By Sister Regina Mulenga, FMSA
Sisters at Ozanam had several memorable Christmas experiences this year. These two really stood out.
News
For 173 years, the Institute of Notre Dame served as a beacon of hope and promise in the heart of Baltimore City. In 2020, the School Sisters of Notre Dame announced the sale of the IND property. The SSNDs and the IND alumnae never wavered in their belief that IND still had the potential to improve people’s lives. We believe Severn Development Company and CAM Management are the right partners to rejuvenate our beloved IND, providing affordable housing for seniors, and allowing the Caroline Center to continue as a workforce development center for women.
After becoming a teacher in the Chicago area, Carol continued pursuing her dream of becoming a nurse. She ministered at Resurrection Life Center for over 20 years, 7 days a week, even during the pandemic. When no one was allowed inside during COVID, she went outside the Sisters’ windows, showing pictures and signs, and talking to them on the phone. She was kind and loving. Although she had great health challenges, she prayed at the bedside of people who were dying, comforted and visited many. A minister to the end!
Sponsored ministry leaders recently gathered for a formation session as part of the province’s Ministry Formation program. The session, held Nov.14-15, covered two main topics: Catholic Social Teaching as Mission, and including the Intersectionality with the Call of the 25th General Chapter and Justice, Peace, and the Integrity of Creation (JPIC).
Recently, Chicago-area Sisters celebrated the decades of love and care shown by alumna Marge Carroll toward our congregation. Margaret Carroll, Academy of Our Lady (AOL) graduate of 1954, served as Moderator/President of the AOL Alumnae Association from 1970 to 2025, when all records were sent to the SSND Archives in Milwaukee.
The Atlantic-Midwest Province of the School Sisters of Notre Dame have installed a new Provincial Leadership Council on December 8th, the feast of the Immaculate Conception, at the Stella Maris chapel in Lutherville-Timonium, Maryland. Reverand Joseph Muth presided. After previously serving as Councilor, Sister Nancy Gilchriest, SSND, now begins her ministry as Provincial Leader of the province.
When I think of Advent, I have two childhood memories forever etched in my mind: Advent calendars and the countdown to Santa’s arrival.
This Fall/Winter edition of Blessings is a revamp of our Stewardship Report. While containing the same financial report information, we redesigned this publication to directly thank our family, friends, and benefactors for all their support in caring for our Sisters and sustaining our mission.
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!
A few hundred Palestinians, Indigenous, Lebanese, Yemeni and other Canadians gathered at St. John’s Anglican Church Hall in Kitchener Oct. 4, 2025, for an Empty Plate Dinner. It was a fundraiser for the people in Gaza. There were two small bowls of Palestinian olives and water on each table. In solidarity, we had no other food.
Stella Maris officially became "home" for many newly arrived Sisters on Nov. 7 during a Blessing of the Floor and Bedrooms event hosted by leadership teams from Stella Maris and Mercy Health System.
Enjoy reflections from the School Sisters of Notre Dame throughout this Advent season.
When JuQuetta Adams arrived at Caroline Center as a student, she was determined to build a new path for herself. Through hard work and persistence, she succeeded in graduating from the Pharmacy Technician program. Today, she not only leads that program, but she has also been selected for inclusion in the 2026 edition of Marquis Who’s Who, a national honor recognizing individuals who have made meaningful contributions in their professions and communities.
The International Day of the Girl was celebrated this year on Friday, October 10, with an intergenerational town hall forum at the UN headquarters in New York City. Among those in attendance were 11 seniors from the Academy of Holy Angels, who chose to spend their day off from school participating in the event, accompanied by their teachers, Sarah Allen and Jennifer Cucchisi.
Father John Cush celebrated SSND Foundation Day at Saint Saviour High School*, Brooklyn, NY, with a joyous Mass on Oct. 24. The opening song, We’ve Come This Far By Faith, was sung by the gospel choir. The joy on the girls' faces as they sang renewed my sense of faith and mission, especially at this time of the world we live in. We ended Mass with the song, Let There Be Peace.
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!
As we celebrate the American holiday of Thanksgiving, some School Sisters of Notre Dame share their reflections on gratitude. Enjoy!
Hamilton artist Vu Ngo, the founder of StoryPOP, came to speak to us about his vision to transform everyday spaces into living stories of resilience and hope. While listening, the Sisters realized Vu's vision fit perfectly into their charism.
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