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Press Release

We celebrate with overwhelming joy that God sent us Cardinal Robert F. Prevost, now Pope Leo XIV, to be the 267th pope.

Photo Headshot
Lauren Cook, SSND Nurse at Marian Village in Homer Glen, IL

By Lauren Cook

National news repeatedly depicts arrests, detentions and deportations of immigrants, refugees and asylum seekers in various parts of the U.S. Activities of ICE (U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement) include making arrests without any due process or judicial warrant. ICE has even arrested US citizens, leading to numerous court motions to halt those activities.
There is so much fear and anxiety and confusion in the hearts of our immigrant sisters and brothers these days. Let each of us do what we can to ease their burden. Remember Jesus’ words “WHATEVER you do to one of your brothers or sisters, YOU DO TO ME!”
On Thursday, April 10, the School Sisters of Notre Dame held a Women's Leadership Luncheon in the Chicago suburb of Elmhurst. The luncheon topic was the Nun Study. Dr. Margaret Flanagan gave the keynote address can discussed the methodology used in the study, the key findings, and the future directions determined as a result.
Across all regions, we’re seeing more people arrive on Lagonav from the mainland, trying to escape the violence. Cost of living is rising. Fear is everywhere. And yet, we are still making progress. It just takes more—more strength, more resolve, more resources.
SSND Waterdown LEAD has been blessed with many volunteers over the years. Some, who want to be part of our faith-based environment, are from the local community. Some are friends of our sisters. Most recently, we've been doubly blessed to have Associate-Volunteers!
Sisters at Stella Maris helped Sister Kathleen Engers celebrate a special milestone last week. Friends and family joined the party for the new centenarian, which was filled with balloons, flowers, and treats.
The Investor Advocates For Social Justice (IASJ), of which SSND is an affiliate, and United Church Funds (UCF) reached an agreement with JPMorgan Chase Bank in advancing Indigenous Peoples rights in the financial sector. The School Sisters of Notre Dame Collective Investment Fund (CIF) was one of the co-filers of the shareholder resolution about this topic.
Wikipedia - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pope_Francis
It is with great sadness that we, School Sisters of Notre Dame of the Atlantic-Midwest Province, join with the global community to mourn the passing of our dear Holy Father, Pope Francis. Our hearts are filled with gratitude for the gift of his life and pontificate.
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I've offered this prayer to and for family, friends, and community members at Easter, as seems fitting. I've also offered it at other times, when a special uplifting of strength and resolution are called for. Because Resurrection power is real.
Sister Joan Pikiell has been appointed the new SSND representative to the United Nations, effective September 1, 2025. She begins her 6-year term of service as Sister Beatriz Eugenia Martines-Garcia, SSND-CP, completes her time as the congregation’s representative.
In the words of NDMU President Marylou Yam, PhD, “The WOW Festival is more than a celebration - it is an opportunity to connect with extraordinary changemakers, innovators, and visionaries who inspire us to transform ideas into lasting impact.”
On April 8th, 2025, Middle Level students from Notre Dame Preparatory School came to visit the Sisters on 2 south. The morning was filled with great enthusiasm and laughter.
By Sister Joan Pikiell, SSND "Joy" and "Lent" are not words you often hear together. Their pairing might seem as mismatched as peanut butter and mayonnaise! Yet, this Lent has brought me three profound moments of joy.
The Ozanam community helped Sister Mary Teresia Spodnik celebrate 105 years recently! In solidarity, our Ozanam community prayed and celebrated with her. We all thank the good Lord for the wonderful gift of Teresia Spodnik!
The SSND Annual Leadership Meeting was held February 7-8 at Villa Assumpta, Baltimore. Attendees included Chief Administrators, board chairs, selected other ministry leaders and Sisters serving on boards. The new Sponsor Council joined the meeting as well. In his keynote, Dan Horan looks at ‘Catholicity’ from the angles of Theology, Spirituality and Action, and engages You Are Sent and the Call of the 25th General Chapter.
The Franciscan Action Network has compiled a resource containing information and sources that set the record straight and will hopefully help mitigate the damage caused by disinformation about immigrants.
Villa Assumpta Sisters in Mary Our Queen Community chose to study Social Justice and Liberation recently as part of our monthly Laudato Si' Solidarity Thursdays. We invited members of the Catholic Charities Safe Streets program to present.
Sr. Roxanne Schares, SSND, was recently named associate executive secretary of the International Union of Superiors General, or UISG, after serving as SSND general superior from 2018 to 2024.  Read the UISG interview.