Missionaries of the Sacred

Excerpt from Vol 10, Bulletin 105 of St. Joseph Catholic Church, Soboba Native American Reservation

From the Pastor's Desk

In our Native American ministry we have six religious sisters fully involved with this work of church: Sister Marianna Torrano, RSCJ; Sister Mary Gen Smyth, RSCJ; Sister Judy Roach, RSCJ; Sister Deanna Rose von Bargen, RSCJ; Sister Mary Seibert, MSC; Sister Catherine Cellini, MSC. In the next 3 or 4 months we want to feature them in our bulletin (Religious of the Sacred Heart – RSCJ; Missionaries of the Sacred Heart – MSC)

Sister Deanna Rose von Bargen, RSCJ is a member of the Religious of the Sacred Heart. Sister has been here for almost three years. She lives here at Soboba with her RSCJ community. In the initial steps for any ministry there is a need to “listen and hangout.” Sister Deanna Rose has found her way to be available and to be a visible presence. One such help is attendance at most funerals and funeral meals at Soboba and sometimes other reservations. She accompanies me for Sunday Eucharist on the first Sunday of the month at Torres Martinez and the third Sunday of the month at Pechanga. Sister Deanna Rose goes with the MSC Sisters to Pechanga offering classes on Catholicism and Scripture tutoring, and Bible study during the academic year with parents. She now gives Baptism classes for parents and godparents at Pechanga and Torres Martinez year round.

There are special needs for individual preparation for First Communions, Reconciliation, RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults) and assisting in giving retreats for confirmation programs. Sister Deanna Rose helps in those individual situations. This month of July and August she is helping our ministry team in the evangelization process with the women and men retreats given here at Soboba. In the Hemet Valley parishes she occasionally gives talks to their parishes. She uses her talents in writing grant proposals for St. Jude School and giving her guidance with future WASC accreditation for St. Jude School. Availability and “helping in the moment” like counting the collections at St. Joseph, when needed, answering the door-bell for various need and selling SCRIP round out her busy, busy days. Thanks for your dedication and availability to God’s people.