1. Sunday…Jubilee Sunday with the Sisters of St. Mary of Oregon – Celebrating anniversaries in Religious Life…One celebrating 75 years, (3) 60’s and (1) 50 years… Who are these fantastic women and what are their stories?
2. Monday – Thursday Trap Camp at Camp Howard! Shooting clay targets with shot guns!
3. The Camp Store and how it operates and who operates it this year
4. Behind the scenes at Camp Howard! Who is behind the scenes and what are they doing?
Here is hoping that you and your family had a blessed Thanksgiving. As for me, well we do pretty well at the convent with the Sisters of St. Mary of Oregon. The Sisters begin the day with Mass then it is off to the kitchen where we begin to prepare our dishes for the community. I signed up for the TURKEY this year and I would like to thank BOB and ROGER our wonderful cooks for the help they provided me in making sure it turned out just right.
Most of the Sisters started from scratch on their meal contributions but the TURKEY is the star of the show on Thanksgiving! Bob and Roger made sure it was perfect and ready to go which means they cooked it, carved it and put it in a “hotel pan” ready to heat up and serve to the Sisters on Thanksgiving! Thanks guys! I got it heated up just fine…poured the heated broth over it then put it in the oven for 40 minutes…simple!
Thought you would enjoy some pictures from the convent from this past weekends Thanksgiving feast with the Sisters of St. Mary of Oregon!
It all begins with Holy Mass!
Sister Anna Hertel and Sister Catherine Hertel team up for the fruit salad!
A Thanksgiving decoration
What, Julienned carrots?
Potatoes all cut up and ready to cook
Sr. Theresa Lan
Team work!
Sister Theresa Lan’s famous cabbage salad…a holiday would not be a holiday without it!
Another look at those mashed potatoes
Me and my flowers from my cousin Dan and his wife, Rhonda (Indiana)
Sister Charlene Herinckx and her famous 7 layer salad!
Sr. Francesca Cuna made the mashed potatoes!
Sister Theresa Lan and her famous dishes from Vietnam!
Whats for lunch?
flowers sent to Sr. Krista from her cousin in Indiana! How about that?
Is it our turn yet?
Me and my Turkey! (With a lot of help from Bob and Roger)
Sister Adele Marie’s stuffing (An old family recipe)
Sister Adele Marie shows off her stuff(ing)
Wow…who made those mashed potatoes?
Whats for lunch?
Home made cranberry sauce
Sister Josephine Pelster and Sr. Adele Marie Altenhofen
How about that turkey treat?
Valley Catholic Kindergarden class provide decorations for the Sisters on holidays!!!
Yams with marshmallows!
Sisters preparing for Thanksgiving Feast
This past Sunday when Father Peter lit the ADVENT candle I had to sit back in amazement at the fact that we are already to December of 2013!!! Advent is a good time to sit back and really reflect on the past and look ahead with hope to the future. I have to sit and quiet myself, break away from the hundreds of tugs and pulls and just get quiet! That feels really good! Try it!
I am enjoying the moment, letting everything go, looking to let my mind settle on what really matters. A story comes to mind! I got an e-mail from Pete Harnish from St. Rose in Longview, WA…
Sister Krista and Jolie,
Just wanted to share some exciting news from St. Rose Longview. We had a new boy, Kellen, join our CYO 4th grade BB team this year and he is thoroughly enjoying playing basketball and being part of CYO sports. Kellen is new to Longview, attends public school and is non-Catholic. After a couple weeks of practice Kellen started asking his mom if non-Catholics could attend St. Rose School. She replied yes. Kellen continued to pursue transferring to St. Rose and yesterday his mom registered him as a new student in the 3rd grade. His sister older also was excited about St. Rose School and she registered in the 5th grade class. This has excited the boys on the team, lifted the spirits of the 3rd and 5th grade classes, and created some buzz amongst the teachers. CYO Sports was the only connection Kellen had with the school.
God works in amazing ways! Thanks for letting St. Rose Longview be part of CYO Sports. It is making a difference in the lives of many people in ways I didn’t envision.
Just felt like sharing the love.
Pete
Pete made my day! I am so grateful he shared this news because our relationship with God, our spiritual journey is what really matters. The ADVENT season calls us to reflect on our journey and make appropriate corrections that keep us on the path.
Fr. Peter lights the ADVENT candle at the Convent Chapel of the Sisters of St. Mary of Oregon.
“Candidate” Anna Nguyen became “Sister” Anna Nguyen this morning at the Convent Mass of the Sisters of St. Mary of Oregon in Beaverton. Her friends and family joined the Sisters for Mass and Breakfast to celebrate the joyful occasion with the Sisters.
Anna Nguyen, from Seattle, WA, spent 6 months discerning her religious call prior to being received as a Novice this morning.
Sister Charlene Herinckx addresses the community of Sisters, family and friends of Sr. Anna Nguyen and friends of the Sisters of St. Mary of Oregon.
Family of Sister Anna Nguyen gather for her reception as a Novice with the Sisters of St. Mary of Oregon August 11, 2013 at the Sisters Chapel in Beaverton, OR
Sister Anna Nguyen thanks the Sisters of St. Mary of Oregon for helping her discern her vocation and teach her about Religious LIfe in the process.
Family of Sister Anna Nguyen
Sister Anna Nguyen receives her white veil, the symbol of a novice in religious life.
Sister Anna Nguyen receives her veil
Sister Anna Nguyen adjusts her veil.
Sister Anna Nguyen receives the constitution of the Sisters of St. Mary of Oregon from Sister Charlene Herinckx, the religious leader of the Sisters.
Sister Joyce Barsotti, Sister Anna Nguyen and Sister Charlene.
Sister Anna Nguyen – a brand new Novice with the Sisters of St. Mary of Oregon
Family of Sister Anna Nguyen
Sister Anna Nguyen and relatives bring gifts to the altar
Taking the gifts of bread and wine to the altar
Sister Anna Nguyen thanks the Sisters of St. Mary of Oregon and addresses her family and friends in her native tongue
Family and Friends of Sr. Anna Nguyen
Family Photo of the Nguyen family
The Sisters of St. Mary of Oregon, at their annual “Community Days” took time out to compete in the Bocce Ball Tournament. Interestingly, this game was once the most popular game in the world! The basic aim of the game is to get your ball closest to the “jack” at the end of four balls per team. The game drew 18 contestants this year and a huge gallery of spectators! The champions, at the end of the double elimination tournament were Sister Juanita Villareal and Sister Michael Francine.
2013 Bocce Ball Champions Sister Juanita and Sister Michael Francine!
Finals teams best two out of three Sister John Therese and team mate Sr. Maryann Giesel vs Sister Juanita and Sister Michael Francine
Sister John Therese Miller shows her form
Sister Maryann Giesel takes her turn
Sister Michael Francine showing some enthusiasm
Candidate Anna Nguyen
Good shot
Sr. Barbara Rose Sohler
Sister Diana Jean (2012 Champion)
Sr. Theresa Lan and Sr. Anne Vandecovering
spectators and “non-winners” 🙂
Sister Adele Marie Altenhofen takes her turn
Sister Maryann and Sister John Therese win another game
Sister Barbara Rose gets ready
She talks to the ball
Sister Juana gives it a try
Sister Lawdean shows some ability
Serious Sr. Rosina
Sister Julie competes
The gallery
Spectators and participats
Hope!
Competitive, Sr. Charlene gives it her best.
Sister Krista and Sister Alison await their turn
I had the privilege of serving on the Installation Committee for our new Archbishop this year. The event took a lot of pre-planing behind the scenes and it was a great experience to be a part of. I worked with some wonderful people and came away with a real appreciation for people who give service to the Church. It was an awesome experience.
My assignment was to work on the seating for the event. There were several committees as you can imagine ranging from moving all of the furniture from the sanctuary of the Cathedral to the Chiles Center to providing security in parking lots at the various areas where people parked for the events, luncheons, banquets, providing transportation, volunteer coordination, transportation, hospitality, and many other details. It was a magnificent effort!
The event itself was truly exceptional. We had over 3000 people in attendance from all over Oregon. The Knights of Columbus in all their regalia, Knights and Ladies of the Holy Sepulcher, Cultural representation from various parts of Oregon, Official Greeters, and many other groups and individuals. It was spectacular!
This was the first Installation Mass for an Archbishop that I have ever been a part of or attended. I have to say it is an event every Catholic should make an effort to experience if at all possible. It made me proud of the Church, proud of the people I work with and appreciative of all of God’s people! It was a faith experience for me.
Marian Hall at St. Joseph’s Parish in Vancouver was the site of the highly publicized Glass Slipper Tea, an event crafted to draw attention to St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Prep’s first ever musical drama production which will take place February 22 & 23 at 7:00 pm and Sunday the 24th at 2:00 in the afternoon. The Royal Durst Theater on Main Street in downtown Vancouver is the site of the presentation. Tickets are available through the school and will be available at the door.
Several grade school girls, dressed in their favorite Cinderella costume, attended the tea with mothers, aunts and grandmothers. Photo opportunities were available for the youth to pose with the “REAL” Cinderella and Prince Charming. A delightful afternoon of tea, desserts, photos, dancing, silent auction,
The volunteer laden effort has been spearheaded by a few volunteers intent on thanking the first frosh through senior class at the school for making Seton Catholic their choice and foregoing a few of the programs available at more established schools. The offerings at Seton have grown considerably in the past four years since it was established in 2009, but a musical drama is proving to be a popular event for the school.
The title role of Cinderella is being played by Senior, Madeline Hunter who hopes to embark on a career in drama. The role of Prince Charming, is being played by Senior, John Tomassi.
Senior, Cheyenne Cunning has designed all of the sets which have been assembled and ready for paint. Cunning hopes to make use of her exceptional artistic talent in the future with plans of studying a related field in college next year. Cunning will also play the role of the Wicket Step-Mother!
I spent the past three days on the campus of the Mercy Sisters in Burlingame, California where Religious leaders and Vocation Directors from 55 religious communities around the country gathered to talk about religious life.
I was not expecting the “touched to the core” experience I came away with after spending a few days working together listening, sharing, experiencing, visiting, praying, joining in the Eucharist, morning and evening prayer, and looking to the future of religious life.
The event was planned and executed by the National Religious Vocation Conference under the Direction of Executive Director Brother Paul Bednarczyk C.S.C.
I know that the entire group was moved by the experience and recognized that we have some work ahead of us to prepare the way for the future of religious life.
Why was I touched to the core? I have tried to sift that out these past several hours having returned home and these are the reasons I found it to be life-giving:
While it would be impossible for me to infuse you with the deep feelings, experiences, joy and hope I experienced during these days, I am happy to share that it was an exciting experience for us and one that I believe will be life changing for all of the communities involved. A second, similar event will be held on the East Coast for those unable to attend this one.
I am including a short 3 minute clip from the “sending out” ceremony from the Chapel of the Sisters of Mercy (which I filmed with my iPhone) as we ended the three-day experience.
Seton Catholic High School is presenting their very first musical production CINDERELLA February 22,23,24th at the Royal Durst Theater in Vancouver, Washington! My niece, Cheyenne Cunning, will be playing the wicked step-mother! I would like to ask YOU to join me at one of the performances and help this new school by attending and lending the support of your good nature!
I will be helping at all three performances as a volunteer working on the production. I have to tell you, it is not easy starting a new school. Things we take for granted at our established schools are hardships for students in a new school without a theater for example. The entire production is being produced by volunteer efforts including the rental of the local theater.
Madeleine Hunter, a senior at the school, with hopes of pursuing drama as a career choice following high school, will be playing the title role of Cinderella in this exciting musical production! Prince Charming will be played by John Tomassi, also a talented actor and founding member, along with Hunter, of the popular “Setonotes” a school a cappella singing group.
You are in for a treat as this talented group of young people lend their talents to the production of the play.
Tickets are $10.00 for adults and $5.00 for students. Your attendance and generosity are most appreciated!
Regular self-reflection has been helpful to me in coming up with a resolution for the new year! I have settled on a couple of ideas for self-improvement and they fall into the categories of spirituality and gratitude.
To kick off these resolutions, I would like to take this opportunity to thank you for reading my blog this year. I greatly appreciate your responses, kindness, support, and your friendship.
Let us look forward to the new year with a renewed passion to be the very best witnesses of Christ that we can be! God Bless YOU!
With genuine appreciation,
Sr. Krista
P.S.
What is YOUR resolution?
CYO/Camp Howard 