News

SSND Helps Immigrants Know Their Rights

There is so much fear and anxiety and confusion in the hearts of our immigrant sisters and brothers these days. Let each of us do what we can to ease their burden. Remember Jesus’ words “WHATEVER you do to one of your brothers or sisters, YOU DO TO ME!”

Chicago Leadership Luncheon: The Nun Study

On Thursday, April 10, the School Sisters of Notre Dame held a Leadership Luncheon in the Chicago suburb of Elmhurst. The luncheon topic was the Nun Study. Dr. Margaret Flanagan gave the keynote address can discussed the methodology used in the study, the key findings, and the future directions determined as a result.

Dispatch from Haiti

Across all regions, we’re seeing more people arrive on Lagonav from the mainland, trying to escape the violence. Cost of living is rising. Fear is everywhere. And yet, we are still making progress. It just takes more—more strength, more resolve, more resources.

Waterdown Volunteers "Just Like to Visit!"

SSND Waterdown LEAD has been blessed with many volunteers over the years. Some, who want to be part of our faith-based environment, are from the local community. Some are friends of our sisters. Most recently, we've been doubly blessed to have Associate-Volunteers!

Sister Kathleen Joins 100-Year-Old Club!

Sisters at Stella Maris helped Sister Kathleen Engers celebrate a special milestone last week. Friends and family joined the party for the new centenarian, which was filled with balloons, flowers, and treats.

SSND Advances Indigenous Rights

The Investor Advocates For Social Justice (IASJ), of which SSND is an affiliate, and United Church Funds (UCF) reached an agreement with JPMorgan Chase Bank in advancing Indigenous Peoples rights in the financial sector. The School Sisters of Notre Dame Collective Investment Fund (CIF) was one of the co-filers of the shareholder resolution about this topic.

Wikipedia - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pope_Francis

Remembering Pope Francis

It is with great sadness that we, School Sisters of Notre Dame of the Atlantic-Midwest Province, join with the global community to mourn the passing of our dear Holy Father, Pope Francis. Our hearts are filled with gratitude for the gift of his life and pontificate.

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The Resurrection Power to Change

I've offered this prayer to and for family, friends, and community members at Easter, as seems fitting. I've also offered it at other times, when a special uplifting of strength and resolution are called for. Because Resurrection power is real.

Sister Joan Pikiell, SSND, Heads to U.N.

Sister Joan Pikiell has been appointed the new SSND representative to the United Nations, effective September 1, 2025. She begins her 6-year term of service as Sister Beatriz Eugenia Martines-Garcia, SSND-CP, completes her time as the congregation’s representative.

Women of the World Festival 2025

In the words of NDMU President Marylou Yam, PhD, “The WOW Festival is more than a celebration - it is an opportunity to connect with extraordinary changemakers, innovators, and visionaries who inspire us to transform ideas into lasting impact.”

Easter Bonnets Bloom at Stella Maris!

On April 8th, 2025, Middle Level students from Notre Dame Preparatory School came to visit the Sisters on 2 south. The morning was filled with great enthusiasm and laughter.

The Joy of Lent?

By Sister Joan Pikiell, SSND "Joy" and "Lent" are not words you often hear together. Their pairing might seem as mismatched as peanut butter and mayonnaise! Yet, this Lent has brought me three profound moments of joy.

Sister Teresia Celebrates 105

The Ozanam community helped Sister Mary Teresia Spodnik celebrate 105 years recently! In solidarity, our Ozanam community prayed and celebrated with her. We all thank the good Lord for the wonderful gift of Teresia Spodnik!

Living the SSND Charism ‘Throughout the Whole’

The SSND Annual Leadership Meeting was held February 7-8 at Villa Assumpta, Baltimore. Attendees included Chief Administrators, board chairs, selected other ministry leaders and Sisters serving on boards. The new Sponsor Council joined the meeting as well. In his keynote, Dan Horan looks at ‘Catholicity’ from the angles of Theology, Spirituality and Action, and engages You Are Sent and the Call of the 25th General Chapter.

Immigration Myths you may encounter

The Franciscan Action Network has compiled a resource containing information and sources that set the record straight and will hopefully help mitigate the damage caused by disinformation about immigrants.

Promoting Safe Streets

Villa Assumpta Sisters in Mary Our Queen Community chose to study Social Justice and Liberation recently as part of our monthly Laudato Si' Solidarity Thursdays. We invited members of the Catholic Charities Safe Streets program to present.

Q&A with Sister Roxanne Schares

Sr. Roxanne Schares, SSND, was recently named associate executive secretary of the International Union of Superiors General, or UISG, after serving as SSND general superior from 2018 to 2024. Read the UISG interview.

Mardi Gras Fun at Waterdown

Celebrating Mardi Gras with a French flair brought some scenes of New Orleans to our Waterdown lounge last Tuesday. Sisters were treated to a special King cake our Kim had baked. King cake is a New Orleans tradition!

How Did I Get to 100? The Gift of Transitions!

"What have you done to get to be 100?" That is a difficult question to which I have been asked to respond. I've always approached transitions with a sense of excitement and openness to what awaited me, whether in the country or a big city, at a 3-room or normal-sized school, in teaching younger students or adults.

We Need Hope!

Sisters, Associates, Colleagues and Friends: Please join us for an online contemplative morning of reflecting and sharing about hope through our personal stories. It will be a time to encourage one another and to discover hope-filled ways to address the challenging needs of our time.

Confronting Racial Inequities in the Catholic Church

Did you know that while there are 10 American Saints and 9 Americans who have been Beatified by the Vatican, none of them are Black? I only became aware of this three years ago when Associate Dolores Moore shared with the Dismantling Racism Committee that members of her parish, St. Anne’s in Baltimore, had come together to elevate awareness of six Black Americans whose lives exemplify holiness and virtue.