Help us remember our Sisters by sharing a story about a Sister who touched your life, or making a gift in their honor.
In her ministries both as a Sister of Christian Charity and a School Sister of Notre Dame, Ann Louise served as teacher, Director of Religious Education, and Pastoral Associate in a variety of locations in NJ and PA. A highlight of her ministry came in 1992 when she was missioned to La Paz, Bolivia for a year. Ann Louise entered eternal glory at Stella Maris after a day shared praying with her sisters. She is remembered fondly for her love of butterflies and dancing. We are grateful for you, may you rest in the loving arms of our God.
On Palm Sunday, March 29,1920, a tornado hit Connecticut, but more important was the birth of baby Irene to John George and Mary Elzabeth (Burchik) Spodnik. She is one of three of the Spodnik sisters to become a School Sister of Notre Dame. In her ministries, she served Pennsylvania, Maryland, Connecticut, and Massachusetts. On the morning of May 15, Teresia quietly and peacefully surrendered her spirit into the arms of her Loving Father and joined her parents and brothers, Fr. Leo and Larry.
Sister Joan Minella, served as a Provincial Councilor in Baltimore from 1987 to 1996 and remembered the time very proudly. After her time on the Council, and at the Generlate she served as a Pastoral Life Director, and later as the archivist at the Institute of Notre Dame. Sister Rita Bueche shares this “‘When I stand before God at the end of my life, I hope I will be able to say I used every gift you gave me.’ That was you, Joan. Not an unused minute, not one word wasted… And when you entered heaven, Mother Theresa said to you: Relax, Joan. Everything is already well organized.”
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In death, we say our ultimate human yes to God. Trusting in God’s power to bring us to the fullness of life, we conclude our earthly life with an act of worship: in the action of death we proclaim God as God, and ourselves as God’s creatures. We are called by God and sent by the community; we go in joy!
- You Are Sent, Constitution of the School Sisters of Notre Dame
