Our Sisters

SSND Watermark Connects with SSND Munich

For April Solidarity, Watermark sisters chose to help our Munich sisters who provide daily bag lunches for 50-60 poor men and women who come to the Motherhouse door at Noon Angelus time. Some are Turkish and Ukrainian refugees.

A Blessed Day at Villa Assumpta

The Sisters and Friends of Villa Assumpta and Rosary Community were recently blessed with an informative and emotional presentation about life in Ukraine, delivered by Alina Ternova and her daughters, Angelina (15) and Leeza (12).

Spa Day in Waterdown

During the Holy Thursday Spa Day, which included foot soak and massage, and paraffin wax soak and nail care, time was taken to reflect on how we as a community can theoretically wash the feet of those in need around us.

My visit to Saint Saviour High School

When I said yes to visiting in-person at St. Saviour High School in Brooklyn, NY, to speak with the young women there about the work of Beyond Borders, I was both nervous and excited at the same time.

A Bit of Fun on St Pats at Ozanam

Bit 'O Fun on at Ozanam on St. Pat's Day

Irish music, hats, food, and fun-filled the Ozanam Sisters' St. Patrick's Day.

The morning prayer was followed by the celebration, which included delicious Irish food and, of course, beer!

Enjoy the pictures!

Ozanam Retreat Day Celebrating SSND Oneness

On Saturday, March 18, a Retreat Day for the 27 Ozanam Sisters, planned and facilitated by Sisters Justine Nutz and Connie Carrigan, included music, poetry, prayer, sharing, singing, and fun time at the end.

Western Maryland SSNDs Honored for Their Service

Catholic Sisters Week was celebrated in a special way at the Alhambra Catholic Invitational Basketball Tournament. At halftime during the Bishop Walsh Catholic High game, they paid tribute to the Sister Kathleen Jancuk, Sister Francita Hobbs, and Sister Phyllis McNally, who have collectively taught young people in the area for over 181 years!

Celebrating Sister Margaret Bauer at 104

Celebrating our oldest Sister in the Province, Sister Margaret Bauer, on her 104th birthday! When asked what she wanted for her 104th birthday party, Sr. Margaret Bauer replied, "unicorns, hamburgers and French fries." A typical unexpected answer from her!

Helen Zaukus Remembers St. Alphonsus Grammar School

Sister Mary Collette Haus was my 6th grade teacher. Several years after I left Chicago to live in Wisconsin, I came back to St. Al's and found she was in her 90's living in the convent. I visited her often and she was always gracious and welcoming.

Celebrating Catholic Sisters Week

Catholic Sisters Week shines a light on the spirituality, mission and community building of women religious around the world. It is a chance to recognize all that Sisters are and do, with the hope that as more young women learn about Catholic Sisters, they will choose to explore religious life and even hear God’s call to it.

Sister Eileen Reilly - Preaching for the Seventh Sunday in Ordinary Time.

Preaching on Catholic Women Preach, for the Seventh Sunday in Ordinary Time, Sister Eileen Reilly, SSND offers a reflection on the gospel's call to "be perfect" through the lens of her ministry with people who have lost loved ones to violence and murder.

SSND Sisters and Principal, Sr. Irene Pryle SSND and 8th Grade Teacher, Sr. Joan Pikiell SSND.

Catholic Schools Week Mass at Our Lady of Hope - St Luke

At the Catholic School Week Mass at Our Lady of Hope/St Luke on January 31 there was a special vow renewal ceremony after the homily with SSND Sisters Mary Beth Buettner, Kathleen Jager, Irene Pryle (Principal of the school) and Joan Pikiell, who teaches 8th grade.

Vietnamese Sisters Perpetual Vows Ceremony

Sister Mary Ann Urch Receives Lifetime Achievement Award

Congratulations to Sister Mary Ann Urch on a Lifetime Achievement Award for Outstanding Ministry in Catholic Education and Liturgy from Saint Joseph Catholic Church in St. Petersburg, Florida.

Photo caption: Sister Aloysia Zimmer visiting a school in Trinidad

Sisters Moving in New Directions

The November installment of North American Archives’ 175th-anniversary celebration of SSND arriving in North America highlights several SSNDs who succeeded in professions not typically associated with women religious.

Stella Maris Sisters Donate Thanksgiving Basket to a Needy Family

The Sisters at Stella Maris had a joyous time preparing a Thanksgiving basket to be donated to Assisi House in Fells Point.

Atlantic Midwest Province 100 Club

We are fortunate to have a "100 Club " in our province. Sister Margaret Bauer is the eldest, at 103. Sister Mary Teresia Spodnik is 102. Sister Cabrini Ganz is 101. Sister Marie Anna Moltz is 100, as is Sister Katharine Reiter. Sister Marguerite Mary Bunter is the newest club member - she turned 100 on May 15.

Happy 100th Birthday to Sister Marguerite Bunter!

Sunday, May 15, 2022 marked the end of a type of trilogy: Three Sisters celebrated 100 years of birth in May in Ozanam Hall in Queens, NY. In May 2000, Sister Rosalita McNamee celebrated her 100th birthday. In May 2001 Sister Aveline Smith achieved 100 years. This year, Sister Marguerite Bunter enjoyed passing the 100th year mark of her birth.

Sister Sharon Slear Retires From Illustrious Career at NDMU

There was a retirement celebration for Sister Sharon Shear at Notre Dame of Maryland University on May 11. Sister Kathleen Feeley shared her reflection on the contributions Sister Sharon made during her 34 years at "the College."

A Gift From the Heart for Sister Irene Pryle

Kate Dannals, the councilor at Our Lady of Hope/St. Luke's School in Dundalk, MD, wanted to show her appreciation for the school's principal, Sister Irene Pryle, SSND. A talented quilter, Kate decided to craft something that honored Sister Irene's SSND roots and her love of the school.

March Madness Hit Close to Home for Sister Joan Pikiell

Sister Joan is a middle school teacher, and she used the NCAA Tournament as an entry point for a lesson. “I like to get the kids looking at universities,” she said. “So we randomly pick a team for everyone in the class to follow throughout the tournament. I got Rutgers, of course. That wasn’t random.” (Sister Joan's brother Steve coaches Rutgers Basketball.)

Sister Marie Jeannette Blatz Interviewed for StoryCorps

Jane Johnson interviewed her aunt, Sister Marie Jeannette Blatz, SSND about her life and experiences as a School Sisters of Notre Dame as part of the national StoryCorps Archive. Sister Jeannette is currently living at Ozanam.

The Beauty of Consecrated Life - Sisters Connie Harkin & Mary Jeanne Davidson

For the World Day for Consecrated Life, the Archdiocese of Grouard-McLennan in Canada spoke with Sisters Connie Harkin & Mary Jeanne Davidson, SSNDs still working in their archdiocese.

Happy 100th Birthday to Sister Katharine Reiter

On January 27, we celebrated Sister Katharine Reiter’s 100th Birthday at Notre Dame Convent. First, all those present in the dining room when she came to breakfast sang "Happy Birthday." At 10:45am, we came together to celebrate a Thanksgiving mass for Sister Katharine.

Continued