Become an Associate

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?

Thoughts on Native American Heritage Month

I can’t grieve for Russia’s attack on Ukraine, I can’t be horrified by the Nazi Holocaust and not acknowledge that this country I call “mine” is built on, exists because of, actions every bit as repellant.

Chicago Celebrates First Covenant

On Sunday, September 15, Chicago-area Sisters and Associates gathered at Marian Village for a simple but beautiful Covenanting ceremony. The community celebrated the First Covenant of Sheila Broderick, and the Recovenanting of six Chicago-area Associates.

SSND Community Gathers for Covenanting

On Saturday, September 28, Associates from the New Jersey and Connecticut area gathered at The Watermark in Bridgeport, Connecticut, to celebrate the first covenant of Carol Jakab and to renew their own covenants.

Associates Innovate Program for Underrepresented Kids

Education in the spirit of Blessed Theresa, focused on human development and environmental sustainability, is critical for the transformation of our world. (Acts of the 25th General Chapter)

Visiting Our Japanese Sisters

I was fortunate to spend four days with our sisters in Kyoto, Japan, en route to the Shalom International Meeting in Guam, July 22-27. There are 47 Sisters and 15 Associates in the country. Generously, the Sisters introduced me to the Japanese culture and to their delicious food. We visited some Japanese heritage sites and participated in a green tea ceremony.

Connecticut Associate Celebrates 25 Years!

During my years as an SSND Associate, I have met and talked with many of the SSND Sisters through the years. I have enjoyed many encounters with the SSND Sisters, sharing my life stories and hearing their life stories. Many of the Sisters have taught me many things and shared so much with me. I hopefully have taught them things too.

Florida Associate Celebrates 20 Years

Bernadette Macy shares thoughts from West Palm Beach. "The charism of Mother Theresa - “transformation through education,” grounded in the Eucharist with Our Holy Blessed Mother Mary - resonated in my heart and impelled me to become an Associate."

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