News

School Sisters of Notre Dame Announce Election of New Provincial Council

The election assembly convened to reflect on the future of the province and elect new leadership for the next four years. As they spent time in prayer and dialogue, the Spirit moved among the body of SSND Electors and called the electors to be of one heart and soul.

God's Ordinary, Everyday, Radical Gift

First, Ordinary Time is called “ordinary” not because it is somehow lesser than the other liturgical seasons, but - according to church historians - simply because the weeks of Ordinary Time are numbered. The Latin word ordinalis refers to numbers in a series. It marks a time when we are neither feasting nor fasting. (Wikipedia)

Stellar at Stella: A Star-Studded Jubilee!

Heaven to earth: We rejoice in the stellar celebration of Jubilee on August 20, 2025 at Stella Maris in Timonium, Maryland! The stars were Sisters Margaret Marie Giblin (75-year Jubilarian), and Sisters Mary Paulette Doyas, Maria Felipe Lopez, Mary Therese Feeley, and Marie Mack, (70-year Jubilarians). These stars were not light-years away but close to us, especially as they aligned in procession to the chapel at Stella Maris and sat in wheelchairs near the sanctuary.

How We Pray in Waterdown, Ontario, CA

We in Waterdown are a very busy and involved community! We have daily, weekly, and monthly prayers, activities, and events. We continue to be an active community here in Waterdown!

Introducing New Head of NDP

As the 2025/26 school year gets underway, Notre Dame Preparatory School welcomes its first lay Head of School, Dr. Angela Allen. Dr. Allen is NDP’s tenth Head of School since the institution’s founding in 1873, succeeding Sister Patricia McCarron, SSND, PhD, who served as head of school for the past 20 years.

Sisterhood

“My family came to the United States from Cuba because my father wanted a better way of life for his family. I attended six wonderful years of schooling at Saint Francis Academy in Baltimore and loved the sisters. I desired to be a teacher, but I felt the only way to be a good teacher was to be a Sister."

Invitation to Pilgrimages of Hope

Pope Francis invited all people to make a Pilgrimage of Hope during this Jubilee Year, to encounter Christ in creation and restore our relationships with God, creation, and one another. Rooted in Laudato Si’, it underscores the moral responsibility of caring for the earth, a principle of Catholic Social Teaching.

Season of Creation – An Expression of SSND’s Call

Welcome to the Season of Creation, themed “Peace With Creation” in 2025!

United in Mission Newsletter - Summer 2025

Enjoy the latest issue of United in Mission, published by the Office of Mission Formation. The issue harvests the fruits of rich Spring and Summer programming and makes available many valuable resources as ministries head into a new school, program, and board year. Enjoy!

Statement from Provincial Council Aug. 28, 2025 

We mourn the loss of innocent life taken in a devastating act of violence in Minneapolis, Minnesota during a school Mass at Annunciation Catholic Church. As School Sisters of Notre Dame, we have had the joy of celebrating Mass with our students, fellow teachers, and their families over decades of dedication to Catholic education. We recommit ourselves to advocating for an end to the gun violence which plagues our nation. To the Annunciation Catholic School community, especially the families who have suffered loss, the Archdiocese of Saint Paul Minneapolis, and the people of the Minneapolis area, we pray for you and mourn with you.

UISG Day of Prayer and Fasting for World Peace

On the occasion of the Day of Prayer and Fasting for Peace, proposed by the UISG for August 14, 2025, let us join together in prayer with open and compassionate hearts. Entrusting ourselves to the intercession of Mary, Mother of Peace, we pray that all peoples may rediscover hope, justice, and the gift of reconciliation, in communion with many around the world who long for peace.

Sister Virginia Brien, Sojourner

On July 30, 2025, the Sisters at Villa Assumpta celebrated 100 years of life, faith and endurance as we celebrated Sister Virginia Brien's 100th birthday. We reflected on the amazing treasure of Sister Virginia’s life.

Sisters Celebrate 178th Anniversary

On July 31st, the SSND community at 3030 Park celebrated the 178th Anniversary of SSND coming to America in 1847. We enjoyed reflections, petitions, and a rousing sing-along to Neil Diamond’s Coming to America. A large sailboat and scrapbook with photos and articles about our 1997 Battery Park celebration added to the joy and memories around this special day!

Scrapbook Honors Final Year of Service

Sister Patricia McCarron, SSND, earned many celebratory honors throughout her final months as our school’s ninth Head of School, a position she held for 20 years. Enjoy a scrapbook of memories created in celebration of her tireless service!

SSND Speaks Out

SSND Sisters, Associates, friends and colleagues gathered with Sisters from 60 congregations from across the United States on June 24 to urge lawmakers not to cut critical government programs. The Sisters Speak Out Prayer and Public Witness Gathering was held at the U.S. Capitol, and approximately 40 "echo events" were held across the country. (Catholic News Agency)

Sister Ann Louise Impink, SSND - 1939 - 2025

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.

NY, NJ and Connecticut Alumni Gathering

SSND held a gathering of alumni, family, friends and colleagues at St. Catherine of Siena, McClinch Family Center in Trumbull on June 1st. Attendees from Connecticut, New York and New Jersey enjoyed an afternoon of reconnecting!

Brother Ken Shares Stories of Hope and Healing

On Friday, 21st June 2025, the School Sisters of Notre Dame welcomed Brother Ken, a Holy Cross Brother from Ghana, for a heartfelt and inspiring talk. His testimony, drawn from years of working with people affected by leprosy, left a profound impact on the community. Brother Ken spoke openly about the harsh realities of life and ministry in Ghana. He described the deep stigma still surrounding leprosy—how those suffering are often marginalized, feared, and forgotten.

Annual Gathering Feeds Hope

The Annual Associate Gathering was held on the evening of Tuesday, June 10th and during the day on Wednesday, June 11th. It was all via Zoom, with several of the Central Pacific Associates and Sisters joining us. The Associate Area Coordinators chose “Pilgrims of Hope” as our theme for this year’s gathering.

Sisters Speak Out!

School Sisters of Notre Dame from the Atlantic-Midwest and Central Pacific Provinces will be among Catholic sisters from about 50 congregations across the United States gathering for prayer and a press conference at the Capitol on June 24!

Northeast Associates Meet for Prayer, Presentations, and a Fond Farewell

The Northeast Associates and Companion Sisters met on May 24, 2025 for their bimonthly meeting. It was a well-attended, lively meeting with many things happening! It began with a beautiful prayer service led by Associate Carol Jakab which was based on Our Lady Undoer of Knots, a popular Marian devotion, particularly in recent years thanks to the promotion by Pope Francis.

Laureate College Honors Sisters

Last week we Sisters at SSND-Waterdown attended an appreciation event presented by the students of Laureate College. They displayed some of their gifts and talents in music, singing, and dance following coffee and cake together.

"The Best of the Best"

After 45 years of service, Sister Irene Pryle, SSND, has retired from her ministry as principal of Our Lady of Hope/St. Luke School in Dundalk, MD. Sister Irene will cherish her school memories, along with the honor she earned from Pope Francis in 2023, when she received the Cross Pro Ecclesia et Pontifice.

A Regal Day at Waterdown

Victoria Day in Canada is a public, national holiday in honour of Queen Victoria, the longest-running queen who celebrated her birthday on May 24. The national holiday is also known as May Two-Four, May Long, and May Long Weekend. It falls on the Monday preceding May 24, giving many a 3-day weekend.

Continued