Congratulations Jubilarians!

Sister Georgene Fink

Sister Raymund Johnson

Sister Francel Orosz

Sister Carol Bogner

Sister Margaret Collins

Sister Carol Gregory

Sister Julia Hutchison

Sister Jeanette Bihn

Sister Elaine Clement

Sister Susan Faist

Sister Irene Gerdeman

Sister Keneth Ostheimer

Sister Diane Pfahler

Sister Rita Schroeder

Sister Marietta Widman

Sister Victora Will

Sister Marie Christine Cervi

Sister Tina Petrick

Award-Winning Sisters

Sister Irene Gerdeman Named 
2026 Teacher of the Year and Hall of Fame Inductee

Sister Irene Gerdeman was recognized as the Teacher of the Year at St. Francis Academy in Gainesville, FL. Sister Irene was also inducted into the school's Hall of Fame. As she enters retirement, we celebrate her 57 years of faithful service, dedication to Catholic education and her lasting impact on generations of students.

An Adventurous Spirit that Spans Generations

When people think of the Sisters of Notre Dame, they may first picture lives devoted to prayer, education and service. What they may not immediately imagine is a sister soaring through the sky in a two-person airplane, climbing onto a horse for the first time or racing through the twists and turns of a roller coaster. Yet adventure has always been part of who we are.

Recently, Sister Susan Kusz experienced the thrill of flight from a whole new perspective when she took to the skies in a small two-person airplane. Sister Jonna Say discovered her own adventurous side by riding a horse for the very first time. Sisters Karel Schwartz and Gail Wrasman are well known for their enthusiasm for roller coasters, proving that excitement has no age limit. And countless Sisters of Notre Dame have embraced adventure of another kind, traveling thousands of miles to serve in developing countries, often in unfamiliar cultures and challenging conditions.

While these experiences may seem surprising, they reflect a spirit that has been present in our congregation from the very beginning. More than 175 years ago, our founding sisters left Coesfeld, Germany, and crossed an ocean to come to the United States. Their journey required courage, faith and a willingness to step into the unknown. They traveled not for excitement, but because they recognized a need and felt called to respond.

That same spirit continues to live on today. Whether boarding a plane, riding a horse, braving a roller coaster or traveling across the world in service to others, our sisters demonstrate a readiness to embrace new experiences and trust in God's guidance. Adventure, after all, is not just about where we go—it is about having the courage to answer the call before us.



The faces and circumstances may change, but the adventurous spirit that carried our sisters from Coesfeld to the United States continues to inspire the Sisters of Notre Dame today.

Sisters of Notre Dame Implement Solar Energy Project at Whitehouse, OH Facility

The Sisters of Notre Dame of the United States (SND USA) have completed a ground-mounted solar energy project at their Whitehouse, OH, facility. This initiative advances their longstanding commitment to care for creation, answering the Church’s call for decisive action to protect creation and ensure a more just and sustainable future.



Rooted in Catholic Social Teaching and inspired by Laudato Si’, the project reflects the sisters’ moral responsibility to protect our common home and respond to the growing ecological crisis.

The newly installed 188 kW solar power system, consisting of four arrays, is expected to offset approximately 56% of the SND Whitehouse facility’s electricity usage, significantly reducing carbon emissions and long-term energy costs. By lowering environmental impact and operational expenses, the sisters can direct more resources toward their mission of proclaiming God’s goodness and compassionate love, particularly in service to those who are poor and marginalized.

“Increasing our transition to renewable energy allows us to live out that mission in a tangible way, reducing our environmental impact while supporting long-term sustainability,” said Sister Margaret M. Gorman, SND USA Provincial.

This solar installation is part of SND USA’s broader efforts to integrate renewable energy and sustainable practices across its facilities, aligning with global goals for environmental responsibility. Other significant sustainability initiatives completed by SND USA include transitioning fleet cars to hybrid models and incorporating geothermal energy.

The solar array was designed and constructed by Better Together Solar, a Cleveland-based company specializing in renewable energy solutions.

Our Most Recent Stop on the SND Gatherings-on-the-Go Tour: St. Joseph, Erie, MI

Thank you to the parishioners of St. Joseph Catholic Church in Erie, MI, for joining the Sisters of Notre Dame for a morning of coffee, pastries and meaningful conversation during our recent SND Gathering-on-the Go visit.

Over the decades, the Sisters of Notre Dame have served as principals, teachers, religious education ministers and more, becoming valued members of this vibrant parish family. It was wonderful to catch up and share memories with the parishioners of St. Joseph’s, celebrating a friendship that is truly built on faith and service!

This gathering marks the sixth in our series of parish visits. "Gatherings-on-the-Go" have been a very positive experience allowing sisters to meet new friends and reminisce with old ones. If your parish would like to be a stop on our Gatherings-on-the-Go Tour, please email krochelle@sndusa.org to arrange. We provide the pastries, but thank you to St. Mary's Leipsic, St. Wendelin Fostoria, St. John the Evangelist Delphos, St. Paul Norwalk, Christ the King Toledo and St. Joseph, Erie, MI who have provided the parishioners!

Discover Penned in Prayer

Two Transformative Leadership Award Winners 
at Lial Catholic School

Katie Chowdhary, dean of students, and Dan Rudski, former board chair received the 2026 SND National Network Transformative Leadership Award!

This award recognizes employees and/or volunteers in the SND national network who inspire hope and excellence as they lead others to a fuller, freer life. As catalysts for growth, award recipients inspire the hearts and transform the lives of those with whom they minister.


Nominees for the Transformative Leadership Award demonstrate vision, mission effectiveness and have exceptional, inspirational impact in relation to themselves, God, others and/or creation.

Thank you, Katie and Dan, for your visionary leadership, steadfast dedication and the positive impact you make every day in the Lial Catholic School community. We are blessed to have you leading the way! 

Click the link below to learn more about this and other SND National Network Awards including lists of past recipients.

2026 Distinguished Graduate Award Recipients

Rural Healthcare Student Experience

Twelve students and four chaperones from Notre Dame Academies in Los Angeles, Park Hills and Toledo and Notre Dame Cathedral Latin School in Chardon participated in the 2026 Rural Healthcare Student Experience at UK St. Claire Hospital in Morehead, KY, where they shadowed medical professionals in the hospital, visited patients in their homes with the home health/hospice care providers, volunteered at local service organizations and practiced hands-on skills in a clinical lab. Sponsored by the SND USA National Network and Sponsorship Office, the Rural Healthcare Student Experience is designed for rising junior and senior students in SND sponsored high schools who are seriously considering a career in healthcare. 

Chaperoned by Mr. Lanzio Palombo, the students attending from NDA, Toledo were rising seniors Addison Kyle, Priscila Pizana and Kelsey Robertson.


Robertson shared that the experience opened her eyes to the differences in rural and urban access to healthcare and living conditions. "Growing up in a city, I have never really considered the different needs of the rural population."

With plans to major in biology after high school, she said, "This experience was a hands-on way to explore specialties and healthcare needs, whether urban or rural settings. As I pursue my own education and career, I will definitely always remember the week I spent in Morehead!"

Congratulations Graduates!

Congratulations to the graduates of Notre Dame Academy, Notre Dame Junior Academy and Lial Catholic School. Formed in the spirit and charism of the Sisters of Notre Dame, we have no doubt that your next chapter will be filled with blessings and success!

Check Out C.H.A.T.

Lial Renewal Center