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A Celebration of Consecrated Life | |
Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur worldwide celebrated Missioning Day on February 2 — the day in 1804 when three women of great faith founded our Congregation —marking 222 years of making known God's goodness on 2-2-2026!
Sisters in the U.S. East-West Province renewed their religious vows and recognized the 27 Sisters celebrating milestone Jubilees in 2026, including four amazing women who have spent 80 faith-filled years in consecrated life. Visit our website to learn more about all our 2026 Jubilarians.
The U.S. East-West Province Leadership Team also shared the intention for 2026: "We send you forth to respond joyfully to the call of Jesus to participate in his mission as it unfolds in your life's journey." What wonderful words to guide our mission and ministries in the new year.
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Lenten Reflections
This Lenten season, please bookmark our website for reflections and prayers. You will find prayers from our Congregational Mission Office, and we are also excited to announce a new initiative driven by our JPIC team to promote civil dialogue. You can read more in our Advocacy in Action section below.
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Practicing Respect Across Difference:
A Lenten Journey
During this Lenten season, the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur are joining other congregations in Practicing Respect Across Difference, a collaborative initiative designed to strengthen civil dialogue. Each week, the Sisters will share reflections focused on conversation skills that emphasize listening, empathy and understanding — key elements in building community across differing perspectives. Read more.
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Advocating for a Better World: Justice, Peace and Integrity of Creation
Following in the spirit of St. Julie Billiart, we advocate for justice and peace in an increasingly divided world. Our work includes legislative visits, advocacy campaigns and service and prayer activities to ensure that all voices are heard. Learn more on our website and read a recent statement from the SNDdeN/U.S.A. Anti-Racism Team on the safety, dignity and democratic rights of People of Color.
| | Sister Juana Jaqueline, SNDdeN of Peru, Community Organized for Mission, in front, with our Sisters at the recent "Paint with a Sister Night" at Emmanuel College, in Boston. Back row: Sisters Patricia Toce, Maria Delaney and Eileen Burns, SNDdeN. | |
Peruvian Sister Meets U.S. Sisters — Traveling from Coast to Coast
Sister Juana Jaqueline, SNDdeN of Peru, Community Organized for Mission has recently returned home after a multi-week visit with Sisters in the U.S. East-West.
Her trip strengthened the relationship between our East-West Province and the four Peruvian Sisters, a connection built through shared conversations and support.
During her month-long itinerary in the States (January 16-February 17), Sister Juana Jaqueline was warmly welcomed by Sisters in California, the mid-Atlantic and the Northeast.
She also had the opportunity to visit several of our sponsored schools, where she interacted with faculty, staff and students.
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With Love from NDHCC in Worcester
Residents of Notre Dame Health Care Center are participating in "Hearts Across America," an initiative to spread kindness nationwide!
We invite you to help brighten our halls with a greeting card. Residents are hoping to get postmarks from all 50 states by the end of March and will return the favor by sending you a card as well. Thank you for spreading love and kindness throughout the United States!
Please mail your cards to: Notre Dame Health Care, Long Term Care & Rehabilitation Center, ATTN: Melissa Standring, 559 Plantation St, Worcester, MA 01605.
| | | Catholic Sisters Week is March 8-14
Make sure to follow our celebration on social media! | | |
Congregation Appoints Education for Mission Committee
Sister Kristin Hokanson, SNDdeN was recently appointed to the Congregation's new Education for Mission Committee. She is the founder and principal of the Notre Dame Virtual School and a lifelong educator.
"I am looking forward to working with this committee as it embraces St. Julie's global vision to educate for life," said Sister Kristin.
Committee members will envision and execute global connections among our young people across our various ministries worldwide. The Committee will also serve as a platform for connecting with our mission, charism and spirituality across multiple ministries.
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Emmanuel College President Addresses A.I.
In an age defined by artificial intelligence, technical fluency alone won't distinguish tomorrow's graduates. In fact, what will set them apart are the deeply human qualities A.I. cannot replicate: creativity, connection and compassion.
Read more in Emmanuel College President Beth Ross's article "Graduates of Catholic colleges must develop qualities that A.I. can never provide," published in the February 2026 issue of America Magazine.
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Sister Janet Cahill, SNDdeN
We praise God for the life of Sister Janet "James Adele" Cahill, SNDdeN, who went home to her good God on January 31, 2026, at 93, after 73 years as a Sister of Notre Dame de Namur.
For almost 60 years, Sister Janet taught primary-grade students at parish schools in the East and the Mid-Atlantic. Most notably, she served 26 years at St. Jerome School in Hyattsville, Maryland. Later in her career, she taught small reading groups and worked with preschoolers while continuing to shape children's faith through First Communion preparation and home visits.
A huge basketball fan, Sister Janet was also known for her sense of humor and her undying love of Philadelphia's teams — the Phillies and the Eagles.
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Sister Phyllis Cook, SNDdeN
We gratefully remember the life of Sister Phyllis "Julie Patrice" Cook, SNDdeN, who went home to her good God on February 16, 2026. She was 85 and a Sister of Notre Dame de Namur for 66 years.
Sister Phyllis began her ministry in schools across the West Coast and in Honolulu before relocating to Kenya to serve at Egoji Teacher Training College. There, she adapted her methods, learned Kiswahili and witnessed extreme poverty firsthand. Back in the United States, she launched the successful Writing to Read program at Nativity School in Los Angeles and served as principal of St. Columbkille School for 11 wonderful years.
In 2007, Sister Phyllis returned to Kenya for formation work, where she patiently and lovingly mentored young Sisters.
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Sister Ann Brennan, SNDdeN
We thank God for the life of Sister Ann Brennan, SNDdeN, who went home to her good God on February 21, 2026, at 96, after 78 years as a Sister of Notre Dame de Namur.
She was passionate about teaching English as a Second Language and is best known for her ministry in Japan, where she ministered for almost 10 years.
Sister Ann once said, "It was a grace-filled moment for me to teach people from other cultures because they had so much to share from and about their own culture and experiences. They may be learning English, and they may be making a lot of mistakes, but inside, they are treasures!"
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Sister Kathleen Haughey, SNDdeN
We joyfully remember the life of Sister Kathleen Haughey, SNDdeN, who went home to her good God on February 22, 2026. She was 93 and a Sister of Notre Dame de Namur for 75 years.
Sister Kathleen was a speech pathologist who traveled the world during missions to Mexico and Nigeria and a meaningful sabbatical in Scotland. She worked in public schools in Baltimore and later served in pastoral ministry, where her compassionate presence touched many lives. She was especially grateful for her work with Notre Dame Associates.
| | | Pope Leo XIV's Prayer Intentions for March | | |
Let us pray that nations move toward effective disarmament, particularly nuclear disarmament, and that world leaders choose the path of dialogue and diplomacy instead of violence.
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