CYO Championship Volleyball – A Program to be Proud of!

December 7, 2013Sr. Krista von Borstel Leave a comment

The 2013 CYO Championship Volleyball playoffs provided plenty of action and excitement for all in attendance. The eighth grade playoff game between St. Matthew of Hillsboro and Christ the King of Milwaukie, was one of the most exceptional CYO volleyball contests I have seen in a long time. The teams each split a game, going into over time and in the final game of the match the teams were nip and tuck to the very end when St. Matthew prevailed. People got more than their moneys worth!

Some 1300 young women participated in this years volleyball program with all but a few teams participating in the end of season tournament.

The teams, coaches, and parents are to be commended for the participation and support they show to one another and to their teams.

Third Grade CYO Volleyball Champions – St. Francis, Roy and Visitation Verboor “The Fighting Dutch”

Third Grade CYO Volleyball Second Place St. Clare

Fourth Grade CYO Volleyball Champions Cathedral School

Third Grade CYO Volleyball Second Place St. Anthony

Fifth Grade CYO Volleyball Champions The Cathedral School

Fifth Grade CYO Volleyball Second Place St. John Fisher

Sixth Grade CYO Volleyball Champions St. Agatha

Sixth Grade CYO Volleyball Second Place St. Pius X

Seventh Grade CYO Volleyball Champions All Saints

Seventh Grade CYO Volleyball Second Place St. Cecilia

Eighth Grade CYO Volleyball Champions St. Matthews School

Eighth Grade CYO Volleyball Second Place Christ the King

CYO Football Season Concludes with Three new Championship Teams

December 5, 2013Sr. Krista von Borstel Leave a comment

The 2013 CYO Football season concluded November 10 at Kiggins Bowl in Vancouver, WA with three championship games, one each for third and fourth, fifth and sixth, seventh and eighth grades.

CYO Region 8 Stayton, OR Rams third and fourth grade St. Mary’s School

Third and Fourth grade Championship Region 4 Falcons from Clackamas County – Christ the King, St. John the Baptist & St. John the Apostle Schools.

Region 13 Spartans from Holy Cross, Madeleine and Holy Redeemer Schools in North Portland.

Fifth and Sixth Grade Champions from Region 6 Beaverton Knights from Valley Catholic, St. Cecilia, St. Pius X, Holy Trinity

Seventh and Eighth Grade Region 3 Kings from South East Portland St. Agatha, St. Ignatius, Holy Family, St. Stephens

Seventh and Eight Grade Champions from Region 6 Beaverton Knights from Valley Catholic, St. Cecilia, St. Pius X, Holy Trinity

Thanksgiving at the Convent 2013

December 4, 2013Sr. Krista von Borstel 1 Comment

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

ADVENT…calling us back to reflection

December 4, 2013Sr. Krista von Borstel Leave a comment

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 4^th 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 3^rd grade. His sister older also was excited about St. Rose School and she registered in the 5^th grade class. This has excited the boys on the team, lifted the spirits of the 3^rd and 5^th 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.

Sandy Macnab (From Sherman County) in the Oregon Stater

September 25, 2013September 25, 2013Sr. Krista von Borstel Leave a comment

Sandy Macnab is featured in the Oregon Stater this month and I would like to draw your attention to the article. As a matter of fact, I scanned it and posted it here so that even the Duck Fans can read it.

Sandy went to the only high school in Sherman County – Sherman County Union High School and I seem to remember that he was Valedictorian of his class! Correct me if I am wrong!

Nice job, Sandy!

Taking Some Time for Maintenance at Camp Howard

August 29, 2013Sr. Krista von Borstel 2 Comments

Moments in between summer camp and camp rentals gives camp staff the opportunity to work on maintenance and repairs. After a heavy load of summer campers, the camp needs some time to rebound.

A few summer staff stay on to help with maintenance and repairs. Window washing, paint touch ups, floor polishing and a variety of projects that need attention.

Winter and Spring projects will e identified for camp improvements. Fircrest cabin interiors were repainted, light fixtures replaced, bunks painted, ceilings sealed, caulked and painted, windows removed, cleaned, recalled, painted and hardware updated last winter. The improvements were a delight for the young girls who stay in Fircrest each summer. They loved the changes. Greenwood Unit is scheduled for the same work this winter.

All of the cabins were inspected yesterday and issues identified that need addressed. Keeping the cabins in great shape for campers is important to the administration of the camp.

Stay tuned for some articles on the Champions of Faith Benefit Dinner and learn about how that event helps CYO and Camp Howard activities.

Moving the Picnic tables to storage for the winter.

re-seeding, fertilizing, water and time will restore the fields to their glory.

Watering the lawns, fertilizing, seeding, aerating and time will restore fields.

Cabin inspections are an important part of staying on top of maintenance.

wood bench needs replaced after about 12 years of service to the camp!

Cabin inspections are key to the ongoing maintenance and upkeep of cabins.

Camp Howard Summer Camping Season 2013 – It’s in the Book!

August 28, 2013Sr. Krista von Borstel Leave a comment

It’s in the book! Camp Howard summer camping season has come to an end and the last busses rolled out of camp after about 75 trips back and forth to camp this summer! The camp set a camper record of 1535 campers. Can you believe 23,025 meals were served during the six week run?

The camping season was overall a very successful season with the kids having a spectacular time at Camp.

Summer Program Director, Bill Fogarty and the CYO staff will work this fall on planning camp 2014.

Camp Howard Summer Staff sing to departing campers as the last bus rolls out of camp for the summer camping program.

Thank you, Summer Staff…We Couldn’t Do it Without YOU!

August 27, 2013Sr. Krista von Borstel 5 Comments

Catholic Youth Organization is all about youth and the development of youth. These fine young men and women were the camp staff this summer including counselors, cooks, nurses, unit directors, program staff and camp leadership. CYO/Camp Howard is grateful to each of the individuals for the roles they played at camp this year! A new attendance record of 1535 campers was set breaking the old record of 1513.

O’Donnell, Sean

O’Donnell, Brendan

Trap, Candi

Town, Tori

Town, Sam

Tomassi, Joseph

Tomassi, John

Tait, Evan

Stevens, Matt

Spiller, Makenzie

Somann, Fran

Sheridan, Kate

Seagal, Katy

Schlottmann, Rylie

Prehn, Rachel

Peden, Jake

Patrick

Paino, Nick

Pahissa, Michael

Van Patten, Kelly

Vecchi, Madison

Villafranca, Katie

von Borstel, Karen

Wenger, Grant

O’Donnel, Kieran

Nielssen, Natalie

Moss, Emma

Miller, Catie

Meeuwsen, Emily

McAllister, Morgan

LeFore Escriva, Drew

Le, Anthony

Laskowski, Mike

Laskowski, Kevin

Krachta, Tatyana

Westerfield, Joseph

Wenger, Grant

von Borstel, Karen

Villafranca, Katie

Vecchi, Madison

Van Patten, Kelly

Trap, Candi

Town, Tori

Town, Sam

Tomassi, Joseph

Tomassi, John

Klein, Kirsten

Kain, Ryan

Hirsch, Eli

Harvey, Josh

Griffith, Rachel

Green, Laura

Green, Fred

Gralek, Jonah

Fogarty, JP

Fogarty, Bill

Finch, Sierra

Dunn, Shelby

Ducey, Max

Ducey, Charlie

Daisy

Culhane, Grace

Crowe, Brent

Connie Abraham

Cindy

Brown, Kate

Blakely, Leila

Bellisario, Phoebe

Auger, Robert

Andersen, Molly

Andersen, Kory

Andersen, Khaki

Alexander, Chelsea

The World Has a New Sister of St. Mary of Oregon Right Here in Beaverton, OREGON!

August 11, 2013Sr. Krista von Borstel 4 Comments

“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

Sisters of St. Mary of Oregon Hold Annual Nuns Bocce Tournament

August 10, 2013Sr. Krista von Borstel 7 Comments

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.