Sisters' Stories

The School Sister of Notre Dame - Winter, 1966

The best part of the day was by common consent the community worship at Mass. Here the liturgical renewal blended with Native culture: the altar cloth was of soft leather decorated with colorful Indian beadwork and a carved crucifix representing Christ as Indian, a Warrior God.

Sister Dolores Rauch

Growing up on the farm was a great experience for a child. There were plenty of exciting things to do, always in company of numerous playmates: brother and sisters, cousins, and neighbors. Religion was an integral part of that life.

Sister Mary Consilia Schmidl

Mother Almeda sent a circular to the missions in late fall of 1936, asking whether any candidates or young sisters would like to go to North or South America. Here was my chance. I might be a missionary after all, although it would not be in Africa.

Sister Mary Agnes Oberhofer

The sister superior made an application for me to the Munich motherhouse and I was trained as needlework instructor and then missioned to Pleystein, the home of Bishop Michael Wittmann.

Mother Alemeda Schricker, General Superior, 1928- 1955

Ten years after the end of WWI, at the General Chapter in 1928, Sister Almeda Schricker was elected General Superior of SSND. It was a happy choice of a woman whose kindness encouraged many sisters to remain faithful during difficult times.

Bells Provide a Connection to SSND’s History in Milwaukee

For the School Sisters of Notre Dame located in the Milwaukee area, three special bells serve as a link to their rich and vibrant past.

Sister Shirley Stockus Honored for Her Impact as a Teacher

She was celebrated at the "17th Annual Salute To American Heroes," presented by the Veterans Committee in Mayfair, on the northwest side of Chicago.

Rochester Celebrates 185 Years and 165 Years!

On October 28, 2018 the City of Rochester, Office of the Mayor proclaimed it to be School Sisters of Notre Dame Day!

Rochester Celebrates 185 Years!

On October 28, 2018 the City of Rochester, Office of the Mayor proclaimed it to be School Sisters of Notre Dame Day. Sister Lorraine Burns described the historic event, "The spirit that permeated Sacred Heart Cathedral in Rochester, N.Y. on Sunday was one of joy and gratitude as School Sisters, family, friends, clergy and other women religious gathered to pay tribute to Blessed Mother Theresa Gerhardinger and Sister Caroline Friess and the early School Sisters of Notre Dame on 185th anniversary of the foundation of the congregation, and the ministering to the German immigrants of Western New York since 1849".

A special occasion for celebrating 165 years of sisters’ ministering in the Diocese of Rochester, a tree was planted and a plaque erected in the cemetery where SSND sisters are buried. Side by side, sisters have worked, prayed, and played with other religious congregations of women, especially the Sisters of Mercy and the Sisters of St. Joseph. We continue to partner with them in building up the Kingdom of God in the Diocese of Rochester. For all that has been, we give thanks....for all that will be, we also give thanks!"

Please click here to view a news clip of the event and here to view the Proclamation .

185th SSND Celebration and Story from SSND Atlantic Midwest on Vimeo.

Academy of the Holy Angels - The Move to Demarest

Following the natural course of the 43-acre site, the curved room layout affords a view of the distant hills from the classrooms.

Academy of the Holy Angels - The Fort Lee Years

With vision in her eyes and blessing prayed from heaven, Sister Mary Nonna, SSND, reached Fort Lee, New Jersey, on October 2, 1879.

Mother Joachim Bushmann Tended to Canada's Orphans

Mother Caroline Friess recognized in Sister Joachim the wisdom, stamina and administrative skills needed to open the first mission in Canada.

Reflecting on Sister Maura Eichner

I was blessed to know Sister Maura as a teacher, a colleague, and a friend. I would like to share some stories about her wry humor.

Sister Maura Eichner, Poet and Teacher

Sister Maura Eichner taught English and was Chair of the English Department for 49 years, winning several teaching awards, including the prestigious Theodore M. Hesburgh Award for outstanding contributions to Catholic higher education.

Mount Mary University Carries on SSND Educational Vision, Mission

Six hundred and Eighty-nine School Sisters of Notre Dame Have Served at Mount Mary Over the Years.

All the Works of God

I will forever embrace the words of Mother Theresa of Jesus Gerhardinger that, “All the works of God proceed slowly and in pain; but then their roots are the sturdier and their flowering the lovelier.”

Strengthening the Rungs on Life’s Unsteady Ladder

Caroline Center Career Coordinator Debbie Liesen, SSND, knows instinctively just what it takes to raise every person she meets to the next level.

AHA Celebrates 185th Anniversary of the School Sisters of Notre Dame

Foundation Day 2018 was particularly festive at the Academy of the Holy Angels, where the school community gathered to mark the 185th anniversary of the establishment of the School Sisters of Notre Dame!

Adapting Psalm 23 to My Refugee Experience

When I studied the Book of Psalms in theology school, I reflected on Psalm 23 as a meditative theme on my journey to the land of freedom.

My Haiti Journal

Several years ago, I had the great privilege of accompanying Sister Limeteze Pierre-Gilles on a home visit to Haiti. This is my journal from that trip.

The Continuing Relevance of the Nun Study

In 1990, 678 SSNDs enrolled in a study led by epidemiologist Dr. David Snowden that aimed to better understand the aging process and the effects of Alzheimer’s disease. The participation of the sisters presented a unique opportunity for researchers to investigate the patterns and causes of disease.