Second-grade students at Valley Catholic Elementary School stepped into a meaningful role on March 18, leading a Heritage Prayer Service that honored the Sisters of St. Mary of Oregon and their 140 years of ministry.
Through prayer, reflection and tradition, the service celebrated a legacy shaped by education, faith and care for the community. It also recognized a significant moment in the Sisters’ history. As part of their 140th anniversary, the Sisters have made a $1 million gift to the Valley Catholic School endowment, strengthening support for students, educators and programs for years to come.
The prayer service offered a visible expression of that legacy in motion. As students led their peers, teachers and Sisters in prayer, the moment reflected a connection across generations, linking the founding mission of 1886 to the students who carry it forward today.
“For 140 years, our ministry has been grounded in prayer, education and health care,” said Sister Michael Francine Duncan, SSMO, Superior General. “Seeing these students lead this prayer service reminds us that our legacy lives on in them. This gift is not only a reflection of our past, but a promise to support future generations.”
The service highlighted the role students play in continuing the Sisters’ mission. While the endowment gift provides lasting financial support, its deeper meaning was evident in the students themselves, who represent the future shaped by that investment.
Principal Dr. Yvonne Ayesiga shared that the Sisters’ generosity helps ensure Valley Catholic remains accessible to families seeking a faith-centered education.
“Their legacy is alive in every classroom,” she said. “This gift ensures that Valley Catholic School will continue to form students who grow in faith, knowledge and service.”
Throughout the service, students honored the Sisters whose vision has created opportunities for generations of learners. Their leadership reflected the values at the heart of Valley Catholic, where students are encouraged to live out their faith through action and service to others.
As the Sisters mark 140 years, the Heritage Prayer Service served as a reminder that their legacy is not only preserved in history, but lived each day in the students they have guided.
Their gift strengthens the future of Valley Catholic School, but the true impact can be seen in moments like this, where young students step forward to lead, carrying the mission into the next generation.
