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COMMUNITY
August 22, 2017 | The Valley Catholic
Presentation Center Holds Final Mass Before Closing
Bishop Patrick J. McGrath celebrated
a Mass of Thanksgiving in early July
before friends, family, religious and
the faithful before Presentation Center
closed its doors for good.
A ministry of the Sisters of the Pre-
sentation, the Center served the faithful
for more than 60 years in the hills of
Los Gatos.
“In the beautiful surroundings of
Presentation Center, we have experi-
enced God’s presence whether through
novitiate days, retreat and vacation
times, collaborative dialogue with
diverse planning groups, or meeting
friends and family,” said Sister Michele
Anne Murphy, PBVM, President of
the Sisters of the Presentation, during
the Mass. “This place is indeed holy
ground where the Sisters and guests
have been welcomed and spent time
of renewal through the hospitality
extended by the staff , the quiet nurtur-
ing of their bodies and souls aff orded
by the natural setting, and enriching
experience of new relationships in a
Friends, family, religious and associates gather before the fi nal Mass of Thanksgiving at the
Presentation Center in Los Gatos.
variety of ways.”
The Bishop said the closing of the
Center was of those decisions that just
had to be made. It holds a special place
in the history of the Diocese of San Jose.
“It is here that the First Bishop of San
Jose (Pierre DuMaine) would come to
get away, to clear his head from all of
the demands, do a few laps in the pool
and return to the valley refreshed, ener-
gized and ready for more,” said Bishop
McGrath, the Diocese’s second Bishop,
during his homily. “How many schools
considered the Center as their ‘home
away from home’ for retreats, work-
shops and days of prayer? Over the
years, just knowing that “Pres Center”
was here off ered a healthy counterpoint
to life in the ‘rat race’ below. And so, we
have come full-circle: those who served
as guides to others seeking the rest of
the Lord are themselves in need of this
very same rest and acceptance of their
limits, and so deserving the peace that
the Lord alone gives.”
The Bishop continued, “But all of
us who know these women are fully
aware that they will not set down the
charism given to them by Nano Nagle
to leave the lamp burning. Surely, they
will do it in new and creative ways, as
the Sisters of the Presentation of the
Blessed Virgin Mary have done from
the moment of their founding.”
Sister Michele Ann said the prop-
erty was being prepared for sale.
“While necessary at this time in his-
tory, closing this important ministry
has not been an easy decision for us. In
the future, we hope that the legacy of
Presentation Center as a Catholic spiri-
tuality center in the Santa Clara Valley,
will provide inspiration for others to
explore, in new ways, opportunities to
continue to nourish and deepen spiri-
tual growth,” she said.
Presentation Sister Rosemary McKean Honored
for Helping Students Who Simply Learn Differently
Saint Christopher’s staff enjoying a light mo-
ment. They are from left to right: Cindy Gibson,
Roberta Gamble giving a hug to Sister Rose-
mary McKean, Sister Mary Catherine King,
Marcie Spano (face not visible), and Terr Alger.
Sister Rosemary McKean, PBVM,
was recognized for her more than
thirty years of service to Saint Chris-
topher Catholic School and Parish in
San Jose. Sister Rosemary established
The Special Needs Program at the
school many years ago. The Special
Needs Program supports students
who simply learn diff erently. Count-
less graduates attribute Sister Rose-
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mary’s trained skill and kind heart
to their success in the large classes
at St. Christopher, their promotion
to Catholic high schools, and their
proficiency in fine colleges across
the country. Indeed, Sister Rosemary
touched many lives!
This Summer, Saint Christopher
planned to transform the outdated
computer lab into a center for special-
ized support and small group instruc-
tion. God willing, the Sister Rosemary
McKean Learning Lab will open its
doors in 2017 to support the vast array
of students who require extra help,
response to intervention, and leveled
break-out groups.
Sister Rosemary retired in June
and moved to the Motherhouse in
San Francisco.