Latest News

December 4, 2024 – Sister Jeanne Goessling has spent much of her ministry as a School Sister of Notre Dame (SSND) living and working in other countries, including Honduras and Kenya. She recently returned to the U.S. after many years spent in Africa, where she resided at the SSND Formation House alongside new postulants. Embrace Advent »

December 4, 2024 – Sister Mary Joseph Tsuzuki was 108 years old when she passed away peacefully on October 10, 2024, in Kyoto, Japan. This made her the oldest sister in the School Sisters of Notre Dame (SSND) Central Pacific Province. Of her many years, she counted more than 70 of them as a SSND. Celebrate a Life »

November 14, 2024 – Sister Nicolette Karcher gathered with her biological sisters to attend the centennial celebration of the Academy of Notre Dame at St. Augustine of Canterbury. Read More »

November 12, 2024 – Notre Dame High School in South St. Louis County will break ground on a new $5 million STREAM center. To learn more read the National Catholic Reporter, “Notre Dame High School in St. Louis County to break ground on new $5 million STREAM center this week.” Read More »

November 6, 2024 – As jack-o'-lanterns are pulled from front porches and the calendar flips a page to November, thoughts turn to the season’s next big holiday, Thanksgiving. Just as important as the turkey and pumpkin pie, Thanksgiving reminds us to take a moment to recognize all that we have to be grateful for. Share in Thanks »

November 6, 2024 – In the United States, National Vocation Awareness Week (NVAW) is celebrated each November, this year from November 3-9, 2024. This special week is a time to highlight and promote vocations to ordained ministry and consecrated life and to renew our prayers and support for those who are considering a vocation.   Discover NVAW »

November 6, 2024 – Sisters were busy this election season to Get Out the Vote. Across the province, sisters could be found serving as polling place chaplains, providing rides to the polls and organizing prayer services. Ride Along »

November 5, 2024 – A dozen religious leaders and Sisters Susan Adrians, Karen Walther and Barbara Pfarr, gathered to pray for the Wisconsin Elections Commission as they arrived at the Baird Center in downtown Milwaukee to prepare for the opening and counting of ballots. To learn more read the National Catholic Reporter, “Sisters, religious leaders pray for Wisconsin ballot counters.” Read More »

October 9, 2024 – Sister Barbara Pfarr is traveling with the Nuns on the Bus, a project of the Network Lobby for Catholic Social Justice. To learn more read the Global Sisters Report, “Nuns on the Bus Chicago stop highlights multi-issue voting at center for immigrants.” Learn More »

October 2, 2024 – Each year, the Women’s Leadership Luncheon series offers attendees the opportunity to connect with speakers and stories that are timely, engaging and inspiring - and which relate to topics of importance for the School Sisters of Notre Dame (SSND). Learn More »

October 2, 2024 – In 2015, Pope Francis penned his encyclical letter Laudato Si’, urging all people of the world to take action on the climate emergency and ecological crisis. In 2021, in a heartfelt response to this call, the School Sisters of Notre Dame Central Pacific Province (SSNDCP) dedicated themselves to a seven-year effort to “live more simply, responsibly, and sustainably and to educate, advocate and act in collaboration with others for the dignity of life and the care of all creation.” Walk With Us »

September 23, 2024 – Sister Judy Best talks about recognizing the important role her education through Network and a commitment to Catholic social justice principles aides her conversations with friends whose political views differ from hers. Read More »

September 13 , 2024 – Sister Marilyn Kesler was featured regarding her work on the Dismas Ministry board of directors. Dismas Ministry provides prisoners with free Catholic scripture, faith and prayer resources to restore their relationship with the Catholic church and with God. To learn more read the Newsletter from Dismas Ministry, “Opening doors and transforming lives through compassion.” Read More »

September 13, 2024 – Congratulations to Sister Joan Penzenstadler, for receiving the Madonna Medal for her service to Mount Mary University in Milwaukee. An alumna, she was part of the theology department and served as vice president for mission and identity before retiring in 2022. Sister Joan remains an active member of the Mount Mary community, supporting the SSND spirit and mission. Read More »

September 4, 2024 – Sister Sandra Helton, Central Pacific Province Councilor, on her election as a board member for Leadership Conference for Women Religious (LCWR). Her term begins at the conclusion of the LCWR National Assembly in August.

Sister Sandra is serving as a provincial councilor for the Central Pacific Province for the first time. Her leadership experience includes 45 years serving as an educator in Catholic and public schools in Alabama, Arizona, Louisiana, Mississippi and Texas. Sister Sandra’s teaching background includes reading and language arts, drama and technology to elementary, middle and high school students. She has also ministered as assistant administrator, IT coordinator, lead teacher, instructional coach and teacher mentor. She also taught at the Institute of Black Catholic Studies at Xavier University, New Orleans, and Speech and Theater at Northwestern State University, Natchitoches, Louisiana. Read More »