by Kayla Drager, Uganda Mission Volunteer

Hello from Buseesa, Uganda!

Thankfully, the rainy season is going strong, so recently we’ve been enjoying cold weather and morning or evening storms. Maybe I should say I’ve been enjoying--most of the locals don’t love the cold, but I’m just thankful for a break from the heat!

Kayla Drager, a Berea, Ohio resident and 2015 graduate of Berea-Midpark High School, was invited to volunteer teach at Notre Dame Academy in Buseesa, Uganda.

70 former students...3 days in Buseesa...lots of fun and planning. This can only mean that the Julie Old Student Association held its annual alumni meeting at the SND St. Julie Mission in Uganda!

Come one! Come all! Come HUNGRY to the Uganda Mission Pancake Breakfast.

Webale Noeli! The Christmas celebration in Buseesa, Uganda was a joyful, song-filled occasion.

Students, parents, teachers, and sisters celebrated our first-ever graduation ceremony at St. Julie Nursery School in Buseesa, Uganda.

Marilyn Keller volunteered at the Sisters of Notre Dame mission in Uganda from August 2017 to May 2018. 

On August 15, 2018, Marilyn will share about her experience at St. Julie Mission in Buseesa, Uganda.

This August, volunteers will travel to the SND mission in Uganda, East Africa to perform ongoing maintenance on the school and dormitory buildings.

BUSEESA, UGANDA- Every Notre Dame Academy student who took the national leaving exam in Uganda scored a 1, the highest ranking.

Updates from our sisters in Uganda, East Africa.

New truck...water tank explosion...25 years in Africa...A-Level construction

That’s all it took, a gentle nudge to set in motion a delightful and blessed mission project. The So-Sew Mission endeavor started when Ina McCord, a seamstress from Augusta, KY was moving and needed to dispose of her supply of fabric. She gave the fabric to her friend, an SND Associate, who in turn gave the lovely material to the Sisters at the Covington Provincial House sewing room.

The local parish in Buseesa, Uganda hosted a fundraising event for their new church on October 29. The Sisters of Notre Dame and graduates of St. Julie Mission participated in the event. In fact, the St. Julie alumni association contributed 780,000 Uganda Shillings ($200) to purchase a window for the new church.

by Micaela Dyson, Uganda Volunteer

For the past few days, I have watched excited and energetic children kicking a soccer ball around the field in front of my teachers' housing building. Many times, I have felt the urge to go out and play with them, but something kept stopping me.

Dear Sisters,

It's been quite an exciting adventure over here. On Saturday, students began arriving on boda-bodas (motorcycles), dressed smartly in their blue uniforms with white socks and black shoes. I spent most of the day checking their cases and welcoming them back to the term. They were all very eager to gather their belongings and unpack so that they could begin playing with one another. By the end of the day, the once-quite dorms were filled with the happy sounds of children laughing and chatting animatedly with one another.

Dear Sisters,

Thank you for your prayers and blessings! We have been in Uganda for two full weeks now and I am learning so much with each day that passes. I would love to share some things about the season and the church with you and the sisters back home.

Mass was particularly moving at St. Joseph Heights Chapel on August 20. Not only did Notre Dame Associates attend as part of a special gathering, but Sr. Mary Judith Averbeck and a  volunteer were given a blessing before their journey to the SND mission in Uganda.

From May-August 2017, Sr. Mary Judith Averbeck was in Kentucky on home visit, which takes place every two years. When she returns to the SND mission in Uganda on August 24, she will not be alone. Micaela Dyson and Marilyn Keller will return with Sr. Judith as volunteers at the SND mission in Uganda.

Seven women from Uganda, Kenya, and Tanzania made their first profession of vows on June 10, 2017.

On January 16, 2017, Sr. Mary Janet Stamm boarded a flight to travel to Uganda with a volunteer maintenance group. This was her first time returning to the SND Mission in Uganda since she concluded 18 years of service at the mission in 2013. For two weeks she served as the volunteers’ liaison to the sisters and locals and prepared delicious meals.

Thank you to everyone who came out on February 19 for the 21st Annual Uganda Mission Pancake Breakfast. A big thanks, as well, to the Ludlow Knights of Columbus for putting on the event since 1996. Everyone coming together for flapjacks and fellowship resulted in $3,500+ for the Sisters of Notre Dame Mission in Uganda.

The sisters at the mission in Uganda hope to replace their current 4x4 truck. Click to hear from Sr. Anita Marie Stacy and read more about this initiative.

I have been an Associate for the Sisters of Notre Dame since 2013.  I was familiar with the Sisters for many years, but was specifically introduced to the Associate program through my dear friend, Leah Britt.  I was kind of experiencing "empty nest syndrome" and was interested in finding a service organization where I could volunteer.

Third graders at St. Joseph School in Cold Spring collected shoes and purses to benefit the SND mission in Uganda. They even made a promo video to educate their fellow students and faculty about the collection.

Good news from the Sisters of Notre Dame mission in Uganda, East Africa. The Daily Monitor in Uganda reports that Notre Dame Senior Secondary Academy (NDA) in Buseesa is the second best school in the entire country.

In early August 2016, two former St. Julie Mission students were ordained deacons in the Hoima Diocese in Uganda.

Sister Therese Marie professed her final vows during a ceremony in Buseesa, Uganda on July 9, 2016.

Sr. Mary Paulynne Tubick, headteacher of St. Julie Primary School in Buseesa, Uganda, wrote on Saturday, June 11, 2016 with updates from the mission in Uganda. 

Four Sisters of Notre Dame from Uganda visited Kentucky in May 2016. While here they were interviewed by Laura Keener and David Cooley for the June 3 issue of The Messenger. Read the article here.

Four Sisters of Notre Dame from the mission in Uganda, East Africa arrived in Kentucky on Saturday, May 14, 2016. Their visit has included some sight-seeing, but also faith-filled fellowship with our longtime partners...and many new friends. 

Sr. Mary Janet Stamm and Sr. Mary Delrita Glaser were relieved to see clouds and rain in the forecast for Uganda this week. 

Several development initiatives are underway for the SND mission in Uganda.

Sr. Mary Paulynne Tubick in Buseesa emailed the following message to Sr. Mary Janet Stamm in Covington on Saturday, March 26, 2016. 

He is Risen! Alleluia! May you experience the joy and blessings of this Easter season!  Jesus is alive and his love remains present forever!  I believe that each of us is offered this life eternal and to live as lights of God’s goodness and love in our world today.  So rejoice and let us always remember Jesus’ promise: “I am with you always. Remain in my love.”  Alleluia!  Alleluia!

Here is a recap and description of our Triduum happenings in Buseesa...

For 40 years, St. Bernard Catholic School in Cincinnati, OH has organized a fun and engaging Mission Festival. The mission they have chosen to learn about and support through their festival fundraising is our very own SND Uganda Mission. How blessed are we!

Michele Frey, a St. Bernard alumna and parent, has helped plan the festival for almost 20 years. She shared what the festival entails and what it means to her in this month's Partner Spotlight. 

Since 1996, the Ludlow Knights of Columbus have hosted a pancake breakfast to benefit the Covington Sisters of Notre Dame mission in Uganda.

Sr. Mary Paulynne Tubick, head teacher at St. Julie Primary in Buseesa, sent out news of the results of the PLE (Primary Leaving Examination). Sr. Paulynne wrote: "Out of 24 students in our P7 class, St. Julie had 10 Division One students and 14 Division Two students..."

The 20th Annual Uganda Mission Pancake Breakfast will take place Sunday, February 21, 2016. 

The 2015 Uganda Maintenance Trip was an adventurous and productive success! Among many of the jobs, hundreds of screens were replaced, four new doorways were installed, and water-damaged ceilings were patched and painted. Click here for photos.

Sr. Mary Paulynne Tubick (California Province) recently wrote to Sr. Mary Janet Stamm (Covington Province) with updates from the mission in Uganda.

by Sr. Mary Rita Geoppinger

This November Sr. Mary Rita Geoppinger will return to the SND mission in Uganda with eight volunteers. They are referred to as "the maintenance group" and will spend ten days taking on repairs and updates at the SND schools in Buseesa, Uganda. Sr. Mary Rita recently reflected on the upcoming trip, its challenges, and its blessings.  

What excites me most about the maintenance group making the trip is their dedication to "never leaving a job unfinished." Bob said this in the name of all the workers last year and true to their word, those who are able are returning.

In this issue of the Holy Spirit Delegation newsletter:

• New delegation center
• Zinduka Women's Centre's first aid course
• African Child Day
• Creating a love of music in Kenya
• Maasai women self-help groups: Leather goods production, bee-keeping, first bank accounts, and more

Click here to read the Sisters of Notre Dame Holy Spirit Delegation September 2015 Newsletter.

DHL and the students at Notre Dame Elementary in Chardon, Ohio showed their generosity once again! During their annual fundraiser for the Sisters of Notre Dame Uganda Mission, the students raised money for the purchase of phonics books for their peers in Buseesa, Uganda. 

by Mekenzie Elbert

Mekenzie Elbert's August-December teaching experience and the SND Maintenance Group's November work visit at the Uganda Mission were featured in the Cincinnati Enquirer.

This fall, the St. Julie Mission in Uganda will welcome volunteers from Northern Kentucky.

by Sr. Mary Margaret Droege

Since 2006, when our first Uganda sister was professed, I had known our young women only through their photos and had heard stories about their participation in ministry, their enthusiasm, and their kindness.  Finally in June, the sisters in Covington would be able to meet two of these sisters, speak with them, and hear something of their personal stories.

by Sr. Mary Janet Stamm

Summer 2015 saw many visitors at the Covington provincial center! In June, we welcomed several of our sisters from India and Uganda to St. Joseph Heights. Sr. Mary Janet Stamm took a moment after their departures to reflect on their visits.

20 years. 2 decades. 240 months. A million beautiful memories.

On July 13, 1995, Sr. Mary Janet Stamm and Sr. Mary Delrita Glaser arrived in Uganda, East Africa, ready to build a mission that would transform a region.

Wednesday, June 3 was the Feast of the Ugandan Martyrs.

Sr. Mary Paulynne Tubick, who serves at the SND mission in Uganda, wrote to Sr. Mary Janet Stamm on June 4 with an update on how the Sisters of Notre Dame and students recognized this important day in Ugandan and Christian history. 

Each year thousands of pilgrims flock to both the Catholic and Anglican shrines near Kampala, Uganda to mark the feast of the Ugandan Martyrs (June 3). Christians pay homage to the 45 martyrs who were killed between 1885-1887 by the ruling monarch for practicing their Christian religion.

On May 24, 2015 in Arusha, Tanzania, the SND mission in Uganda joined the SND missions from Tanzania and Kenya to form the new Holy Spirit General Delegation. The formation of the delegation is the next step for Uganda, Tanzania, and Kenya before they become a province.

Annual Pancake Breakfast to support the SND Uganda, East Africa Mission
Sunday, April 19, 2015
8:30 a.m.-1:00 p.m.
Notre Dame Academy Cafeteria, 1699 Hilton Drive, Park Hills, KY
Adults: $6.00 / Children: $4.00

Following the African Conference from December 14 to 20, Sr. Mary Shauna Bankemper had the opportunity to visit our sisters in Uganda and spent Christmas in Buseesa. Visit snd1.org to read more and view photos from her trip.

Sr. Mary Juliet professed her final vows with the Sisters of Notre Dame on Wednesday, December 10, 2014 in Mpala, Uganda.

This Christmas, support the SND Mission in Uganda and get the perfect gift for a loved one when you buy an autographed copy of theCovington's Sisters of Notre Dame book from the SND Provincial Center.

We pray that years of hard work and dedication in the classroom will pay off as Notre Dame Academy Senior Secondary students begin the national examination for the Uganda Certificate of Education.

Three of the North American provinces of the Sisters of Notre Dame (Toledo, Chardon and Covington) have committed to an international mission project. Want to help? All you have to do is donate your old shoes, purses, and bags.

"If we are Christians, let our Christianity be reflected in our actions."
-Fr. Tuhairwe Kisembo Godfrey, August 23, 2014

On August 23, seven of our partners left for the SND mission in Uganda to perform maintenance work at the schools and co-op farm that serve hundreds of students. Before making their way to CVG airport, several of these men and their families joined us for morning Mass, which was led by Fr. Tuhairwe Kisembo Godfrey, who happened to be visiting from Uganda. 

The students at the Sisters of Notre Dame mission schools in Uganda will receive a special delivery this month courtesy of Notre Dame Elementary School in Chardon, OH and DHL Express. 

On April 16th four Engineers from the Cincinnati Chapter of Engineers Without Borders (EWB) flew to Uganda to help the Sisters of St. Julie Mission in their quest for safe water for the village and fuel efficient energy for the school kitchen.  

The Sisters of Notre Dame welcome home Sister Mary Rita Geoppinger from our Uganda, East Africa Mission.  Since 2003 Sister Rita has been the head teacher (principal) at Notre Dame Senior Secondary School in Buseesa.  Besides serving as principal, Sister Ri...