Mission Advancement Egram

California Region

July 30, 2024

One Heart. One Hope. One Mission.

MESSAGE FROM MISSION ADVANCEMENT

...thank you for being part of our great story!

Dear Friends,

As the pages of the calendar turn to August, we hope that you share in the grateful excitement of the Sisters of Notre Dame in California! We will commemorate and celebrate 100 years of presence and ministry here in California. The actual day of the pioneers’ arrival was August 30, and we will have a Grand Centennial Celebration on August 31.

In reflecting on this landmark event, there are many spiritual characteristics of the pioneers that come to mind. First, they were incredibly courageous in taking the risk to come to Los Angeles. With profound generosity, they left behind all that was familiar to them in Cleveland, Ohio. Their total gift of self to God through their vows, their devotion to the SND community, and their passion to spread the Gospel—each of those qualities provided strength for their journey. And finally, I would add missionary zeal. “In later years, Sr. Mary Walburge Schmitt (my own third grade teacher), admitted that her appointment to California had not caused her any undue concern. She had previously volunteered to go to China or India, so Southern California would not be that much different…” (from Spreading the Fire: The Story of the Sisters of Notre Dame in California 1924 – 2010 by Sr. Mary Joanne Wittenburg, SND)

The story of the SND beginnings in California reveals how powerful was the influence and assistance of our earliest partners. Laity and clergy facilitated the call to mission at St. Lawrence of Brindisi Parish in Watts and St. Matthias Parish in Huntington Park. And your partnership with us has been a most treasured part of our lives throughout these 100 years. As ministry colleagues, students and others entrusted to our care, volunteers, donors, and friends—each of you has been an incredible blessing to us. Thank you!

With this background, we gratefully and cordially invite you to join us for a Mass of Thanksgiving on Saturday, August 31 at 11:30 a.m. at St. Paschal Baylon Church in Thousand Oaks. Follow this link for complete information and to RSVP; a livestream link will be available by August 31.

Once again, we wholeheartedly thank you for being part of our sacred journey. It is God’s goodness and provident care that has caused our paths to cross. We are humbled to call you friends and we promise our daily prayer for you and everyone you carry in your hearts—all the days of our lives.

Gratefully,

Sr. Lisa Megaffin, S.N.D.

Director of Mission Advancement Services

PS--Spreading the Fire is available on Amazon.

FROM THE CALIFORNIA GRAPEVINE

"I am strong when I am on your shoulders..."

These words from Josh Groban summarized the 2024 Jubilee for golden jubilarians Sr. Margaret Mary Scott and Sr. Julie Marie Arriaga. The highlight of the day was a Mass celebrated by Bishop Slawomir Szkredka at St. Jude the Apostle Church, followed by a reception. These jubilarians have a long, shared history since they both graduated from St. Matthias High School in 1971. Follow this link for a photo gallery of the festivities, and this link is a live-stream of the Mass.

From unhoused to housed and furnished

Many Mansions is a non-profit organization whose mission is to provide quality, affordable rental housing in Southern California and services that encourage the residents to thrive. Central Terrace is a new community in downtown Oxnard with 35 of the units reserved for homeless individuals/families. The SND Associates recently contributed welcome basket items for these new residents. Various companies and faith-based organizations provided essential furniture and basics such as bedding. The Associates were assigned personal care items such as bath soap, toothpaste and toothbrushes, combs and brushes and household supplies. How exciting to see goodies ready at the July 25 Grand Opening!

About Many Mansions

Central Terrace Groundbreaking

and now "Move-in Ready"

Care for Creation Corner

Every time you take a breath, you could be inhaling microplastics. This reprint from The Washington Post illustrates how these tiny particles may be linked to growing rates of cancer, heart disease and other chronic illnesses!

Check out this informative article... Be sure to scroll down to see enlargements of the microorganisms and the toll they take on the human body.

CALENDAR OF COMING EVENTS

...living with one heart, one hope, one mission

Saturday, August 10, 1:00 - 3:00 p.m.

Notre Dame Center, Thousand Oaks

East Africa Update

Sr. Christine Symbua and Sr. Therese Marie Nabakka from East Africa will share highlights of SND life and ministry in Uganda, Tanzania and Kenya. They will be sharing the latest about SND life and ministry in Uganda, Tanzania and Kenya, thanking local donors who are touching many lives. The presentation will begin at 1:30 p.m. and light refreshments will be served. Please RSVP here. Jen Coito will answer any questions about this event or their visit.

Summer, 2024 Locations listed below

Mission Co-operative Appeals

At Mater Dei Catholic Parish in Chula Vista, California, Sr. Antoinette Marie Moon shared her experiences as a missionary in Uganda. She was overwhelmed by the parishioners' interest and enthusiasm for the SND global missions and their generous response.

The Sisters of Notre Dame are grateful to be able to share our passion for our global missions in various Catholic churches across the United States this summer. SNDs from the California region will be speaking at these parishes.

Sr. Colette Theobald

Sr. Lisa Megaffin

Archdiocese of Los Angeles

St. Didacus Church

Sylmar, California

August 17 -18

Sr. Paulynne Tubick

Archdiocese of New York

St. John Nepomucene, St. Francis Xavier Cabrini, St. John the Martyr Church

New York, New York

August 24 - 25

Sr. Antoinette Marie Moon