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Jubilees Celebrate Sisters' Joyful Response to the Gospel Call
In May, we kicked off our Jubilee events! We celebrated 13 Jubilarians in Ipswich and Worcester, Mass., gathering with Sisters, friends and family members to honor theSisters'’ decades of mission.
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Our 2026 Jubilarians are marking 60-80 milestone years of religious life. Throughout the year, we are recognizing their joyful response to the Gospel call on our website, social media and in the Winter issue of our magazine, Sowing Goodness.
Jubilees at Emmanuel College in Boston, Belmont, Calif., and Windsor, Conn., are scheduled for the coming months. Stay tuned!
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Weaving a Tapestry of Goodness
Over the coming months, we are highlighting the diverse threads that have come together to form a beautiful tapestry throughout the Golden State. Follow our social media, check out the upcoming feature article in the Summer Sowing Goodness magazine and follow our timeline on the website to learn more about our history of mission and ministry in California.
Be sure to save the date for a luncheon celebration on October 4 in Foster City!
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Leaders Meet to Explore "Transforming Grace"
There was an unmistakable energy in St. Louis this month as delegates from the U.S. East-West Province gathered with their peers from across the country for LCWR's Transforming Grace conference.
Elected leaders, justice and peace advocates and communicators explored ways religious congregations can be agents of hope, peace and justice. They took away inspiration and practical tools for leading from a place of compassion, respect, and the Gospel call to stand with those made vulnerable by poverty and injustice.
Pictured, left to right: Kathryn Yanik, JPIC Director, Sister Kathryn Keenan, SNDdeN, Susan Dennin, Director of Communications
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Sister Evelyn McKenna, SNDdeN Honored
At a recent event for the school community in Worcester, Mass., Notre Dame Academy acknowledged Sister Evelyn McKenna, SNDdeN for her contributions to the school. Sister Evelyn was a faculty member for 40 years.
"Sister Evelyn's dedication, wisdom and care are woven into the very fabric of this community," said NDA board member Elissa Boisvert. "In fact, I'm fairly certain that every NDA student has a Sister Evelyn story."
In her honor, the board donated to Caring for Congo, one of Sister Evelyn's signature programs at NDA.
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Sisters and Associates in the East got a comprehensive history lesson from Sister Anne Stevenson, SNDdeN at an informative and enjoyable gathering in Ipswich, Mass., earlier this month. Sister Anne spoke about the fascinating origins of the Associates program in the United States and Europe before introducing a beautiful video about noted artist, Sister Vincent de Paul Curran, SNDdeN (1906–1982), who created the chapel's stained-glass windows and hand-painted the Stations of the Cross.
This spring, we are pleased to welcome several new Associates across the United States who commit to living the charism of Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur and support the mission to make known God's goodness. Learn more about the Associates program on our website.
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Laudato Sí Celebrations on Social Media
The Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur are deeply committed to environmental justice and actively participate in justice advocacy and initiatives. In May, we posted Laudato Sí Week inspirations celebrating Pope Francis's encyclical, "Laudato Sí: On Care for Our Common Home."
Make sure you are following us!
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"Central Coast Plunge" Takes Students out of the Classroom
Students and chaperones from Notre Dame High School in San José had the amazing opportunity to engage in hands-on learning as they studied the ecological, cultural, historical and economic diversity of the Central Coast site in Monterey Bay, Calif.
The comprehensive excursion is part of the school's commitment to global education, which this year included other immersion experiences such as the Ignatian Family Teach-in for Justice in Washington, D.C., an "urban plunge" in East Los Angeles and an interfaith religious trip to New Mexico. This summer, students in the culture and language programs will explore Japan, Costa Rica and China. Safe travels!
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Sisters Anchor Panel Discussion on Love in Action
When you ask four Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur to share their life stories, be prepared for four unique accounts of their missions and ministries. At an event hosted by Notre Dame Academy in Worcester, Mass., guests heard from Sisters Peggy Cummings, Mary Alice McCabe, Ellen Keane and Marietta Brown, SNDdeN, about their experiences in education, international mission and community outreach as part of the school's InHER Circle Speaker Series. Read more.
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Notre Dame Schools Celebrate Community
The concept of being united in Notre Dame identity, excellence and tradition brought students from three Notre Dame schools together for a "shadow" day.
Students at Notre Dame Academy-Worcester, Notre Dame Academy-Tyngsboro, and Notre Dame Cristo Rey experienced the unique character of their schools while uncovering the incredible commonality and global connections they share with other Notre Dame communities.
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Commencement Speakers Inspire 2026 Graduates
Emmanuel College (Boston) graduates enjoyed remarks from Sister Mary Johnson, SNDdeN, Congregational Leader, alumna and former faculty member, who shared an inspirational message, encouraging graduates to be bridge builders and affirming that the world "needs your insight and wisdom regarding the uses of technology to bring us toward a path of more light."
Graduates of Notre Dame de Namur University (Belmont, Calif.) heard from Speaker Emerita of the U.S. House of Representatives Nancy Pelosi, who spoke on leadership, resilience and participation in the democratic process: "Be yourself, be ready, know your why, and know your power."
Trinity Washington University (Washington, DC) held two back-to-back ceremonies to accommodate graduates in various schools. Each ceremony included remarks from outstanding students in the class who shared their experiences, challenges, successes and advice for their classmates.
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Inaugural Immersion Program Coming in June
The inaugural Laudato Seeds of Change Immersion Program is ready to launch in a few weeks!
Eight incredible women from across the United States will join our Sisters and staff in Ipswich, Mass., for hands-on learning about our universal call to care for God's Creation.
Participants will work at Cuvilly Arts & Earth Center, tending the land and animals, and enjoy educational talks and opportunities for spiritual growth. Watch for our June/July issue of Goodness in Action for a report on their experiences!
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Support Our Mission to Make Known God's Goodness
As women with "hearts as wide as the world," we are deeply grateful for your partnership in carrying forward St. Julie's legacy of love and service. This year, we are reflecting on what it means to live joyfully as we respond to the Gospel call. Even in times marked by upheaval, suffering and division, we are called as women religious to be a joyful presence in our world, and we invite you to share in that spirit with us.
Your generosity helps the Sisters make a difference in the world. To support our work and programs, including the "Laudato Seeds Immersion Program," use our secure online form or call 617-387-2500 ext. 2011 to learn about other ways to give. Thank you!
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Sister Celeste Pagliarulo, SNDdeN
We praise God for the life of Sister Celeste Pagliarulo, SNDdeN who returned to God on May 14, 2026, after 77 years of religious life.
Born in California, she earned a Bachelor of Arts and a standard teaching credential (College of Notre Dame) and a Master of Arts degree in history (University of San Francisco).
Over her long career in education, Sister Celeste worked as a teacher, principal and librarian and was missioned to California, Oregon, Washington and Hawaii.
In recent years, she served those experiencing homelessness and taught English to immigrants, a ministry she found deeply inspiring. Read more about her extraordinary life.
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