Since 2010, community life director Clare Pratt, RSCJ, has been the backbone of the Oakwood Community in Atherton, California. Oakwood is one of the Society of the Sacred Heart’s eldercare communities.
On March 1, Sister Pratt stepped down as community life director and Sally Rude, RSCJ, took the reins!
After nine plus years as the community life director at Oakwood, Sister Pratt was celebrated with great love and gratitude by the RSCJ, administration, staff and the broader community – from bishops to preschoolers, all who have been so welcome at Oakwood. They will miss her dearly and sent her off with a special blessing.
As the community life director, Sister Pratt’s responsibilities included building community among our sisters and the larger Sacred Heart family. Using her many gifts, including song, affection and humor, Sister Pratt accompanied our sisters in their life and death journeys.
After leaving Oakwood, Sister Pratt will move to Washington, D.C., where she’ll begin her next ministry doing peace and justice work. Sally Rude, RSCJ, returns home to California where she spent many of her growing up years, and begins her new ministry as community life director at Oakwood.
Sister Rude has served many years in the U.S. and in various provinces around the world, which have given her a broad vision as an educator, administrator and good friend, which she brings into her new role along with many other gifts.
The Oakwood community along with Provincial Sheila Hammond, RSCJ, commissioned and blessed Sister Rude in her welcoming ceremony on March 17.
Blessings upon Sisters Pratt and Rude!