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Ordinary Time: A Time to Live Deliberatively

Despite its name, Ordinary Time is far from ordinary. Lasting from now until Advent, it carries us through the rest of the summer, from swim season to the start of the new school year and apple-picking to pumpkin-carving. Join us as we share Sisters Ordinary Time practices and reflections.

Lenten Reflections

On March 5, we observe Ash Wednesday and embark on our 40 days of Lent journey.

Pope Francis encourages us to become Pilgrims of Hope in our broken and fragile world.

In Mission 2024 - Longing for the Oneness of All in God

The articles presented in this edition of In Mission show different aspects of how we try to respond to the call of our General Chapter. We read about education, restructuring into one new province, care of creation, reconciliation, communication ……

Memorial Service Programs Archives

Here you will find the prayers being prayed during Memorial Services for our Sisters who have died. Because of social distancing, these memorials cannot currently be held with large numbers of Sisters attending, but many Sisters would still like to pray the service for each Sister lost. This archive starts in May 2020.

Ordinary Time: Not so Ordinary!

When invited to reflect on Ordinary Time, my gut response was, ORDINARY TIME … is there really still such a thing??? There simply doesn’t seem to be anything “ordinary” about all of this!

Lessons of the Liturgical Year

In life, we experience four seasons regardless of our geographic location – Spring, Summer, Autumn, Winter. Then in our faith life, we experience six Liturgical Seasons, all of which are extraordinary!

Journey of Encounter - Synodality in Action

135 people travelled from every province in Canada to attend Journey of Encounter, a synodal processes training event, at St. Jerome’s University, Waterloo, June 15-18. It was truly a pilgrimage of hope.

Stephenson, Mrs. Charles (Grace Murray). [Emancipation Day Celebration, June 19, 1900], photograph, June 19, 1900; (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth124053/m1/1/: accessed June 11, 2025), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Austin History Center, Austin Public Library.

Juneteenth 2025

Juneteenth is a federal holiday in the United States. It is celebrated annually on June 19 to commemorate the ending of slavery in the United States. Join us to celebrate this important day with prayer!

Feast Day Prayer of Blessed Mother Theresa

Each year, on May 9th, we celebrate the anniversary of the death of our foundress, Mother Theresa of Jesus Gerhardinger. May we as a congregation faithfully follow the example of Mother Theresa who placed her trust and hope in God. Her life was anchored on the firm ground of faith.

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.

https://www.publicdomainpictures.net/en/free-download.php?image=easter-2010&id=6126

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.

It Is Finished: A Good Friday Reflection

Many times, we as a people do not see eye-to-eye with each other. So, can we see eye-to-eye with Jesus, can we identify with Him in life and in death?

After Every Good Friday

Whenever anyone shares a difficulty they are experiencing, Sister Ruth McPherson always says, "Remember, after every Good Friday, there is always an Easter Sunday."

Reflections for Holy Week

Blessings and grace to you during this Holy Week. Below, you will find thoughtful cues in words, art, and music to inspire your reflection , contemplation, and communal prayer and sharing.

A Time of Preparation and Anticipation

By Sister Maria Iannuccillo, SSND. On Good Friday, we spent the day with my grandmother and cousins. As noon approached, we were called in from playing outside to play ‘quietly’ until 3:00 pm. It took me years to understand why, and to understand why Good Friday was good.

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.

Lent - A Time to Stand Up for What Is Right

The opening words of our Ash Wednesday liturgical readings call us all to lament: “Return to me with your whole heart, with fasting, weeping, and mourning. Rend your hearts, not your garments and return to the Lord your God.”

Born Again Every Lent

Now that it's Lent again, my thoughts turn to a long-standing tradition in my home parish, St. Joseph Monastery in Baltimore. It was customary in the parish for a large group of parishioners, crossing generations, to produce a Passion Play. "Veronica’s Veil" was staged on each Sunday during Lent.

A Lenten Memory

It was Lent,1963, and the 8 of us at Our Lady of Hope in Baltimore were getting our new habits ready for The Change, March 25th. Sister Mary Lea Abell, our superior, put a shoebox on her desk to collect our large cincture rosaries.

Digging into Earth, Finding Stones

In these later years I have been looking forward to Lent, probably because it signals the sure coming of Spring. Even though Winter has retained its hold on the thermostat, there is something new in the air, so that gardeners have begun thinking of digging into rain-soaked earth to encourage new life!

Quotes to Reflect On

Our Sisters shared such inspiring Lenten reflections in 2024 that we decided to publish excerpts from them for Ash Wednesday this year. Each one offers a rich opportunity for reflection.

Feast of Josephine Bakhita Febuary 8th 2025

The Dismantling Racism and End Human Trafficking committees developed a prayer service for the feast of St. Josephine Bakhita on February 8. Use it individually or communally to pray for an end to racism and human trafficking and for victims of these situations. Thank you for your awareness and prayer for this courageous Saint and for the human dignity of all people.

Commemorating Martin Luther King Jr. Day 2025

As we celebrate this day commemorating Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s impact and efforts to create a more just society, the School Sisters of Notre Dame’s Atlantic-Midwest Province recommit ourselves “to be credible witnesses of universal communion through deepening our efforts to live as an intercultural faith community of one mind and one heart.” (The Call and Acts of the 25th General Chapter).

Renew Actions for Peace in the New Year

On the World Day of Peace and the Feast of Mary, Our Mother, and Queen of Peace, on January 1, let us recommit our efforts for peace through prayer and action.

Continued