The Ministry Formation Program | School Sisters of Notre Dame

First "Proclaiming the Fire Within" Retreat Was a Success

At the end of June 2022, Ministry Services offered a new retreat, "Proclaiming The Fire Within," at the Cranaleith Spiritual Center in Philadelphia. This retreat builds on the foundational retreat "Claiming The Fire Within," which is offered every other year.

Change and Tranformation for the Sake of Unity and Nurturing Contemplative Hearts

Ministry Service facilitated Ministry Formation Session IV on March 4th and 5th, focused on Change…Transformation…Unity, presented by Sr. Kate Duval, SSND of the CP Province and SSND Prayer and Spirituality, presented by Sr. Eileen Eppig, SSND of the AM Province

Beginning the SSND Journey Together

Seventeen leaders from seven sponsored ministries and province departments gathered virtually from all parts of the Atlantic-Midwest Province for the New Employee Orientation (NEO), offered on Tuesday morning, November 9th and Wednesday afternoon, November 10th.

The Heart of Who We Are and What We Do

Thirteen leaders in the Ministry Formation Program (four of whom are starting the program) gathered virtually for Ministry Formation Session III during the weekend of Oct. 22-23. This session explored JPIC, Catholic identity and Catholic social teaching.

The Essence and Scope of Communication in SSND Ministry

On Monday, February 28th Ministry Services facilitated its third board roundtable conversation, “Essential Communication for the SSND Ministry Board Member.” Patrick Laorden, Associate Director of Ministry Services, and Mary Anne O’Donnell, Associate, facilitated the roundtable conversation.

The Fire Continues to Burn Brightly

Claiming the Fire Within had a different feel this year, rescheduled from last year and taking place virtually due to ongoing safety concerns. Thirteen leaders courageously said “yes” to go on retreat, despite not being able to participate in person. The retreat featured online times to hear presenters and engage in small and large group sharing. There were offline times as well for retreatants to pray, reflect and explore contemplative activities.

St. Augustine - Encounter and the International SSND Congregation

On March 5th and 6th, Ministry Services offered its second virtual Ministry Formation Session. The group explored St. Augustine’s life and his approach to leadership, the goals of community life, and humility as essential dimensions to leadership.

A Journey with Common Threads

On October 23-24th, the Department of Ministry Services offered its first-ever virtual ministry formation session. Fourteen participants tuned in from Illinois, Missouri, Maryland, New York, Connecticut and Canada. Participants ranged from executive directors, board chairs, department directors, and those with leading roles in development, communications, campus ministry, health care, ministry formation and behavioral health.

Catholic Social Teaching Was a Focus of the Latest Ministry Formation Session

On October 11-12, Ministry Services facilitated Session Three of the Ministry Formation Process, focusing on Justice, Peace and the Integrity of Creation (JPIC) and how SSND implements and advances the JPIC agenda. Also discussed was Catholic tradition, identity and Catholic social teaching.

Heritage Pilgrimage 2019

Take a look at the new reflection added from Caelie about the recent Heritage Pilgrimage, the fourth component to the AMSSND Ministry Formation Program. Journeying to significant SSND sites in Bavaria, Vienna and Rome, pilgrims experience first-hand the foundation, internationality and ministries of SSND.

Finding Community on the Heritage Pilgrimage

As the Communications Director for the province, learning SSND history has been a very big part of my job, but reading and writing about where historical events happened cannot compare to experiencing those places in person.

Ministry Formation Sessions began its third cycle in October 2018

For the first time since the inception of the sessions in 2014, lay campus ministers were included, to strengthen the relationship between their ministry leadership and the SSND component on campus. Other participants hold a leadership role in a province department, in healthcare administration for a province facility, as a board chair, as executive director and program director, and as an assistant head of school for academics.