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.

How SSND Communities Practice Communal Prayer

School Sisters of the Atlantic-Midwest Province live across North America and in England, forming small communities with one another where they live. The question of how these small communities practice communal prayer was posed by Sister Marlene Panko, SSND, Chicago, in the weekly newsletter. We will post their answers as the Sisters reply!

Valentine's Day at Stella Maris

Valentine's Day at Stella Maris 2 South was filled with much love, happiness, and caring. We were blessed with the presence of students from Catholic High School and Our Lady of Hope/St. Luke School, as well as our wonderful Stella Maris Staff.

Celebrating 99 Years in Waterdown

Although SSNDs have been in Canada since 1871, it did not become a province until 1927, with the opening of the beautiful motherhouse in Waterdown, Ontario. The Canadian Province became the 12th province within the international congregation. The following story shares highlights of the past 99 years.

Valentine's Day: More than Candy at Waterdown!

While many celebrate Valentine's Day with roses and chocolates, the community at SSND-Waterdown honoured a remarkable milestone: 99 years since the founding of the original Canadian Province and the opening of the motherhouse at 1921 Snake Road.

Travelling from Canada to Maryland

On Wednesday, February 4th, the SSND community in Waterdown, Ontario set off on another of our cherished armchair adventures. This time we went to Stella Maris in Timonium, MD. Whenever we “travel,” we immerse ourselves in the culture, daily life, and spirit of our destination, and this visit was no exception. Our tour guides at Stella Maris, led by Sister Rosalia Federici, welcomed us with warmth and enthusiasm!

Ordinary - and Remarkable - Life

It is the common experiences that linger in memory and storytelling. Take a moment to look around. There are countless individuals presently engaged in their ordinary lives on Earth. We are fortunate to be part of this!

Celebrating Evensong in Bridgeport

The SSND Community at 3030 Park, Bridgeport, celebrated Evensong on the Feast of the Presentation of Jesus in the Temple, February 2nd. Together in community, we renewed our vows while holding lighted candles in recognition of it being Candlemas Day.

Sister Katharine Reflects on Her Other Calling

Artists often describe their lives as a calling, not dissimilar to the way religious describe their lives. For our Sister artists, the question of calling proves a rich ground for reflection. Sister Katharine Reiter, SSND, of SSND-Waterdown, was asked recently to reflect on her love of painting in the context of her religious life.

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!

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.

Sisters Celebrate IASJ Anniversary

In early December, Sister Kathleen Cornell and I attended the 50th anniversary celebration of the Investor Advocates for Social Justice (IASJ), originally known as Tri-State Coalition for Responsible Investment (Tri-CRI).

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?

St. Nicholas Visits Waterdown

The Sisters at Notre Dame Convent in Waterdown had a challenging winter season in 2024. Many celebrations had to be cancelled due to one virus or another. This included St. Nicholas Day, Christmas, and even the Foundation Day celebration of our Canadian motherhouse!

Leaving Villa Assumpta for a "Good Place"

I scrubbed those floors at Villa Assumpta. I brought mattresses up. I watched the chapel being built. Villa Assumpta was home...

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.

Decorating Advent Wreaths in Waterdown

Sisters at SSND Waterdown recently created Advent wreaths to decorate their doors. We added ornaments, stars, holly and pictures of Jesus and Santa to our green cardboard wreaths. While the artwork turned out beautifully, our conversations were even better. We talked about Advent, and what it means to each of us.

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.

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.

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.

Celebrating Thanksgiving November 2025

As we celebrate the American holiday of Thanksgiving, some School Sisters of Notre Dame share their reflections on gratitude. Enjoy!

Sister Rosemary Howarth and Vu Display Colouring Sheet

SSND Waterdown Brings Artistic Vision to Life

Hamilton artist Vu Ngo, the founder of StoryPOP, came to speak to us about his vision to transform everyday spaces into living stories of resilience and hope. While listening, the Sisters realized Vu's vision fit perfectly into their charism.

Tipping Point Reached

Niigaan Sinclair, a Canadian Indigenous leader, notes that this year, 14 million people – a third of Canada’s population - wore the indigenous orange shirts, walked publicly and celebrated together on Sept. 30, the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation.

Continued