Rev. Joshua Clifton

Parish Administrator (503) 286-3929 jclifton@archdpdx.org

Fr. Clifton was assigned to administer the needs of St. Mary’s in Vernonia as well as St. Birgitta’s on Highway 30 in Portland by Archbishop Alexander Sample of the Archdiocese of Portland, Oregon.

Fr. Clifton teaches Adult Religious Education (Catechism) after Mass, Fall through Spring. If you are interested in learning more about the Catholic faith, Fr. Clifton would love to hear from you, and our parish looks forward to welcoming you.

Fr. Clifton also leads our monthly Bible Study.

Click on “Learn More” to watch Fr. Clifton’s 3-part series Introduction to the Faith.

Bishop Steiner

In 1977, Rev. Kenneth Steiner, pastor of St. Francis in Roy, was appointed St. Mary’s Priest/Administrator. Ordained bishop in 1978, Most Rev. Steiner was instrumental in building the new Church we worship in today.

Funds to build and furnish the new Church and parish hall came from proceeds from our annual Quilt and Crafts Fair, a scholarship from the Portland Archdiocese, as well as many parishioner donations.

When requested, retired Bishop Steiner may preside over St. Mary’s baptisms, confirmations, weddings and funerals, as well as the rare Mass both Frs. Clifton and Fred have scheduling conflicts.

St. Mary’s Volunteers

Our volunteers are the heart of our parish. From the friendly smiles that welcome you to Mass on Sundays to educating and providing fun activities for our youth, to serving lunch or assisting you at our annual Quilt and Crafts Fair, as well as all the essential unseen duties that make your visits and worship meaningful.

2025 Annual Quilt & Crafts Fair will be held Thursday through Saturday, September 18-20, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Lunch at 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.  Quilters and crafters near and far sell their homemade treasures at this annual event. Contact us if you have quilts and/or crafts you would like to sell. No cover charge to browse! Just come and enjoy. We always raffle an amazing quilt, made by our own quilters. Be sure to get your raffle tickets!

January through August, weekly Quilting Classes are held every Tuesday and Wednesday, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the Parish Hall. All teens and adults interested in learning to quilt are welcome. Everything you need to learn and quit is provided. Just bring a lunch.

Children’s Religious Education and activities are held Fall (after Quilt & Craft Fair cleanup) through Spring before Mass, 10:30-11:30 a.m. First and third Sundays are focused on class-age learning. Second Sundays are dedicated to fun group activities centered around faith formation. Fourth Sundays are Trail Life activities. Newcomers are always welcome.

Adult Religious Education is taught by Fr. Clifton after Mass in the Church, Fall through Spring. Please see our Bulletin for current schedule.

A Catholic Schoolhouse chapter in Forest Grove is forming for the 2025-26 school year. Catholic Schoolhouse is a classically structured, homeschool co-op program for grades preK-12. It is akin to Classical Conversations, but is Catholic with more flexibility and affordability. For more information, contact Monica Hendricks at (650) 704-4201, or visit CatholicSchoolhouse.com.

If you would like to subscribe to our weekly Bulletin, email stmaryvernonia@outlook.com.

If you have news to include in our Bulletin or have updates or information to include in our website (photos and attachments always welcome) email stmaryvernonia@outlook.com.

Thank you for your contributions!