Opening the Presentation Archives

Size: px

Start display at page:

Download "Opening the Presentation Archives"

Felix Nichols
5 years ago
Views:

Roots Opening the Archives JULY/AUGUST 2017 Bidding a Fond Farewell to Center The closing of Center on June 30, 2017 marked the end of an incredible era for the Sisters of the, San Francisco.

They immediately began work to transform the main buildings into spaces better suited for a new novitiate, and a retreat and vacation space for professed sisters.

They were quickly followed by the first group of novices on June 29, 1957 marking the official beginning of College.

In the early 1970s, wanting to retain the property and honor its tradition and the mission and charism of the Sisters of the, the name of the ministry was officially changed to Center.

1 Roots Opening the Archives JULY/AUGUST 2017 Bidding a Fond Farewell to Center The closing of Center on June 30, 2017 marked the end of an incredible era for the Sisters of the, San Francisco. The Sisters first purchased the property, which was formerly the Montezuma School for Boys, in They immediately began work to transform the main buildings into spaces better suited for a new novitiate, and a retreat and vacation space for professed sisters. In May 1957, with the work nearly completed, the first community of sisters moved from Saratoga onto the property. They were quickly followed by the first group of novices on June 29, 1957 marking the official beginning of College. The property continued to serve as the novitiate until the late 1960s when the changes wrought by Vatican II caused the Sisters to once again shift their education center back to San Francisco. In the early 1970s, wanting to retain the property and honor its tradition and the mission and charism of the Sisters of the, the name of the ministry was officially changed to Center. It became established as a spiritual retreat and conference center. Since that time the Center has welcomed close to 10,000 guests per year who were seeking a quiet place for prayer, contemplation and continuing education. It has also become a place devoted to environmental education and sustainability through the establishment of programs like the Montezuma Ecology Center and the construction of the eco-friendly, LEED certified Welcome Center. While changes in the overarching financial environment have unfortunately made it impossible for the Center to continue, it will always be an important part of the history and legacy of the Sisters of the San Francisco. In this special issue, I am opening the archives to reveal photographs, documents, and other memorabilia spanning the long history of Center to help bid a very fond farewell to this incredible ministry. BY RACHEL FOOTE, ARCHIVIST Inside this issue: A Fond Farewell VOLUME 16 ISSUE 2 Timeline, History, Open Houses Dedication, 1960s Ecology Center, 1970s-2010s I Am College Spring/Summer 1957: First Sets of Sisters and Novices Arrive : College Serves as a Full-Time Novitiate 1975: Name is Changed & Focus of Ministry Shifts to a Spiritual Retreat & Conference Center 9

PRESENTATION ROOTS Page 2 Center Timeline: 1956 - Property in Los Gatos, Formerly the Montezuma School for

Novitiate & College Dedicated Montezuma School for Boys ~ A Bit of History Before becoming College, the

The school opened in 1910 as an independent, non-sectarian boarding school that strove to develop

that time and electives like Wood Working, Weaving & Boat Building.

Joseph Statue is Erected 1964 - Dedication of New Novitiate Building & Chapel 1965 - Dedication of Sacred Heart

1975 - Name Changed to Center 2005 - Welcome Center Opens 1956 ~ Property is Purchased & Remodeling Begins In

2 PRESENTATION ROOTS Page 2 Center Timeline: Property in Los Gatos, Formerly the Montezuma School for Boys, is Purchased & Remodeling Begins Open Houses; First Communities of Sisters and Novices Move In; Novitiate & College Dedicated Montezuma School for Boys ~ A Bit of History Before becoming College, the beautiful property in Los Gatos was home to the Montezuma Mountain School for Boys. The school opened in 1910 as an independent, non-sectarian boarding school that strove to develop responsibility and manly independence through moral training, physical training, learning to do by doing, and training for citizenship. It offered both Elementary and High School courses of study that included all of the basic courses offered at that time and electives like Wood Working, Weaving & Boat Building. Professor Ernest Rogers, Prof, ran the school until it closed in St. Joseph Statue is Erected Dedication of New Novitiate Building & Chapel Dedication of Sacred Heart Statue & Shrine Community Moves from Main Building The Montezuma Ecology Center is Established Name Changed to Center Welcome Center Opens 1956 ~ Property is Purchased & Remodeling Begins In 1956 the Sisters of the purchased the 272 acre property shown in the handcrafted map by Sr. M. Cleophas Beck (pictured right). Renovations immediately began under the watchful eye of Sister M. Scholastica Weber, PBVM (right) to turn the aging school buildings into a much-needed novitiate, retreat and vacation center Center Closes

Page 3 JULY/AUGUST 2017 1957 ~ Sisters Move-In; Open Houses Held In May of 1957, the work was completed

While continuing their ministries down the hill, they immediately began preparing for the four Open

) To Read More about the Founding of The first Open House on June 15th welcomed the other members of

It is noted in the annals that all but Reverend Mother Olivia Hargadon and six or seven other sisters

(Right: Sisters enjoying the luncheon) The next day the College opened its doors to the public and

3 Page 3 JULY/AUGUST ~ Sisters Move-In; Open Houses Held In May of 1957, the work was completed and with the help of parishioners from St. Christopher s the first Community of Sisters moved in. While continuing their ministries down the hill, they immediately began preparing for the four Open Houses scheduled for June 15th-18th. (Below: An excerpt from the annals describing the preparations.) To Read More about the Founding of The first Open House on June 15th welcomed the other members of the congregation, who eagerly explored the College. It is noted in the annals that all but Reverend Mother Olivia Hargadon and six or seven other sisters made the journey that joyous day. (Right: Sisters enjoying the luncheon) The next day the College opened its doors to the public and thousands arrived to tour the property and partake of the Sisters wonderful hospitality as detailed and pictured below. College & the Experiences of the Sisters who ministered there visit the Archives in the Motherhouse Open T-TH 9 AM - 5 PM

PRESENTATION ROOTS Page 4 1957 ~ Novitiates Arrive,

The Archives Needs Your Help Identifying Photographs from

4 PRESENTATION ROOTS Page ~ Novitiates Arrive, College is Dedicated On June 29th the first group of novices arrived. A few short months later, College was officially dedicated on October 27, (Below: Selection from the annals describing the arrival, and photographs of novices at College.) Were You in The Novitiate at College? The Archives Needs Your Help Identifying Photographs from the 1950s-1960s Stop By the Office or Call (415) to Learn More The dedication (pictured below) was joyously attended by several clergy members, sisters, benefactors and friends.

Page 5 JULY/AUGUST 2017 1959-1965 ~ New Buildings, Statues, and Shrines The years 1959 through 1965 were marked with several new additions to the property that soon became iconic to sisters and

The first was the statue of Joseph the Workman and the Child Jesus (pictured upper right) installed on March 19, 1959, a gift of Saint Patrick s Alumni in memory of Sister Mary Mechtilde McCarthy,

Construction began on July 12, 1963 following a groundbreaking ceremony attended by the generous donor, John Sousa, (pictured below) who made the project possible.

Finally the Sacred Heart Statue and Shrine that now greets visitors to the property was installed and dedicated in June 1965 with Reverend Thomas Powers, S.J. serving as the celebrant (pictured lower right).

5 Page 5 JULY/AUGUST ~ New Buildings, Statues, and Shrines The years 1959 through 1965 were marked with several new additions to the property that soon became iconic to sisters and visitors alike when reflecting on their experiences there. The first was the statue of Joseph the Workman and the Child Jesus (pictured upper right) installed on March 19, 1959, a gift of Saint Patrick s Alumni in memory of Sister Mary Mechtilde McCarthy, PBVM. The second was the new novitiate and chapel building. Construction began on July 12, 1963 following a groundbreaking ceremony attended by the generous donor, John Sousa, (pictured below) who made the project possible. The building was completed and dedicated in Finally the Sacred Heart Statue and Shrine that now greets visitors to the property was installed and dedicated in June 1965 with Reverend Thomas Powers, S.J. serving as the celebrant (pictured lower right). Contact the Archives to Discover more about how the property evolved over time & View Additional photographs from other events & happenings presarchives@ pbvmsf.org 1970 ~ Community Moves from Main Building & Focus Begins to Change Following the period of reflection and restructuring that arose from Vatican II, a new program for Sisters in Formation was created in 1968 and the novitiate moved back to San Francisco. The focus of College began to change to a spiritual retreat and conference center. In August of 1970, the remaining community of Sisters moved from the main building to the former professed house. By 1975, the name was officially changed to Center.

PRESENTATION ROOTS Page 6 Do You Have Memories of the Montezuma Ecology Center and/or Retreats and Other Events at 1973 ~ The Montezuma Ecology Center is

Below: Sr. Bernardine Adkins, PBVM with Love Life students.

assistance of Shirley Jankowski, founded The Montezuma Ecology Center.

environmental interrelationships and problem solving related to the impact humans have on the environment.

The popular program continued to run for ten years until it was transferred into the capable hands of the Sisters of Mercy at St. Joseph s Center.

6 PRESENTATION ROOTS Page 6 Do You Have Memories of the Montezuma Ecology Center and/or Retreats and Other Events at 1973 ~ The Montezuma Ecology Center is Founded Above: A student identifies a series of branches with the help of Sister Jacqueline Graham, PBVM. Right: The Montezuma Ecology Center Staff, c. 1970s. Below: Sr. Bernardine Adkins, PBVM with Love Life students. As the new focus for Center continued to develop, in 1973 Sisters Bernardine Adkins, PBVM, Rosemary Campi, PBVM, and Jacqueline Graham, PBVM, with the assistance of Shirley Jankowski, founded The Montezuma Ecology Center. The Center provided a three-phase learning program titled Love Life that emphasized experiential learning about the local environment, an understanding of environmental interrelationships and problem solving related to the impact humans have on the environment. Roughly 4500 students, grades 6-8, from schools throughout the Bay Area participated in the program annually. The popular program continued to run for ten years until it was transferred into the capable hands of the Sisters of Mercy at St. Joseph s Center. Center You d Like to Share? Them to: presarchives@ pbvmsf.org Right: Sister Judith Guevara, PBVM chats with John Wardel at his Stress Management Workshop, March 10, Late 1970s s ~ Retreats, Workshops, Weddings & More During the 1970s and the decades that followed, Center witnessed several memorable retreats, workshops, weddings and other events; record-setting snow storms; earthquakes; and so much more. Far Right: Sisters enjoy a Day of Prayer, c

Page 7 JULY/AUGUST 2017 Late 1970s - 2010s ~

Below: Newspaper clipping, photographs, and a

and snow storm that swept through the area in

in San Francisco & Los Gatos, October 2-11, 1988.

Worker Retreat where volunteers like Charlotte

7 Page 7 JULY/AUGUST 2017 Late 1970s s ~ Retreats, Workshops, Weddings & More (continued) Below: Newspaper clipping, photographs, and a snippet from the annals describing the severe ice and snow storm that swept through the area in January Below: A group photograph taken at the International Association (IPA) Annual Meeting held in San Francisco & Los Gatos, October 2-11, Below: A flyer for one of the many spiritual retreats held at Center over the years. Right: Invitation to the 1st Annual Volunteer Worker Retreat where volunteers like Charlotte Williams & Shirley Kammeyer (pictured right) would help the Sisters with various upkeep projects such as routing and painting new signs, August 1998.

PRESENTATION ROOTS Page 8 If you have Photographs from the Closing Mass & Reception at Center Please Email Them to: presarchives@ pbvmsf.

Through observing and listening to the groups that visited the center she came to realize that it was a natural classroom for educating about the environment, the harm it is experiencing and the

1 Thus, when the time came to design a new welcome center and dining facility she ensured it was built in accordance to the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) standards set forth by

As such, the building, begun in 2003 and completed in 2005, was constructed of tightly baled straw in a passive solar orientation design with photovoltaic panels that convert the sun s rays to

8 PRESENTATION ROOTS Page 8 If you have Photographs from the Closing Mass & Reception at Center Please Them to: presarchives@ pbvmsf.org & Help Preserve those Memories for Years to Come 2005 ~ LEED Certified Welcome Center is Completed In 1999, Sister Patricia Marie Mulpeters, PBVM became director of Center. Through observing and listening to the groups that visited the center she came to realize that it was a natural classroom for educating about the environment, the harm it is experiencing and the steps we are ethically called to take to preserve it. 1 Thus, when the time came to design a new welcome center and dining facility she ensured it was built in accordance to the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) standards set forth by the United States Green Building Council (USGBC). As such, the building, begun in 2003 and completed in 2005, was constructed of tightly baled straw in a passive solar orientation design with photovoltaic panels that convert the sun s rays to electricity, solar thermal panels that transfer heat to pipes under the structure s cement floor, roof insulation composed of recycled newspapers, interior wall insulation made from old blue jeans, counters made from recycled metal, plastic and wood, countertops made from sunflower seeds, and a living roof. It has served as an example of green living ever since. 1 Quote from the article Center to Build Innovative Green Building to Protect, Enhance Environment by Roberta Ward that appeared in The Valley Catholic, Vol. 21, No. 5 on March 18, ~ Closing Mass & Reception In spring 2017 the difficult decision to close Center was made. After the last scheduled retreat was concluded, fittingly by the Junior Statesmen of America chapter founded by Prof Ernest Rogers, the Center was officially closed on June 30th. Then on July 9, 2017 Sisters, former sisters, family and friends gathered for a final mass and reception to say goodbye and celebrate the legacy of this amazing ministry. May it soon be honored by and create new memories for new owners.

Roberta Connolly, PBVM in 1968 who so touchingly recounts the Center s

9 Page 9 JULY/AUGUST 2017 As a final tribute I leave you with this poem originally written by Sister M. Roberta Connolly, PBVM in 1968 who so touchingly recounts the Center s history and wishes brightly for its future. Above: Sister M. Roberta Connolly, PBVM in the courtyard at Center

THE SKANEATELES HISTORICAL SOCIETY NEWSLETTER

The Museum at The Creamery THE SKANEATELES HISTORICAL SOCIETY NEWSLETTER Jan-Feb 2012 Vol. 27, No. 1 Laurie Winship, Editor ANNUAL MEMBERSHIP RENEWALS ARE DUE! JANUARY PROGRAM Railroads SEE PAGE FIVE In