; for your anger does not produce God’s righteousness. James 1:19-20
Hear and follow the word of Jesus. ” I say to you that if you are angry with a brother or sister,you will be liable to judgment; and if you insult a brother or sister, you will be liable to the council; and if you say, ‘You fool,’ you will be liable to the hell of fire.” Matthew 5: 22
I try to be a peacemaker, but have a tough time with being listening, slow to speak, not getting angry. Most importantly thinking or saying “You fool”. They are all fruits of Pride Always Right. Par is great on the golf course, but not in the public square. Wait, pride, anger, and rough are part of golf. Par is the face amount or average. We are called to be better because we are made in the Image of God (Imiego Day).
I wrote the following a few years ago and came across them as I was cleaning my den of iniquity. Pray for me.
Den of Iniquity (c) John Kingery 2025
Growth in the Spirit means ever changing ideas, ever deepening understanding of God and how God works in our lives and in the world. That means change.
When people are smothered with fear, the delicate voice of God’s Spirit cannot be heard. Jesus provides the portal to hear that voice.
Ministry should help others to determine what God is attempting to tell them, and when e is attempting to lead them. It is at its best when it comforts, helps and listens.
Give to the Most High as he has given to you, generously, according to your means. For he is a God who always repays and will give back to you sevenfold.
But offer no bribes; these he does not accept! Do not trust in sacrifice of the fruits of extortion, For he is a God of justice, who shows no partiality. He shows no partiality to the weak but hears the grievance of the oppressed. He does not forsake the cry of the orphan, nor the widow when she pours out her complaint.
Reflections: Who is our house built upon? Are we generous with our gifts or hold them back? Do we perform a cost/benefit analysis? Do we engage in extortion through monetary means, or physical, or mental coercion? Whose cry do we hear the oppressed, the orphan, window? Instead, do we hear the voices of the rich and powerful? Are our eyes, ears and hearts blind to suffering?
I’m a product of public-school education (elementary through high school), and Catholic universities and public community colleges. Those experiences provided me with knowledge, tools to critically apply that knowledge, and reinforced the values learned from my family. Education has utilitarian functions – employment, etc. Importantly, education is a gift to be used in the service of others.
Arlington HS 1976Seattle University 1981Seattle CC 1982
That was not the view of Adolph Hitler in 1925.
The question of “nationalizing” a people is among other things primarily a question of creating healthy social conditions to make possible the education of the individual. Only when upbringing and school training have taught a man the cultural and economic, but, above all, the political greatness of his own fatherland can and will he acquire an inward pride in the privilege of belonging to such a people. And you can fight only for something you love, love only what you respect, and respect only what you at least know.” Adolph Hiller, Mein Kampf, Volume 1, Chapter 2, Par 46, 1925 https://en.wikisource.org/wiki/Mein_Kampf_(Stackpole_Sons)/Volume_1/Chapter_2
Donald Trump in September 2020 proclaimed a similar view at White House Conference on American History his educational vision and by extension the MAGA movement’s.
Our mission is to defend the legacy of America’s founding, the virtue of America’s heroes, and the nobility of the American character. We must clear away the twisted web of lies in our schools and classrooms and teach our children the magnificent truth about our country. We want our sons and daughters to know that they are the citizens of the most exceptional nation in the history of the world.
One hundred years later in 2025, President Trump, VP Vance and 15 cabinet/department directors are putting those themes into practice throughout the American Publication education system.
As individuals, the whole Catholic Church in the USA, and our nation will be judged by how we treat the poor, stranger, hungry, naked and those in prison. Thank you God for this call to justice from Archbishop Wenski of Archdiocese of Miamito the People of God entrusted to him.
Archbishop Sample of the Archdiocese of Portland in Oregon, we the clergy, lay leaders, and parishioners need in your moral guidance on this issue and others when we violate Christ’s message of feeding the hungry, welcoming the stranger, giving water to the thirsty, clothing the naked, comforting the sick and visiting those in prison – Matthew 25:31-46.
We are not only called to”Vultum Christi Contemplari- “to contemplate the face of Christ” in the Eucharist. We are called to see the Christ in the poor, marginalized, and stranger (immigrant and refugee).
May the people of God in the People of entrusted to you answer the call to justice.
As James 2:14-17 states, “What good is it, my brothers, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can that faith save him? If a brother or sister has nothing to wear and has no food for the day, and one of you says to them, “Go in peace, keep warm, and eat well,” but you do not give them the necessities of the body, what good is it? So also faith of itself, if it does not have works, is dead.
We are spiritual beings in a human body which are gifts from God. Yes, pray with your spirit, and pray with your body. Give food to the poor, give drink to the thirsty, truly welcome the stranger, immigrant and refugee, clothe the naked, comfort the, and visit those in prison.
Give not only money. Be of humble service in your community, state, nation, and world when and how you can. You will see the face of Christ.
Three weeks ago, I was talking on the phone with a friend. They said, “Why Aren’t there protest songs like the 1960s and 70s?” I reflected and yes, prayed about it.
Music is very important in my life. I have sung in church choirs, and enjoy singing all kinds of music – soul, blues, rock and many ballads. Ask my wife, family and neighbors.
I came across “If I Can Dream” by Elvis Presly first recorded in 1968. A tumultuous time in the country: Martin Luther King and Bobby Kennedy were assassinated in April and June. Elvis wanted to do something.
One of the kids in our neighborhood remarked, “Was Martin Luther King part of your family?’ I responded, “No, our last name was Kingery.” Reverend King’s “I have a dream” touched me even then as a ten-year-old at Monroe Elementary School in Riverside California. In October 1965, Riverside Unified School District became the first large district in the nation to integrate its schools without a court order.[1]
Dawn Hassett, editor of “No Easy Way” published by Inlandia Institute, said she realized that most white people didn’t realize the extent of segregation.
“I think people really have an odd and mistaken notion of what it was like in California and the West, of what it was like for people who were Mexican American and African American,” she said. “What people think of as the Jim Crow South kind of existed everywhere,” Hassett said.[2]
Today, many do not accept or choose to ignore what is happening our Immigrant, Refugee, and Communities of color. We are all children of God, no exceptions!
I was getting ready for school when I heard Bobby Kennedy had been shot. How could this be? What was happening to the world? At school, we watched the funeral together – Hispanic, White, Japanese, Middle Eastern of ever religion, faith and creed.
Today is no different. Public figures are injured or die, plus regular citizens doing regular things like worshiping, shopping, going to school, participating in family and community events. We must rededicate ourselves together to building a more perfect union with liberty and justice for all.
The phrase “To sing is to pray twice” is attributed to St. Augustine. Colossians 3:16 teaches “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, as in all wisdom you teach and admonish one another, singing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God.”
I hope I am praying twice with my recording of “I I Can Dream”. Captions coming soon,
