A Letter from the SSMO Superior General
Dear Friends, Family, Sisters and Brothers,
Blessings from the Sisters of St. Mary of Oregon.
July is a beautiful month in Oregon. The flowers are blooming, the days are warm, and our summer camps fill the campus with life and energy. This year, July also holds special meaning as this Independence Day marks our nation’s 250 years of history. In the midst of these summer days, the Sisters of St. Mary of Oregon pause to give thanks for the faithful witness of our Jubilarians.
Each July, our Congregation celebrates the anniversaries of Sisters whose lives have been given in loving service to God, the Church, and God’s people. Jubilee is a time of gratitude for years of prayer, ministry, sacrifice, and community life. This year we are especially grateful for Sister Ruth Frank, who celebrates 70 years, and Sister Josephine Pelster, who celebrates 60 years as Sisters of St. Mary of Oregon. Their lives remind us that God’s grace is steady and enduring, and that a life lived in faith can bless generations.
As we celebrate 250 years of our glorious nation, the Church also remembers the 800th anniversary of the death of St. Francis of Assisi. St. Francis continues to speak to our hearts because he lived the Gospel in a simple and wholehearted way. He chose poverty, humility, and trust in God over wealth or recognition. His life reminds us that true freedom comes when we place God first and hold lightly to the things of this world.
Our Sisters, like St. Francis, are witnesses to what is important for all of us today. In a world that often values having more, religious women and men invite us to be more – to live simply, to be grateful, to care for one another, and to trust that God is enough. We can and do rely on God’s grace.
As Sisters of St. Mary of Oregon, we seek to live that same Gospel spirit through our vowed life of poverty, chastity, and obedience. These vows are our response to God’s call and a daily invitation to live for God alone. Community life is a lifelong journey of prayer, love, sacrifice, and joy.
May this summer season renew in all of us a grateful heart, a generous spirit, and a deeper trust in God’s faithful love.
Blessings,
Sr. Michael Francine Duncan
SSMO
Superior General
SSMO Leadership Team:
SSMO Superior General
SSMO Vicar General
SSMO General Councilor
SSMO General Councilor
Visit ssmo.org/ssmo-announces-new-leadership-team/ to learn more about the Sisters’ elections and General Chapter Meetings.
