Blessed Theresa of Jesus Gerhardinger founded the School Sisters of Notre Dame in Germany in 1833. In 1847, she and Mother Caroline Friess bravely traveled to the United States to educate German immigrants. In 2011, the five provinces became the Central Pacific Province created by merging the Dallas, Milwaukee, Mankato, Minnesota, and St. Louis provinces into one province. Learn more about our history.
Sisters from the Central Pacific Province serve in six countries, including the United States, Ghana, Guam, Italy, Japan and Kenya. Although sisters serve around the world, most reside and serve in or near three main locations: Notre Dame of Elm Grove in Elm Grove, Wisconsin; Our Lady of Good Counsel in Mankato, Minnesota; and Sancta Maria in Ripa in St. Louis. Learn more about our locations.
We work to transform the world through education with the belief that education extends beyond the classroom. We serve in a variety of ministries, helping individuals and communities in need. Although SSND started as teachers, God has called many to serve in hospitals, prisons, nursing homes, parishes and agencies addressing social issues.Read about our ministries.
Social justice and advocacy issues are central to SSND values. The five focus areas for SSND include: Care of Creation, immigration and refugees, human trafficking, Gospel Peace and Nonviolence and racial justice. Through Shalom, our office for justice, peace and the integrity of creation, sisters actively engage in direct ministry and service, letter writing campaigns, community educational events and activism. Learn how to get involved with our social justice and advocacy campaigns.
We invite you to learn more about SSND and join our mission by attending our events, meet Jubilarians, reading our general information brochure, news stories and publications, sharing a prayer, subscribing to our eNewsletter and podcast or even becoming a sister or associate.