The selected project to receive funding at Sisters of St. Mary of Oregon is their Kitchen Renovation project in the Motherhouse where their chef Bob and the Sisters cook all their daily meals, and additional food is prepared for their ministries and events. This kitchen renovation is a much needed update for the motherhouse in order to ensure the safety and health of all those in the kitchen, and the overall longevity of the facility. For those who know the Dooney family, the heart of their home revolves around the kitchen and the camaraderie that from grows there whenever they have guests. It is an honor to help the Sisters renovate and improve their Kitchen, and provide a renewed place of gathering for them to share in, and prepare offerings for the many branches of their community.

“In addition to being able to install energy-saving appliances as part of our stewardship of natural resources, we are looking forward to having a better work space for our cooks and for the Sisters who frequently use the kitchen for special food preparation.  With new equipment, the food prepared and served will be healthier because of the cooking features used in preparation.”

~Sister Charlene Henrickx

Intertwined over the years of business and community…

Leonard Adams Company, established in 1933 by Sean’s maternal grandfather, Leonard Adams himself, began as a small insurance brokerage in Beaverton, Oregon. One of the first clients of the brokerage was Sisters of St. Mary of Oregon, now long time friends and possibly the oldest clients of the family owned company The Dooney family has had the pleasure of getting to know and share in the lives of the Sisters and be impacted by their presence and ministries in the community. Sister Jean Marie van Dyke was a constant presence at St. Thomas More, helping facilitate the parish ministries and sacramental education there while the seven Dooney children attended the school. Sister Krista von Borstel’s CYO/Camp Howard organizations have provided the Dooney family years of playing sporting events in Football, Basketball, Volleyball, and Track & Field, as well as many years of refereeing and coaching. They also enjoyed summer adventures up at Camp as a family and as campers. Sean and Sheri chaired the CYO Champions of Faith Benefit Dinner events in 2013 & 2014 working closely with the organization and Sister Krista.

Beyond their presence in organizations the Dooney family has frequented over the years, the Sisters have been great friends to the Dooney family, enjoying a fishing trip or two, trap shooting, and even hanging out with the Dooney’s up at their family cabin over the years. The Dooney kids always loved hearing the Sisters delight over the coolers full of crab they would bring to the Motherhouse after returning from their annual family crabbing trip. Additionally, Leonard Adams Insurance has longtime offered sponsorships of SSMO golf tournaments and the Valley Catholic Gala annually and enjoyed many laughs and wonderful memories with the amazing Sisters that work throughout our local community.

The Sisters of St. Mary of Oregon are committed to serving others through faith and action. The Sisters offer loving, respectful service through prayer; child development, education and lifelong learning; elder care; sacred space for prayer, contemplation, and retreat; and off-campus outreach and ministry. They embrace the values of the past to touch and shape lives in the future. Those values include living valiantly, honoring the unique gifts of each person, striving for excellence and celebrating God and life. Sisters of St. Mary of Oregon is an organization dedicated to the betterment of the communities they operate within. Their ministries throughout the greater Portland area are directed by the Sisters themselves and have had an enormous impact for more than 130 years. It is an honor to be able to reciprocate the same generosity they display in our community through the efforts of this fundraiser.