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Summer greetings! June and July kept the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur and our ministries joyfully busy. In this issue, we invite you to read about the ways our Sisters, students and staff continue to make known God's goodness — through ministry, milestones and everyday moments of grace. Enjoy the stories of faith and community that make our Notre Dame family so special! | |
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Inaugural Laudato Seeds of Change Immersion Program Plants Hope
Over a week of faith-filled days in June, seven women participated in the inaugural Laudato Seeds of Change immersion program, where they got their hands dirty at the Cuvilly Arts & Earth Center and found space for prayer and reflection at the Notre Dame Spirituality Center in Ipswich, Massachusetts.
The women arrived from across the country as strangers. They left with new friendships, a deeper understanding of God’s call to care for Creation and a renewed commitment to live more intentionally in our interconnected world.
Pictured, left to right: Claire Giffun and Julie Barbosa
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A Joyful Jubilee in Boston
A perfect, sunny day greeted family, friends and Sisters at Emmanuel College for a Eucharistic Liturgy of Thanksgiving on June 28, 2026. Ten Jubilarians representing 720 years of combined service to our good God were the guests of honor. Sister Pat O’Brien, SNDdeN delivered a thoughtful homily (read it here), and all in attendance enjoyed a luncheon following the Mass. Congratulations to our 2026 Jubilarians!
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Summer Magazine Now Online
The latest issue of our East-West Province magazine, Sowing Goodness, is now available! Read stories about our Sisters and students responding Joyfully to the Gospel Call through ministries around the world. Learn about our history in California as we prepare to celebrate our 175th anniversary in California at a luncheon in October. Also in this issue, we share spirituality reflections and education updates from our schools to inspire your spiritual journey. Click here to read the summer issue!
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Happy Birthday, St. Julie!
“Oh! How good is the good God.” - St. Julie Billiart
Happy birthday to our foundress, St. Julie, who was born on July 12, 1751. Read her biography, beautifully authored by Sister Anne Stevenson, SNDdeN, on our congregational website.
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Join Our Anniversary Celebration in California
Did you know the Sisters in California established the first college authorized to grant baccalaureate degrees to women? It is just one of the many extraordinary facts in our 175-year history in the Golden State.
We will gather on Sunday, October 4, in Foster City, California, for a once-in-a-lifetime celebration of being Woven Together in God's Goodness, and we hope you will join us! The luncheon festivities include time to mingle with the wonderful Sisters who continue to make known God’s goodness in California.
Registration is now available online for this special event. We are also seeking event sponsors to help further the mission of the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur.
Pictured: First Lady Mamie Eisenhower (right) visits the Sisters in California, 1956
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Hiroshima Nagasaki Prayer Service
Thursday, August 6 | 4 p.m. PT | 7 p.m. ET
On the 81st anniversary of the Hiroshima bombing, people of faith are invited to gather virtually for a prayer service honoring the victims and calling for nuclear abolition. We join others in co-sponsoring this event, hosted by the Franciscan Peace Center and the Franciscan Sisters of Perpetual Adoration. This year's theme is "From Remembrance to Abolition."
All are welcome. Register online.
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Sister Denise Stands for Justice
Sister Denise Curry, SNDdeN shared her love for all people at the Corpus Christi Eucharistic Procession for Immigrants in Washington, D.C. At the event, she spoke beautifully about the importance of unity:
“Don’t we want everyone to breathe clean air? Shouldn’t everyone have family and friends they love, be treated with respect, and receive a living wage? Don’t we want all children to go to good schools and dream their dreams and receive good medical care?”
May we join Sister Denise in standing up for justice and showing compassion to people in need. Read more.
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Support for Immigrant and Refugee Justice
In June and July, the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur, U.S. East-West Province, issued statements of solidarity with the Committee on Migration of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops on recent acts in our country. As Sisters committed to standing with the most vulnerable, we are compelled to speak out. Please join us in advocating for the dignified treatment of all citizens of our world.
| | Care for Creation: Time to Make a Break from Plastic | | | | |
In Laudato Si’, Pope Francis said, “The earth, our home, is beginning to look more and more like an immense pile of filth.” During July, we worked to change this disturbing trend with tips to reduce plastic pollution. The Sisters encourage you to adopt these Earth-friendly practices—small choices can make a big impact!
- Use a refillable water bottle instead of buying single-use plastic water bottles.
- Keep reusable shopping bags on hand so you never need a plastic shopping bag.
- At home and away, use silverware and reusable straws/utensils instead of plasticware.
- Extend the life of what you already have: reuse containers, repair items and recycle responsibly. Shop secondhand if you can!
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Associates Pledge Commitment to
Notre Dame Charism
We were pleased to host two commitment ceremonies this spring, celebrating seven new Associates of the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur (AND). Each AND committed to the charism and mission of Saint Julie Billiart and promised to share in our work to proclaim the goodness of God. Welcome!
Read more on our website.
Pictured, left to right: Hanna Price, AND, and Sister Louise O'Reilly, SNDdeN
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Sister Jean Passes the Gavel
After eight years as chair of the board at Notre Dame de Namur University, Sister Jean Stoner, SNDdeN has passed the gavel to another board member.
Some of Sister Jean's accomplishments during her term are steering the campus through the COVID pandemic and securing a more sustainable future for the university. She will continue to serve under the new board chair, Manny Nungaray.
Thank you, Sister Jean, for all your years of dedicated service! Read all about it.
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Sister Rosalie Advises Anniversary Project
Sister Rosalie Pizzaro, SNDdeN is consulting on a special project to celebrate Notre Dame High School’s 175th anniversary in San José, California.
Working with seniors and staff, Sister Rosalie is helping develop a historical exhibit, including her memories of attending the school in the early 1950s. She recently sat down with students to share the journey of her calling to become a Sister of Notre Dame de Namur. We look forward to learning more about this fantastic collaboration!
| | Sister Delores Harrell Scholarships Awarded | | |
Several Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur were honored to attend a reception for recipients of the Sister Delores Harrell, SNDdeN Scholarship. At a joyful celebration in Dorchester, Massachusetts, 50 guests enjoyed lunch, guest speakers and a raffle. The highlight of the day was awarding the $1,200 scholarships, funded by the U.S. East-West Province and others, to two outstanding recipients: Gabriel Ugoji (Tufts University) and Edwin Noncent (University of Massachusetts-Boston). Read more about this special day.
| | A Look at Worcester Wildlife | |
Fun fact: Birds of prey are some of Earth's most powerful predators, specially designed to hunt from the sky.
Residents at Notre Dame Health Care recently learned about hawks, eagles, falcons and owls and observed them up close during a visit from Julie Anne Collier of Wingmasters.
Enrichment and educational activities are an essential part of the package for residents at our health care center in Worcester, Massachusetts, where "senior living is filled with love!" Learn more online.
| | Catholic Volunteer Network | |
In June, representatives from Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur promoted service opportunities with Catholic organizations such as Notre Dame Mission Volunteers (NDMV) at the Catholic Campus Ministry Association conference in San Diego.
NDMV is now accepting applications for 2026-27. Visit ndmv.org to learn how you can grow your faith and have an unforgettable service journey!
Pictured left to right: Diana Enriquez-Field, AND, Sabrina Harper, AND and vocations promoter, and Sister Eileen Burns, SNDdeN.
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Spotlight on our Jubilarians
Our Celebration Saturday series on Facebook spotlights a special group of Sisters—our 2026 Jubilarians! These 27 women are marking milestone years of responding joyfully to the Gospel call and making known God’s goodness.
Follow our social channels and visit our website to learn more about their unique stories!
| | Pictured: Sister Kathryn Keenan, SNDdeN with students. | | |
"Sisters Host Student Leadership Conference
During summer break, juniors and seniors from our secondary schools came together for leadership training in the Notre Dame de Namur tradition. The annual Student Leadership Conference, held in July at Emmanuel College in Boston, was an opportunity to engage with peers and Sisters to explore the SNDdeN mission, learn how our charism is relevant today and participate in service projects. Special thanks to the Sisters who also attended and worked to make this a meaningful, productive experience!
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New Leader at Notre Dame Academy in Tyngsboro
Notre Dame Academy in Tyngsboro, Massachusetts, has a new Head of School. With a distinguished background in Catholic education, Dr. Michael J. Orlando, Jr. is already making a good impression.
“He is a really good man who is going to accomplish great things for my old alma mater,” shared Mary Ellen (Murphy) Cortellini, an alumna from the Class of 1976. “He is passionate about his work and mission and has a great vision for the institution in the years to come.”
Welcome to the Notre Dame de Namur family, Dr. Orlando!
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NDNU President Meets Pope Leo in Rome
In June, Beth Martin, president of Notre Dame de Namur University, had the distinct pleasure of meeting with Pope Leo XIV.
She presented His Holiness with several gifts that reflect the heritage and mission of the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur. These included a biography of martyr Sister Dorothy Stang, SNDdeN and a relic of Saint Julie Billiart, foundress of SNDdeN.
Martin is now retired as president of NDNU and has been succeeded by Leamor Kahanov, EdD. Read more.
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Cuvilly Kids Write and Illustrate Storybook
Eco-learning took a creative turn when students at Cuvilly Arts & Earth Center wrote and illustrated a book titled "The Garden That Grew the Trees." Demonstrating the children's understanding of the interconnectedness of Creation, the story follows a struggling little apple tree whose friends help her transform into a thriving apple tree guild. The book was presented at the 9th Annual Ipswich STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, Mathematics) Showcase and turned into a Story Walk in the Cuvilly gardens. Wonderful!
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Sister Regina Whalen, SNDdeN
We thank our good God for the life of Sister Regina Whalen, SNDdeN, who completed her earthly journey on July 14. She was 93 and had lived 76 years as a Sister of Notre Dame de Namur.
A lifelong learner, Sister Regina earned a bachelor's degree and three master's degrees. With a deep appreciation for nature, music and creativity, she used her many God-given gifts in the areas of education, spiritual guidance and international mission. Her life was a vibrant testament to God’s ongoing work: ever receiving, ever sharing, always grateful.
Read more about her extraordinary life here.
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