Congratulations to Sr. Maria Francine Stacy! Sr. Maria Francine was awarded the Dayton Hispanic Chamber Presidents' Award at the December 5 Fiesta 2014 Celebration.

"Being involved with the Sisters of Notre Dame is such a rewarding experience. The Associate program was mentioned at a retreat I attended several years ago at the Heights. When I heard about it I was immediately intrigued. I enjoyed learning about the Sisters and all the good works they do at the local and international level. ..." 

Need to give yourself a New Year’s gift? Join us on January 9 for the movie I AM, some reflection, and fellowship!

Week Four Advent Prayer: RECEIVING

It is true that the human heart opens to those who open their hearts in return. This is the embrace of being loved-to receive another as that person truly is, without qualifications or conditions. This is the miracle and mystery of Advent-to open the human heart and embrace the Lord, to know that our invitation has been accepted and is now achieved.

Today we pray for all those who have given a Christmas gift to benefit the mission and ministries of the Sisters of Notre Dame. We pray for all those who, through their generosity, have been Jesus for others. 

Week Three Advent Prayer: AWAITING

The nearer we come to Christmas, the more intense becomes our waiting; the more we are on the alert for signs of Christ’s presence. Think back: where have we experienced peace or challenge in our life this past week? Was Christ there AWAITING our response?

Today, we pray that we may find and use opportunities to be gift-givers. This could include helping a family with school tuition, surprising a neighbor with a batch of cookies, or simply letting somebody know that you are thinking of them. 

Just listen, God will tell you what to do.

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

"God’s missions for us are many and varied. Through the SND Associates Program, we help take Christ to others. This takes many forms and is truly a blessing for the Associates, as well as for those we serve..."

It’s rather easy to thank God for the good things in life: good relations, good friends, comfortable living. Today we challenge ourselves to think of something in the past year that was very hard to accept and look deeply to find the blessing in it.

We pray, “Lord, take me to that place of inner peace that comes from placing my entire life in your hands.”

If you saw in October what looked to be Sr. Mary Jeanne Frances Cleves, SND riding a tractor in the Morehead (KY) Sears parking lot, your eyes did not deceive you. St. Claire Regional Medical Center (SCR) celebrated Sr. Jeanne Frances’ 40 years of service at SCR by honoring her with the gift of a Craftsman riding lawn mower.

As we experience our first snow and freezing temperatures this season, we pray for those around the world who are affected or displaced by the weather. We pray also for the people who come to our aid in times of bad weather. This includes those on utility crews, emergency rescue teams, and our neighbors who lend a helping hand. 

Sr. Maria Francine Stacy, director of the SND Hispanic Ministry in Dayton, Ohio, recently shared stories about people she knows, who have been caught in the web of family separation due to current U.S. immigration practices. Click here to read her stories.

November is the month when we remember those who have gone before us. Take a few minutes today to pray for close family members and friends who have passed away, and ask them to help you in living as a good Christian person.
May they rest in peace. Amen.

September 8, 2014 marked the sixtieth anniversary of Sr. M. Michelyn's entrance into the Sisters of Notre Dame. Students and faculty from the religion and art departments at Newport Central Catholic High School organized a special surprise to celebrate Sister's milestone. Click here to watch Sr. Michelyn's response to the students' tribute.

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.

On the weekend of October 10-13, 2014, twenty-one Associates and Sisters of Notre Dame from each of the four U.S. provinces gathered at the Covington Provincial Center. The goal: to further our planning and sharing regarding how we move forward as one.  

My first encounter with the good Sisters began in 1941 when I entered the first grade at Sacred Heart School in Bellevue, KY. My first teacher was Sr. Mary Camillus Kampschmidt, SND...

Let us uphold the elected officials in our prayers to God. May they be honest and faithful to God, and to the people of our country. May we all march forward as Christian leaders in this world with freedom, liberty, and justice for all.

Take a look outside. You may still see areas where the fall colors are at their peak. Nature is changing, on its way toward winter.

Thank you, creator God, for the change of seasons. Thank you for autumn's colors and the coming crisp air of winter. Both are gifts to your people. We appreciate your beauty always and in all ways. Amen.

SND in the news...
The Morehead News highlighted Sr. Mary Ethel Parrott and Sr. Mary Renee Nienaber's September visit to St. Claire Regional Medical Center. 

Halloween is just a week away and the little witches and goblins will be calling out “trick or treat!” 

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.

October is the month of the Most Holy Rosary. We invite all to rekindle our love and our knowledge of the rosary, a devotional prayer to Mary honoring her life of faith and love for Christ and the Church.

We simply ask, "Mary, Queen of the Rosary, pray for us."

I do not know what I would do without the support and prayers of my beloved SND community. They celebrate my joy, and comfort me in times of hardship. Even more importantly, they challenge me to live my faith every day in the ordinary daily routines...

Today we pray for those who are in the fall of their life, our senior citizens, especially those who are without companionship. 

The St. Joseph Heights Nature Trail has been abuzz, and not just with honey bees feeding on wildflowers.

We pray every day, but post special intentions each Wednesday.

Today we pray for all those living in war-torn areas.

“Lord, protect all those, especially the little ones, who are in danger. Amen.” 

The Sisters of Notre Dame were founded on October 1, 1850 in Coesfeld, Germany. Covington Sisters share what it means to be a Sister of Notre Dame today and how we actively uphold our 164-year-old mission.

On the first floor of the St. Joseph Heights Provincial Center, just past the mail room and several steps before the library, you will find a display prepared by Sr. Joan Terese Niklas, archivist for the Sisters of Notre Dame. The current archival display highlights the Sisters of Notre Dame ministry at the schools for the blind in the 1950s and 1960s. 

Sr. Mary Marjorie Gasdorf has a new bounce in her step thanks to her daily Nu Step routine.

Too much going on? Pulled in a million directions? You’re not the only one. In the craziness of life, it doesn’t hurt to pause and take a look at the big picture. Join us November 14-16 for the Charis Seekers' Retreat at the Sisters of Notre Dame.

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.

One of my rewarding experiences here is being close to God. When I come in the convent, I love to open the chapel doors and say, “Hi Jesus! This is Mary Estelle, I love you!”...

Undeterred by an early snow, Colin Cummings and his father pounded in the stakes and attached bright red cords.  They would make many more trips to this hillside spot before completing Colin’s Eagle Scout project, a bird blind for the St. Joseph Heights Educational Trail.

"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. 

Bishop Foys joined the Covington Sisters of Notre Dame community on Saturday, August 2 in celebrating the milestone anniversaries of when our Jubilarians professed their final vows. The day began with a liturgy led by Bishop Foys, during which he appropriately reminded us, "When you follow Jesus' word, you can't not have joy!" 

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. 

Sisters of Notre Dame from each of the four U.S. provinces are planning for the future in order to maintain the dedication to Jesus’ mission set forth by sisters of the past. 

We are very grateful to you – our families and friends, our volunteers, and our sponsors and donors, for your generous support of the 92nd annual 4th of July Festival. You are remembered in our grateful prayer every day.

Sr. Mary Evangelita Spechtold, born February 27, 1917 in Cincinnati, OH, passed away peacefully at St. Joseph Heights on June 30, 2014. 

On June 16^th the Sisters of Notre Dame and the entire St. Charles Community joyously celebrated the blessing of St. Charles’ newest facilities by Bishop Roger J. Foys. These facilities include two beautifully designed personal care households of sixteen suites each, an out-patient therapy department, a licensed adult day health program (Charlie’s Club), St. Charles corporate offices for its community-based services, and graciously appointed community gathering rooms with outdoor gardens and a café. 

Eagle Scout Honored for Work on Nature Trail

Travis Rothdiener was honored at a ceremony on Thursday, May 22, 2014 for his leadership in developing the Sisters of Notre Dame Nature Trail. 

The Sisters of Notre Dame and the Board of Directors of Notre Dame Academy announce the appointment of Dr. Laura Koehl, Ed.D. as the third President of Notre Dame Academy, effective July 1, 2014.

On April 26, 2014,  the Sisters and Associates of Notre Dame’s Covington Province celebrated with five women and two men who pronounced their covenant as Associates of Notre Dame.  Our newest Associates (pictured left to right) Adam Feinauer, Sherri Feinauer, JoAnn Nienaber-Chalfant, Rita Hargett, Stephanie Bricker, Jane Appelman, and Patrick Taney bring the number of SND Associates in the United States to 440. 

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.  

After nine years of faithful service, Sister Marla Monahan completes her role as Provincial for the Sisters of Notre Dame of Covington.  She is succeeded by Sister Mary Ethel Parrott, physics teacher at Notre Dame Academy in Park Hills, KY.

This Friday, February 28, 2014, Notre Dame Academy will host their Women Making A Difference award luncheon at the Receptions Conference Center in Erlanger, Kentucky.  This year’s honorees are Mary Ann Blew...

The Sisters of Notre Dame have selected Sister Mary Ethel Parrott as the next Provincial for the Covington, KY, province.  Installation is planned for July 13, 2014.

Sister Mary Eth...

Welcome home Sister Mary Dolores Giblin.  For the past 6 weeks, Sister has been in Iloilo, Philippines, teaching courses in church history and world history to women in formation.   Please join us as we welcome Sister home. 

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...

In October 2013, the Sisters of Notre Dame’s Justice, Peace and Integrity of Creation Commission launched a project in conjunction with the organization Engineers Without Borders.  The goal was to collect used purses, shoes, duff...

Sweet sounds of music filled the chapel as the Hills of Kentucky Dulcimers played for the Sisters of Notre Dame on New Year’s Eve.  The group performed a variety of religious music which also included scripture readings and reflections which highlighted th...