Samantha Keefe (Sam) is very excited to join the Notre Dame development staff as our Major Gifts Officer. An alumna of St. Rose High School in New Jersey, Sam graduated from the University of Delaware with a degree in International Business and Economics and a minor in Spanish.  She has experience in information technology and also served as an account executive for a healthcare start up. Notre Dame runs in Sam's family, with a cousin, sister-in-law (Alice Alves Keefe '91) and niece (Alyssa Keefe '22) counted among our alumnae. She found herself drawn to the school's mission of educating young women and has enjoyed the evident warmth and faith of our school community.

Already Sam has appreciated the team-oriented ambiance, noting of her colleagues, "We are all progressing in the same exact direction." An early lunch out with members of the administrative and development staff made her feel instantly comfortable and at home. When she is not here on the ND mezzanine, you can find Sam helping out in her family's restaurant, Arturo's, in the West Village on Sundays or keeping fit via HIIT, spin, and boxing workouts. A passionate reader, Sam logs a book a week and recently enjoyed the novel A Little Life by Hanya Yanaihara.  Fun Fact: Sam studied abroad in Australia and New Zealand as an undergrad and can't wait to return for a visit some day. Welcome, Sam Keefe--we are so happy to have you Chez Nous! 

Sr. Mary Dolan, SU and TLC put the final touches on Mass of the Holy Spirit before it begins.

Notre Dame held its Mass of the Holy Spirit on Friday, September 23rd in the Dolan Center. The Mass was planned by Sr. Mary Dolan, SU and The Liturgy Club (TLC). ND's President, Sr. Virginia O'Brien, SU, welcomed students and staff with a reflection on freedom and its impact on our inner lives. Our celebrant was Fr. Jim McDermott, SJ, who in his homily spoke of finding joy in life's small moments and miracles as a gift of the Holy Spirit. The ND Schola led us in beautiful music throughout the service. One highlight was the commissioning of six new Eucharistic Ministers: Faith Lam '23, Emilia Hrazanek '24, Dolores Maxwell '25, Maggie McCabe '25, Giulia Meier '25, and Ava Paolino '25.  After three years of pandemic-adjusted and often remote liturgies, everyone at Notre Dame was particularly grateful and joyful to be able to celebrate this important Mass together!

Fr. McDermott, SJ &

Altar Server

Genna Cottingham '23

Ms. Wakabayashi and

the Schola

Eucharistic Minister

Maggie McCabe '25

The newest members of the Notre Dame community, our 9th grade families, gathered on the evening of September 21st to mingle and learn more about the school from our teachers, along with our administrative and development staff.  Wonderful turnout and wonderful new faces Chez Nous!