Our Sisters

School Sisters of Notre Dame continue to live the vision of Foundress Blessed Theresa Gerhardinger in a variety of ways. Below our Sisters share stories of their work and ministry.

How SSND Communities Practice Communal Prayer

School Sisters of the Atlantic-Midwest Province live across North America and in England, forming small communities with one another where they live. The question of how these small communities practice communal prayer was posed by Sister Marlene Panko, SSND, Chicago, in the weekly newsletter. We will post their answers as the Sisters reply!

Leaving Villa Assumpta for a "Good Place"

I scrubbed those floors at Villa Assumpta. I brought mattresses up. I watched the chapel being built. Villa Assumpta was home...

A Chicago Treasure

Recently, Chicago-area Sisters celebrated the decades of love and care shown by alumna Marge Carroll toward our congregation. Margaret Carroll, Academy of Our Lady (AOL) graduate of 1954, served as Moderator/President of the AOL Alumnae Association from 1970 to 2025, when all records were sent to the SSND Archives in Milwaukee.

Installation of New Provincial Council

The Atlantic-Midwest Province of the School Sisters of Notre Dame have installed a new Provincial Leadership Council on December 8th, the feast of the Immaculate Conception, at the Stella Maris chapel in Lutherville-Timonium, Maryland. Reverand Joseph Muth presided. After previously serving as Councilor, Sister Nancy Gilchriest, SSND, now begins her ministry as Provincial Leader of the province.

Decorating Advent Wreaths in Waterdown

Sisters at SSND Waterdown recently created Advent wreaths to decorate their doors. We added ornaments, stars, holly and pictures of Jesus and Santa to our green cardboard wreaths. While the artwork turned out beautifully, our conversations were even better. We talked about Advent, and what it means to each of us.

Waiting for Santa

When I think of Advent, I have two childhood memories forever etched in my mind: Advent calendars and the countdown to Santa’s arrival.

In Solidarity with All

A few hundred Palestinians, Indigenous, Lebanese, Yemeni and other Canadians gathered at St. John’s Anglican Church Hall in Kitchener Oct. 4, 2025, for an Empty Plate Dinner. It was a fundraiser for the people in Gaza. There were two small bowls of Palestinian olives and water on each table. In solidarity, we had no other food.

A Place to Live Joyfully!

Stella Maris officially became "home" for many newly arrived Sisters on Nov. 7 during a Blessing of the Floor and Bedrooms event hosted by leadership teams from Stella Maris and Mercy Health System.

Saint Saviour Celebrates SSND Foundation Day

Father John Cush celebrated SSND Foundation Day at Saint Saviour High School*, Brooklyn, NY, with a joyous Mass on Oct. 24. The opening song, We’ve Come This Far By Faith, was sung by the gospel choir. The joy on the girls' faces as they sang renewed my sense of faith and mission, especially at this time of the world we live in. We ended Mass with the song, Let There Be Peace.

Celebrating Thanksgiving November 2025

As we celebrate the American holiday of Thanksgiving, some School Sisters of Notre Dame share their reflections on gratitude. Enjoy!

Sister Rosemary Howarth and Vu Display Colouring Sheet

SSND Waterdown Brings Artistic Vision to Life

Hamilton artist Vu Ngo, the founder of StoryPOP, came to speak to us about his vision to transform everyday spaces into living stories of resilience and hope. While listening, the Sisters realized Vu's vision fit perfectly into their charism.

Tipping Point Reached

Niigaan Sinclair, a Canadian Indigenous leader, notes that this year, 14 million people – a third of Canada’s population - wore the indigenous orange shirts, walked publicly and celebrated together on Sept. 30, the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation.

Marion House Hosts 17th Annual Race

Marian House welcomed more than 400 participants—both in-person and online—for the 17th Annual Race to Embrace Independence. The event raised over $34,000 toward its $50,000 goal, supporting Marian House’s mission to empower women on their journeys to recovery and independence!

Call to Worship for Jubilarians of 3030

Jubliarians at 3030 Park, Bridgeport, CT, enjoyed a festive celebration on Oct. 25 with Sisters, family, and friends in attendance. Together, we rejoiced in the treasure that our Jubilarians are to SSND. We began our liturgy by praising God for all of them in our opening hymn, Be Exalted!

Our Lives are Bound Together!

Pictures and words of Blessed Theresa and Mother Caroline grace our November board at 3030 Park. We also honor 10 of our dear Sisters whose lives and deaths, from 11/2024 to 11/2025, were celebrated here and at St. Andrew’s Church in Bridgeport, with burial at St. Mary’s Cemetery, Bethel.

Sister Dominica Visits Chicago Area

Sisters at Marian Village enjoyed a visit with Sister Dominica on Oct. 27. She shared many stories from her ministries, including some from her time in Berlin after the wall came down and others from her time in South Sudan.

A Beautiful Outing in Waterdown

We here at SSND took full advantage of the fall beauty with a trip to the Mum Show at a local greenhouse in Hamilton, ON. The theme changes every year, and this year’s theme was “under the sea.”

Ozanam Celebrates 2025 Jubilees and Birthdays

On Tuesday, Oct. 28, 2025, three SSNDs at Ozanam Hall celebrated their 70th Jubilees: Henrita Frost, Mary Laurellen Nixon, and Rosemary Spodnik. Dorothy Leising celebrated her seventy-fifth jubilee in heaven. The jubilarians wore sashes to designate the big day!

5,000 Miles of Joy

I could hardly believe the red light that flashed "Maintenance Required" on my dashboard. There was no way I had put 5,000 miles on the car since my last oil change in June. It was only September! How could this be?

A Canadian Pilgrimage of Trust & Belonging

On Thanksgiving weekend, 12 residents and six of us volunteers from A Better Tent City in Kitchener, Ontario, ventured on a two-hour bus 'pilgrimage' of sorts to Niagara Falls, Ontario. We went down to the Niagara River for an exciting ride on the Maid of the Mist!

Alzheimer’s Walk at Stella Maris on October 16th

On a chilly but pretty day in October, the Sisters at Stella Maris participated in the 4th Annual Walk to end Alzheimer’s Disease. Wrapped in colorful Afghans, sweaters, blankets and hats, we held flowers and signs to cheer on the walkers. It was a delightful outdoor event!

Seminarians Visit Ozanam

A group of Seminarians from St. Joseph Diocesan Seminary, Yonkers, NY, surprised us with a visit on our floor at Ozanam recently. Their presence was such a joy to our Sisters and residents, as conversation and laughter flowed. It was a short visit but sweet! The seminarians told me they will be coming every Wednesday afternoon!

Sisters Thank VA Staff

Among all the challenges of moving to Stella Maris is having to say goodbye to most of our beloved staff members. We held a ritual in the Assembly Room on Sept. 29 to thank them for their service. The room was packed with Sisters, the Provincial Council, and staff members.

Letting Go: Sisters Share Thoughts

Villa Assumpta has been all bustle and commotion lately, with our Sisters packing and preparing for their move to Stella Maris. Recently, I asked four Sisters how they are feeling about their move...

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