On October 28, 2018 the City of Rochester, Office of the Mayor proclaimed it to be School Sisters of Notre Dame Day. Sister Lorraine Burns described the historic event, "The spirit that permeated Sacred Heart Cathedral in Rochester, N.Y. on Sunday was one of joy and gratitude as School Sisters, family, friends, clergy and other women religious gathered to pay tribute to Blessed Mother Theresa Gerhardinger and Sister Caroline Friess and the early School Sisters of Notre Dame on 185th anniversary of the foundation of the congregation, and the ministering to the German immigrants of Western New York since 1849".
A special occasion for celebrating 165 years of sisters’ ministering in the Diocese of Rochester, a tree was planted and a plaque erected in the cemetery where SSND sisters are buried. Side by side, sisters have worked, prayed, and played with other religious congregations of women, especially the Sisters of Mercy and the Sisters of St. Joseph. We continue to partner with them in building up the Kingdom of God in the Diocese of Rochester. For all that has been, we give thanks....for all that will be, we also give thanks!"
Please click here to view a news clip of the event and here to view the Proclamation .
185th SSND Celebration and Story from SSND Atlantic Midwest on Vimeo.
