Our Sisters

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.

Christmas Season 2024-2025

Several Chicago and Canadian SSNDs will share their Christmas memories and reflections here during this Christmas season. Enjoy!

Season of Gratitude

Four School Sisters of Notre Dame - one from Canada (where Thanksgiving fell on Oct. 11 this year) and three from the U.S. (where Thanksgiving will be celebrated on Nov. 28) - share their artwork and thoughts on 2024 Thanksgiving.

Stella Maris Ballet

On November 14th the Ballet Mobile came to Stella Maris for a performance in our auditorium. It was wonderful and the sisters enjoyed the performance and were given flowers. Thanks to Sr. Kathleen Boland and Janet Marsh for your help.

Retired Chicago Sisters "Let their Troubles Melt Away"

Two Sisters at Marian Village, in the Chicago Area, are wonderful examples. Lucy Giacchetti, 93 years old, and Julice Bots, 94 years old, have “let their troubles melt away.”

Halloween at Waterdown

As the 31st of October approached, signs appeared around 3rd Floor indicating that Halloween was coming soon. But the goblins, pumpkins, and witches did not reveal the future right away.

VA Sisters Enjoy Blue-Sky Day!

VA community leader Sister Marianne Roderick drove the VA bus to her brother David’s home in Walkersville, MD on Saturday, October 19, 2024. It was a warm blue-sky day where we were able to sit outside all day.

Halloween at Stella Maris

By Sister Rose Federici, SSND

The Sisters at Stella Maris had a wonderful Halloween!

We began our day with a prayer service. Then we played Candy Corn Bowling, Pin the Nose on the Pumpkin, and Halloween Poetry with Sr. Therese Feeley.

Our Canadian Thanksgiving

Our Sisters shared their gratitude to God for "our blessings and the support of Leadership”, for "all the beauty at this time of year”, for "an open heart!”, for “my memories”. The wreath shown here includes many other expressions of our gratitude!

Making Room for the Growth of Love: A Book Review

"White's chapter on love of enemies, Affection for Monsters, promotes the notion that Jesus asks us to move with affection toward those we abhor, rather than the standard response of either avoidance or attack, even verbally". ~ Deborah M. Cerullo SSND

Charlesgate Community Celebrates Hispanics

The SSND Charlesgate Community in Towson, MD, where 19 of us form a community, celebrated Hispanic Heritage Evening, linking it with the call to universal communion and interculturality from our General Chapter Call.

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