Our Sisters

School Sisters of Notre Dame continue to live the vision of Foundress Blessed Theresa Gerhardinger in a variety of ways. Below our Sisters share stories of their work and ministry.

Keep This Day with Joy

By Sister Delia Calis, SSND

Augustine speaks often of the inner power of the Holy Spirit, both within each person, individually, and within the Church. as the Body of Christ. In celebration of Pentecost, I'd like to share some of his reflections and prayers.

The Dearest Freshness Deep Down Things

By Sister Sharon Kanis, SSND

The Holy Spirit is not white.

She is gray.

Florida 6th Graders Live Out Laudato Si' by Raising Money for Haiti

Sixth-grade students from Sarasota, FL, recently raised more than $2,000 for the people of Haiti. The students of St. Martha Catholic School held a fun and successful fundraising auction in April.

Two Truths in One Heart - Two Peoples in One Land

If I am to share my story these weeks, I must give space to the grief in Israel and Palestine, alongside our shared realization that understanding does not mean justification for either Hamas or Israeli Zionists.

Flames of New Life

By Sister Marcianne Bzdon, SSND

Birthdays! I love birthdays, celebrating my own and those of others!

Seeing Beauty and Goodness in All Creation

By Sister Rosanne Mensik, SSND

Our International Community of Sisters and Associates comes together through the Internet. Examples include our Website, the Friday Newsletter, Zoom, and the International Prayer Room.

Charter for Compassion

Sister Barbara Paleczny writes, since I am now connected to a global movement to deepen and spread compassion in all our relationships, I wonder if you know of the Charter for Compassion, written in 2009, it urges peoples and religions of the world to embrace the core value of compassion.

Sent Forth in the Spirit

By Sister Mary Roy Weiss, SSND

In the early months of 2020, the theme for the 8th grade closing ceremony at Notre Dame Preparatory School in Towson, Maryland was chosen: “Sent Forth in the Spirit.”

Easter Transformation

Enjoy Sister Delia Callis' beautiful Easter poem: "I wait with Mary in stillness, peace and hope/I wait with her for hard lifeless seeds to sprout, be nourished, grow to fullness,/bearing fruit a hundred-fold."

Waterdown Sisters Celebrate Cinco de Mayo

On the fifth of May, SSND Waterdown had a Fiesta to celebrate Cinco De Mayo! With homemade sombreros, maracas, and pinatas, the party was a blast! It was a fun day, with lots of colours, music, and friends.

Sister Teresia Celebrates 104th Birthday!

After months of anticipation, Sister Teresia Spodnik celebrated her 104th birthday on March 29th. Congratulations arrived for her from family and friends as well as from the Sisters and staff at Ozanam, where she resides.

A Visit with Sister Paulette Doyas, SSND

It's a beautiful Tuesday in March at Stella Maris near Baltimore. Sister Paulette Doyas, SSND, welcomes her first-time guest, rolling a state-of-the-art office set-up away from the bed. Despite residing in an assisted living community, Sister Paulette continues to serve as a part-time, remote assistant in NDMU registrar's office.

Life in Community at Villa Assumpta

Enjoy this wide-ranging roundtable conversation with Sisters Betty Orr, Mary Frances Angermaier, Francita Hobbs, and Carleen Cekal about their lives and experiences in the 1st floor independent living space at Villa Assumpta.

New Life for Old Sneakers

What is more omnipresent in our world today than Coke, blue jeans, and sneakers? I recently bought a new pair of sneakers to replace my vintage “pandemic” pair. I asked the salesperson at the store of a well-known international brand if they recycled old sneakers, but no, they did not.

You, Too, Can Starburst!

Do you miss one of your friends at an AMSSND site, but it is too far to travel? We’ve put iPads with Facetime at each of our nine major sites (Ozanam, Stella Maris, Villa Assumpta, Watermark, Waterdown, Marian Village and Resurrection Life). So, who are you going to call first? And second?

Easter Eggs created by Sisters in Waterdown, Canada

Waterdown Sisters Colour Easter Eggs

Waterdown Sisters brought back the tradition of colouring Easter Eggs this year. No matter which method the Sisters chose, the eggs turned out colourful and bright. They make a cheery representation of the Hope of Easter.

Remembering Hazardous & Plum Assignments

Sister Joan Minella's Life in Ministry

Villa Assumpta Sisters Enjoy Nun Study Presentation

Dr. Margaret (Maggie) Flanagan visited Villa Assumpta recently to provide an update on the ongoing Nun Study. It includes 678 SSNDs, 75 to 107 years of age, who agreed to participate in the research.

Celebrating Sister Colette's 100th Birthday

On April 6th, SSND Waterdown hosted a joyous celebration of an educator, elder, religious leader, Sister, and friend. Sister Colette Ryan celebrated her 100th birthday surrounded by friends, family and those who love her.

Waterdown Sisters Celebrate St. Patrick's Day

The Sisters in Waterdown celebrated St. Patrick’s day with Irish coffee and Irish Soda Bread during an afternoon party. We loved having Sister Mary Roy lead us in song, and especially loved having her share this day of relaxed fun and fellowship with us!

Jesus is risen! Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!

Early in the morning on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene visited the tomb. She found something unusual. The stone had been moved away.

Sister Jeanne McGue, SSND Celebrates 100!

On Saturday, March 23, Sister Jeanne McGue’s family held a day of celebration in anticipation of her 100th birthday (which would actually be on March 25). Family members of various generations had roles in the liturgy, which was attended by many family members, friends, SSNDs and residents of Marian Village.

Sister Dorothy Celebrates 100th Birthday

Sounds of Happy Birthday, cheers, and good wishes filled the 8th floor of Ozanam when Sisters Bernadette Alfieri, Cathy Feeney, and Pat Ferrick joined with Sister Regina Mulenga, FMSA, in celebrating Sister Dorothy Leising’s 100th birthday.

Catholic Review covers the passing of Sister Margaret Bauer

Sister Magaret's funeral Mass is March 15, 10 a.m., at St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church in Frederick on what would have been her 105th birthday.

Continued