WELCOME
St. Philip Benizi is a spiritual home where the Good Shepherd gathers His flock. The flock hears His voice, drinks the living water, and is nourished and sustained by the Body and Blood of The Good Shepherd who lays down His life in the Eucharist. "Only in God the soul rests," and this takes place in the dwelling of the Good Shepherd.
Man seeks meaning for his life and he searches for the superpower that is mysteriously invisible in creation. At St. Philip Benizi, the words of Jesus "Ask and you shall receive; seek and you will find; knock and it shall be opened for you," become alive and help everyone who enters here to unfold the meaning of life, and to find their creator.
The unfolded meaning of the mystery of life and the reconciled relationship with the Good Shepherd and His flock are celebrated in the sacraments of Baptism, Reconciliation, Eucharist, Confirmation, Marriage, Holy Orders, and Anointing of the Sick.
This life in spirit moves us to reach out to the poor, sick, weak, disabled, elderly, and children. Everyone who enters here receives the gift of the spirit of joy and enjoys delicious food in our many social gatherings. We are a joyful community that celebrates the Eucharist and socially gathers many times in thanksgiving and praise.
With joyful hearts, we welcome you to join us.
Father Michael Patrick
I was born in countryside surrounded by farms rich with mangoes, plantains, chilies, tobacco, onions and other vegetables. Free range livestock such as goats, cows, bulls, cats, dogs, and chickens roamed amongst the plants and trees around the tiny Village of Uduvil in the northern part of Sri Lanka, where on the 23rd of May, 1956 I first breathed the freshness of the tropical breeze in the hands of very Catholic parents Patrick and Rita, who named me Michael.
It was much fun to have grown up as one of seven children whose names are Angelo, Angela, Patricia, Gabriela, Raphael, and Lourdes. My Father claimed that he did not know how and why they named the children, but we certainly have the characteristics and protection of these saints.
It was rarely any day that I remember missing an evening without family prayer. The first priority early in the morning was to attend the weekday Masses whenever it was possible, and we never missed a Sunday Mass when we grew up. All of us are very practicing Catholics and live in faith, hope and love.
My sister Patricia, who is married to a Hindu husband, lives in Columbus and recently resigned from her job in a hospital for the reason of too many occurrences of abortion. God has given her another job teaching children in a Christian school that she enjoys. Strong is our faith that we all supported her.
My parents provided me with a Catholic education in two Catholic schools named after two great saints, St. Anthony and St. Patrick, situated in the Northern part of Sri Lanka. When I was 14, studying 8th grade, a powerful force within me that was stronger than my physical strength and mental ability, did not give me any opportunity to spare any time or to take any other chances, but to meet the Bishop of Jaffna, Rev. Dr. Emilianuspillai to express personally God's call to be a priest.
Having completed minor seminary formation and school education at St. Martin's Minor Seminary, I entered the National Major Seminary of Our Lady of Lanka situated in a beautiful, mountainous region similar to the weather and look of the State of Oregon. I was ordained as a priest on July 28, 1983, after seven years of formation in Philosophy and Theology with a Bachelors Degree in Theology.
I served as Assistant Pastor at St. Mary's Cathedral, Administrator and Pastor at St. Joseph's Church and St. Anne's Church in the Diocese of Jaffna, Sri Lanka. Having taught Moral Theology and Canon Law at St. Francis Xavier Major Seminary in Jaffna, in 1990, I earned a Masters Degree and Jurisprudence in Canon Law at St. Paul's University in Ottawa, Canada. From 1990 to 1998, I ministered as Chaplin in hospitals and parishes in Ottawa and Toronto, Canada.
In 1998, a classmate, Rev. Fr. Thomas Yuchak from the Archdiocese of Portland, recommended and helped me to move to the Archdiocese of Portland, Oregon. His Excellency, Archbishop John Vlazny appointed me as a Judge in the Metropolitan Tribunal of the Archdiocese of Portland in 1998 where I am currently serving as a Judge.
Since 1998 I have served in the parishes of St. Alexander in Cornelius, where I started to immerse in the Spanish language; Administrator of the parish of St. Patrick in northwest Portland and Administrator of the parish of St. Edward in Keizer, Salem. Until I received the Immigrant Visa, I served as a Temporary Administrator of the parish of St. Joseph Church in Langley, Vancouver, Canada. In November of 2004, Archbishop Vlazny appointed me the Pastor of St. Philip Benizi in Oregon City (Redland) where I am currently the Pastor.
