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EMBRACING OUR SHARED FUTURE,
looking ahead to 2020
Dear Friends,
Embrace change--it is the only constant in life. As we daily experience the reality of change in nature and in our spiritual journeys, it also shapes the social groupings that are the fabric of society. With this background, the Sisters of Notre Dame are excited to announce that the four U.S. provinces will become one new province in July, 2020.
Arriving from Germany in 1874, the SNDs became one American province (or geographic unit) in the early 1900s. Ministries spread and separate provinces made it easier to coordinate these efforts. The SNDs came to California in 1924 and became a province in 1961, joining the other provinces of Chardon, Ohio; Toledo, Ohio; and Covington, Kentucky.
Over the past two decades, increasing collaboration among the American provinces has simplified internal structures and strengthened our response to the needs of the times. Contemporary means of communication and travel facilitate this coordination.
The SNDs will remain a strong presence in each geographic area, and this restructuring will create new connections among the 500+ SNDs. While each region will continue its local ministries, this new model for outreach brings renewed enthusiasm and collaboration. Together, the SNDs determined three mission priorities for the new province:
- Sponsored education and ministries - in California, these are La Reina High School & Middle School, Notre Dame Academy Schools of Los Angeles, and Notre Dame Learning Center Preschool
- Ministries on the Margins
- Young Adult Ministries
We look forward to sharing further information about this dynamic change with our associates, donors, colleagues and friends in the coming months. Please join us in prayer as we ask for God's blessings on this important venture.
Blessings always,
Sr. Lisa Megaffin, S.N.D.
Director of Mission Advancement Services
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Please join the SNDs in recognizing the great ministry of Catholic schools this Catholic Schools Week, January 27 through February 2! Since its founding in 1850, the congregation
has had a
commitment to Catholic education in its many forms, today in 18 countries.
Special thanks to the SNDs of the California province who are currently serving as Catholic school educators at:
Catholic Schools Week is an opportunity to acknowledge the value that Catholic education provides to young people, as well as its contribution to the Church, local communities and the nation. Congratulations to all who have made these schools possible--staff, parents, benefactors, volunteers, and especially, the alums who share the witness of their Christian lives with the community. |
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GABRIELLA BRIGNARDELLO,
touching young, impoverished lives
At the age of 15, Gabriella Brignardello founded
Mi Casa de Angeles with the intent of building schools and supporting a higher quality of education within the impoverished area of Pachacutec, Peru.
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.
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A-LEVEL NEARS COMPLETION,
Be sure to
enjoy this video update on the construction of the Notre Dame Senior Secondary A-Level, set to open in March. This new ministry will provide education similar to a community college in the United States for the young women of Buseesa, Uganda. SND donors from Covington, Kentucky and Germany underwrote many of the costs. And special thanks to California SND friends who have donated funds for furnishings, textbooks and other instructional materials.
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NUN RUN THIS SATURDAY,
rain or shine!
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Sr. Jolisa Lazaro, Sr. Judeen Julier, Sr. Joann Schlarbaum and Sr. Frances Wahl visited St. Timothy's and St. Paul's Parishes in West Los Angeles to publicize the Nun Run. Special thanks to these parishes for their generous support!
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After months of drought in California, God is hearing our prayers with rain predicted this weekend. BUT, the Fifth Annual Nun Run is ON! Here are some last minute news-bytes.
TEAM STANDINGS AS OF
9:00 a.m. on JAN. 28
Top 3 fundraising teams:
#1
- Knights of Columbus,
St. Jude Council #8072
#2 - Notre Dame Academy Schools
of Los Angeles
#3 - Running Robbins
Top 3 racing/walking teams:
#1 - St. Jude the Apostle
#2 - Notre Dame Learning Center Preschool
#3 - SND Associates & Friends
And there is still time to
register or donate! Virtual Nun Runners have the option of walking/running any time, any place,
rain or shine. Nun Run proceeds support the Life & Ministry Fund, enabling the SNDs to respond to the pressing needs of the times through spiritual, educational and social outreach. Thank you to the donors, volunteers, runners, walkers and pray-ers who are making this a memorable event!
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Quick Links
Saturday, February 2
Special thanks to our contributors to this egram: Jen Coito, Sarah Marcuse, Jodee McElfresh and Lisa Stupar
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