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California Region
Mission Advancement Egram
August 28, 2026
| One Heart. One Hope. One Mission. | | |
MESSAGE FROM MISSION ADVANCEMENT
...trusting in God's provident care
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Dear Friends,
In the words from Ecclesiastes 3, "There is a time for everything under the sun..." As you read through this egram, you will see that a variety of experiences and graces have marked our days. Summer always brings a change of pace: vacations, retreats, celebrations, the beginning of school and parish programs, and changes in ministry for some of our sisters.
With that in mind, we congratulate the new leadership team for SND USA, Sister Mary Dianne Rumschlag, Ph.D., Congregational Leader, and Councilors Sister Patricia Mary Garrahan, Sister Susan Maria Kusz, Sister Marla Monahan and Sister Valerie Marie Roxburgh. They bring a strong background in education, spiritual formation, retreat ministry, administration, spiritual direction, campus ministry and congregational leadership. Follow this link for more about the July 5 leadership installation and the members of this new team. Be assured of their gratitude for your special prayer.
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Sister Val, a native Californian, served on the Los Angeles Provincial Council before the formation of SND USA. She has much experience and passion for young adult ministries: assisting with retreats, facilitating fellowship and offering spiritual direction.
Further on in Ecclesiastes 3, we read, "God has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the human heart; yet no one can fathom what God has done from beginning to end." In all the seasons of life, we have confidence in God's goodness and provident care. We thank you for being our partners on mission through your prayer, encouragement and financial support. And be assured that we carry each of you in our hearts and in our prayers every day.
Blessings always,
Sister M. Lisa Megaffin, SND
Director of Mission Advancement Services
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FROM THE CALIFORNIA GRAPEVINE
...all around town...and the world!
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Remembering Sr. Kristin Battles
...a life of joyful simplicity
After 59 years as a Sister of Notre Dame, Sister Mary Kristin Battles, tenth Superior General, was called by her loving God into eternal life on Saturday, August 15. All are invited to celebrate with us.
Mass of Christian Burial
Thursday, September 24, 10:00 a.m.
St. Julie Billiart Church, Newbury Park
Reception immediately following in the parish hall
Burial
Friday, September 25, 10:00 a.m.
Assumption Cemetery, Simi Valley
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Many SND congregational leaders from around the world will be present. In God's providence, they will be in California for a meeting planned many months ago.
To assist with preparations, those who plan to attend the funeral are asked to RSVP at this link.
A complete tribute and other information can be found here. That webpage will have the live-stream link when it is available. Questions may be directed to Sr. Lisa Megaffin by email or call 805-917-3714.
Please join us in prayer if you are unable to be present. Be assured that Sister Mary Kristin will be a special intercessor for all who have shared her journey.
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Mission Moment
Wisdom words from Sister Kristin Battles
| | During her years in congregational leadership, Sister Kristin wrote inspirational letters for the sisters to read, reflect on and discuss. Follow this link for some highlights from her letters written when she was Provincial Superior, between 2001 and 2010. | | |
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Mission Moment is a regular column in our monthly egram. We will feature SNDs, Associates, and ministry partners who exemplify the SND spirit and mission. To make suggestions and provide testimonials, please email infoca@sndusa.org.
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The East African update
...fostering hearts as wide as the universe
Sister Catherine Nzisa Muema and Sister Pascalia Kathikwa from Kenya recently visited us and many people experienced their missionary hearts and their passion for our SND life and ministries. Special thanks to the school communities of St. Dominic's in Eagle Rock and Our Lady of the Assumption in Ventura for welcoming them. The sisters also shared stories and expressed gratitude to our donors through individual visits and conversations. These photos share a bit of their whirlwind tour of Southern California! Since they will be students at Carlow University in Pittsburgh for several more years, we hope they can visit us again!
| | | The sisters presented a gift to Noburu Honda in appreciation for his fundraising efforts at St. Dominic's School. They were joined by his parents, Mimi and Nobuo Honda. In the background is his teacher, Sister Jane McHugh. | | Sister Rebekah Kennedy introduced the sisters to the students at Our Lady of the Assumption School. A highlight of their presentation was a video of the African sisters celebrating the congregation's 175th anniversary last year. Follow this link to catch their energy and spirit! | | |
CALENDAR OF COMING EVENTS
...living with one heart, one hope, one mission
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Saturday and Sunday, August 29-30
Our Lady of Sorrows Parish
Santa Barbara, California
Mission Co-operative
Update and Appeal
The Sisters of Notre Dame are grateful to share our passion for our global missions in various Catholic churches across the United States this summer. We look forward to sharing the impact of your spiritual support and financial generosity. Thank you for joining us in sharing the good news of the Gospel! We are grateful to the parishioners of these California parishes for their kind support this summer: Our Lady of Guadalupe, El Monte; St. Michael's, Livermore; Ascension, Los Angeles; and St. Ambrose, Berkeley.
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Friday, September 11 - 5:00 p.m. (Pacific time)
Online
Young Adult Faith Sharing
Join young adults from across the country to reflect and share on the Sunday Gospel on the second Friday of each month. All young adults are welcome. And feel free to share this invitation with any young adult in your life seeking meaningful connections rooted in prayer. To register, contact Sister Val Roxburgh via email or text to 805-452-9699.
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Saturday, October 24 - 9:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
repeated on
Sunday, October 25 - 1:00 - 4:30 p.m.
Notre Dame Center
Everyday Mysticism Retreat
In the words of Karl Rahner, "The Christian of the future will be a mystic or nothing else." This retreat will be an opportunity for ordinary people to discover ordinary encounters with God as a pathway to inner freedom and peace. Embracing the divine presence, participants will discover prayer as a golden thread woven throughout the day. The same content will be presented each day. Follow this link for complete information and please note that October 16 is the registration deadline.
| | And now a word from our partner ministries... | | Many Mansions develops and maintains quality affordable housing, providing services that enrich the lives of the residents, uplifting the community. Be sure to check out the organization's 2026 Annual Report to experience Many Mansions' people, communities and programs. | | South Central LAMP provides programs that empower women and their families to reach their full potential in a supportive, nurturing environment. Education, literacy programs and the use of community resources make that difference! LAMP relies on the generosity of hundreds of volunteers and donors every year. Follow this link for their latest Volunteer Newsletter. | | | | |
