Become an Associate

Hope: The Connecting Cord

Maryland Associates began their Nov. 8 retreat and Covenanting day with the inspirational words of Dr. Pat Fosarelli: “Endings, Beginnings and Everything In-Between: Hope is the Cord that Connects Them All.” This was also a special year for 4 Associates who celebrated a milestone anniversary: Lindsay Thompson and Peggy Russell - 35 years; Debra Franklin - 20 years; and Diane MacKenzie - 10 years!

Southern-Ontario Associates Covenant Celebration

On October 18, the Saturday after the Canadian Thanksgiving, 13 SSND Associates in Southern Ontario renewed their covenant, while Sybil Percy made her first covenant. We were delighted to be able to gather in person with the Sisters in Waterdown!

Chicago Pilgrimage of Hope

Earlier in the Fall, Sisters, Associates, and colleagues were invited to make a Pilgrimage of Hope during this Jubilee Year. It all began with Pope Francis’s invitation to encounter Christ in creation and restore our relationships with God, creation, and one another.

Hearing the Cry of the Earth and the Poor: ORCIE’s Mission to Ottawa

Just 10 days after Parliament resumed this September, members of the Office of Religious Congregations for Integral Ecology (ORCIE) were already knocking on doors on Parliament Hill, bringing faith-filled urgency to the climate conversation.

Chicago Area Associates Re-Covenant

Sisters, Associates and guests gathered at Marian Village for the annual Chicago-area recovenanting ceremony on September 21. This was a special day for associate Kathi Barth, who celebrated the 25th anniversary of her first covenant.

Associate Leaders Meet

The inaugural gathering of Associate area coordinators and directors from the Atlantic-Midwest and the Central Pacific Provinces occurred Sept. 18 via Zoom. The purpose was to provide mutual support, share successes and challenges, and enjoy fellowship.

Northeast Associates Celebrate First Covenants

On Saturday, October 4, 2025, Associates and Sisters from the Northeast area gathered at 3030 Park (Senior Living Hospitality) in Bridgeport, CT to celebrate the First Covenants of Helen Ramos and Larry Vitulano.

Nicholas Black Elk on the Road to Canonization

As we approach Indigenous People’s Day on October 13, you may wish to share the story of Black Elk with your community or family and offer his prayer: Great Spirit, Creating Love, we are made in Your image and likeness...

Difficult Conversations

On April 5, 2025, St. Mary’s Parish in Annapolis, MD, hosted the powerful workshop Having Difficult Conversations About Racism, organized by its Anti Racism Ministry. As a representative of SSND’s Dismantling Racism Committee, I participated in it as a follow-up to our committee’s panel discussion with alumni of the historic St. Mary’s Colored School in Bryantown, where the SSND served.

Annual Gathering Feeds Hope

The Annual Associate Gathering was held on the evening of Tuesday, June 10th and during the day on Wednesday, June 11th. It was all via Zoom, with several of the Central Pacific Associates and Sisters joining us. The Associate Area Coordinators chose “Pilgrims of Hope” as our theme for this year’s gathering.

Northeast Associates Meet for Prayer, Presentations, and a Fond Farewell

The Northeast Associates and Companion Sisters met on May 24, 2025 for their bimonthly meeting. It was a well-attended, lively meeting with many things happening! It began with a beautiful prayer service led by Associate Carol Jakab which was based on Our Lady Undoer of Knots, a popular Marian devotion, particularly in recent years thanks to the promotion by Pope Francis.

Happy Anniversary to Our Beloved Associates!

It is my delight and privilege to share with you the Atlantic-Midwest Province Associates who will be celebrating a milestone anniversary in 2025. We also invite new members, Associates, and colleagues to join us in proclaiming the good news in the spirit of our charism.

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!

How We Met

By Fortunata Barbara. Mary attended the Academy of Holy Angels, while I went to Madonna School, just across the street. She was involved in musicals and the Glee Club, while I played sports. After graduation, we lost touch, but now we enjoy reminiscing about the spirituality of SSND and their education that shaped us.

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.

Confronting Racial Inequities in the Catholic Church

Did you know that while there are 10 American Saints and 9 Americans who have been Beatified by the Vatican, none of them are Black? I only became aware of this three years ago when Associate Dolores Moore shared with the Dismantling Racism Committee that members of her parish, St. Anne’s in Baltimore, had come together to elevate awareness of six Black Americans whose lives exemplify holiness and virtue.

Meet Associate Daphne E. Queen

Two Professors at the University (Sister Sharon Kanis & Sister Eileen Eppig) taught these subjects so inspirationally. I became interested in the SSND Associates Program. I read about it so I pursued this awesome endeavor!

Meet Associate Pat Stortz

I’ve been an Associate since 1990 – so that will be 35 years this coming October. I became an Associate after I had first considered becoming an SSND Sister. I have greatly appreciated all the opportunities that the province has provided, especially in recent years, to encourage me to spiritual growth, to expand my understanding of key issues in the world and to respond/act as I am able.

Mary Anne O’Donnell, SSND Associate - New Sponsor Council Member

SSND Associate, Mary Anne O’Donnell, is the Council contact for SisterHouse and Coràzon a Coràzon in Chicago

Meet Our Associates!

Some SSND Associates submitted brief introductions for the January Provincial Assembly. We will share excerpts over the coming weeks!

Sisters Lucy Giacchetti, Lorrita Verhey, Julice Bots

Chicago Sisters and Associates Enjoy Holiday Gathering

By Associate Karen Didier

On Sunday, December 8th, about 20 Sisters and Associates gathered at Marian Village for a fun party.

Maryland First Covenanting and Re-Covenanting

On November 2 Maryland Associates engaged in a morning of reflection as Sister Sharon Kanis led us in the retreat “Reflecting On Our Commitments In Light Of The Call.” In an afternoon prayer service, we celebrated the first covenant of three women and the re-covenating of 26 Associates. A reception with Sisters and families followed the prayer service.

A Waterdown Covenanting Celebration

On October 19, 2024, a beautiful and sunny autumn day, Associates in Southwestern Ontario, Canada, gathered for their Expression of Covenant with the SSNDs at Waterdown. Enjoy these photos and a report by Christine Oats!

What Makes Us One: Face-to-Face and Heart-to-Heart Encounters

There are ample reasons to feel self-protective, guarded, and defended in our lives today, and an abundance of events and dynamics that trigger our fears and angers. How can we make the choice - again and again - to welcome the one we encounter as a fellow human?

Continued