News

Margaret "Peg" Mattare, SSND - 1936 - 2025

Sister Peg lived a life of service. Rev. Lawrence B. Terrien, PSS, presided over her service, memorializing Sister Peg, saying, I join all of you in giving thanks to God, who, by showing us in the life of his daughter and disciple, Sister Peg, helped us to see that Jesus did not take the kingdom back to heaven with him at his ascension. He continues to manifest his presence in people like Sister Peg, who took those beatitudes to heart, who worked to serve that kingdom and to show that it is possible to live here and now - the way I believe she is still living that life fully in the presence of her and our mighty Lord.”

Remembering the Venerable August Tolton

The Venerable August Tolton died on this day in 1897. Born as a slave, he was called to be the first black priest in America. Fr. Tolton built a thriving, integrated parish and his sermons drew parishioners from other dioceses – so many, in fact, that a racist “dean” of the diocese declared that Fr. Tolton should no longer minister to white parishioners.

Sister Kate's 10-Year Miracle

In 2014, Sister Kate Kinnally and I were in our glory as administrators of Hope Rural School, a school for the children of immigrants in Indiantown, Florida. We loved what we were doing!

Bidding Farewell to Brian Stevens

Saying goodbye is never easy, and it is made even harder when the person you are saying goodbye to has become a treasured friend. This sentiment expresses how the members of the Haiti Collaboration Committee feel about Brian Stevens, the former Engagement Director for Beyond Borders.

An Elegant Welcome for New Council

On Wednesday, January 7, Sisters in Waterdown, Northern Alberta and England gathered for a delightful high tea to celebrate and welcome our new Provincial Council. Our distant Sisters joined us by Zoom. The atmosphere was filled with warmth and elegance, thanks to our Community Care Team, Jenna Buist and Marci Shea-Perry.

Statement from Provincial Council - January 13, 2026

Witnessing the violent events and suffering of the past week have impacted all of us. We, the School Sisters of Notre Dame of the Atlantic-Midwest Province, invite you to join us in prayer for the lives lost and for their loved ones who are now processing grief. We pray for peace, and unity in our homes, our country, and our world.

Waterdown Revives Beloved Tradition

The SSND Waterdown community revived the ancient Christian tradition of blessing doorways. Can you guess what the blue sign on this door means?

Hope Grows through Prayer and Action

Sister Shirley Stockus, SSND, says what we do today spirals forward, no matter how small it may seem. So many hopes and dreams are fulfilled with just some time and energy!

Virginia Stasium, SSND - 1946 - 2025

Sister Virginia was dedicated to spiritual life and sharing her love of connection with others. Her leadership was evident even after a diagnosis, which limited her mobility; she maintained an attitude of compassion for others and a sense of humor sprinkled with sarcasm. We give thanks for her generous spirit among us.

Christmas at Ozanam

Sisters at Ozanam had several memorable Christmas experiences this year. Five Sisters from Bridgeport came to visit and lead Christmas carols. Sister Claire Bonneau played piano, while Sisters Pat Hammond, Rosanne Mensik, Francis Mensik, and Anne McCarthy sang with the group. All our Sisters beamed with joy!

SSND Close Sale on Historic Institute of Notre Dame

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.

Carol Brunner, SSND - 1947 - 2025

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!

Catholic Social Teaching as Mission

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).

A Chicago Treasure

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.

Installation of New Provincial Council

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.

Waiting for Santa

When I think of Advent, I have two childhood memories forever etched in my mind: Advent calendars and the countdown to Santa’s arrival.

The Stewardship Report looks a little different this year!

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.

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!

In Solidarity with All

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.

A Place to Live Joyfully!

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.

When Women Lift Each Other Up

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.

My Voice Has Power: AHA Students Visit UN

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.

Saint Saviour Celebrates SSND Foundation Day

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.

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!

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