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!

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...

A Composite of Heartfelt Thank Yous to Sisters

As immigrants, we left our native land to come here. We were scared to live in our old country, and maybe just as frightened to come to this one, with all its new ways of living.

Pilgrimage of Hope: A Journey of Reflection, Responsibility, and Hope

During the Season of Creation, at the invitation of the province JPIC Pilgrimage of Hope Committee, our School Sisters of Notre Dame, Waterdown, hosted a deeply reflective and inspiring program centered on the theme Peace with Creation. Sisters and Associates gathered to explore their connection with nature, deepen their understanding of ecological responsibility, and reflect on the spiritual call to care for the Earth.

Looking at God in New and Grace-Filled Ways

Early on in the retreat the question: “Why did God make you?’ received a strong chorus answer right out of our Baltimore Catechism days. “Wrong!” Honora said as she quoted Fr. Charlie Mulholand’s homily, “God made me so that God could know me, love me and be happy with me in this life and in the next.”

New Ministry Leads to New Friends

Nine years ago, I finished my ministry as a Director of Religious Education and pondered what was next in my life. I discovered an organization that welcomes immigrants and introduces them to their new homes and lives. Now I join other volunteers and visit immigrant families each week.

My Graced Adventure of Aging

Over the years, I was asked or offered to move into all sorts of unfamiliar ministerial situations. Having lots of physical and imaginative creative energy, I was quick to respond and act - to do anything, go anywhere. I inherited the spirit of my parents who emigrated from Germany for the adventure of America. The adventurous spirit in all the Theresa and Caroline stories helped to attract me to SSND. My life in SSND has always felt adventurous.

Canadian Sisters Share Personal Prayer Practices

In winding up our series on community prayer practices, we share some final thoughts from Sisters Rose Mary Sanders, Barbara Paleczny, and Celeste Reinhard.

Teaching Math for Deep Understanding in Haiti

Teachers in Haiti are gaining new tools and support to strengthen math instruction, thanks to the leadership of Sister Sharon Slear, SSND, and the expertise of Lisa Pallett, Associate Professor of Elementary Mathematics Education at Notre Dame of Maryland University.

"Mother Abbess": Embodiment of Hope

“Mother Abbess” was the title affectionately given to Sister Alice Donnelly by our young, new SSND member, Sister Rebecca Tayag. Rebecca may have called her "Mother," but she really did have ideal motherly qualities. She was generous, gentle, and caring. She made sure we had fresh fruit to eat, to maintain physical health as well as healthy minds and spirits. She was visionary, determined, and fun.

Continued