School Sisters of Notre Dame Associates
Living out the works of mercy in their everyday life
Associates and sisters – Ohio and West Virginia
In July, 2015, Associate Cecelia Helmick brought a unique idea to our monthly associate gathering in Coolville, Ohio. She told us about “The Father’s Love Letter”, which is a compilation of about 50 Scripture quotes that are put together as a “love letter” from God. These love letters take the form of prayer sacks.
The Coolville associates caught Cecelia’s enthusiasm and worked on the prayer sacks: printing, cutting the letter into 50 quotes, folding the quotes and putting them into brown lunch bags. On one side, we included information about the letters, and on the other, information about the School Sisters of Notre Dame.
We presented these prayer sacks to various groups. At Parkersburg Catholic High School in West Virginia, Cecelia and Sister Joan Marie Van Beek distributed the sacks. The group was met with almost 180 students who were eager to see which Scripture quote they would pull out next, aware that each had a special message for them. The teacher who accompanied us in these presentations also described the prayer sacks as a personal blessing.
We met with the confirmation class and youth group at St. Ambrose Catholic Church in Belpre, Ohio, who received the prayer sacks as well. We also shared the prayer sacks with other youth leaders in the area.
We will continue to share these prayer sacks with groups and individuals in our community.
If you would like to view the letter or watch a video, visit http://www.fathersloveletter.com/.
-
How the SSND spirit has resonated throughout my life
Christina Perez Topasna, an SSND associate, shares her professional, personal and spiritual journey from postulancy to SSND associate. Christina shared, “I find that being an SSND associate is a welcomed extension and meaningful link to those years I was with the SSND religious community. Our actions, no matter how small and seemingly insignificant we think they are, do have an impact on those around us.” Read more...
-
Feeding the hungry - Green Hope Gardens
In 2010, during monthly associate meetings, Sisters Mariel Kreuziger and Henrita Gonia and the associates in Ohio and West Virginia reflected on what they might do to feed the hungry, bring comfort to those in need, provide nourishment for the hungry spirit and be good stewards of the land entrusted to us. Read more...
-
Father Gene Stenzel’s rock house — a lifelong passion to create
Father Gene Stenzel, an SSND associate, builds rock formations on his family farm in Wells, Minnesota. Learn about his creations and the time sisters and associates were able to visit them. Read more...