Sisters Lorraine Burns, Evelyn Breslin and the planning committee reflect on the SSND legacy in Western New York.
This year marks the 165th year of SSND ministry in Rochester, New York. The occasion will be celebrated with a special liturgy offered by Bishop Salvatore R. Matano on October 28 at 1:30 p.m. at Sacred Heart Cathedral. All are welcome to join the School Sisters of Notre Dame of the Atlantic Midwest Province in giving thanks for their many years of faithful service.
SSND has a long history of ministry in Western New York. On March 19, 1849, Sister Caroline Friess, along with another sister and a candidate, founded the congregation’s fourth branch house in America in Buffalo, New York. They were welcomed by Bishop John Timon, first bishop of the newly created Diocese of Buffalo, and Redemptorist Rector Benedict Bayer. The sisters began teaching at St. Mary’s School followed by All Saints in 1911, Saint Augustine in 1940, and Saint Mary’s Business School in 1918.
Although Mother Theresa Gerhardinger, foundress of SSND, had visited Rochester previously, it wasn’t until 1854 that the School Sisters of Notre Dame returned to teach German immigrant children at Saint Joseph’s School and later established an orphanage and business school at Saint Joseph’s. That mission soon extended to other parishes.
In subsequent years, sisters opened or ministered at a dozen more schools: Saints Peter and Paul (1855); Sacred Heart in Perkinsville (1856); St. Boniface (1866); Holy Family and Holy Redeemer (1867); St. Michael (1874); Holy Ghost (1918); Bishop Kearney High (1962); Saint Margaret Mary (1962); and Saint Philip Neri (1962). They opened Notre Dame Learning Center in 2004.
Since Mother Theresa Gerhardinger’s first visit to Rochester, many young women from Western New York have entered the Congregation of the School Sisters of Notre Dame. In some families, more than one daughter became an SSND. There were four Prinzbachs, two Lougens, two Neukirchens, two Reinagels, and five Schneggenbergers - Sister Marie Dolores Schneggenberger currently resides in our Lourdes Health Care facility in Wilton, Connecticut - and three Leising sisters, who now reside at Villa Notre Dame in Wilton. The Leising sisters grew up in Swormsville and attended St. Mary’s School and Church. As adults they met the School Sisters of Notre Dame at St. Mary’s Church on Broadway and Pine, where they attended Mass on their lunch break from work.
Sixteen Rochester-born women continue to live out their commitment as School Sisters of Notre Dame through a prayer apostolate or active ministry. Sisters Carol Datz, Bernadine Gutacker, Claire LoMaglio, Janice Nadeau, Yvonne Nadeau, Miriam Therese Roncinske, Carolyn Mary Stoe, Mary Ann Tantalo, and Joyce Wittman reside/minister at Villa Notre Dame in Wilton, Connecticut. Sister Virginia Brien and Sister Joan Minelli reside in Baltimore, Maryland. Sister Mary Foley ministers at our Holy Angels Academy in Demarest, New Jersey. Sister Mary Oliver Hudon ministers in Lake Park, Florida, and Sisters Mary Louise Brien, Mary Smith, and Stephania Walczak, born in Rochester and educated by the School Sisters of Notre Dame, live and minister in Rochester.
In the Diocese of Rochester today, eight School Sisters of Notre Dame live the charism of Blessed Mother Theresa. Sister Sue Czaplicki works with the people of The Most Holy Name of Jesus Parish in Elmira. Sisters Evelyn Breslin and Mary Smith work in the city with children and youth at our Notre Dame Learning Center. Sister Stephania Walczak is starting her 48th year at Bishop Kearney High School, Sisters Mariella and Mary Lou Brien are active in Prayer Ministry, Sister Edna Cole volunteers as a tutor for Rochester Refugee Resettlement, and Sister Lorraine Burns volunteers at St. Ann’s at Cherry Ridge.
Strong women formed the foundation of the School Sisters of Notre Dame, and in their spirit generations of strong women have dedicated their lives to the service of God and others. As we mark the 185th anniversary of the congregation, we celebrate these amazing women, the work they have done and all of the lives they have touched.
See the full gallery of photos HERE
