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Service, Prayer, and Retreat Opportunities |
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Written by Randy Kollars, Campus Minister
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Wednesday, 07 October 2009 |
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Help Wanted for Masses
We are looking for students who would like to help occasionally with our Masses and Prayer Services. They don’t need to be Catholic, but they do need to be respectful of what we are doing as we gather for Mass or Prayer. For the Masses we need students to help; greet and hold holy water; serve at the altar, read and write the prayers of the Faithful, read scripture, Communion Minister (this is the only role that requires a student be a Confirmed Catholic), Sacristan (help with all the special things needed for the Mass), carry in symbols and gifts, and help set up and take down.
There will be a Training and Informational Meeting on Monday, October 12 during Study Block. Everyone is welcome and encouraged to come and check it out. No experience necessary -- we will be training and mentoring students into the roles. Now is the time to step forward and join us. In addition to the training and informational meeting, we also have a “Liturgy Sign Up” binder in front of the CMS office for students to sign up to help with the Masses and prayer services each semester.
Help Wanted for Morning Prayer
We are looking for students to lead our daily morning prayer over the intercom each morning. We will train students, who can create original prayers or choose from a selection of prayers that have been created by students all over the country. We ask students to sign up for a one week period of time and will have two students per week so that they can help each other out. More details and training will follow during the Training and Informational Meeting on Monday, October 12 during Study Block. We also have a “Morning Prayer Sign Up” binder in front of the CMS office for students to sign up for a particular week or two each semester.
Retreat Opportunity
Encounter Registration is now open for either the November 19-21 or February 18-20 Encounters. These retreat opportunities are open to Juniors and any Seniors that were not able to attend last year. Now is the time to register for either one. The deadline is Thursday, October 15 by 3:15 PM. Registration forms are available from religion teachers, Sr. Linda, the CMS office, and from the wall racks next to the CMS bulletin board. These retreats begin at SMA on Thursday morning and end back at SMA at 1 PM on Saturday. We will be at the YMCA Camp Collins just outside of Gresham. The cost is $80. Don’t let the cost keep you from going; there is some financial assistance available through Sr. Linda's office. We also welcome donations to help other students attend. The $80 fee pays only a portion of the cost of food, lodging, meeting space, buses and various supplies. SMA feels very strongly about the call to nourish the spirituality of our students and subsidizes the remainder of the costs.
Upcoming Masses and Prayer Opportunities
While we typically have eight All School Masses or Prayer Experiences each year, we also have many smaller optional Masses that take place during Study Block. Students have the option of staying in study hall to study or they can join us for any of the Masses that are usually held in the Chapel or the Performing Arts Center. Students and faculty do not have to be Catholic to come and pray with us. Upcoming prayer opportunities: Thursday, October 15 -- Study Block Mass Sunday, October 18th -- 150th Anniversary Mass, 10:30AM at University of Portland’s Chiles Center Thursday, October 29 -- Study Block Mass Thursday November 12 -- Study Block Mass Tuesday, November 24 – an All School Special Thanksgiving Prayer Service. Check the calendar on the webpage for future dates.
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Last Updated ( Sunday, 11 October 2009 )
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You're Invited - Director's Reception |
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Written by Shannon More, Theatre Director
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Wednesday, 07 October 2009 |
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The Women
by Clare Boothe Luce
Director's Reception Join St. Mary's Academy parents & alumnae for an Opening Night celebration including a pre-show talk with Director Shannon More. $5 per person - includes dessert and 2 beverages Friday, October 23, 2009
6:30 PM St. Mary's Academy Student Commons Please RSVP by calling (503) 228-8306 by Monday, October 19 |
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Last Updated ( Wednesday, 14 October 2009 )
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Written by Carrie Swetonic, Community Service Coordinator
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Wednesday, 07 October 2009 |
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Response to the SMA Rural Immersion The weekend of October 2- 3 was filled with learning for fourteen St. Mary’s Academy students who participated in the Rural Immersion. Spanish teacher, Erica McCurnin, coordinated this experience, which is in its fifth year. This annual overnight experience focuses on the issues faced by migrant farm workers and the Latino community in Washington County. Student and staff participants explored the issues of migration, farming, poverty, and culture by “immersing” themselves into their surroundings. They listened to several speakers share experiences--one highlight was hearing from three women who were caught up in the 2007 raid at the Del Monte plant in North Portland. They visited with day laborers waiting on a street corner in Cornelius, seeking work for the day. They toured a local farm, hearing the farmer’s perspective on immigrant labor. Finally, students heard the stories of several residents at Campo Azul, a labor camp off of Scholls Ferry Road and prayed with them at the camp’s evening communion service. Alison Lebenbaum, an SMA senior, reflected: “Because of the immersion I was able to hear some amazing stories about some truly amazing people. The people I met were genuinely interested in my opinions about what they were going through, both legal and illegal immigration. They were amazed that I go to an all-girls school and am studying to go to college. I know that they are working so hard in order to make a life like we have at SMA possible for their daughters and the rest of their family. The fact is that they are doing the jobs no one else in our country is willing to do (and doing them at sometimes incredibly unfair wages). Immigration is an issue that we have to be informed about because it is not just going to go away. One of the main ideas that I have taken away from the Rural Immersion is this: historically, America has experienced many types of racism and oppression toward various races and people. But America is a melting pot of cultures and people. I don't know why we value the practices or ideals of some of these people over the values and culture of others.” Jessica Pierce, SMA teacher, shared the experience with the students. She says, “I really value the opportunity to help students connect with people who are too often overlooked; the Rural Immersion provides our girls with time to listen to the stories of people who don’t often have the chance to share. Our society functions in large part because of the work done by the farmers, day laborers and factory workers who are also trying to provide the best life they can for their families. Our students can empathize and engage with these men and women and then take action by sharing their sense of connectedness with others.” The focus of the weekend was not on direct service, but rather building relationships with and learning about this community. It was a truly valuable experience for everyone involved. Frosh Immersion Retreats By the time this newsletter is available, the Frosh Immersion Retreats will be in full swing. Each freshman TA is participating in a daylong “immersion” experience where students will learn about issues of homelessness by engaging in dialogue with their peers, with SMA staff, and with folks living on the street. This immersion retreat is an excellent way to help students become educated about poverty and injustice through relationships and conversation. The experience takes place during the school day. In the next issue, I'll share some student responses to this experience.
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Last Updated ( Sunday, 11 October 2009 )
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