Catholic Diocese of Spokane, Washington

From the

Official News Magazine of the Diocese of Spokane

(From the Jan. 18, 2007 edition of the Inland Register)

SNJM 2007 Award recipients: Catherine Crosby Ferguson, Gordon Ruehl, and Holy Names Sister Paula Mary Turnbull. (IR photo from the Sisters of the Holy Names)

The Sisters of the Holy Names of Jesus and Mary presented their annual awards as they celebrated the blessing of the redesigned altar in the newly renovated chapel at Convent of the Holy Names, Spokane.

Architect Gordon Ruehl received the Holy Names Award in honor of his work on the original design of Convent of the Holy Names in 1967 and for his integral part in the current renovation. The Holy Names Award is given to a civic and/or church leader/s, who inspires others, strongly believes in the mission of the Holy Names Sisters and the power of education, and who promotes justice. 

Also honored during the morning Mass was alumna Catherine Crosby Ferguson, who received the Marie-Rose Award.

Crosby has taught for 50 years in Spokane, Seattle, and Richland, with a special dedication to the struggling student. She and her husband, Bob, are long-time friends of the Sisters and made possible the chapel renovation in memory of Bob’s sister, Holy Names Sister Evelyn Ferguson, and in honor of Catherine’s sister, Holy Names Sister Dolores Crosby.

The Marie-Rose Award is presented to a Holy Names alumna who “captures the spirit and charism of Blessed Marie-Rose,” foundress of the Holy Names Sisters. The honored alumna “is committed to fostering the values of Marie-Rose: education in faith, full development of the human person, and promotion of justice. She is a Gospel woman who acts justly, loves tenderly, and walks humbly with her God.” 

The third award, the Eulalie Award, was presented to Holy Names Sister Paula Mary Turn-bull, for her many artistic contributions to the Sisters, especially the art she created for the chapel, including brick Stations of the Cross, new tabernacle, new altar, and a copper and brass sculpture suspended above the altar.

Sister Paula Mary has made significant contributions for over 60 years not only to the Holy Names community but nationally, as a teacher and artist.

The Eulalie Award honors a Holy Names Sister who embodies the spirit of Blessed Marie-Rose and espouses her dream for the Holy Names charism. Through her commitment and service in internal ministry, she promotes the well-being of the Holy Names community and empowers its ministries. Her singular devotion reflects her deep faith and vision for the future of the Community – a Sister “who believes in tomorrow.”

Making the presentation was Holy Names Sister Shirley Roberg, a member of the Leadership Team for the U.S.-Ontario Province. Father James Kuhns of the Spokane Diocese celebrated Mass.