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.

Mardi Gras Fun at Waterdown

Celebrating Mardi Gras with a French flair brought some scenes of New Orleans to our Waterdown lounge last Tuesday. Sisters were treated to a special King cake our Kim had baked. King cake is a New Orleans tradition!

Digging into Earth, Finding Stones

In these later years I have been looking forward to Lent, probably because it signals the sure coming of Spring. Even though Winter has retained its hold on the thermostat, there is something new in the air, so that gardeners have begun thinking of digging into rain-soaked earth to encourage new life!

How Did I Get to 100? The Gift of Transitions!

"What have you done to get to be 100?" That is a difficult question to which I have been asked to respond. I've always approached transitions with a sense of excitement and openness to what awaited me, whether in the country or a big city, at a 3-room or normal-sized school, in teaching younger students or adults.

We Need Hope!

Sisters, Associates, Colleagues and Friends: Please join us for an online contemplative morning of reflecting and sharing about hope through our personal stories. It will be a time to encourage one another and to discover hope-filled ways to address the challenging needs of our time.

A Leap Year Birthday

The end of the month of February ushered us into celebrating our own "Leap Year Baby" at Ozanam! Sister Dorothy Mary Leising was born February 29, 1924. What a joy to celebrate 101!

Quotes to Reflect On

Our Sisters shared such inspiring Lenten reflections in 2024 that we decided to publish excerpts from them for Ash Wednesday this year. Each one offers a rich opportunity for reflection.

The Valentine's Day that Wasn't

Valentine's Day, also called the Feast of Saint Valentine, originated as a Christian feast day honoring the martyr named Saint Valentine. Here at SSND Waterdown, it holds another meaning as well. It's the anniversary of the opening of our beautiful building and the beginning of the Canadian Province!

Will You Be My Valentine?

Ozanam Sisters enjoyed a wonderful Valentine party with treats, community and fun. It began with a prayer led by Sister Cathy Feeney, SSND. The Sisters responded joyfully to the questions she posed for Jesus.

Valentine's Day at Stella Maris

Stella Maris Sisters gathered for a special luncheon treat on Valentine's Day. The table was decorated with hearts and flowers. Some of the Sisters wore themed tiaras. Students from Notre Dame Preparatory School had made a card for each Sister. The cards reflected a part of each Sister’s life!

Sister Mary Enjoys Valentine Visit!

On February 12, Lauren Cook and her daughter, Harlow, paid Sister Mary Juarez an early Valentine's visit. Lauren is the Wellness Nurse for our Chicago-area Sisters. Harlow is almost 5, and Sister Mary is nearly 100, both enjoyed the visit! Sister Mary will turn 102 on March 25!

Sister Carole Shinnick, SSND - New Sponsor Council Member

I am a product of 12 years of education by the School Sisters of Notre Dame, as was my mother before me. Some of my teachers had been my mother’s teachers, which had its own challenges. My music teacher never tested me for voice and said I was an alto because my mother had been. Years later I found out I was a soprano after trying to sing low for much of my non-illustrious music career.

A Waterdown Party for Sisters Delia & Maureen

At last, we were over Covid. We could gather again and we had plans. We were going to celebrate Sisters Maureen McGoey and Delia Calis as they ended their term of leadership at SSND Waterdown!

Assembly Inspires Hope

The sincerity and hard work of the Assembly Sisters and all who made it possible was so evident, especially as they grappled with our responses to The Call and Acts of the 25th General Chapter, and the 5 Focus Area Commitments.

SSND Taught Venerable Augustus Tolton!

As we continue our efforts to support the canonization of the “Saintly Six” - who we pray will become the first African Americans to be canonized - it is interesting to recall our deep SSND connection to one of them - Venerable Augustus Tolton.

New Sponsor Council Chair Reflects

Last summer, AM-SSND created a Sponsor Council to better nurture, support, and sustain the mission of our sponsored and cosponsored ministries. Sponsor Council Chair, Sister Delia Dowling, SSND, shares some thoughts about her new position.

Former SSND Sister Mary Louise Reminisces

Growing up, I was blessed with SSNDs throughout my education at St. John’s in Frederick, MD, including Sisters Cora Lee Middleton, Cathy Arata, Mother Maurice, Maura Eichner and many others who left a lasting impact.

Sister Cabrini Celebrates 104!

Chicago's Resurrection Life Center hosted an extra-special birthday party Sunday, Jan. 19, for Sister Cabrini Ganz. Now 104, she is one of the oldest Sisters in our Province! The place was full of Sisters, friends, and family, many of whom shared stories from Sister Cabrini's life.

See Who Wore Blue!

If you saw people wearing blue last Saturday, they may have been participating in U.S. National Human Trafficking Awareness Day ("Wear Blue Day"). Some SSNDs, shown below, posed for a photo to show their own blue attire to support this important cause!

A REfreshing Moment by Sister Frankie Dutil csj

Traveling Through 2025 With the Magi

Who among us has never asked, “Where is our God?” Was this the nagging question that impelled the Magi to travel beyond their comfort zones in search of a human king, God’s own, whose reign would, once and for all, bring peace and justice to the world?

Kate’s Krafts for Karoline House

Throughout the year, Sister Kate Kinnally, creates amazing crafts and sells them at the Craft Fair at her residence at The Watermark. When she heard that Caroline House needed 6 White Boards for the classrooms, her goal was to raise that amount to make it happen.