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.

Human Trafficking: Making A Difference

Combating Human Trafficking occupied several hours of time for SSNDs and other residents at 3030 Park in Bridgeport, CT, recently. We attached the labels to the soap and packed up many boxes for delivery to hotels located near large sporting events, such as the Super Bowl and World Series.

Be Not Afraid!

Our August board in Bridgeport shares this message from Matthew 14:27: Courage! It is I! Be not afraid. We have had moments like this in our own lives - perhaps even at this moment. Do you need courage now?

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!

Who is Mary to the School Sisters of Notre Dame?

"Devotion to Mary has many expressions in the heritage of the School Sisters of Notre Dame." So begins a section on the Blessed Mother housed on the SSND Sturdy Roots website. From artwork to reflections, the SSNDs explore the question of Mary in many moving and thoughtful ways on the site created and curated by Sister Judy Best, SSND.

Baby Noona Visits Marian Village

Marian Village SSND nurse, Lauren Cook, gave birth to a beautiful little girl recently. Lauren brought Noona to meet the Sisters at Marian Village in Homer Glen, IL, and many of them enjoyed holding her.

Sister Virginia Brien, Sojourner

On July 30, 2025, the Sisters at Villa Assumpta celebrated 100 years of life, faith and endurance as we celebrated Sister Virginia Brien's 100th birthday. We reflected on the amazing treasure of Sister Virginia’s life.

Celebrating 150 Years with the Felician Sisters

Four SSNDs from Waterdown joined the Felician Sisters to celebrate their 150 years in North America on Sunday, July 20, 2025. Here at Waterdown, we also celebrated the Felician Anniversary with Sisters Joanne Baradziej, CSSF, and Blaise Podruczny, CSSF, during our morning Mass and, later that afternoon, with an anniversary tea.

Sisters Celebrate 178th Anniversary

On July 31st, the SSND community at 3030 Park celebrated the 178th Anniversary of SSND coming to America in 1847. We enjoyed reflections, petitions, and a rousing sing-along to Neil Diamond’s Coming to America. A large sailboat and scrapbook with photos and articles about our 1997 Battery Park celebration added to the joy and memories around this special day!

A Delicious Delight!

On July 27, we enjoyed a very special gift from our extraordinary friends, Laura and Jay Swartz. Laura and Jay attend Mass with the Sisters at Villa Assumpta on many Sundays, and decided to treat us to brunch at the Country Club of Maryland!

A Day at Ontario's Lake Marie

Lake Marie, located in Elora, Ontario, Canada, is a quiet and secluded retreat for the AMSSND Sisters to escape the city and relax. Once a month, our Waterdown LEAD Team drives a group of Sisters who may not wish to drive up on their own. We stay for the day.

Scrapbook Honors Final Year of Service

Sister Patricia McCarron, SSND, earned many celebratory honors throughout her final months as our school’s ninth Head of School, a position she held for 20 years. Enjoy a scrapbook of memories created in celebration of her tireless service!

Journey of Encounter - Synodality in Action

135 people travelled from every province in Canada to attend Journey of Encounter, a synodal processes training event, at St. Jerome’s University, Waterloo, June 15-18. It was truly a pilgrimage of hope.

A Summer Birds Lament

We recently published a story on Chicago's Crosstown Rivalry, with Sisters divided between the Windy City's Cubs and White Sox. Today's story comes from Sister Paulette, who only has eyes for her Birds, even this year ... a year to rival any Cub fan's heartbreak. Here's her lament!

Sister Shirley Celebrates 60th Jubilee in Chicago

To celebrate her 60th Jubilee, Sister Shirley Stockus chose to celebrate in a unique way. Instead of one large celebration, Sister Shirley opted for a few smaller gatherings. At all the events, the Sisters shared prayer, refreshments, lively conversations, and laughter. Blessings and prayers from all of us to you on your Jubilee year, Shirley!

SSND Speaks Out

SSND Sisters, Associates, friends and colleagues gathered with Sisters from 60 congregations from across the United States on June 24 to urge lawmakers not to cut critical government programs. The Sisters Speak Out Prayer and Public Witness Gathering was held at the U.S. Capitol, and approximately 40 "echo events" were held across the country. (Catholic News Agency)

Sister Mary Jeanne Davidson Shares Ministry Memories

Early in her time at Peace River, Sister Mary Jeanne heard the story of Elder Kelly Running Wolf. He and his sister had suffered abuse at the hands of a religious priest at a Catholic residential school. Sister Mary Jeanne was deeply moved by his story and wrote to him expressing her sorrow and to ask forgiveness on behalf of the Catholic Church for the harm that he and his sister had suffered.

Brother Ken Shares Stories of Hope and Healing

On Friday, 21st June 2025, the School Sisters of Notre Dame welcomed Brother Ken, a Holy Cross Brother from Ghana, for a heartfelt and inspiring talk. His testimony, drawn from years of working with people affected by leprosy, left a profound impact on the community. Brother Ken spoke openly about the harsh realities of life and ministry in Ghana. He described the deep stigma still surrounding leprosy—how those suffering are often marginalized, feared, and forgotten.

Sister Henrice Celebrates 102!

Sister Henrice Eckert, SSND, celebrated her 102nd birthday Monday, June 23, 2025, with help from her good friend, Sister Carole Tabano, SSND. Everyone got in on her special day! The Provincial Council sent flowers, balloons, and a joyful message. More flowers, balloons, blessings and well wishes poured in from the residents and staff of Family Caring in New Jersey.

Laureate College Honors Sisters

Last week we Sisters at SSND-Waterdown attended an appreciation event presented by the students of Laureate College. They displayed some of their gifts and talents in music, singing, and dance following coffee and cake together.

"The Best of the Best"

After 45 years of service, Sister Irene Pryle, SSND, has retired from her ministry as principal of Our Lady of Hope/St. Luke School in Dundalk, MD. Sister Irene will cherish her school memories, along with the honor she earned from Pope Francis in 2023, when she received the Cross Pro Ecclesia et Pontifice.

Father Benedict Ayodi visits Ozanam

We enjoyed an exciting day last week when Father Benedict Ayodi, OFM Cap, visited us. He shared some thoughts on the significance and importance of the Jubilee Year, 2025. One of the highlights was when he taught us a simple "Thank You" song in English and Swahili.

Beach Balls and Bubbles at Stella Maris

Sisters at Stella Maris enjoyed a summer deck party recently, courtesy Sister Missy Gugerty's sister, Carolyn Gugerty Hrdlick! Carolyn, an NDP alumna and nurse, owns a business that assists elders in their homes. Through an internship program promoted by NDP to help students explore different career paths, Carolyn brought three NDP students who are interested in becoming nurses to visit our Sisters for an afternoon.

A Regal Day at Waterdown

Victoria Day in Canada is a public, national holiday in honour of Queen Victoria, the longest-running queen who celebrated her birthday on May 24. The national holiday is also known as May Two-Four, May Long, and May Long Weekend. It falls on the Monday preceding May 24, giving many a 3-day weekend.

Freeing Butterflies at the Royal Botanical Gardens

A group from SSND Waterdown enjoyed a trip to the Royal Botanical Gardens on May 20 in Hamilton, Ontario. We visited the beautiful Lilac Dell. It was a real treat for all the senses with the amazing smell and variety of colours of lilacs everywhere

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