California Region

Mission Advancement Egram

May 30, 2023

One Heart. One Hope. One Mission.

MESSAGE FROM MISSION ADVANCEMENT

...educating an entire nation!

Dear Friends,

Since 1850, the Sisters of Notre Dame have been devoted to the education of women, especially those on the margins. Census reports indicate grave literacy disparity between women and men, crippling economic and social stability in many parts of the world. Too often, a young girl is sold into marriage by her own father, becoming a mother even as a child. Reports also show that education makes a difference in preventing these unjust realities.

We have been blessed with opportunities to educate both girls and boys of all ages, but gender disparity continues to be an ugly sign of the times. Especially in the East African countries of Uganda, Kenya and Tanzania, we are reaffirming our commitment to women. For example:

Notre Dame Academy Secondary in Buseesa, Uganda prepares young women to enter college and pursue careers which make a social impact, such as education, medicine, and social work.
Through sewing classes, young women in Tanzania are learning marketable skills and financial independence.
More than 20 postulants will be entering our community in Africa in the coming months. Their spiritual formation and education will make a profound difference in those they will serve in the name of the Gospel.

With gratitude for your previous support, we invite you to invest in the lives of the women entrusted to our care. Your donation to our East Africa/Uganda Fund will open new horizons for them and their families. Secure donations can be made online at sndusa.org/donateca. Be assured of the heartfelt gratitude and prayer of each Sister of Notre Dame, both locally and around the world..

Grateful blessings, today and always,

Sr. Lisa Megaffin, S.N.D.

Director of Mission Advancement Services

FROM THE CALIFORNIA GRAPEVINE

Casa de hospitalidad

...welcoming, honoring and respecting the stranger

In the words of Pope Francis, "migrants and refugees are brothers and sisters to be welcomed, respected and loved." With this in mind, we are honored to share this article from the May 26 edition of Global Sisters Report. Two SNDs from the midwest, Sr. Joyce Bates and Sr. Roseanne Mellert are volunteering at a Texas migrant shelter in response to the humanitarian crisis plaguing so much of the world.

The SNDs have also opened Casa de Hospitalidad, a facility that provides lodging and transportation for sisters, associates, young adults, and others who want to volunteer with La Frontera, the migrants' respite center managed by Catholic Charities of the Laredo Diocese. The article has heartwarming stories of the painful and uncertain journeys that the migrants have taken... Prepare to be inspired!

This article was also shared on May 30 in Always Forward, the daily e-newsletter published by the Archdiocese of Los Angeles.

Devoted colleagues

...honored by the National Sponsorship and Network Office

Deacon Dick Williams, Director of Finance and Human Resources at Notre Dame Academy Schools of Los Angeles, received the Transformative Leadership Award. This honor recognizes employees and/or volunteers in the SND national network who inspire hope and excellence as they lead others to a fuller, freer life. As catalysts for growth, award recipients inspire the hearts and transform the lives of those with whom they minister.

Mr. Stan Hirsch, 47-year veteran mathematics teacher at La Reina High School & Middle School, was honored with the Father Bernard Overberg "Teacher of Teachers" award. Fr. Overberg urged teachers to ignite the spark of learning in their students through engaging, conversational lessons that inspired them to think for themselves, to share ideas in their own words, to ask questions, to make observations, and to solve real-world problems. Mr. Hirsch is shown here with Sr. Regina Robbins and Maggie Marschner.

Congratulations

...to future aerospace engineers from NDA

The SNDs congratulate the rocketry team from Notre Dame Academy, placing 9th among 800 teams from across the United States in the American Rocketry Challenge. The team also captured the prestigious best craftsman award presented by Nortrop Gruman. The American Rocketry Challenge, renowned as the premier student rocketry competition in the United States, brings together the brightest minds and aspiring aerospace engineers. The challenge tasks participants with designing, building, and launching rockets to meet specific performance objectives.

Springtime traditions

...in the spirit of Marian service

Spring always brings cherished spiritual traditions as shown in these photos. Hayley Christopher of La Reina High School poses with Archbishop Jose H. Gomez and Los Angeles Catholic Schools superintendent Paul Escala after being honored at the annual Christian Service Awards Mass at the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels. Notre Dame Academy celebrated Mary's Day with gratitude, prayer and joyful surprises, as the school community honored the Blessed Mother. Festivities included a liturgy with the May crowning.

CALENDAR OF COMING EVENTS

...living with one heart, one hope, one mission

Friday, June 2

Gun Violence Awareness Day

Please join the SNDs with the Nuns Against Gun Violence group on June 2 as we engage in education and advocacy around gun violence. We encourage these nationwide actions:

Place a light or a candle in a window as a sign of your commitment to bringing this issue into the light.
Wear orange to honor survivors of gun violence.
Take a photo of your candle, or yourself in orange, to flood social media with light amidst the darkness of violence and a call for action to end gun violence.

This flyer has all the details and a prayer for the day. Also, please share photos, including your name and location, with infoca@sndusa.org.