Issuing a call for unity among Catholics in western Oregon, Archbishop Alexander Sample told hundreds of clergy, religious and laity March 30 that the church is about to enter a new age of effective evangelization.The annual Chrism Mass, held during the start of Holy Week at St. Mary Cathedral in Northwest Portland, drew about 150 clergy who renewed their priestly promises, including union with the archbishop. Also this night, the oils for sacraments like baptism, confirmations, ordinations and anointing of the sick are blessed.“Our presence here today must actually embody the genuine unity among us and we must resist with all our strength any tendencies toward individualism, excessive parochialism, congregationalism and any form of division,” Archbishop Sample said. “This is so that our witness to Jesus may be genuine and effective for the whole world to see.”The archbishop called the Chrism Mass a powerful representation of the church — archbishop, bishops, priests, deacons, religious and lay faithful. “Here is the church,” he said. “How wonderful it is to be here anointing and united by the outpouring of the Holy Spirit.”He said the church can only be faithful if it is united.“We fulfill the mission entrusted to us by Jesus Christ to proclaim the kingdom of God and to be the universal sacrament of salvation in our little corner of the world,” the archbishop said.Altar servers scrambled to find enough chairs for all the priests after they processed in and kissed the altar.“It’s a liturgy unlike any other during the year,” said Father Steve Stobie, pastor of St. Clare Parish in Southwest Portland. “It’s a great night for remembering who we are as priests. The renewal of our promises is very important, but also there’s a gathering of the clergy that is very inspiring for all of us. It makes us aware of our calling in the priesthood and carrying out the holy life of the people of God.”Before the Mass, clergy gather for a large dinner.Hundreds of lay people also attended.Josh Jones, who helps Catholics in formation at St. Patrick Parish in Northwest Portland, has been coming to the Chrism Mass for 16 years, ever since his confirmation teacher brought the class. Jones is touched when the priests renew their vows and when the holy oils are consecrated.“I like being able to be present and create a unity in the prayer with the archbishop, the successor of the apostles, and coming down to the people we are working with in training,” Jones said.Cherie Appleby-Lamman, a candidate who will be confirmed and receive Communion at St. Mary Cathedral at the Easter Vigil, was moved by the blessing of the oils and the long line of priests.“To me it is all about tradition, the importance of it, and the commitment of all these priests,” Appleby-Lamman said. “It just strengthens my decision.”Tina Harris, 27, helps lead formation for incoming Catholics at St. Ann in Gresham.“It is so beautiful,” Harris said. “And the blessing of the oils is exciting because the catechumens are going to receive them at the Easter Vigil.”