My Sunday story was about the sisters of the Holy Names celebrating 125 years in Spokane. As a Marycliff High School girl, I was taught by the Franciscan Sisters of the Perpetual Adoration, but Marycliff and Holy Names girls knew each other well, usually because we dated Gonzaga Prep boys who knew each other, but also because we competed against each other in debate.

I came to know the Holy Names sisters better in my adulthood. They are smart, resilient women, highly educated.

They are aging. In Spokane, there are 60 Holy Names sisters left, ranging in age from 70 to 100. They will soon move from their landmark convent near SFCC to Harbor Crest retirement community.

They have given Spokane the gift of music and art. They deserve much gratitude and thanks as their ministry evolves with them.

(Photo of Holy Names Academy musicians, circa 1900; photo courtest of the Holy Names sisters)

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