California Region

Mission Advancement Egram

August 26, 2022

Dear Friends,

Saturday, July 30, found more than 350 guests praising God for His goodness in the lives of 10 SND Jubilarians from California. Most Reverend Jose Gomez, Archbishop of Los Angeles, was the main celebrant for the liturgy, with 18 priests concelebrating. A reception at La Reina High School & Middle School followed.

Readers are invited to join in the festivities through the video link of the Mass, and photos of the day at this link. (Click on the photo to enlarge it.)  

Special thanks to everyone who made the day so special, particularly

• Rev. Jim Stehly and the staff of St. Jude the Apostle Parish
• Knights of Columbus Msgr. O'Connell Council #8072
• Ms. Carol Browning, Accompanist
• Sr. Leanne Hubbard, Artist and choir director
• Mr. Tony Guevara and Mr. Dan Peeters, La Reina hosts

Gratefully celebrating you as our brothers and sisters in faith,

Sr. Lisa Megaffin, S.N.D.

Director of Mission Advancement Services

"The love of God is extravagant! Nothing small, nothing half-hearted, nothing mediocre can ever be worthy of a true follower of the suffering Christ."  These were Sr. Francelia's words memorialized in a tribute booklet for the 1982 National Congress on the Apostolate.

Under her leadership as provincial superior, Sr. Francelia coordinated the design and construction of Notre Dame Center in Thousand Oaks.  The photo above shows Sr. Francelia turning the first shovel to begin construction on August 15, 1977. Also shown are Richard Belding, general contractor; Louis Sherer, Director of Public Works, City of Thousand Oaks; Sr. M. Pauletta Sibbing; Sr. M. Cornelia Ols; Sr. Francelia; Sr. M. Joann Schlarbaum; Rev. Colm O'Ryan, Associate Pastor of St. Paschal Baylon Parish; and Mayor Alex Fiore, City of Thousand Oaks.

FROM THE CALIFORNIA GRAPEVINE

Unique Sabbatical Experiences!

At the invitation of Sr. Kristin Battles, superior general, Sr. Leanne Hubbard is spending August and September with SNDs in East Africa. Her first stop was in Arusha, where she has taught a 9-day course on Ignatian Spirituality, the history of religious life, and spiritual discernment to the 18 novices that come from Tanzania, Uganda, and Kenya.

She has taken several short trips including to: Simanjiro where SNDs minister to the semi-nomadic Maasai people; Ngorongoro Crater Conservation Area where she and the young sisters saw elephants, baboons, gazelle, water buffalo and many more native animals; Nanenane, a “county fair” celebration with crops, animals, clothes, and other goods for sale; the Zinduka Women’s Centre; and the Tarangire National Park. Sr. Leanne will now give two retreats to different groups of young SNDs in Tanzania. Please pray for Sr. Leanne, on sabbatical from St. John's Seminary, as she continues her travels and experiences with the African sisters in the coming month. 

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Sr. Leanne accompanied novices and junior professed sisters on a trip to Ngorongoro Crater Conservation Area.  

She also models a royal blue kanga (apron), a traditional gift with cultural significance for the people of  East Africa.  

The Sisters of Notre Dame offer prayerful good wishes to the past, current and future parishioners of St. Rose of Lima! SNDs ministered in the parish and school from 1925 until 2001. Be sure to click on the graphic for a video history of St. Rose.