Spirit Magazine - Opening Doors

Opening Doors

A MAGAZINE OF THE SISTERS OF ST. MARY OF OREGON MINISTRIES CORPORATION SPRING | SUMMER 2014

Opening Doors. Sharing Stories.

“Wow! The variety and number of doors you have on this campus are amazing. There’s a story to be told just in looking at these doors.” – Brian Doyle, editor of Portland Magazine at the University of Portland.

I had never really thought about that. But it was true. As Brian and I walked the Sisters of St. Mary of Oregon campus, it became more and more apparent that our doors are indeed numerous and varied. And, even more special, they tell so many stories. The doors on our campus open wide to extend welcome. They do not slam shut on the aspirations of youth or the old soul seeking expanse and visions beyond these earthly confines. They are carved or molded or steel-manufactured creations which identify with the uniqueness that we seek to honor daily.

As you enter, as you leave – whether student, resident, family, friend, Sister, or employee – may your time be blessed by the Spirit that makes these grounds so special and so holy. And may the doors that open to you or for you or by you always expose threshholds to be crossed such that you may more fully experience

You are in for a treat with this issue of our Spirit magazine. The theme of “opening doors” has provided an opportunity for the entities to reflect on how each one opens doors for those whom they serve. The tradition of opening doors is a long one on this campus. The theme reminds me of the wife of one of the “boys” from St. Mary’s Home who told me that her husband has told her many times: “The Sisters saved my life.” And the best part – the payback – he prays for us every day.

One of my favorite stories about Sr. Johanna Silbernagel, one of our foundresses, took place at St. Mary’s Home. A transient was at the door asking for some food. Sr. Johanna was told by the priest-superintendent of the Home not to give him anything (as they were always scraping to make ends meet). When Sr. Johanna told the superintendent that she would give the man her portion of supper, the priest was taken by surprise and realized the need to be generous.

Sometimes the hardest door to open is the door to our heart. Just remember that God’s response is a hundredfold!

Sister Charlene Herinckx ’66

Spring | Summer 2014 Spirit

Opening Doors, Hearts and Minds

From better health to the “aha” moments of education, the sponsored ministries of the Sisters of St. Mary of Oregon open doors and opportunities.

Whatdoes an open door mean to you?

Is it a threshold or transition? An opportunity? A sign of welcome? A sign that the outside and inside are connected?

Every day – in countless ways – the Sisters of St. Mary of Oregon (SSMO) Ministries Corporation opens doors. It opens doors to careers in areas as diverse as health care, education, culinary skills, information technology, finance, communications, development, facilities, human resources –all of the areas that support the Sisters and their sponsored ministries. Through a new partnership with the University of Portland, the SSMO Ministries Corporation opens the door to learning through student internships.

The Sisters are best known for their ministry in education and health care. Valley Catholic School is Oregon’s only pre-kindergarten through grade 12 Catholic educational system. Maryville provides long-term and short-term care, rehabilitation and memory care.

Sister Adele Marie Altenhofen, president of the SSMO Ministries Corporation, said, “We open doors through education for the tiny, tiny ones all the way to those who are graduating from high school or even the adults who come to the campus to learn. We open doors to the ‘aha’ moments of education – the opportunities for someone to be truly enlightened to what it is inside of them. We open the doors to something that is going to be drawn forth and will help them become the best person they can be.”

She added, “At Maryville, we open doors for short-term and long-term residents. Shortterm, we’re opening a door to better health. That person can recuperate, get back on their feet and be ready to meet life – reenergized and with a motivation to meet what’s ahead.”

Sister Adele Marie believes Maryville opens two doors for long-term residents and their families. “One door welcomes a resident to their new home, providing safety and care in a loving environment,” she said. “We also open a door for families because we provide peace of mind. They know that their loved one is being taken care of in a loving and respectful way.”

One of the most meaningful ways in which the SSMO Ministries Corporation opens doors involves partnerships. Sometimes, these are established through the Sisters of St. Mary of Oregon Foundation; sometimes with diverse segments of the SSMO campus community.

Regardless of how the partnership comes to be, said Sister Adele Marie, “We open doors for people to truly partner with us. They are able to support something – with passion – that is special to their hearts.”

From the infants who come to Valley Catholic Early Learning School to the residents who spend their golden years at Maryville to those who support and value the Sisters and their sponsored ministries, the message is clear.

On the Sisters of St. Mary of Oregon campus, the door is always open.

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What’s behind that door?

Sometimes, we open a door to welcome a friend or make a loved one’s passage easier. Sometimes, we open the door – figuratively – to allow something to happen and to bring new adventures and opportunities.

The doors in the photo on this page are among the best known on the Sisters of St. Mary of Oregon (SSMO) campus. They welcome visitors to the SSMO Motherhouse, which was built in 1930.

Page 2 of this issue of Spirit features photographs of two doors that many campus guests have never seen.

On the roof of the SSMO Motherhouse, Sister Adele Marie Altenhofen opens a small door which is the entryway to the catwalk where Sisters and staff change the lights in the Our Lady of Perpetual Help Chapel.

On the third floor of the SSMO Convent, Sister Charlene Herinckx opens the door to a small chapel featuring beautiful windows, where a later Mass is offered each day.

Some campus doors are historic. Others are new. Some are used every day. Others are opened on special occasions.

On the following pages, we celebrate some of the doors that welcome students, families and guests to the SSMO campus.

How many do you recognize?

Two gleaming sets of wooden doors welcome guests to the Our Lady of Perpetual Help Chapel in the SSMO Convent. The doors were added when the chapel was built in 1936. The original chapel was located on the first floor of the Convent.

To see the view from the dome, you must step through this plain wooden door and onto the roof of the SSMO Motherhouse. This door is believed to date back to the construction of the Motherhouse in 1930.

The view from the roof: Open this door to enter the historic SSMO dome, which once served as a sleeping area. Today, the dome is an oratory, or private prayer area.

Top right: For years, students entered this doorway to attend St. Mary of the Valley School (now Valley Catholic). Today, the door leads to offices of the SSMO Ministries Corporation. The graceful archway dates back to the construction of the SSMO Motherhouse in 1930.

Left: Most doors in the Sisters of St. Mary of Oregon Convent feature meaningful names. The door featuring the name of Saint Peter (right), dating back to 1930, welcomes guests to the office of Sister Charlene Herinckx, SSMO Superior General. Just two doors down, you will find the office door of Sister Rita Watkins, Motherhouse Administrator. That door, also dating to 1930, honors Saint Paul.

Top left: A pristine vision of Mt. Hood is etched into the glass doors that lead to the north entrance to Maryville’s courtyard. The doors were installed when the Shalom Center opened.

Top right: Wood from a mighty oak that came down to make way for the new Valley Catholic Elementary and Middle School building was used to create the doors to the school chapel.

Left: These doors – on the shed at the south end of the Valley Catholic High School athletic field – have been in the background at hundreds of sporting events from track and lacrosse to soccer and, most recently, football under the lights.

“Our doors are indeed numerous and varied. And, even more special, they tell so many stories. Doors to cupboards and tabernacles, to refrigerators and bedrooms, to classrooms and conference rooms. Doors to medicine cabinets and lockers, to chapels and dining rooms and weight rooms – feeding the body, healing the soul, stretching the mind, blessing the world with prayerful embraces.”

– Sister Adele Marie Altenhofen, President, SSMO Ministries Corporation

Opening The Door to Kindergarten

“The goal is to provide high-quality early learning opportunities to all children in America so that they enter kindergarten ready to succeed in school and in life.” – U.S. Department of Education

Faculty and staff at Valley Catholic Early Learning School know that children who have rich early learning experiences are better prepared to thrive in kindergarten and beyond.

Principal Trish Roussel and Program Coordinator

Janet Lynn shared their experiences and insights in a conversation for Spirit magazine.

How does Valley Catholic Early Learning School open the door to kindergarten?

Trish Roussel: We give them that self-confidence –that knowledge that they can do it – that they can go to the “big school.” The academics are important but the social-emotional foundation makes a huge difference. And it gives them an advantage because they don’t go into kindergarten wondering: “How do I play with my peers? How do we play nicely with each other?” They already know that. They think: “This is fun. I can do this. I can succeed.”

Janet Lynn: To help children be successful, we let them play because that’s how they learn at this age. We let them play with blocks because they’re learning about balance. We let them sort toys in different colors because that’s a math skill. We give them a rich learning environment so they can learn those skills in the best way for them to learn. Because when an adult tells a child something, they think the child has learned it. But children really don’t learn until they experience it and get to do it.

What do you hear from teachers at Valley Catholic Elementary School about the students that come to them from Valley Catholic Early Learning School?

Trish Roussel: We typically hear that they are well-rounded children, which is our goal. They’re ready based on their age group. They’re ready academically. They’re ready socially. They’re ready spiritually.

Janet Lynn: The first grade classrooms in the elementary school have taken us on as their mission

this year. Once a month, they come over and I provide some kind of an activity for them to do with the children. We made a book called, “My Favorite Color.” Our children illustrated the book and the first graders wrote the text. It shows our children what the goal is at the “big school” and it allows those first graders to be the “big child.” It’s wonderful.

How do you explain your curriculum to parents?

Janet Lynn: Every teacher puts out a sheet about what the children have done during the day. When there’s art in the hallway, there’s an explanation – of what the children have done and why they have done it – to help parents understand. Because we used to hear parents say: “They’re just playing.” And we would say: “They’re supposed to be doing that. This is how they learn.”

Trish Roussel: We also use them as conversation starters. We would sometimes hear a parent ask their child: “What did you do today?” And the child would say, “Nothing.” Now, they take those daily sheets and say: “I saw that you read this story today or you did this activity today.” And it allows the child to have a meaningful conversation about what they’ve learned.

In teaching early learners, what has been your most valuable lesson?

Janet Lynn: I think it’s the importance of age-appropriate learning. To meet the whole child where they are because everyone learns at a different rate.

Trish Roussel: Research is now telling us how important those early years are. It’s supporting the things we always knew. It’s become more obvious to me that my job is to advocate for these children – to make sure they get the best education they can. We talk a lot about how we meet the individual child’s needs. Especially as they get older, sometimes they just need a hug to feel safe and comforted. The children like that. We do too.

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Front row (left to right): Samantha Tan, Menake Wijeratne and Isabella Fuentes. Back row (left to right): Aditi Prakash, Shauna Jasperson and Nitya Ganapathy.

Open a Book. Open a Door.

Oregon’s Battle of the Books opens the door to knowledge and imagination.

Reading a book can take you to another country – or another world.

That’s why Librarian Shauna Jasperson is excited about Valley Catholic’s participation in the annual Oregon Battle of the Books.

The event began as a “College Bowl” style game for reading. It was held in a number of schools, including many throughout the Archdiocese of Portland. Within a few years, it was embraced by the Oregon Association of School Libraries and became a statewide program.

The competition features three grade levels: third through fifth, sixth through eighth, and ninth through twelfth. Each spring, school libraries submit their recommendations of the books to be read for the next year’s competition. Some are written by Oregon authors. Some have won the Newbery Medal, given for excellence in children’s books. Eventually, the submissions are narrowed to 16 books that the teams must read.

“What I really like about the Oregon Battle of the Books list is that they encourage several different genres,” said Jasperson. “They’ll have fantasy books but they’ll also include some realistic fiction and some historical fiction. So the students read a wide variety of books that they might not have chosen on their own.”

Teams of four students are established in the fall. While there may be a mixture of third- through fifth-grade students in a team, students usually form teams with their classmates, Jasperson said. Each student can read all of the books or the team can divide up the reading. But every book must be read by someone on the team. There are practice sessions in the library after school and often off-campus. As Jasperson noted, “They really study. As the rounds go on, the questions become harder so they really have to have read the books thoroughly.”

This is the fifth year that Valley Catholic Elementary School has participated in the Oregon Battle of the Books. There were 12 teams – the most ever – and Jasperson believes that number will continue to grow.

In recent years, Jasperson has seen two big changes in terms of students and reading. “Ever since the Harry Potter series, there has been a huge resurgence of students wanting to read and not being afraid of how thick the book is,” she said. “And the fantasy genre has really taken off.”

How students read is also evolving. In a time of Nooks, Kindles, iPads and tablets, there may be fewer physical books. But Jasperson cautioned, “A lot of students like to have physical text to look at. We have students at so many different levels – and with diverse reading styles – that it’s nice that books are available in so many different ways.”

The Oregon Battle of the Books opens doors in other ways, Jasperson said. “A couple of years ago, one of the books was called ‘Small Steps.’ It was the biography of an author [Peg Kehret] that a lot of students read. Most of her books are scary mysteries. But this book is about the year she got polio. At first, the students hesitated. But they all found themselves really giving in to the story. Choosing, on their own, to read a biography would not have been something they would have done before reading that book.”

It also provides an opportunity for students who aren’t inclined toward athletics to take part in a competition. “Sometimes, students who aren’t connecting socially within their class are delighted to find that they are suddenly part of a group,” said Jasperson. “And it’s exciting to see other students –who aren’t participating – cheer for those teams.”

Sometimes, opening a door is as simple as turning a page.

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CPR: Opening Doors to Life

Hands-only CPR training empowers students and saves lives.

HerbLommen has dedicated his life –the last 23 years of it at Valley Catholic –to coaching and teaching physical education and health to middle and high school students. Whatever the season, he can be found near the gym or ball fields, coaching or helping prepare for sporting events. He has been training students in CPR, first aid and how to operate an automated external defibrillator (AED) since he began at Valley Catholic in 1991. He is passionate about health, sports and physical fitness. And he practices what he preaches, keeping himself in tip-top shape.

That’s why it was such a shock to everyone when, in 2009, Lommen had congestive heart failure. “All the doctors said I should have died,” Lommen says. “The only reason they say I lived is because I was in such good shape. Then one year ago, because of the damage done from the congestive heart failure, my coronary artery was totally blocked, and the doctors said I shouldn’t have survived that.”

He not only survived, but thrives. He knows firsthand that even healthy and young people can be struck by a heart attack and that CPR can open the door between death and life. And he knows that teaching CPR has opened doors for his students.

In February, Lommen took his third trip to Salem with a team of middle school students to garner support for a bill that will require all high school graduates in Oregon to be trained in hands-only CPR. They visited senators and representatives, asking for their support. Students have also given testimony before the legislature. “When the kids went before the Senate committee last year, we all noticed that when the adults were speaking, the senators were talking, passing notes, reading things.

But when the kids spoke, all the senators put everything down, stopped talking and listened to them,” said Lommen. “They do have a lot of power and they have something to say.”

The hands-only CPR program at Valley Catholic Middle School, the first of its kind in Oregon, is a joint effort with Tualatin Valley Fire and Rescue (TVF&R) and the American Heart Association (AHA). Since the program’s inception in 2012, Valley Catholic Middle School students have taught the technique to more than 4,200 people. In the process, they are gaining the kind of confidence that comes from sharing a skill that matters. Lommen says they know of two lives that have been saved by hands-only CPR taught by Valley Catholic students.

Lommen believes that the lives of his students have also been enriched. “The experience of teaching something important, often to complete strangers, is empowering,” he said. “And the opportunity to witness state government in action is a better lesson than any. Most of all, these young people get a sense of their own power.”

Lommen believes in the technique and he believes in his students. “They can make a difference,” he said. “What they’re doing is important. They can save lives.”

Writer Danielle Tomich is a Communications Specialist for the Sisters of St. Mary of Oregon Ministries Corporation.

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Ordinary Lives. Extraordinary Life Lessons.

Phil McQueen opens the door to the next chapter in his own history.

Jackie Robinson made history when he broke baseball’s color barrier and opened the door for the players that followed. So it seems fitting that a biography of that legendary athlete opened the door to a love of history for Valley Catholic faculty member Phil McQueen. “It taught me that history really is the study of individuals and peoples,” said McQueen. “And people are fascinating.”

That belief has guided his teaching career. It comes to life in his classroom every day and through the historical reenactments for which he has become renowned on the Sisters of St. Mary of Oregon campus and in news stories including feature articles in The Oregonian. “In history, you often just study about the ‘big-name’ people,” he said. “And yet, I think there’s another level of history that’s about ordinary folks and what it was like to do more ordinary things.”

He points to his Civil War class as a model for teaching and learning. “A dance instructor came and did Civil War dances,” he said. “This year, we sang Civil War songs. Sometimes, we eat Civil War

food and dress in Civil War attire. We’ll put up tents. And it’s all aimed at getting that first-person impression – what it would have been like if we had been alive during that time period.”

As he prepares to retire after 35 years, McQueen reflects on his time at Valley Catholic. “I’ve really been blessed by our students, who have given me much more respect and affection than I have deserved, and my wonderful faculty team,” McQueen said. “I’ve met some very good people in a school system that offered me the academic freedom that I would have had nowhere else in the world. People often think of schools founded on religious principles as more restrictive but the opposite is true. There is much more academic freedom.”

When Valley Catholic alumni are asked to name their favorite teachers, Phil McQueen is always at or near the top of the list. He is humbled when students tell him that his lessons involved more than history. “They tell me that they remember my passion for the subject,” he said. “They interpret that as the importance of doing something you’re

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Civil War reenactment photos courtesy The Oregonian

passionate about as a life’s work. Others come away with a feeling of confidence. I got a very nice letter recently from a student who told me that finding success in my class inspired her to become a firefighter. She never thought that was on the horizon, but somehow she came away from my class with a feeling of confidence.”

As he opens the door to the next chapter in his life, McQueen hopes to continue teaching through reenactments, returning to Valley Catholic as a guest lecturer. Asked about a favorite campus tradition, he confirms that “Santa will be back,” bringing holiday cheer and posing for Christmas photos with students and staff.

McQueen says he learned important lessons during his career. “The importance of being yourself and the importance of treating students as individuals,” he said. “Always being sincere and honest. Never trying to put on something that you’re not. And making

sure that, whatever you have students do, you’re keeping the individual in mind.”

By celebrating ordinary lives, Phil McQueen has shared extraordinary life lessons.

To generations of Valley Catholic students, that is Phil McQueen’s own historic legacy.

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Opening the Door to the Next 50 Years

Maryville plans to open new doors to serve residents and meet growing regional health care needs.

What’s the best way to celebrate a golden anniversary? Building for the future.

Maryville is doing just that with plans for new space and facilities to enhance services for its residents.

The project will open the door to a new Transitional Care Unit (TCU). “This will allow us to add 16 beds for men and women who come to us for rehabilitation services,” said Maryville Administrator Kathleen Parry. “These will be single rooms with private baths. People who have come to Maryville – especially for short stays –have told us that this is important to them.”

Sister Adele Marie Altenhofen, president of the SSMO Ministries Corporation, said, “The

Transitional Care Unit will provide opportunities for those who want to come here to be able to recuperate and get stronger. Whether they have had a stroke or surgery, whatever has happened, they will be able to truly get back on their feet and respond to life in the most opportune way.”

Maryville’s dining space will be expanded. “We have more and more residents who need dining assistance,” said Parry. “Our current dining space is no longer adequate. The expansion will enable us to provide a more pleasant and comfortable dining experience.”

Maryville’s therapy area will soon feature a training kitchen, laundry and bathroom. “If people can practice in an area that looks and feels like home – whether it’s their kitchen or bathroom or

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laundry room – we are better able to gauge how they will do when they return home,” said Parry. “The space that we’re creating will allow us to do that.”

The planned Maryville Therapy Courtyard has sparked special excitement. “Often, people either fall in their home or when they’re walking on their way to a doctor’s appointment or to the store,” said Parry. “They might trip on a curb or stumble on gravel or on an uneven surface. The courtyard will allow them to practice moving on different surfaces in a safe environment with someone at their side.”

All of the plans were created to support Maryville’s mission, said Parry. “Everything that we do here at Maryville, we do to benefit the

women and men who live here with us – who make Maryville their home – and those who stay with us for a short period of time.”

Since opening its doors in 1963, Maryville has been committed to “Service with Love.” “There are people who return to Maryville two, three or four times – if not more – for their skilled services,” said Parry. “So we know that we’re doing a good job and that we’re satisfying them. We often hear people say, ‘I’m only going to a rehab facility if I can go to Maryville. ’ ”

As its golden anniversary year comes to a close, Maryville is about to open the door to the next chapter in its history.

At age 50, the best is yet to come.

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The Best of All Worlds

How does God call us to ministry? Opening the doors to religious vocations in the 21st century.

ForAnna Nguyen, stepping through the door of the Sisters of St. Mary of Oregon (SSMO) Motherhouse was the culmination of a long journey. Born in Vietnam, she escaped at sea and then spent time in refugee camps in Singapore and the Philippines. Finally, she arrived safely in Seattle, where she was reunited with many of her brothers and sisters. She earned a bachelor’s degree in computer engineering, working in that field until 2005. But, she said, “I realized I was missing something.” As soon as she arrived at the SSMO campus, “I felt at home right away. The Sisters are very humble and friendly and happy. They care for each other. I thought, ‘This is my home.’” In 2013, she became “Sister Anna.”

Sister Anna’s story resonates deeply with Sister Michael Francine Duncan, who serves as SSMO Vocation Director. “Vocations in the church are the disposition that we are called to – single, married, or religious vocation,” she said. “The person who is inspired by the Holy Spirit will feel that tugging in their heart to seek their vocation.”

For much of the 20th century, the roles of women were focused on home and family. Outside of the home, they were often teachers, nurses, secretaries – or Sisters. Today, women may be less likely to consider a vocation to religious life.

Sister Michael Francine said, “To me, it’s about being visible. It’s about how God calls us to ministry and how we want to live out our ministry once we know we’ve been called. It’s about how we hold ourselves, how we perform our ministries and how we become visible in the world.”

Today’s candidates are single Catholic women over the age of 18. “We want them to have had life experience,” said Sister Michael Francine. “We want them to know what the single life is like and how to be independent. Perhaps they have gone to college and had some work experience. They have relied on God to find deeper meaning.”

Colleen Schmitt, a research associate and project director at Oregon Health and Science University (OHSU), became a candidate for the SSMO Community this year. Growing up, she said, “My dream was always to get married and have children. So if I heard a call, I wasn’t listening to it.”

But in her mid-30s, she found herself becoming more and more involved in her parish. At age 41, she was asked by her spiritual director whether she thought the Lord was calling her to religious life.

“I said, ‘You know, I’ve been asked that quite a few times in my life and never, ever thought of it.’ ”

A conversation with Sister Charlene Herinckx opened the door to a weekend on the SSMO campus. “I came out here and I loved it,” Schmitt said. “I knew something special was happening.”

Within the SSMO Community, whatever you’re called to do, the door is open. “The Sisters of St. Mary of Oregon have traditionally focused on education and health care,” said Sister Michael Francine. “But that encompasses the whole of life. With education, it can be teaching in a school or a parish ministry. It can be adult education. It can be the Rite of Christian Initiation (RCIA), helping adults come into the church. In health care, there is a need for nurses, doctors, therapists, certified nursing assistants, counselors and social workers.”

Some Sisters have chosen to minister in prisons or even in other countries. Sister Michael Francine currently works with the Volunteers of America.

“To be a woman religious today, you get the best of all worlds,” said Sister Michael Francine. “You have strong Community support and you can go out and perform the works that you’re meant to perform in ministry.”

She added, “Many of our Sisters have found that you can’t just stop at the church doors. You have to walk outside.”

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Left to right: Sister Anna Nguyen, Sister Michael Francine Duncan and Colleen Schmitt.

Opening Doors Through Faith

Honoring the 2014 Jubilarians of the Sisters of St. Mary of Oregon

Aseamstress and housekeeper. A teacher and baker. A bookkeeper and treasurer. A principal and Superior General. A banking staff member and educator. A secretary and administrative assistant.

Those were the doors that were opened and the paths that were traveled by the six Sisters of St. Mary of Oregon (SSMO) who celebrate Jubilees in 2014.

Answering God’s Call

On August 24, 1922 – David City, Nebraska – the Butler County seat – welcomed its newest resident – Elizabeth Ann Vanderzanden ’38. Her parents, Joseph Vanderzanden and Margaret Peters, moved frequently. Elizabeth Ann attended schools in Oregon, Nebraska, and North Dakota before returning to Oregon, where she graduated from St. Mary of the Valley High School (now Valley Catholic).

In 1939, she entered the Sisters of St. Mary of Oregon. Other Sisters have described Sister Elizabeth Ann as a wonderful housekeeper who supervised the community laundry rooms during the day and, during after-school hours, cared for St. Mary of the Valley Grade and High School resident students, supervising their studies and housekeeping hours. Those students lived in dormitories on the fourth floor above the school classrooms.

Sister Elizabeth Ann is also known as a fine seamstress. She was gifted in restoring worn clothing – making them seem new again for the Sisters. She also spent time beautifully embroidering sets of dishtowels for the SSMO Community’s annual Christmas bazaar. Sister Elizabeth Ann Vanderzanden celebrates her 75th Jubilee in 2014.

As a fifth grader, Ina Marie Nosack ’44 “heard my first call to work for God and his people. The Sisters of St. Mary of Oregon, who taught me in

grade school, were so happy and good to us that I wanted to be like them.”

She also admits: “When high school came along and the boys became oh-so-interesting, I forgot about my plans to become a Sister. I remember my junior year as being a great one. But as that year ended, I felt so empty. I thought, ‘There must be more to life.’ Then I received a letter from my favorite grade school teacher inviting me to ‘Come and See’ at the Convent. God again called.”

As a Sister of St. Mary of Oregon, Sr. Ina Marie served as a principal, worked as a missionary in the Amazon jungle of Peru, served the Hispanic population in Oregon, and visited and taught in prison.

At the SSMO Motherhouse, she taught in the Community’s ESOL (English for Speakers of Other Languages) program, served as a driver, crocheted, embroidered and knit items to sell or place in the annual fundraising dinner auction, and coordinated the bakery (where she is renowned for her cinnamon rolls) and food canning department.

Today, as she celebrates her 70th Jubilee, Sister Ina Marie says, “I know that I am able to do these things because of God’s inspiration and my Sisters’ support. I am so grateful I responded to God’s call in the way that I did. Are you listening? Is God calling you?”

It isn’t surprising that a former bookkeeper would enjoy Sudoku. That’s just one of the hobbies of Sister Lawdean Lamberger ’52, who celebrates her 60th Jubilee in 2014.

Born in 1934 in Portland to Lawrence and Cecelia Lamberger, she had a brother, Lawrence, Jr., and a sister, Carol Ann. Both are now deceased. She attended Raleigh, McKay, and St. Cecilia Grade Schools. She said, “I thought I would get married and have 12 children. Then, in seventh or eighth grade, a teacher told all of us – boys and girls –

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Can you identify our 2014 Jubilarians?

that it was time to start thinking about our vocation. To me, that meant a religious vocation.”

After graduating from St. Mary of the Valley High School, Sister Lawdean earned a Bachelor’s Degree in music from Marylhurst College. She taught a wide range of classes – music, health, physical education and lower-division math – at Sacred Heart in Tillamook, St. John’s and La Salle in Milwaukie, St. Agatha in Portland and St. Mary of the Valley in Beaverton.

After her teaching career, Sister Lawdean served as bookkeeper at St. Mary, Star of the Sea Church in Astoria. In 1980, she was appointed General Treasurer of the Congregation. She served in that role for 25 years, until the position was discontinued

in 2005. Sister Lawdean currently serves as Assistant to the SSMO Motherhouse Superior and volunteers for Medical Teams International.

Given Sister Lawdean’s background in music education, it’s not surprising that her hobbies include listening to classical music. She also has a “voracious appetite for reading” and creates beautiful needlework.

Above all, she said, “I truly believe that I was meant to be a Sister of St. Mary of Oregon.”

“My dad was a Catholic and my mother converted at the time of her marriage,” Sister Barbara Jean Laughlin remembers. “In my baby book, mom wrote that I started going to church at 1 1/2 years of age. By the time I was 3, I could say the grace before meals alone. By age 5, I had learned all my prayers: Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory Be and Angel of God. I remember asking for a Sister doll for Christmas when I was in the first grade.”

That early foundation of faith ultimately led to a visit to the Sisters of St. Mary of Oregon Motherhouse to attend a reception and vow ceremony. Sister Barbara Jean puts it simply: “I was hooked for good.”

She taught third through eighth grade and was a principal at schools in Portland, Milwaukie, Tillamook and Spokane. On the SSMO campus, she served as education coordinator, formation director, and director of the Associate Program.

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Nuestra casa es tu casa: home and family in Latin America

A B C D E F

From 2000 to 2010, she served as SSMO Superior General. During that time, the Valley Catholic Athletic Facility was built. Groundbreaking took place for the new Valley Catholic Elementary and Middle School. Sr. Barbara Jean has said that serving as Superior General was “a challenge but with God’s help, with a very supportive and talented Council and with a Community who prayed for me daily, it went by very quickly.”

Sr. Barbara Jean began her term by being diagnosed with leukemia. Fourteen years later, as she celebrates her 60th Jubilee, she “thanks God daily for the gift of life and health.”

After nine years in the Loan and Collection Department of the Bank of America and National Trust & Savings Associates, Evelyn Schwall had reached a turning point in her life. She realized that she wanted to follow her grade school desire and enter religious life. She visited communities to decide where she felt called. Finally, she joined her great aunt, Mother Juliana Hermens, and her older sister, Alberta, in the Sisters of St. Mary of Oregon.

After entering the Convent, she earned her Bachelor of Arts degree from Marylhurst College (University) and then earned her master’s degree in education administration from Portland

From 1958-1987, Sister Evelyn taught in Catholic grade schools and high schools concentrating on religion, home economics, biology, chemistry, U. S. history, shorthand and German.

Her innovative and efficient spirit shone at Tillamook Catholic High School, where she helped plan and build a series of sound booths for listening to tapes and a science lab for chemistry.

Each one of her students has, she said, “a pocketful of knowledge in my head. I knew most of their families. Each left the impression of their personality.” She added, “When I see them, even though it’s 60 years later, I remember them. I remember the kind of students they were.”

In 1987, Sister Evelyn’s mother needed her support. Sister Evelyn found work at St. Joseph Parish in nearby Marysville, California, where she worked in the CCD religious education program and supported a fundraising project to refurbish the church.

Throughout her life, Sister Evelyn has enjoyed knitting and crocheting. As she celebrates her 60th Jubilee, she continues to make beautiful scarves and afghans for friends and the annual Maryville Nursing Home bazaar. She also keeps up with the Schwall family – and the Portland Trail Blazers.

24 B SiSter ina Marie noSack 70th JuBilee

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SiSter lawdean laMBerger 60th JuBilee

Spirit Spring | Summer 2014

SiSter Veronica Marie teMpler 50th JuBilee

Growing up in Seattle, Veronica Marie Templer attended Catholic grade schools and high schools. “I always admired the Sisters I had as teachers,” she said. “I knew I wanted to become a Sister or teacher or both.”

In order to get a good job after high school, she enrolled in a business college and focused on typing, shorthand and accounting. She got a job with the Boeing Airplane Company – first as a typist in a steno pool then as a secretary. She attended Seattle University, where she earned a Bachelor of Teaching degree with a major in business and a minor in music.

In 1962, she became one of the first teachers at Our Lady of Guadalupe School in West Seattle. Several Sisters of St. Mary of Oregon were also assigned there. “The Sisters were always cheerful and helpful,” she said. “I knew this was the community I wanted to join.”

She entered the Community in 1963 and taught typing, shorthand, bookkeeping and recordkeeping at St. Mary of the Valley High School. She remembers: “These were the days of return carriage typewriters. We eventually had Selectric typewriters (with the round ball), then a room of Apple computers. When I stopped teaching in 1999, they had a full room of PCs.”

After concluding her teaching career, Sister Veronica Marie was assigned to Maryville, where she worked in medical records and later as administrative assistant.

In 2014, Sister Veronica Marie celebrates her 50th Jubilee as a Sister of St. Mary of Oregon. “It doesn’t seem possible,” she says. “Time goes so quickly.”

The 2014 Jubilarians will be honored during a Mass on Sunday, July 27, at 1:30 p.m. in the Our Lady of Perpetual Help Chapel of the SSMO Motherhouse.

The Sisters of St. Mary of Oregon campus is located at 4440 SW 148th Avenue, Beaverton, Oregon.

Biographies of the Sisters are available at ssmo.org

The 2014 Jubilarians share their experiences at youtube.com/ valleycatholicschool

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SiSter elizaBeth ann Vanderzanden

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75th JuBilee SiSter BarBara Jean laughlin

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60th JuBilee SiSter eVelyn Schwall 60th JuBilee

Passages: Sisters Anna Hertel and Hugh Copenhaver

Leadership lessons from a former Superior General and the ministry of a centenarian who loved to kick up her high heels

Seducator and a leader. As a teacher or principal, she served at schools including St. Mary of the Valley and St. Cecilia in Beaverton; Sacred Heart in Tillamook; Holy Cross and St. Agatha in Portland; Christ the King in Milwaukie and St. Matthew in Hillsboro.

From 1985-1995, Sister Anna served as Superior General of the Sisters of St. Mary of Oregon. It was a vibrant time on the SSMO campus, marking the beginning of the SSMO Associate and Bethany Center programs, the opening of Little Flower Development Center (now known as Valley Catholic Early Learning School), the opening of the priests’ retirement facility, the renovation of the Motherhouse and the renovation of Our Lady of Lourdes Convent for formation. St. Mary of the Valley High School became a coeducational school with a new name, Valley Catholic. The campus was strengthened by the consolidation of development (Foundation) offices and the creation of a strategic plan.

Serving as Superior General is both an honor and a responsibility. Spirit magazine invited three Sisters who have served in that role to share their thoughts on SisterAnna and lessons in leadership.

Sister Delores Adelman (1995-2000): Frequently, when a decision was to be made, I would notice Sister Anna taking a long walk either around the track or around our cemetery, with her hands behind her back, pondering the effects a decision would make on the Community or the ministry involved. Once the decision was made, Sister Anna would then move on to implement it and follow through with the activity. I always appreciated Sister Anna’s search for wisdom through reflection and prayerfulness.

Sister Barbara Jean Laughlin (2000-2010):

Sister Anna Hertel was very organized and methodical about her work. She always did her homework. Doctors and businessmen learned to come to meetings prepared. She was not afraid to let someone go if they were not prepared or were not knowledgeable about the task at hand. At the same time, she listened to people who had expertise and was humble enough to ask for help in areas that she did not feel competent. She had great faith in the Sisters who had retired, seeing them as powerhouses of prayer. She inspired me to be open to all views of the Sisters, understanding that our decisions would be enhanced by their insights and prayer.

Sister Charlene Herinckx (2010-present):

From a distance, Sister Anna Hertel appeared to be “all-business” and her business skills served her and the Community well during her 10 years as Superior General. She was clear in stating the pros and cons for decisions to be made and she “did her homework.” But what sustained her for the tasks at hand was her deep commitment to prayer. She was wise in having a close friend as a confidant with whom to share the joys and trials of her position. The ministry and commitment of the Sisters of St. Mary of Oregon grew during her time in office and we continue to reap the benefits today.

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A father’s wish and an inspired gift open the door to a new therapy courtyard at Maryville.

hen Western Lithograph owner Joseph Cholick created a trust for his family estate in 1984, he included a gift to Maryville and left the door open as to how it would eventually be used. Thirty years later, his planned gift will create a lasting legacy that honors his own experiences and his wife

The Joseph Cholick estate gift will support the Maryville Therapy Courtyard that will be built as part of Maryville’s new Transitional Care Unit. The therapy courtyard is designed to improve patients’ endurance and balance through activities such as climbing stairs, navigating ramps and mastering walkways – all in a natural setting – to help them return to independent

When the Cholicks’ children, Jerome and Anne, met with members of the Sisters of St. Mary of Oregon (SSMO) Foundation staff, they shared stories about the experiences that their parents and extended family members had at Maryville. Jerome Cholick said, “My great aunt was at Maryville. My grandmother was there, and my uncle was there. Dad came to Maryville for

Jerome Cholick’s wife, Joanne, said, “When the Foundation was first notified about the gift, they didn’t know that Joe had used the rehab facility. He would have used this courtyard if it had been available to him. Jerome felt this was just perfect and believes this is the right thing to do.”

SSMO Foundation Executive Director Patricia Blood said, “This is an opportunity to do something deeply meaningful for their family as well as for Maryville because of the relationship and connections we’ve established with them. We were thrilled when we learned about Joe’s love of the outdoors and Edith’s motto of ‘better days are coming.’ We thought, ‘How fitting to fund a resource that’s going to put people back on their feet, help them return home and live independently.’”

Joanne Cholick said, “Joe loved Maryville and viewed it as a home. He knew that the Sisters and Maryville staff would use his gift for what is most beneficial to Maryville residents.”

Blood added, “This gift reflects Joseph Cholick’s thoughtfulness in planning ahead. Maryville has directed it to something that is meaningful to their family and will make an important difference on the Sisters’ campus. It’s a great example of doing the most good by planning well.”

To learn how to create a meaningful legacy through planned giving, contact the SSMO Foundation at 503-644-9181 or giving@ssmoministries.org.

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Opening the Door to Student Success

The Valley Catholic Gala celebrates the legacy of the Sisters of St. Mary of Oregon and supports the campus community.

V alley Catholic student Victor Rodriguez shared a moving story of what it means to him to attend Valley Catholic. Student Body President Carter Buuck reflected on the commitment and involvement of the faculty, staff and parents. Emcee Mariel Zagunis ’03 described how attending Valley Catholic from early learning through high school shaped her life as an Olympic champion.

Those special moments captured the spirit of the 2014 Valley Catholic Gala, hosted by the Sisters of St. Mary of Oregon (SSMO) Foundation to support student success. Foundation Executive Director Patricia Blood said, “The Gala celebrates the legacy of the Sisters and their mission. And it supports the campus community — the 1,000 students who attend Valley Catholic, their families and the faculty and staff.”

A Night to Remember: Above (left to right): Mariel Zagunis ’03, Valley Catholic Registrar Pat Joyaux ’54 and former Alumni Relations Director Grace Le Chevallier. Zagunis and Joyaux are past recipients of the Distinguished Alumni Award. Opposite page (clockwise from top left): Valley Catholic High School Director of Campus Life Mary Donovan, SSMO Foundation Board Chair Mark Donovan, Sister Juana Gutierrez, Sister Juanita Villarreal and SSMO Ministries Corporation President Sister Adele Marie Altenhofen. Valley Catholic Instructional Assistant and Coach Kathleen Birrell and Gala Co-chair Cheri McDevitt. Valley Catholic student ambassadors Lindsie LaBonte, Lily D’Amico and Erin Weinbender. SSMO Foundation Board Vice Chair Dr. Raquel Apodaca, Sister Ellen Therese Berger, Valley Catholic Elementary School Principal Joe Manning and his wife Tori. Sisters Krista von Borstel, Anna Nguyen, Juliana Monti and John Therese Miller. Valley Catholic School Board Director Ryan Hoppes and his wife Sara. Photos and video from the 2014 Valley Catholic Gala are available at flickr.com/valleycatholic and youtube.com/valleycatholicschool.

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ALUMNI NOTES

Sandra Anne Baldwin Parkinson Johnson ’55 describes her life: “I am a child of God, a daughter, a sister, a granddaughter, a niece, a cousin, a student, a graduate, a student of high school, a graduate a second time, an employed single woman, a wife, a mother, a widow, a wife a second time, a stepmother, now a mother of eight children, a foster mother, a student again, an employed married teacher, a mother-in-law several times over, a working grandmother in a second career, a widow a second time, a great-grandmother, and a 77-year-old woman continuing to work part-time.” Most of all, she is “a happy, contented woman who graduated in 1955 and thanks St. Mary of the Valley for four wonderful years.”

In 2013, Sharon LaVoie Shafa ’67 organized the 50th reunion of her eighth grade graduating class from St. Matthew Grade School in Hillsboro. Out of a class of 50 students, 29 attended the backyard picnic. Sharon noted, “Many people think it was remarkable to have so many who are so interested in staying in touch. Many of us have been friends since first grade, and several of us enjoy coed lunches several times a year.” She has also started editing novels for her cousin, Larry LaVoie. She describes it as “not only a dream job, but one done out of love for a dear cousin.”

Melissa Gates Doxtator ’02 is the principal at St. Joseph Catholic School in Salem. When she returned to Oregon after 11 years away, she was accompanied by her husband, Jacob, their 2-yearold son, Noah, and Riley Jaxson, who had been born just three weeks before their move.

Katee Whitney Albertson ’04 and her husband welcomed their son, Joel Maximum Albertson, on Nov. 19, 2013 in Landstuhl, Germany where, Katee notes, doctors use the metric system. Joel’s weight: 4250 grams (9 lbs. 6 oz.). Height: 56 cm (just over 22 inches). When Joel was born, his older sister, Gabby, was 20 months old.

It has been quite a year for Chris Kiefer ’09. In May 2013, Chris graduated from Carroll College with a Bachelor of Science degree in Engineering Science. He is currently pursuing his passion for videography. After working part-time for five years as a freelance editor, Chris took the next step and founded his

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Spirit

We are honored when our alumni share their love for Valley Catholic with their children. Ann Duyck ’87, Laura Cochran ’86, Christine Goodner ’95, Pam Henningsen ’80, Mary Jesse ’82, Linda Larson ’79,

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Sharing memories: Front row (left to right): Mary Jesse ’82, Linda Larson ’79, Ann Duyck ’87, Kimberly Duyck ’14, Annabelle Larson ’14 and Katharine Jesse ’14. Back row (left to right): Dawn Weinbender ’82, Christine Goodner ’95, Tia McKeen ’88, Ashley Ferris ’14, Hannah Wilson-Zoucha ’14 and Erin Weinbender ’14. (Not pictured: Pam Henningsen ’80, Madeline Henningsen ’14, Laura Cochran ’86 and Erin Cochran ’14.)

2014 to the Valley Catholic Class of Congratulations

Boston University

The Class of 2014 is going places. Literally.

As they take the next step on their journeys, members of the Valley Catholic Class of 2014 have accepted invitations to attend prestigious colleges and universities including:

California Institute of Technology

California Maritime Academy

Carroll College

Clackamas Community College

College of Saint Benedict

Cornell University

Creighton University

Duke University

George Fox University

Gonzaga University

Lafayette College

Linfield College

Loyola Marymount University

Montana State University

Oregon State University

Oregon State University Honors College

Pacific University

Portland Community College

Portland State University

St. Benedict’s College

St. Edward’s University

Samford University

Santa Clara University

Savannah College of Art & Design

Seattle University

Shoreline Community College

Southwest Minnesota State University

United States Air Force Preparatory Academy

University of California Santa Barbara

University of Denver

University of Illinois

University of Massachusetts Amherst

University of Montana

University of Oregon

University of the Pacific

University of Portland

University of St. Andrews

University of San Francisco

University of Sheffield

University of Southern California

University of Washington

Ursinus College

Whitworth University

Spirit Spring | Summer 2014 34

Valley Catholic 2014 salutatorian Matthew Bemis (left) and valedictorian Torben Billow are ready to open the door to college.

◆ Golf with Ed Braun and Bob Weber on Sept. 11 at Pumpkin Ridge

◆ Join Coach Doug Ierardi and the Valiants for Friday night football

◆ Tailgate with Pat Joyaux

home.

could: Alumni Weekend

During Alumni Weekend 2014, you could stay

Or you

September 11-14, 2014

Learn more

What will you do that weekend?

◆ Catch up with the Sisters, your favorite teachers and your friends at your class reunion

at ssmofoundation.org

4440 SW 148th Avenue Beaverton, OR 97007

www.ssmoministries.org

Follow us: Facebook.com/SistersofStMaryofOregon Facebook.com/MaryvilleNursingHome Facebook.com/ValleyCatholicSchool Facebook.com/ValleyCatholicAlumni Twitter.com/VCSValiants Flickr.com/ValleyCatholic YouTube.com/ValleyCatholicSchool

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