California Region

Mission Advancement Egram

May 30, 2024

One Heart. One Hope. One Mission. 

Dear Friends,

As the month of May closes, we want to share these cherished Marian images. Each is a reminder that in the spirit of Our Lady, we share a life of faith and joyful simplicity. They are included within the eight panels about SND history, life, and ministry which comprise our recently-updated heritage hallway. We look forward to sharing this display, updated as part of our Centennial year, with those who visit Notre Dame Center.

On another note, I recently had the privilege of making a mission appeal at St. Thomas Aquinas Church in Ojai, California. In chatting with parishioners after the Masses, I met a woman who wanted to share the impact of the SNDs on her life. She attended religious education classes at Our Lady of the Assumption Parish in Ventura, and it was the late Sr. Donnamay Weigler who prepared her for First Communion. Later in life, she was a staff member at St. Bonaventure High School. The late Sr. Josanne Furey was also on the staff, and the lady was touched by Sr. Josanne's ready smiles, positive attitude and daily words of encouragement.

As we continue our celebration of our Centennial throughout 2024, we are also discovering the many, many lives who have been part of our great journey. For each of you, we are deeply grateful! Be assured of our prayerful good wishes!

Grateful blessings always,

Sr. Lisa Megaffin, S.N.D.

Director of Mission Advancement Services

FROM THE CALIFORNIA GRAPEVINE

Farewell to SND Associates Deacon George and Tricia Mora!

Associates and SNDs gathered in Long Beach on May 21 to wish George and Tricia Mora a Happy 25th Wedding Anniversary (on that day) and to wish them the best. Although they are relocating to Wichita, Kansas, they promised to visit often! These photos show George and Tricia, and in the group photo, SND Associates Lupe Benitez, Blanca Duncan, Margaret Sawatsky-Smith and Warren Smith; standing are Tim Duncan and Sr. Jolisa Lazaro.

In the ocean, plastic pollution impacts sea turtles, whales, seabirds, fish, coral reefs, and many other marine species and habitats. In fact, scientists estimate that more than half of the world’s sea turtles and nearly every seabird have eaten plastic in their lifetimes. Plastic pollution also mars otherwise beautiful beaches, coastlines, and snorkel and dive sites worldwide.

Plastic pollution is a major problem because it doesn’t go away: “plastics are forever.” Instead, plastic debris simply breaks down into ever-smaller particles, known as microplastics, whose environmental impacts are still being determined.

To help resolve this pending ecological disaster, please consider "7 Solutions to Ocean Plastic Pollution."

Spring and Summer, 2024 California locations listed below

Mission Co-operative Appeals

For the last two years, the SNDs in the urban center of Mpala, Uganda have been nurturing a new fish farm. Through the generosity of many donors and the Hilton Fund for Sisters, they were able to turn a swampy, mosquito breeding ground into three fish ponds and a protective wall around the area. Some of the fish are used as food for the SNDs and the children at Notre Dame Nursery School.

Since the fish feed on the mosquito larva, the mosquito population is reduced. The local community felt relieved of the many mosquitoes in the area. Without the fish, many more people would become sick from malaria, possibly leading to death. The locals now have an improved diet and are grateful that the fish are sold at a reduced price. Proceeds from fish sales are used to support the outreach ministries of the SNDs in the region.

One of the East African SNDs proudly holds one of the fully-grown fish. Click on her photo to see a video of the fish in the new pond.

Thank you for providing for those in need!

The Sisters of Notre Dame are grateful to be able to share our passion for our global missions in various Catholic churches across the United States this spring and summer. SNDs from the California region will be speaking at these parishes.

Sr. Colette Theobald

Sr. Lisa Megaffin

Archdiocese of Los Angeles

St. Francis of Assisi Church &

San Salvador Mission

Fillmore & Piru, California

June 1-2

Sr. Antoinette Marie Moon

Diocese of San Diego

Mater Dei Church

Chula Vista, California

July 13-14

Sr. Colette Theobald

Archdiocese of Los Angeles

St. Didacus Church

Sylmar, California

August 13 - 14

Sr. Paulynne Tubick

Archdiocese of New York

St. John Nepomucene, St. Francis Xavier Cabrini, St. John the Martyr Church

New York, New York

August 24 - 25

Sr. Antoinette Marie Moon

Archdiocese of Indianapolis, Indiana

St. Anthony of Padua Church

Clarksville, Indiana

September 13-14

SNDUSA Website

SND USA Magazine, Spring, 2024

SND 2023 Impact Report, California Region

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