Bridgeport SSNDs Celebrate 175 Years
November 8, 2008
The School Sisters of Notre Dame in the Diocese of Bridgeport celebrated the 175th anniversary of their religious order’s foundation with Mass and a party at the Motherhouse on October 24. Bishop William E. Lori celebrated Mass in the Chapel of Villa Notre Dame, which was filled with joyous song by the many active and retired Sisters present. Afterwards, he joined the community for lunch in Paschal Hall, featuring food served in the countries where the Sisters worked or are working today.
175 Years of Service
This international congregation traces its roots to 1833, when Blessed Mary Theresa Gerhardinger founded the School Sisters of Notre Dame in Bavaria in response to the urgent needs of the day. Today, more than 3,700 School Sisters of Notre Dame serve in 36 countries on five continents, working in schools and developing literacy programs; educating mothers and caring for their children; training the unemployed and counseling the lonely; and providing spiritual guidance and sacramental preparation to tens of thousands.