Sister Julie Doan

I was born and raised in South Vietnam in a family of ten. I was taught by religious sisters from different orders in Vietnam. The stories of the saints they shared at catechism classes inspired me. I learned choir singing and liturgical dances from them. Whenever I came to the sisters for a piano private lesson, I liked to stay and help them with little chores. I fasted and attended daily Mass right after school. Their communal life attracted me; I wanted to live like them, but it was not to be.

My family was planning to escape the North Vietnamese Communists who were taking over South Vietnam. My parents did not want their children to suffer under the harsh and unjust rule of the Communist government. They had already escaped it once, from North to South Vietnam in 1954. My parents wanted my family and relatives to be free to worship God, pursue a brighter future and have rights and responsibilities that are basic to every human being.

I was 14 when I escaped by boat with five family members to Thailand in 1979. Our escape was terrifying. We were robbed and harassed, and finally our boat was sunk by Thai pirates. Nine out of 45 on board died in the ocean. We were saved by Thai-Chinese fishermen, and lived in three different refugee camps for 11 months in Thailand. Life there was very difficult due to the fast-changing climate and the lack of necessary food, water, shelter, and security.

Growing up as a teenage refugee in the United States was challenging, but full of opportunity to grow in God’s love. My family was sponsored by a young Catholic family. They found a trailer for us after a month of living with them in their little house of four people. They contacted Christ the King Parish in Milwaukie to support our family. Four of us younger ones received a year and a half of special education from its parish school. Sisters Clare Vandecoevering and Anna Hertel, both SSMOs, were teaching there. Dad was offered a job as a custodian for the parish and school by Fr. Theodore Weber.

My 6-year-old sister and I helped Dad after school by dusting and mopping the classrooms. I also worked as Leo and Theresa Bauman’s housekeeper and babysitter whenever they needed me. Fr. Weber sold his used car to our family for a very reasonable price. St. Vincent de Paul delivered necessary household items and furniture. Ignatius and Ida Bauman graciously and generously included us as their extended family. They helped us find jobs, took us to special places, and worked with us on playing music and singing at Sunday Masses. Our relationship is still strong and close.

I went on living with my relatives, received a high school diploma and an associate’s degree. I volunteered singing, Vietnamese language, and catechism lessons to young Vietnamese-American children from different parishes.

Sister Julie and her mother

My call to be a religious sister had been postponed a couple times. First, I had to leave Vietnam. Second, I had no English skills when Ida Bauman first took me to the Sisters of St. Mary of Oregon in 1980. But God’s plan for me was to return to the Sisters of St. Mary of Oregon in 1996 as an interpreter for a friend who was interested in religious life. Sr. Catherine Hertel invited my friend and me to come and visit the Sisters as often as we wished. The Sisters’ warm and welcoming spirit captured me. Their love and acceptance compelled me to join them and learn from them how to be a faithful and joyful servant of the Lord.

I am very grateful for the Sisters’ love and support. They are my mentors in community life, in education, and in pastoral services, but most of all in spiritual growth. They encouraged me to finish my master’s degree in education and make myself available to the community and to the parishes where I serve.

I love where I serve. I have served the Vietnamese-American communities from Southeast Asian Vicariate, St. Elizabeth Ann Seton in Aloha, St. Anthony in Tigard, St. Vincent’s in Salem, and St. Paul in Oregon. God is graciously merciful and full of compassion. He teaches me the values of emptying and receiving because he wants me to know that He is my all. Everything is a gift from God. All I need to do is to accept it as a gift with gratitude and responsibility.

We invite you to enjoy more photos from the life and service of Sister Julie Doan.

Left to right: Sister Rita Rose Stohosky, Father James Martin, S.J., Sister Ellen Therese Berger and Sister Barbara Rose Sohler at the 2013 Religious Education Congress

Energizing. Inspiring.

That’s how three Sisters of St. Mary of Oregon - Sister Ellen Therese Berger, Sister Barbara Rose Sohler, and Sister Rita Rose Stohosky – described the 2013 Religious Education Congress, which was held in Los Angeles from Feb. 22-24.  The theme:  “Entering the Mystery.”

One of the highlights: meeting Rev. James Martin, S.J., a Jesuit priest, the culture editor of “America” magazine and the author of numerous books including “The Jesuit Guide to (Almost) Everything.” He is also the author of “My Life with the Saints” which has sold more than 100,000 copies.  His presentation topic at the Religious Education Congress: “Laugh, for God’s Sake.”

Sister Barbara Rose Sohler said, “Celebrating the liturgies – which included beautiful music, dancing, gestures and great homilies of other cultures – was very moving.  For instance, the African-American Gospel mass put us all into the rhythm and spirit of clapping, swaying and singing with our whole body and soul, and it lasted over 2 ½ hours but we were so captivated by everything in the worship that it seemed like ½ hour. Experiencing that in an arena with 40,000 other people gave me a feeling of communion with everybody, every culture and all time.”

Sister Barbara Rose added that she is teaching several gospel songs that she learned during the conference to her third grade students, who will sing them at a school Mass in March.

Sister Rita Rose Stohosky, who teaches English to Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL), said “Going to the Congress and experiencing the cultures of many nationalities is especially rewarding for me since I teach ESOL to adults. At the Congress, I also had an experience of how much people from other countries delight in sharing or helping me to understand their language or culture. At one of the Liturgies where the language was a mixture of English and Spanish, the man next to me made a special point to move close to my ear so I could hear the Spanish pronunciation of the words in order to say them with him.  I was touched by his kindness.”

Sister Rita Rose added, “As I ‘descend from the Mountain top (Congress) to the valley of my everyday life,’ this experience of meeting Jesus, the Light of the world, in the spectacular Liturgies, prayer services, sessions with top presenters, and in the people there, has filled with me with renewed joy and energy, eager to share this Light by letting Jesus in me light the path of those I minister to in my classes and at the hospital.”

Sister Ellen Therese Berger, who is a kindergarten aide said, “There are so many ideas and feelings swimming in my heart and head concerning the LA Religious Education Congress I recently attended. The many liturgies and conferences were emotionally moving and awe-inspiring.”

Sister Ellen Therese was especially moved by a speaker from Arizona who spoke on the grace of forgiveness.  “The story she told was of a women who was a refugee from the Congo,” said Sister Ellen Therese. “This women and her family were put into prison in Rwanda  in horrible conditions.  While in prison her husband was executed before her eyes and the eyes of her five children.  She was very angry with God.  How could God let this happen?  After a while she began to feel very sorry about her anger toward God.  She asked God for forgiveness. She felt that God would forgive her when she forgave those who persecuted her.  She was finally able to find forgiveness in her heart.  When she was imprisoned she was pregnant.  She gave birth to twin boys.  She decided to name her boys after the two cruelest commanders. The wife of one of the commanders was so pleased that the woman named one of her sons after her husband that she fought to free the woman and her family.  The woman and her children were sent to Arizona where they live in much better conditions.”

Sister Ellen Therese added – perhaps speaking for all three Sisters – “I feel very blessed to have had the opportunity to attend the Religious Ed Congress, and it has had a profound effect on me. “

Service with a smile: Sister John Therese (standing) and Janice Altenhofen.

On February 10, the Sisters of St. Mary of Oregon welcomed guests for their popular Valentine Tea.

It is always a time of warmth, hospitality and friendship, and this year was no exception.

Charming items created by the Sisters were raffled off, raising $713 for the Sisters’ English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) program.

If you would like an opportunity to purchase similar items, you will have the opportunity during the silent auction at the 2013 Valley Catholic Benefit Gala on April 27.

Enjoy more photos from the Valentine tea on our Flickr site.

Great partnerships were continued and new ones formed by the Sisters of St. Mary of Oregon, the City of Beaverton and 22 local restaurants, who together raised nearly $9,500 for Oregon Food Bank.  Beaverton Mayor Denny Doyle and Barbara Kerr were featured speakers, and music was provided by the Valley Catholic Marian Singers and VCHS Jazz Band. Sr. Delores Adelman gathered sponsors to cover the costs of the event so that all the proceeds of the evening could go to feed the hungry.

We are so grateful to our sponsors and participating restaurants!

SPONSORS:

A-1 Glass & Mirror, Al’s Garden, Anonymous Donor, Beaverton Pharmacy, Beaverton Toyota, City of Beaverton, Farmington Gardens, Maryville Nursing Home, My Favorite Muffin, Portland Clinic, Safeway, Sisters of St. Mary of Oregon, Target, The Cheesecake Factory, US Bank, Valley Catholic School

RESTAURANTS AND THEIR SIGNATURE SOUPS:

1.    Sweet Tomatoes, Shepherd’s Pie & Smashed Potatoes

2.    Thirsty Lion Pub & Grill, Beer Cheese Soup

3.    Old Chicago, Broccoli Cheese Soup

4.    Stanford’s, Creamy Tomato Basil

5.    Fresh Thyme Soup Co., Tuscan Sausage & Potato

6.    Buddies Sports Bar & Grill, Bacon Cheddar Chicken

7.    Monteaux’s Public House, Hot Avocado Soup

8.    Nonna Emilia Restorante, Ribolitta

9.    Qdoba Mexican Grill, Tortilla Soup

10.  Golden Valley Brewery, Clam Chowder

11.  The Stockpot Broiler, Lobster Bisque

12.  Black Bear Diner, Split Pea with Ham

13.  Elmer’s, Ivar’s Puget Sound Style Clam Chowder

14.  Reedville Catering, Roasted Butternut Squash *FIRST PLACE GOLD LADLE!*

15.  Olive Garden, Zuppa Toscana

16.  DeCarli Restaurant, Ham Hock & White Bean Chowder

17.  Noodles & Co., Tomato Basil Bisque *THIRD PLACE BRONZE LADLE!*

18.  Pasta Pronto, Spicy Sausage & Pasta Soup

19.  Hall Street, Cauliflower Cream with Salsa Verde & Black Trumpet Mushroom

20.  Ernesto’s Italian Restaurant, Cream of Asparagus Dill

21.  SSMO/Valley Catholic, Potato Soup *SECOND PLACE SILVER LADLE!*

22.  Newport Bay, New England Clam Chowder

Other restaurants serving up delectable treats:

• Ava Rosteria
• Bales Thriftway
• Beaverton Bakery
• Bungalow Bread Company
• Krispy Kreme Doughnuts
• Lizzy Cakes Cupcakes
• McMenamins Pubs & Breweries
• Mireille’s Bistro
• New Seasons
• Starbucks
• The Dessert Tray

Enjoy this photo gallery–the event was so much fun!

See the article about Shelley’s life here.

The Sisters of St. Mary of Oregon and the SSMO Ministries Foundation staff will be hosting Kaffee Klatsches at local parishes throughout the year during the traditional church coffee hours.

In the German tradition, a Kaffee Klatsch is casual gathering for coffee and conversation. This time of connection and conversation is a long-held tradition in the Sisters of St. Mary of Oregon Community. The Kaffee Klatsches will give the Sisters and the foundation staff an opportunity to express their gratitude for the years of support offered by local parishes and their parishioners and the many ways they have impacted our ministries.

The first Kaffee Klatsch will be held at St. Edward’s Parish Hall in North Plains this Sunday, Feb. 29 after the 9 a.m. Mass.

The occasion was marked by a dedication ceremony and reception held by the Sisters of St. Mary of Oregon the evening of Friday, September 9, when an estimated 400 people turned out to celebrate with them. During an early reception for major donors to the building’s capital campaign, short speeches were given by Bob Weber, Valley Catholic School President; Sr. Adele Marie Altenhofen, SSMO Ministries President; Michelle Garcia, SSMO Foundation Board Chair; and Tom Cleary, Valley Catholic School Board Chair. Guests were then treated to a time-lapse video courtesy of our own Information Technology department of the construction of the building from start to finish, including aerial shots of its progress.

At 6:30 p.m. the crowd gathered for the ceremony held outside the new school building. The weather cooperated beautifully, providing warm breezes and a beautiful sunset. The ceremony included prayers and short talks from Sister Charlene Herinckx, SSMO; Bob Weber; Mayor Dennis Doyle; and the Most Reverend Archbishop John G. Vlazny.

Project Manager Lauren Holmes and Superintendent Ivan Krcek, employees of general contractor Howard S. Wright and key players in the onsite construction, were each presented with a cross handmade with wood from an oak tree that stood where the school was erected.

Mayor Dennis Doyle also received a handmade cross. In return, he presented to Sister Charlene a small stuffed beaver donning a t-shirt that reads “Mayor’s Bravo Beaver” on the front and “SSMO” on the back.

Archbishop Vlanzy gave, as always, a meaningful and entertaining talk. Near the end of the ceremony, the Archbishop went inside the building and blessed every room and hallway with Holy water.

Sister Denise Klaas, SSMO led the hymns sung by all, and Sister Juliana Monti, SSMO accompanied soprano and VCS senior Genie Genetiano for her solo of Schubert’s Ave Maria.

Afterward all were invited to tour the new school and enjoy refreshments. A photo gallery of the evening can be found here.