A Message from the Superior General 

Dear Family and Friends,  

 

Summer. That word brings so many things to mind! For me, besides vacation and watermelon, it means a hoped-for change of pace and celebrations.

 

Our first celebration was the Installation of the Community's new leadership on June 28. On July 26, we will celebrate with our Jubilarians. In August, we will celebrate with the Sisters who are professing vows, following our time together at what we call "Community Days."



Multimedia features and our campus websites  


This month, we profile one of our 2015 Jubilarians - Sister Marcella Parrish - in words and photos. We celebrate all of our 2015 Jubilarians in a special video.

We capture the dedication of Maryville's new south unit and therapy courtyard.

We offer a video thank-you to those who support our ministries through our Annual Fund.

We share photos from the Installation Mass of the new SSMO Leadership.

We hope that you continue to visit our website and the websites for the SSMO Ministries Corporation, the SSMO Foundation and Maryville.
  

Jubilee 2015: We invite you to join us on July 26 

On July 26, 2015, the Sisters of Sr. Mary of Oregon will honor five Jubilarians as they celebrate significant anniversaries of their service and ministry.

Sr. Marie Bernadette George, Sr. Elma Heesacker, Sr. Marilyn LeDoux and Sr. Marcella Parrish will celebrate their 60th Jubilees.

Sr. Sara Goggin will celebrate her 50th Jubilee.

We invite you to learn more about our 2015 Jubilarians and join us for this special celebration.

Meet the Sisters: Sister Marcella Parrish 

Sister Marcella Parrish remembers the moment as clearly as ever: "I went with my mother and brother to register him for first grade at St. Mary's School in Stayton. We met with Sister Theresa Margaret and, being four year old, I could only really see her shoes. But I made a big decision that day. My reasoning was that I didn't know if she was wearing cowboy boots or some other kind of shoe, but I knew that I wanted to be what she was and wear that kind of shoes. My resolve continued to grow the more I was around the Sisters."

A life in photos: Sister Marcella Parrish 

Each month, the Sisters of Sr. Mary of Oregon honor the service of one of their Sisters.

 

We are pleased to share photos of the life and ministry of 2015 Jubilarian Sister Marcella Parrish.

Embracing the future: the installation of our new Leadership Team


The Sisters of St. Mary of Oregon celebrated the Installation Mass of their new Leadership June 28, 2015 at the Motherhouse Chapel. 


Sr. Charlene Herinckx will begin her second term as superior general of the Congregation; she has held this position since 2010. SSMO Leadership terms last five years; the new leadership will be remain in place until 2020.


Archbishop Alexander K. Sample installed the incoming Leadership: Sister Charlene Herinckx (superior general), Sister Rita Watkins (vicar general) and councilors Sister Juliana Monti and Sister Josephine Pelster. The new leaders were prayerfully elected by the SSMO Community at their Chapter, held March 22-27.


Please see our photo gallery, courtesy of Lois O'Halloran.

A legacy of service and leadership 

As the 2010-2015 Sisters of St. Mary of Oregon (SSMO) Leadership Team concluded their ministry and service, we invited them to share their thoughts on some of the highlights of the past five years. 

Each brought their own perspective, but they all expressed gratitude for the opportunity to serve their Community, the campus and the region.

An anniversary celebration marks the start of a new era at Maryville  

A dedication plaque and flowers to remember beloved parents.

A moment of silence honoring a legendary leader.

 

Valley Catholic wins its fourth Oregonian Cup for excellence 

Valley Catholic entered the 2014-2015 academic year as a three-peat Oregonian Cup winner in 3A athletics. It ended the year by winning its fourth consecutive Oregonian Cup - its first in 4A athletics. 

The Oregonian Cup is the highest award given by the Oregon School Activities Association (OSAA) and exemplifies overall excellence in academics, activities and athletics. According to the OSAA, "It honors your students, teachers, coaches and the entire school community and is a reflection of the hard work, dedication and passion your school represents."  

Our annual retreat: a time to renew and reflect 

Each year, the Sisters make a six-day silent retreat at the SSMO Motherhouse or another location.  

This year, 41 Sisters opted to make retreat at the Motherhouse under the direction of scripture scholar, Konrad Schaefer, OSB.

Each day, Fr. Konrad preached the homily at Mass and made two presentations.

Summer service at the Sunshine Pantry 

Our "Sisters' Summer Service" is inspired by Pope Francis and his suggestions about ways to celebrate 2015 as the "Year of Consecrated Life."

During June, 10 of our Sisters volunteered at the Sunshine Pantry in Beaverton.

As their website notes, the Sunshine Pantry provides "food, amenities, housewares and clothing to those people in need, struggling within Beaverton, Tigard, Hillsboro, and Forest Grove, but we help people from all over Oregon and from Southwest Washington."

Summer service at Vacation Bible School in Ontario, Oregon 

As part of the Sisters of St. Mary of Oregon (SSMO) summer service projects, Sr. Krista von Borstel, Sr. Michael Francine Duncan and SSMO Associate Judy Winczewski traveled to Ontario, Oregon to teach Vacation Bible School at Blessed Sacrament Parish. 

More than 50 students from pre-kindergarten through sixth grade took part.
  

Thank you for supporting our Annual Fund!   

We express our heartfelt thanks to our Associates, alumni, parents, teachers and friends for your support of our 2014-15 Annual Fund.

Saint Reflections: St. Maria Goretti 

The daughter of a poor Italian tenant farmer, Maria Goretti never learned to read or write.

Fighting off an attack before her 12th birthday, she suffered stab sounds and died one day later. In her final hours, she focused on compassion and good: concern for her mother and forgiveness of her murderer. Learn more about St. Maria Goretti

Requests for Prayers


If you would like the Sisters to add a special intention to our daily prayers,

please send an email to [email protected]

 

Learn more about the Sisters of St. Mary of Oregon