About Our Lady of Sorrows · Portland, Oregon
Our Lady of Sorrows is a Catholic parish in the Woodstock neighborhood of Southeast Portland, Oregon, founded on August 1, 1917, and a member of the Archdiocese of Portland in Oregon. The parish describes itself as 'an urban parish with a country feel,' built around the Eucharist and a strong sense of family, hospitality, prayer, and service. Today it serves roughly 400 registered families, celebrated its centennial in 2017, and is led by Fr. Chrispine Otieno, a native of Kenya, with a Pastoral Assistant, Tony Graham, and a small staff of volunteers and employees. The former parish school building, closed in 2007, now houses Sunstone Montessori School, which opened there in 2021 and brings new life to the parish campus.
- Established
- 1917
- Patron
- Our Lady of Sorrows (the Blessed Virgin Mary in her Sorrows)
- Rector
- Fr. Chrispine Otieno
- Diocese
- Archdiocese of Portland in Oregon
Why belong here
Our Lady of Sorrows invites newcomers into a parish that prides itself on being a true family — visitors often comment that 'we all seem related.' It is grounded in the Eucharist, with three weekend Masses and weekday Masses Wed–Fri, daily Eucharistic Adoration on Tuesdays and Thursdays, Saturday confessions, and an active Prayer Line staffed by volunteers. Members can serve at the altar as lectors, Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion, or altar servers; join the Loft Choir or instrumental music program under Director of Sacred Music James Bartel; volunteer in faith formation and the Children's Liturgy of the Word; or take part in ministries such as the St. Vincent de Paul conference, the Family of St. Therese, the Divine Mercy and Our Lady of Fatima Crusade, Catholic in Recovery, the Altar Society, and Hospitality (Coffee & Doughnuts after Sunday Masses). It's a welcoming, diverse parish of about 400 families serving as 'a beacon to the Woodstock area of Southeast Portland.'
Mass times at Our Lady of Sorrows
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday 3:30 PM to 4:30 PM
- By appointment (call the parish office)
Adoration times
- Tuesdays 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM (may close at 3:00 PM if no one is present)
- Thursdays 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM (may close at 3:00 PM if no one is present)
Parish History
On August 1, 1917 Archbishop Alexander Christie carved Our Lady of Sorrows (along with what would become St. Anthony and Holy Family) out of St. Ignatius Parish. First pastor Msgr. Charles Smith was originally appointed to a parish named St. Joseph, but the name was changed to Our Lady of Sorrows before the February 10, 1918 dedication to avoid confusion with other archdiocesan St. Joseph parishes; Christmas Day 1917 saw the first Mass in the church. The parish school opened in 1928 and the parish grew steadily through the twentieth century, weathering the wartime loss of one pastor (Fr. Richard Carberry, who died as a POW), Vatican II reforms, and shifting demographics that ultimately closed the school in 2007. After celebrating its centennial in 2017 and losing beloved pastor Fr. Ron Millican unexpectedly in 2019, the parish continues under Fr. Chrispine Otieno, with the former school building now home to Sunstone Montessori School since 2021.
- Founded August 1, 1917 by Archbishop Alexander Christie (then Archdiocese of Oregon City)
- First Mass: Christmas Day 1917
- Church dedicated February 10, 1918
- School opened September 4, 1928 with 53 pupils and two Sisters of St. Mary of Oregon
- Centennial celebrated in 2017
- Parish school closed July 2007
- About 400 registered families as of 2016
Sacraments
The parish celebrates the standard seven sacraments; information for most is handled through the parish office. Anointing of the Sick is no longer offered on first Fridays but is celebrated quarterly during weekend Masses and on request.
- Baptism — register through the parish office
- Marriage — contact Fr. Chrispine Otieno for preparation
- Anointing of the Sick — quarterly during Masses or on request (do not wait until the last moment)
- Confession — Saturday 3:30–4:30 PM or by appointment
- RCIA / becoming Catholic — inquire at the parish office
- Last Rites — dial the parish office (503) 775-6731 and choose the urgent option
Liturgical Ministries
Parishioners are invited to take active liturgical roles as Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion, lectors, or altar servers (open to 5th graders and up). Training is provided by the parish, and a current ministry schedule is published on the website.
- Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion
- Lector (Reader)
- Altar Server (5th grade and up)
- Greeter
Music Ministry
Our Lady of Sorrows supports an active music program under Director of Sacred Music James Bartel. The Loft Choir leads 2- and 4-part choral harmony at the 11 AM Sunday Mass from the choir loft with organ accompaniment (the parish uses an Allen Organ). Cantor Gina Piroli also serves. The parish welcomes instrumentalists — violin, flute, guitar, and others — to enhance the sacred music at Mass.
- Director of Sacred Music: James Bartel ([email protected], ext. 104)
- Cantor: Gina Piroli
- Loft Choir: men and women singing 2- or 4-part harmony at 11 AM Sunday Mass
- Instrumentalists welcome (violin, flute, guitar, etc.)
- Allen Organ in use
Faith Formation & Religious Education
Religious Education meets on Sundays from 9:40 AM to 10:50 AM and depends on volunteer catechists. Children's Liturgy of the Word is offered during the 11 AM Mass, giving younger children an age-appropriate Liturgy of the Word during the readings.
- Religious Education (Sundays 9:40–10:50 AM) — volunteer catechists needed
- Children's Liturgy of the Word (11 AM Mass)
- Children's Head Catechist (Volunteer): Holly Denman
Parish Organizations & Outreach
Our Lady of Sorrows is home to several parish-based and independent organizations, including two that were actually founded at OLS: the Family of St. Therese (with its Teresa Charities arm) and the Divine Mercy and Our Lady of Fatima Crusade. The parish's St. Vincent de Paul conference serves the needy within parish boundaries, and Catholic in Recovery offers a 12-step program for Catholics.
- St. Vincent de Paul Society conference
- Catholic in Recovery (12-step program for Catholics)
- Family of St. Therese and Teresa Charities (founded at OLS)
- Divine Mercy and Our Lady of Fatima Crusade (founded at OLS)
- Altar Society
- Social Concerns Committee
- Fundraising Committee
Hospitality & Parish Life
Hospitality is a defining trait of Our Lady of Sorrows — the parish invites newcomers to register and to share coffee and doughnuts after the 8:30 AM and 11:00 AM Sunday Masses. Volunteers also host funeral receptions for bereaved families.
- Coffee and Doughnuts after Sunday 8:30 AM and 11:00 AM Masses
- Funeral Reception hospitality
- Greeters
- Beautification of the church and church grounds
Prayer & Devotion
Beyond weekday Mass and twice-weekly Adoration, the parish maintains a Prayer Line staffed by volunteers who pray for any intention: a loved one who has died, an upcoming surgery, the sick, the suffering, or the homebound. Callers may dial (503) 775-6731, Ext. 111 to leave a request.
- Prayer Line: (503) 775-6731, Ext. 111
- Adoration: Tuesdays and Thursdays 8:00 AM – 6:00 PM
- Sacramental Confession: Saturdays 3:30–4:30 PM
Parish Staff & Volunteers
The parish is staffed by a small core of clergy, employees, and volunteers — fitting its character as a tight-knit, family-style community.
- Fr. Chrispine Otieno — Pastor ([email protected], ext. 106)
- Tony Graham — Pastoral Assistant ([email protected])
- James Bartel — Director of Sacred Music ([email protected], ext. 104)
- Gina Piroli — Cantor
- Carl Duyn — Financial Assistant / accountant
- Phyllis Shelton — Book-keeper
- Jeannette Howell — Janitor
- Mary Ann Colrud — Church Custodian
- James Hartner — Facilities Coordinator (volunteer)
- Robert Sells — Facilities Coordinator (volunteer)
- Holly Denman — Children's Head Catechist (volunteer)
The Former Parish School & Sunstone Montessori
Our Lady of Sorrows School opened September 4, 1928 with 53 pupils and two Sisters of St. Mary of Oregon, and at its peak had eight grades with 327 students by 1960. After decades of growing financial pressure and declining enrollment, the school closed in July 2007, just shy of its 80th anniversary; an all-school reunion was held in 2018 for its 90th. In July 2021, Sunstone Montessori School opened in the former parish school building, bringing 'added energy and vitality' to the parish campus.
- School opened September 4, 1928
- Peaked at 327 students in eight grades (1960)
- Closed July 2007, just shy of 80th anniversary
- All-school reunion held 2018 (90th)
- Sunstone Montessori School opened in the former school building July 2021
Visit, Register & Get Involved
Newcomers are warmly welcomed to weekend Mass (Saturday 5:00 PM, Sunday 8:30 AM or 11:00 AM) and to coffee and doughnuts afterward. Parish registration forms are available on the Contact Us page, and a Time and Talent form lists dozens of ways to serve — from altar server to beautification to catechist.
- Office hours: Tuesday–Thursday 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM (or 4:00 PM per staff page); Friday 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM; closed Monday
- Phone: (503) 775-6731
- Prayer Line: (503) 775-6731, Ext. 111
- Winter closures follow Portland Public Schools
- Registration forms available on the Contact Us page
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Msgr. Charles Smith1917–1918
First pastor; originally appointed under the parish's first name, St. Joseph.
- Fr. George Fallu1918–c.1938
Served more than twenty years until his death; acquired property for the school and parish hall; founded Our Lady of Sorrows School in 1928.
- Fr. Richard Carberryc.1938–1941
Called up as a military chaplain in WWII; captured and died as a prisoner of war in the Pacific.
- Fr. John J. Margraf, C.S.C.1941–1949
Holy Cross priest; served as administrator; prepared the parish bulletins himself.
- Fr. Richard L. Fall1949–
Oversaw major church remodeling and the new school/convent building program.
- Fr. James Crowe
Listed in the parish's succession of pastors.
- Fr. Daniel O'Connell
Listed in the parish's succession of pastors.
- Fr. John O'Callaghan
Listed in the parish's succession of pastors.
- Fr. John Ilgfrom 1972
School Board and Parish Council organized; lay ministers trained; soup kitchen began.
- Fr. William Johnson
Listed in the parish's succession of pastors.
- Msgr. Gregory Moys
Served as administrator.
- Fr. Robert Beltrami, OFM
Franciscan pastor.
- Fr. Amancio Rodrigues
Listed in the parish's succession of pastors.
- Fr. Wayne Dawsonfrom 2004
Administrator; led extensive refurbishment of church, rectory, convent, and offices.
- Fr. Ron Millican2007–2019
Guided parish into its post-school era; restored stained glass and pews; died unexpectedly February 2019.
- Fr. Chrispine Otieno2019–present
Native of Kenya; current pastor.