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.

Waterdown Volunteers "Just Like to Visit!"

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!

Sister Kathleen Joins 100-Year-Old Club!

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.

Women of the World Festival 2025

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.”

Easter Bonnets Bloom at Stella Maris!

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.

Sister Teresia Celebrates 105

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!

A Relaxing St. Pat's at Waterdown

St. Patrick’s Day is a day when everyone wants to be Irish, including the Sisters here at SSND Waterdown! We gathered together wearing our green for a good old Irish Kitchen Party. We enjoyed Irish Soda Bread, green beer, a wee shot of Bailey’s and refreshing green punch.

Sisters at Stella Maris celebrate St. Patrick's Day

On March 17th the sisters at Stella Maris celebrated St. Patrick’s Day. We began the day by listening to Irish music, enjoying cookies and drinking tasty green milkshakes. Afterwards, we watched Mass from St. Patrick’s Cathedral in New York City. Many thanks to our faithful volunteers who accompanied us to the auditorium to help us celebrate!

St Patrick's at Ozanam

We celebrated St. Patrick's in style this year! We began the day with an introductory prayer. Sister Cathy read a brief history of St. Patrick. Sisters were then invited to share what they knew about him. We had lots of fun and laughter!

Baltimore Celebrates World Day for Consecrated Life

Ten SSND Jubilarians attended the Archdiocese of Baltimore’s annual Mass celebrating the World Day for Consecrated Life this year. Together, our Sisters represented an astounding 665 years of dedicated service to God and God’s people!

Sipping and Painting at Waterdown

Recently, the Sisters at Waterdown enjoyed a relaxing Sip and Paint Day hosted by Lead Co-Coordinator Kim Beckett. They decided to paint a beautiful scenic view of a lake surrounded by mountains. Each Sister received her favorite sip and snacks before beginning to paint.

Promoting Safe Streets

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.

Meet the SSND Patronesses of Shalom

When World War II broke out across Europe, SSNDs responded with courage and faith to protect the people in their care. We know of 32 Sisters who went missing or died as a result. They are now our Patronesses of Shalom.

Waterdown Sisters Visit India

The Sisters enjoyed an armchair visit to India in February. The trip was Part I of two parts, hosted by LEAD aide Shilpa George. First, Shilpa guided the Sisters through Onam, a yearly special celebration in India. Seeing the food, dance and fun enjoyed was a joy for our Sisters! Thank you, Shilpa!

Stella Maris Sisters Celebrate Mardi Gras

On Tuesday, March 4th, Associates Mary Anne O’Donnell, Cathy Schoonover, Lisa Benson, and Madelyn Ball came to Stella Maris to celebrate Mardis Gras with us. It was a perfect Mardi Gras celebration. Many thanks to our new friends who provided us with a wonderful morning!

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!

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!

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!

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