June 2, 2004

NEWS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
For More Information, Contact:
Bud Bunce (503) 233-8373
bbunce@archdpdx.org

Western Oregon Catholics celebrate Mission 2004

        Catholics from around the Archdiocese of Portland will come together on Sunday, June 6, to celebrate Mission 2004. Archbishop John G. Vlazny will celebrate the Mass at the Chiles Center on the campus of the University of Portland. The introductory celebration will begin at 1:30 p.m., and the Mass will begin at 2:00 p.m. Archbishop Vlazny will be joined by Auxiliary Bishop Kenneth D. Steiner and priests from throughout Western Oregon. Those planning the event expect nearly 3000 Catholics to attend.

        The Mission 2004 event is a celebration which will mark the completion of the Disciples in Mission process in which parishes in the Archdiocese participated. Mission 2004 will also be the event where Archbishop Vlazny will promulgate the Archdiocesan Pastoral Plan.
The Disciples in Mission process is one which integrates Sunday liturgies, small faith-sharing groups, catechesis, family activities and parish planning into a parish-wide experience of evangelization. Archbishop Vlazny adopted the Disciples in Mission process in July 1999 as a way to help implement locally the United States Bishops’ national plan and strategy for Catholic evangelization: Go and Make Disciples. Disciples in Mission was developed by the Washington, DC based Paulist National Catholic Evangelization Association.

        Parishioners began meeting in the Lenten season approaching Easter 2001 in small groups for discussion and faith reflection. During the three years of the small group sessions nearly 20,000 Catholics in 89 parishes participated. Materials were provided for the small groups, families, and youth groups. The Disciples in Mission process encouraged and witnessed the participation among the diverse ethnic cultures, age levels and those with disabilities in the Archdiocese. At the end of each Lenten season the parishioners gathered for a day of prayer and reflection, and set goals for the parish in its mission of evangelization. The results of the yearly evaluation assisted the Archdiocesan Pastoral Council and Archbishop Vlazny in formulating the Archdiocesan Pastoral Plan.

        The music for the Mission 2004 celebration will be provided by Jesse Manibusan, an outstanding composer and musician from the Oregon Catholic Press. A picnic on the grounds of the University will be held after the Mass.
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