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Who are the SSMO Associates?
Since 1980 the Sisters of St. Mary of Oregon have encouraged Associate Members, a group of dedicated men and women who work in their own local areas to spread the spirit of the Sisters of St. Mary of Oregon (SSMO) and the Good News of Jesus Christ.
SSMO Associate Members may be found anywhere, from right next door to the SSMO campus, to as far away as Montana or Colorado.
The primary commission of Associate Members is to pray with the SSMO community for their mutual concerns. Each Member is offered the opportunity to enrich his/her own life with greater spiritual awareness, and may also choose to participate in a community ministry where they live. Each Associate Member communicates regularly with one of the Sisters for guidance in his/her particular ministry or task. A monthly newsletter keeps the members up-to-date on SSMO events and plans, and each year the members gather at the SSMO Convent to share experiences, learn from one another, and rededicate themselves to continued service.
For more information contact:
Sr. Catherine Hertel
4440 SW 148th Avenue
Beaverton, Oregon 97007
Phone: 503.644.9181
Email: srcatherineh@ssmo.org
The Sisters of St. Mary agreed to the following Commitment Statement at their 2010 Chapter.
Responding to Jesus’ mandate
to love one another
and prompted by our charism,
we commit to using our gifts,
skills and resources
to work for justice
as we journey in solidarity with the vulnerable, particularly the immigrant,
and as we care for God’s creation through sustainable practices.
Following are some of the activities that Associates have pledged to do in their effort to live out of this commitment statement:
Tawny Wurzer: Work with immigrant children at my job; every person is God’s loved one.
Larry & Mary Ellen Crawley: Go to ethnic restaurants.
Fred and Marian Mihm: Work at a food bank.
Judy Tomes: Learn from other’s cultures and customs; respect life in all its forms and at all stages; look for ways to reduce waste.
Jesse Villarreal: Listen and understand; try to help and teach a better way; extend a hand.
Mimi Yun: See everyone as God’s child; plant more flowers; drive less.
Kay McEwen: Teach literacy skills; encourage legal processes of documentation. Purchase local fruit and veggies.
Myrna Church: Meet each one with open eyes and heart. Greet persons of international origins; conserve energy and water.
Elisabeth Wimsatt: Go green; restart S.M.A.R.T. program if possible. Clean out my clutter.
Michelle Kirby: Honor diversity in my classroom.