Parish of the Week

Amazing parishes form the backbone of our vibrant Catholic community! Mater Dei Radio is ready to salute these outstanding churches and their members as our Parish of the Week. Every Tech Tuesday at 8:40 a.m., our Digital Disciple Sarah Kuenzi joins the Morning Blend to reveal our weekly featured parish. Listen to the Morning Blend throughout the rest of the week to hear more highlights from this incredible church community. Our Parish of the Week will also be recognized on Instagram, Facebook, and the Hail Mary Media app!

Nominate your church to be featured by sending us an email! From the choirs to Eucharistic Adoration, service ministries to potluck dinners, let us know what makes your parish family stand out.

 

Our Parish for the Week of May 14:

St. Juan Diego Catholic Church, NW Portland

It’s a joy to feature the wonderful community of St. Juan Diego in the Bethany area of NW Portland. as our Parish of the Week!

Here’s a few key things to know:

  • St. Juan Diego Catholic Church is “a diverse community that strives to welcome everyone with dignity, respect and belonging by living the Good News of Jesus Christ.”
  • Pastor Fr. Hans Mueller shared that St. Juan Diego has a special focus on ministering to parents in order to help them minister to their kids. One of these initiatives is the Young Families Ministry, which provides activities like summer park playdates.
  • St. Juan Diego offers a fantastic Young Adult Ministry (ages 21-35) that meets each Tuesday evening after Mass.
  • Zaccheus Ministry (ZachPack) (also known as the Zack Pack!) for mid-lifers and beyond meets for Mass and a potluck every first Saturday.
  • The parish is excited to host their first Pentecost Potluck on Sunday, May 19, after the 12:30 p.m. Mass in their Community Center!

Liturgy Schedule:

  • Weekend Mass Times:
    • Saturday 5 pm English
    • Sunday: 8:30 & 12:30 English, 10:30 am Spanish
  • Daily Mass Times: Mondays (Bilingual), Tuesdays, Wednesdays at 6 pm
  • Confession Times:
    • Wednesdays from 5 – 5:45 pm
    • Saturdays 3:30 – 4:30 pm
  • Adoration: Wednesdays 6:30 – 8:30 p.m. after Mass
  • Liturgy of the Hours: Vespers Sundays at 5:30 pm to encourage participation of the people of God

Some of the other activities in the parish:

  • Their Vincent De Paul program assisted 150 families last month! This program started this with a modular building before the church was even built
  • Family Faith Formation
  • Altar server training (and retreat!), as well other liturgical ministries
  • Mom’s Night Out
  • Worship and Praise on select Saturday evenings
  • Youth ministry
  • Prayer Chain
  • Yearly retreats for men and women in English and Spanish
  • San Juan Diego program for adults in Spanish

History of the Parish:

  • In the early 1980’s Fr. McMahon (pastor at St. Pius X) saw a need for future parish in expanding Cedar Hills / Bethany area of Portland. Archdiocese funded purchase of 5 acres in new subdivision.
  • In 2002 Fr. John Kerns assigned to establish parish. Archbishop Vlazny declared the new parish under the name “St. Juan Diego” on July 31, 2002, the same date Pope John II canonized Juan Diego in Mexico City
  • Started with Friday Mass and potluck in homes. First community Mass in Lutheran Church in Hillsboro on December 9, 2002, the first feast day of St. Juan Diego after canonization.
  • First Sunday Mass on Palm Sunday of 2002, in gym of Portland Community College Rock Creek, across the street from the church. Parishioners showed up 90 minutes before Mass to transform into sacred space, and rented an Episcopal church for Saturday evening.
  • Help from surrounding parishes – for the first 8 years, the parish office was in a conference room at St. Pius X
  • Six trees from the property used as pillars in the new church
  • John Vianney, St. Flavia Domitilla, and St. Philip of Jesus relics are in altar
  • Dedication of the Church on October 24, 2010

Find out more through their website and over the air during the week!

 

Learn about our past parishes of the week: