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,
Greetings to you in the month of All Saints, the Poor Souls, and Thanksgiving!
I appreciate a poster I saw once that read, “O Lord, You have given me so much. Please give me one thing more: a grateful heart.”
As we quickly move into the season of Thanksgiving, let us remember to seek that “one more thing.”
Blessings,
Sr. Charlene
Meet our Sisters – Sr. Rita Watkins
How did a little girl from
North Dakota arrive at the
doorsteps of the Sisters of St. Mary of Oregon?
Sr. Rita will tell you, “God led me a subtle way.”
Sr. Rita came to know some of the Sisters as her teachers through school and she attended St. Mary of the Valley as an Aspiriant (a student who was interested in becoming a Sister).
Sr. Rita’s ministries have covered a variety of areas for more than five decades – from education as a teacher, principal, and president to service in our Community as Motherhouse Superior, Coordinator of Ministries, and, currently, on the Sisters’ Leadership Team.
Visit ssmo.org/sister/watkins to read more about Sr. Rita’s inspiring journey.
Discernment Opportunities
Vocation Events for November
The SSMO Vocation Committee will be in Oregon and Minnesota this month.
Check out our events page for specific dates and locations.
If you happen to be where we are, please join us.
Please pray for our safe travels.
Thank you.
Questions:
How does a Community decide what to wear?
Religious orders have the choice to determine the external signs that symbolize their identity and
communicate their charism.
These symbols often include a profession ring, crucifix, habit, veil, or other community symbol. Some religious institutes choose specific colors of clothes. Women and men religious dress simply and modestly, choosing to wear professional attire or religious garb that is customary to their mission and ministry.
For congregations who choose to wear a habit, some wear it all the time, while others offer various options.
Did you Know?
Interesting facts about members who are entering religious life:
Myths about Religious Life:
Myth: New members would prefer to live alone.
Fact: Men and women are coming to religious life not just for ministry, but also for common prayer and community living.
Respondents to the 2009 national study of newer members indicated people preferred living in a large (eight or more) or medium-sized (four to seven) community than living in a small community or alone.
Recent research confirms that this desire for communal living and communal prayer continues, especially for younger people.
Quotations from Saints
Nothing is so strong as gentleness, nothing so gentle as real strength.
– St. Francis de Sales
By Eduardo Balaca
