Arriving in Oregon

Flashback from 2003 Journals: It felt like the Indianapolis 500: With Bishop Robert Vasa driving, even with my seat-belts securely fastened, I was literally holding on to my seat. As we passed Battle Mountain, just before Ukiah, we were at a precipice that left me spellbound, not only because of the beautiful hills covered with pine trees, but also because of the immense drop on my side, and with no guard rail ! As we finished this long, swerving curve which felt like a 360 degree turn, the Bishop even had the nerve to apologize for going slow. He said, ”Father Julian, I usually I go faster, but since you’re with me today, I’m taking it a little slower.”

Nonetheless it was a breath-taking drive from Bend to the Columbia River, and then onto Route 84 along the mighty Columbia, with those awesome hills on the Washington side of the river. Then down to Pendelton, where we stayed overnight, in order for the Bishop to install the new Pastor there, a Nigerian priest. Our Indy 500 took place on Sunday afternoon during a spectacularly beautiful day. Since the Bishop had to continue on in his journey to Bend, he had another three hours to drive, so he dropped me off at my new home at St Elizabeth of Hungary in John Day, and after going around the place, inspecting the Rectory, visiting the Church and the Parish Hall, I asked for his blessing and he left me on my own, as the new Pastor of John Day. He picked up a Coca Cola from the refrigerator and simply said ‘Father Julian, you’re on your own now.’ It suddenly dawned on me that I was now on my own, as a Pastor for the first time in my life.

My new parish - The Parish boundaries are actually within the entire Grant county in the middle of Oregon, a total of 4,500 square miles of forests, hills, mountains, little towns like John Day, Canyon City, Prairie City, Dayville, Long Creek, Seneca and others sprinkled around. I calculated that in my parish I can fit 38 little Maltas. Just thinking about that fact can be truly overwhelming and mind-boggling. Just thinking about the fact that to say Mass in one of my mission Churches every Sunday, which is between Dale and Long Creek, I have to travel the equivalent of the distance between Malta and Sicily. Every Sunday! Rain, shine or snow! And once a month I have an extra 50 miles to another Mission in Monument. When you talk about distances, we’re talking about lots of miles to cover, through beautiful and spectacular scenery, mountain passes, winding roads, along rivers and creeks, through little towns whose population ranges from 25 to 2,500. But I know the Lord will be with me through my new adventure in Oregon, where I would spend 13 glorious years. This was one of the happiest periods of my life, as I was on my own, re-organizing a dying parish, and giving it my flavor, my personal touch, even though after 2 and a half years the bishop gave me a huge promotion, sending me to the Cathedral in Baker City.