Mission Advancement Egram | August 30, 2019
EMBRACING OUR SHARED FUTURE,
while cherishing our pioneers' 95-year legacy 


It was Saturday, August 30, 1924, and a new venture for 11 courageous Sisters of Notre Dame who arrived in Los Angeles, bringing with them the traditions and legacy of the Sisters of Notre Dame from Cleveland, Ohio.   We can only imagine the uncertainties they faced.  They went to St. Lawrence of Brindisi Parish in the Watts area of Los Angeles and to St. Matthias Parish in Huntington Park to open elementary schools.  Eventually, our mission expanded to include other areas of Los Angeles County, Ventura County, Northern California and Uganda.

Today, as we anticipate the new venture of a single province of SNDs across the United States, we are animated by our pioneers' courage and trust in divine providence.  Our governance structure is changing, but our lives of consecration and our commitment to share God's love remain steadfast.  To all who have supported us on this 95-year journey of faith, we offer our prayerful gratitude. We look forward to sharing more details about SND*USA in the coming months.

Blessings always,
Director of Mission Advancement Services  
SNDs IN TANZANIA,
mobilizing to fend off human traffickers

In a recent edition of Global Sisters Report, the work of the SNDs in Tanzania to combat human trafficking was featured.  Sr. Kellen Mutoni was quoted:  "We have witnessed very many cases where children abducted are usually killed for cult rituals or their parents are asked for a ransom....The worst thing is that most of the victims are unaware of what they get themselves into. They are innocent of the situation."  

Sr. Kellen said that sometimes victims of human trafficking are lured by false promises of highly paid jobs and education, but end up being sexually abused, exploited as domestic workers, or forced to work in the fishing and mining sectors. In other cases, traffickers kidnap victims or use physical violence to control them and later demand ransom from their families, she added.

"But, as religious women, we condemn trafficking because we proclaim the dignity of the human person and the sanctity of all human life."   The SNDs around the world embrace this all-important cause and thank all who support us in this ministry.
FR. RAYMOND MARQUEZ,
guiding seminarians as intentional disciples of Christ

Being involved with priestly formation still gives me the opportunity to teach, but it gives me more of a chance to accompany my college seminarians in their discernment and growth as intentional disciples of Jesus Christ.

Read more.

The "Where are they now" feature of the SND Mission Advancement Egram will give updates on our colleagues and former students--anyone entrusted to our care.  We want to share how they live the SND mission by serving, leading, and giving hope within our diverse society.  To submit information for this column, please email Sarah Marcuse at smarcuse@sndca.org 
OUR LA REINA DAYS HOLD MANY MEMORIES,
celebrating 50 years as alumnae

At the August 24 La Reina High School alumnae reunion, these three graduates from the Class of 1969 were specially honored.

Shown here are Diane Hebert Davis, Sr. M. Anncarla Costello and Cinda Thomas Roffman.   The Class of '69 received the "Sisterhood Award" for having the highest percentage of members of their graduating class in attendance.  
GRATEFUL HEARTS,
honoring a most generous donor

The Sisters of Notre Dame were recently blessed to receive an extraordinarily generous legacy gift by a donor from Ventura.  She thoughtfully named the SNDs as a beneficiary of her savings account by completing a TOD, or "Transfer on Death" deed at her bank. Upon her passing, the bank distributed the funds directly to the community. This simple method of ensuring a gift to the beneficiary of a donor's choice provides the additional benefit of avoiding probate, and is therefore simultaneously beneficial for the donor and deeply impactful for the recipient. We are all truly grateful for this meaningful gift and will be honored to steward her legacy.

Follow this link for further information about a TOD.  Interested individuals can also inquire through a bank or investment administrator for the required paperwork, or contact Sr. Lisa Megaffin by email or at 805-917-3714.  
FEBRUARY 1, 2020,
planning for the best Nun Run ever!

Be sure to save the date of Saturday, February 1, 2020!  Registration is now open for our 6th annual Nun Run--5K, 1 Mile, and Community Service Fair.

Special thanks to our first corporate sponsor for 2020, Enterprise Fleet Management.

New this year:
  • Receive a free registration for yourself or a friend when you set up a Fundraiser and raise at least $100.
  • Babies welcome! Our Nun Run has had participants as young as 6-weeks-old.... Now you can register your baby or toddler for a special rate of $10 and receive a Onesie or toddler shirt and special baby giveaways from our sponsors.
  • Best Dressed Competition: Show your spirit by donning angel wings, halos, or anything that encourages all of us to get "On the Move for Good" in the spirit of the Sisters of Notre Dame.
Stay tuned for other great additions to our annual event...  For further information, email Jen Coito.  And thank you for joining us as we are ON THE MOVE FOR GOOD!
Events and Quick Links  

EAST AFRICA/UGANDA MISSION UPDATES
August 31-September 1
St. Cyprian's Parish | Sunnyvale, California
Sr. Lisa Megaffin

MOTHER-DAUGHTER RETREAT
Saturday, October 12, 9:30 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Notre Dame Center
Follow this link for further information or email Sr. Val Roxburgh.
 
"RELIGION, RACE, AND SCANDAL:  HOW DO WE SUSTAIN FAITH?" 
An African American Ministry Form

Saturday, October 26, 9:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
Loyola Marymount University
Sr. Lareine-Marie Mosely, Ph.D., S.N.D.

LMU's Center for Religion and Spirituality is offering this event to reflect on the church and faith in light of current challenging times.  Participants will consider and discuss how the church is sustaining the faithful or lagging behind in important social issues such as race, immigration and the clergy sex abuse scandals.  Sr. Lareine-Marie Mosely is a member of the Toledo province and assistant professor of Religious Studies at Notre Dame of Maryland University.  Follow this link to register.   

For information about other coming events,  follow this link to the calendar of events. 
Vision & Challenge 
Spring, 2019

SND Vocations
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Special thanks to our contributors to this egram:   Jen Coito, Sarah Marcuse, Ilana Ormond and Lisa Stupar