Wisdom of the Sisters

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Profiles of the Sisters

SSMO VOCATIONS
Sister Catherine Hertel

I was born in Hillsboro, the fourth of 10 children of Ray and Agnes Hertel. I first met members of my community, the Sisters of St. Mary of Oregon, at St. Matthew Convent in Hillsboro. We children would bring a couple dozen eggs to the Sisters each week. In exchange, they would give us a choice of a cookie or a holy card. Guess which one I took! I also had several relatives who were Sisters of St. Mary of Oregon. I was taught by the SSMO at St. Matthew Elementary School and at St. Mary of the Valley. At age 10, I decided that this was what I wanted to be when I grew up.

This community has been family to me for the last 48 years. We are small enough and local enough to know each other on a personal basis. I have found great support from my Sisters in both my personal life and in my ministry. Together, we have a lot more gifts than any one of us has alone. Together, we begin each day with Mass and Prayer. Together, we can make big things happen for the Kingdom of God.

If you feel a call to give your all to Jesus, religious life is a great place for you. As a lay person you can do much for the Church, but if you would like the structure of vowed life and community life, religious life adds to both your personal and professional growth. Don’t be afraid to try.