Goodness in Action
April 2024 Updates
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Reflecting a Changing World | |
We are pleased to share our refreshed Hallmarks to better respond to our changing world! Hallmarks are the essential characteristics, values and actions that differentiate a Notre Dame de Namur learning community. The Hallmarks emerged in response to the question: “What distinguishes a Notre Dame de Namur Learning Community?”
The Sisters and the learning communities began to explore this question in 2003 and seven Hallmarks were developed that concisely and beautifully express the values of a Notre Dame Learning Community. In 2024, Hallmark #3 was revised to add “care for all creation” as a response to Pope Francis’ Laudato Si’ encyclical.
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Remembering Sister Christina Marie Trudeau, SNDdeN
Christina Marie Trudeau, SNDdeN was an accomplished educator and an inspiration to many. She was formative in establishing Montessori education programs in colleges and universities in Japan, Hawaii, the Philippines and on the West Coast of the United States. She went home to her good God on March 25, 2024, at the age of 93 and after 75 years as a Sister of Notre Dame de Namur.
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Sisters Jean Stanford, Mary T. Kelleher, Bárbara Gutiérrez, Mary Coffey and Eileen Burns, SNDdeN at the 50th Anniversary Celebration. | |  |
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Celebrating 50 Years of Julie's Family Learning Program
On Thursday, April 4, the Julie's Family Learning Program celebrated its 50th anniversary! Founded in 1974 by Sisters Jean Sullivan and Louise Kearns, SNDdeN, the Program has worked toward empowering mothers and stabilizing families in the Dorchester, Massachusetts, area. Several of our Sisters attended the 50th Anniversary Gala, together with friends and supporters of the program. Congratulations, Julie's Family Learning Program, on this milestone!
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Pajaro Flooding: A Year Later
On Saturday, March 23, the Pajaro, California, community gathered to mark a year since the devastating floods that impacted residents and business owners. Hosted by Casa de la Cultura Center, the non-profit founded in 1996 by Sister Rosa Dolores Rodriguez, SNDdeN, over 250 people attended this event. Sisters Rosa Dolores and Theresa Linehan, SNDdeN were honored for their work helping the recovery efforts and supporting the community.
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Sisters Rosa Dolores Rodriguez and Theresa Linehan, SNDdeN. | | |
Students at NDA Worcester PANDA Club (Prayerful Activities at NDA) participating in their Backpacks of Hope drive, providing backpacks filled with essential items to children in foster care situations and local juvenile courts. | |
Into the Heart of the Commonwealth
Long before 1950, the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur expanded into the center of Massachusetts to open many Catholic schools. The founding, education and caregiving were critical to meeting the needs of the growing population.
Learn more about our history in the heart of the Commonwealth in this article in The Boston Pilot, written by Sisters Ann Morrison, Barbara Collins, Evelyn McKenna, Marna Rogers and Sandra Napier, SNDdeN, part of our monthly series celebrating the 175th Anniversary of the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur in New England.
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More than a Dream - Notre Dame Cristo Rey High School
When the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur opened Notre Dame Cristo Rey High School (NDCR) in 2004 in partnership with the Cristo Rey Network, they were hopeful that this innovative education model would be successful. It exceeded their expectations to recognize the impact the school has on so many.
You can read more about the program's history and success in The Boston Pilot, written by Amy Hitchmoth, Director of Marketing and Communication at NDCR.
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Sister Maryalyce Gilfeather, SNDdeN with 2023 NDCR graduates. | |
Highlights from our Learning Communities | | | |
Notre Dame Academy Hingham students celebrating St. Julie's Feast Day. |
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Notre Dame Schools Celebrate St. Julie's Feast Day
April 8 marked the feast of St. Julie Billiart, the foundress of our order. Students from Notre Dame Academy Worcester and Notre Dame Academy Hingham celebrated the day by learning about St. Julie and reflecting on her enduring impact. NDA Worcester students were joined by Sister Mary Alice McCabe, SNDdeN for a retreat on environmental justice!
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Teaching - With a Twist!
Tyler Jackowski is a teacher with a novel approach to education! This Boston public school teacher and Emmanuel College alum shares his classroom experiences with his two million TikTok followers.
Jackowski is working to bring visibility to the teaching profession! He credits his teachers at Emmanuel College, including Sister Karen Hokanson, SNDdeN, the dean of the School of Education, for inspiring his work as an educator. Jackowski shares that classes like Sister Karen’s are where he learned the philosophies and practices he brings into every day of teaching.
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Tyler Jackowski and Sister Karen Hokanson, SNDdeN. | | |
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Virtual Retreats for Single Women
Our Zoom spirituality series will continue into May. Single women ages 20 to 45 are invited to join us virtually as we explore a different topic every month! This month we will explore freedom.
Join us on May 12 at 5 p.m. PDT / 8 p.m. EDT and May 28 at 8 p.m. PDT / 11 p.m. EDT to learn more!
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BACAR Event: Caring for Self, Others, and our Common Home
The Bay Area Conference of Associates and Religious, Inc., co-directed by Kathy Noether, AND, is hosting a forum to explore how we can better respond and care for ourselves, one another and our common home. The forum is open to everyone!
Join the forum on May 29 from 4 p.m. to 5:15 p.m. PDT / 7 p.m. to 8:15 p.m. EDT.
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Our Day of Giving
Mark your calendars for our 2024 Day of Giving on May 30! This yearly event is the perfect opportunity to learn more about the Sisters and their ministries and support our efforts to make known God's goodness.
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Don't Forget to Save the Date! | | | | |
