California 175th Anniversary Luncheon
Celebrates a Tapestry Woven in God's Goodness | | |
What a wonderful day of celebration! Sisters, staff and friends gathered in Foster City, California, on October 4 for a joyful luncheon marking 175 years of the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur's ministry in California.
The milestone commemorates the arrival of two Sisters who journeyed from Oregon to Northern California in 1851 during the Gold Rush to establish a school for settlers, prospectors and immigrant families. What began as a courageous mission continues today as a growing tapestry woven through ministries of education, service, and community, all rooted in God's goodness.
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Spotlight on Vocations
National Vocations Awareness Week is almost here!
During the week of November 1-7, we invite you to reflect on God's call in your life.
Whether you are discerning your own path or encouraging another on theirs, National Vocations Awareness Week is a chance to reflect on how we are each called to lives of faith, service and love.
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Come and See Retreat
Join us to learn more about the journey of a lifetime with the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur!
This discernment retreat is for single Catholic women ages 22-45 exploring religious life. Come and see!
The deadline to express interest is Nov. 6. For more information, contact Vocations Promoter Sabrina Harper at vocations@ewsndden.org.
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California Sisters Receive Community Award
And the award goes to ...
At the recent Women's Leadership and Policy Summit of Santa Clara County, Sisters Rosalie Pizzo and Gillian Wallace, SNDdeN gratefully accepted a Luminary Award recognizing our history of educating women in California since 1851.
The award is described as "honoring a lifetime of achievement of those who have illuminated a path to positive change, advanced women's rights and benefited the community."
We thank our good God for all our Sisters who have worked over decades to bring St. Julie's mission to schools on the West Coast.
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| | Sisters Gillian Wallace (left) and Rosalie Pizzo (center), SNDdeN accept an award recognizing the Sisters' impact in California. | | | | | |
All Souls' Day Prayer Requests
In celebration of All Souls' Day and throughout November, the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur will continue the tradition of prayerfully remembering all who have gone before us.
If you would like the Sisters to pray for a loved one throughout November, please submit a prayer request.
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International Day of the Girl
October 11 was a special day at the United Nations — the 25th International Day of the Girl. Each year, the UN sets aside this time to highlight the challenges girls face and advocate for their fundamental rights.
Sister Isabelle Izika, SNDdeN, our representative at the UN, shared her thoughts:
"In a powerful demonstration of global solidarity, students from 11 schools in Kenya, Nigeria, the United Kingdom and the United States presented research on critical issues affecting girls' mental health. Topics ranged from child marriage and youth pregnancy to mental health. Each school identified challenges and showcased its ongoing initiatives to create positive change, such as collecting feminine hygiene products. During meetings on October 9, two Notre Dame girls spoke in person at the UN event, amplifying their voices alongside the Sisters as they advocated for girls' dignity worldwide."
| | Pictured: NDA Hingham student Natalie participated in Day of the Girl activities at the UN. | | | Sister Mary Ellen Howard, SNDdeN writes postcards for the See. Love. Vote. campaign. | |
Vote Responsibly This Election Day
Election Day is coming on November 3! The Sisters have joined See. Love. Vote., a nonpartisan voter education and engagement campaign led by NETWORK Advocates and faith partners across the country.
Informed civic engagement is how we live out our commitment to human dignity, justice and the common good. Rather than endorsing candidates or political parties, we encourage thoughtful participation in our democracy that is grounded in faith and Catholic Social Teaching.
SEE the realities facing our communities.
LOVE our neighbors through active engagement and solidarity.
VOTE as an expression of care for the common good.
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Celebrating Hispanic Heritage on Social Media
From September 15 through October 15, we joined the national celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month! We highlighted several members of our extended Notre Dame community whose faith, service, leadership and commitment to justice enrich our communities and our mission while reflecting the unique gifts of Hispanic and Latino cultures. Take a look!
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World Teachers' Day Celebrated on October 5
We honored teachers worldwide, especially those working in SNDdeN schools, on World Teachers' Day, October 5! Thank you for carrying forward St. Julie's mission to "teach them what they need to know for life."
Sister Jeannette Pierre-Louise, SNDdeN shares some beautiful thoughts about the vocation of teaching: "True education must do more than fill a mind with facts; it must form character. Education should teach values of integrity, compassion and justice. These are what transform raw knowledge into wisdom. These values serve as a steady guide, helping us eliminate options that don't align with who we are. They give us a firm foundation when everything else feels chaotic in a changing society. The development of the heart must always walk hand in hand with the training of the mind."
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University President Named to Influential List
We’re proud to share that Washingtonian magazine has named Patricia McGuire, president of Trinity Washington University, as one of the Most Powerful Women in Washington!
President McGuire, a Trinity alumna from the Class of 1974, is listed in the education category, and under her stewardship, Trinity has maintained its longstanding reputation as an innovative, future-focused institution.
Wonderful recognition for a wonderful leader!
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Reflecting on Hallmark #2
Juniors at the Academy of Notre Dame in Tyngsboro, Massachusetts, spent a blessed day focused on their relationship with Jesus and how they can fully embrace Hallmark #2, “We Honor the Dignity and Sacredness of Each Person.”
The 36 class members reflected on the Gospel and were encouraged to consider how they can honor their own human dignity. This is one of several retreats centered on the Hallmarks that students experience during their four years at NDA.
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Visit a Notre Dame School
It’s open house season! This is a time when Notre Dame schools invite prospective families to visit campus and consider applying for the 2027-28 academic year. Check out a Notre Dame school near you to learn how a Catholic school education can help your child grow in faith, knowledge, a global mindset and a dedication to service.
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| These events are held at the Notre Dame Spirituality Center in Ipswich, Massachusetts. | | |
Journey to God
Sunday, Nov. 8, 2026, 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Join us for a day of prayer, pilgrimage and encounter with Sister Peggy Cummins, SNDdeN, Bryn Walsh and Mary MacGillivray.
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Centering Prayer
Saturday, Nov. 14, 9:30 - 11 a.m.
Come experience Centering Prayer, a form of silent contemplative prayer.
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Sister Mary Elizabeth Delaney, SNDdeN went home to her good God on October 12, 2026. She was 95.
Throughout her years of mission, she had a wide variety of experiences, sharing her gifts as a healthcare coordinator, service coordinator and guidance counselor.
With her real estate license, she helped develop our healthcare residence in Worcester, paying attention to details such as ensuring God's nature was visible from every resident's window. For many years, Sister Mary Elizabeth also directed the AIDS hotline in Danvers.
Read more about her extraordinary life here.
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Sister Joan Maritz, SNDdeN went home to her good God on October 16, 2026, at 92. She was a Sister of Notre Dame de Namur for 74 years.
A graduate of Notre Dame High School in Alameda, California, Sister Joan was a lifelong teacher who was missioned to schools throughout California and in Portland, Oregon. She especially loved sixth graders and found great joy in teaching math and building her students’ confidence in their skills.
Following her retirement from the classroom, she remained active with the Finance and Development offices, using her people skills to continue advancing the mission and charism of St. Julie. Learn more.
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Sister Mavourneen McGinty, SNDdeN went home to her good God on October 24, 2026, after 74 years of religious life.
As Sister Mary Arthur, she joyfully taught students at Notre Dame and various parish schools for 27 years.
Following that career, she transitioned into healthcare ministry and spent several years as a chaplain at Providence Hospital in Everett, Washington, where she served as a point of contact and comfort for families and patients.
She also coordinated the province's records in Belmont, California, for two decades.
Read more about her here.
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