Responding with courage and personal sacrifice to the call of Christ in the Church, our foundresses lived out their desire to become Women of Prayer, Community and Service. SSMO Constitutions, Article 1
Dear Friends,
The beginning of the fall season here in Beaverton, Oregon, was greeted by rain – at least five days’ worth!
As the earth is drinking in the welcome moisture, let us drink in the beauty of the season!
Blessings,
Sr. Charlene
Resources and Opportunities to learn and discern
Vision Vocation Network
VISION Vocation Guide and its VISION VocationNetwork.org are the most comprehensive resources available for people who are seeking information on Catholic religious vocations and men’s and women’s religious Communities.
Since 1987 VISION has been providing hundreds of thousands of readers with information on Catholic religious life through first-
person accounts, profiles, photo stories, and articles about discernment, community life, vows, ministry, and Catholic teachings. Online features include Community Search, Vocations Calendar, and Vocation Match. VISION is published by TrueQuest Communications on behalf of the National Religious Vocation Conference. It was named a top-ten vocation website by the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops.
For more information, see the article index or read the current digital edition. The religious congregations, orders, and institutes
who sponsor VISION provide additional information about their
charisms, ministries, and requirements. Learn more about religious
groups through VISION’s Community Search.
Exploring Sisterhood
Virtual Intercongregational Retreat for Religious Discernment
Saturday, Oct. 21 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. PST
Open to Catholic Women ages 20 to 45
Contact Diane Tomkinson to register. Sponsored by the Vocation Directors in the NRVC Pacific Northwest area.
Sunday with the Sisters of St. Mary of Oregon
Mark your calendar: Nov. 19 and Dec. 10
SSMO Motherhouse – 4440 SW 148th Ave. Beaverton, OR 97018
Contact Sr. Charlene at 503-805-6201 to register and get more information.
Come and meet Sisters of various ages and ministries while learning about:
- Living the vowed life today
- How Communities are similar/different
- How to get more information and ask questions
Schedule:
- 8:30 a.m. Morning Prayer
- 9 a.m. Mass
- 9:45 a.m. Refreshments followed by input and sharing
- 11:30 a.m. Lunch with the Sisters
Discernment Questions
Visit ssmo.org/vocations to see questions from previous newsletters.
Living and Loving
- Have you thought seriously about the vocation to marriage? Dated? Been engaged?
- Would you look forward to having children of your own?
- If you have shared your thoughts about considering religious life with friends, what has been their reaction?
- What questions are you asking yourself about your vocational choices?
How do Sisters and Priests spend their days?
Prayer, community, and service. Effort is made to maintain a balanced life. Prayer, both personal and with others, is an essential part of the daily rhythm of religious life as are works of service.
Vowed communal life also allows time for personal interests, Community socials and committee work, time with family and fun.
Did you know?
In the 2020 Survey of new members to Religious Communities (from 2003-2018), these statistics were noted:
81% were employed before entrance
35% discerned for more than 2 years
34% have a relative in religious life
Religious Women Saints – October
Credit: Mazur/catholicchurch.org.uk
- St. Therese of Lisieux Oct. 1
- St. Theodore Guerin Oct. 3
- St. Faustina Kowalska Oct. 5
- Bl. Marie Rose Durocher Oct. 6
- St. Theresa of Avila Oct. 15
- St. Margaret Mary Alacoque Oct. 16
Marian Feastdays – October
Our Lady of the Rosary
Our Lady of the Rosary is Oct. 7. It was known for many centuries by the title “Our Lady of Victory”.
Pope Leo XIII was particularly devoted to Our Lady of the Rosary, producing 11 encyclicals on the subject of this feast and its importance.
