A View from the Dome – June 2023 – Sisters of St. Mary of Oregon

Our Mission

We, the Sisters of St. Mary of Oregon, share in the mission
of Jesus by proclaiming the Good News of God’s love.

Letter from the Superior General: June 2023

Dear Friend,

Congratulations to our Valley Catholic Graduates. We continue to pray for you and hope that the Spirit of our loving God will be with you always.

June brings a change of pace and hopefully, with it, rest and relaxation. I look forward to sunshine, exercise and having a hope-filled mind and spirit.

The experience of Pentecost on the last Sunday of May made me think of the Apostles and early believers. On Sundays and solemnities, I get to pray, in unison with my Sisters, the Nicene Creed. “I believe in one God, the Father almighty, maker of heaven and earth…” This prayer lifts my spirit. Similar to the Apostles, who received the Holy Spirit on Pentecost, we too have the opportunity to embrace the Spirit of the Lord, with simplicity and joy.

After Pentecost, the Apostles were filled with a life they had not known before. They knew Jesus the Lord was with them as they spoke bolder than ever before. They professed a reality for all to hear — the truth Jesus had taught them. Without hesitation, they went forward to convert the world to the truth that the Lord is risen from the dead. In addition, He, Jesus, will come back for us who believe.

It is now our work to spread the Good News. We must live as Jesus taught us and believe in God the Father, maker of heaven and earth. We need to demonstrate our belief in God by our words and actions – to live the moral life and not be swayed by a disordered society. As Sisters of St. Mary of Oregon, we pray together and endeavor to live as Christ taught us to live. Jesus and Mary, Mother of Jesus, are our models and, for me, there is no one better. In our 137 years as a Religious Community, guided by our charism and core values, we have evolved.

We, the Sisters of St. Mary of Oregon, living as women of prayer in simplicity and sisterly love, are called to be compassionate joyful servants of the Lord.

I pray that our wider community and VC graduates remember the SSMO Core Values: Live Valiantly, Strive for Excellence, Honor the Unique Gifts of Each Person and Celebrate God and Life.

Our prayers are with you this summer. God Bless you.

Yours in Christ, Sr. Michael Francine Duncan

Visit ssmo.org/contact to send a prayer request or message to the Sisters.

The Sisters of St. Mary of Oregon and SSMO Ministries leadership were honored to recognize campus employees who have given 25 years or more of service. The Sisters hosted a prayer service and dinner for honorees and their guests at the Motherhouse on May 31.

Thank you for your 25+ years of service to the Sisters sponsored ministries.

Maria Verduzco (Maryville) — 27 years in March 2023
Nena Acosta (Maryville) — 26 years this November 2023
Shila Kishore (Maryville)— 26 years this September 2023
Oyintare Nekekpemi (Maryville) — 26 years in April 2023
Dr. Jennifer Gfroerer (VCMS) — 25 years this September 2023

SSMO Vocation Newsletter – June 2023

A monthly publication of news, events and topics important to Community and religious life. Click here to view the June issue.

A Day of Golf and Giving: SSMO Foundation Whole in One Fundraiser at Pumpkin Ridge
Visit our Flickr page to view and download event photos. Thank you to Leonard Adams Insurance for being our presenting sponsor and for everyone who came out to be a part of the SSMO Whole in One Golf Tournament. We look forward to your continued support in future endeavors.

Congratulations to this year’s winning foursome:Tim GrayJarrett Gray ‘14 Ryoma Lane ‘22 Tanner Cole

Thank you for a joy-filled Give:24! Your generosity ignited joy in the hearts of the Sisters, VCS students, and Maryville residents during our campus-wide celebration of giving on May 24. Thank you for helping to sustain the Sisters’ legacy at Valley Catholic School, Maryville and in the greater community.

Thank you for giving joyfully!