The Sisters of St. Mary of Oregon (SSMO) have prayerfully discerned and elected their new leadership team to guide the community from 2025 through 2030.
Leading the Sisters of St. Mary of Oregon for the next five years will be:
The leadership election took place during the SSMO General Chapter meeting, held from March 21 – 29. This significant gathering occurs every five years. It is rooted in prayer and community discernment, and consists of the Chapter of Affairs and the Chapter of Elections.
During the Chapter of Affairs, the Sisters collaboratively set the congregation’s direction for the next five years – ensuring their Mission, Core Values and Charism are aligned with their direction. Next, the Chapter of Elections was conducted to elect the Superior General and General Council. These four elected women are responsible for leading their Community to implement the Direction Statement into their daily lives.
The new leadership team will be installed during a special Mass on Sunday, June 29 at 9 a.m. at the Sisters’ Our Lady of Perpetual Help Chapel inside the SSMO Motherhouse.
The Sisters of St. Mary of Oregon’s newly elected Leadership Team is humbled and honored to accept these important roles for their Community.
“I thank God for our SSMO Community and our Sisters’ discernment, dialogue and prayers,” said Sister Michael Francine Duncan, SSMO Superior General. “We are committed to delve deep into our spirituality. I am humbled to serve my Community of Sisters and I am grateful for their trust in God and the Holy Spirit.”
“I am excited, humbled and honored to work with a team of Sisters who have the interests of the community and our entities close to their hearts,” said Sister Krista von Borstel, Vicar General-elect. “I am grateful to the Holy Spirit and the Sisters of St. Mary of Oregon who have entrusted us to lead the community forward these next five years.”
“I am so thankful for my Sisters’ love, acceptance, and trust in me. I am eager to serve my Community in this role,” said Sister Julie Doan, SSMO General Councilor-elect. “I am humbled by their election and am looking forward to seeing how God continues to use our Leadership Team and our entire Community for His glory.”
“I humbly accept the invitation to serve the Sisters of St. Mary of Oregon as a General Councilor. I am honored and hopeful to be part of such an amazing team of Sisters who will begin their leadership responsibilities in June,” said Sister Juana Gutierrez, General Councilor-elect. “The Sisters put a lot of trust in us, and with God’s grace, I know I will do everything in my power to help move the Sisters’ Charism, Mission, Vision and Core Values forward.”
The Sisters of St. Mary of Oregon Direction Statement for 2025 – 2030
We, the Sisters of St Mary of Oregon, relying on God’s grace, commit
ourselves to a deeper understanding and living of our SSMO charism. We will focus on
We, the Sisters of St. Mary of Oregon, recognize that we live in a fractured world marked by division and polarities. We commit to living the Gospel values of
We, the Sisters of St. Mary of Oregon, commit ourselves to wise and
prudent stewardship. We call ourselves to
We will educate ourselves, use our resources and collaboratively engage with others to build the Kingdom of God.
