Sisters in Lourdes Hall shared the people and things for which they are thankful this November. 

Sisters in Lourdes Hall recently wanted to reach out to others. One sister was aware of the push to "do good" on September 11 (www.911day.org) in order to spread kindness and counteract fear. 

The Sisters of Notre Dame and their staff celebrated Halloween in style with a luncheon, games, and a costume contest. Lourdes Hall sisters showed off their decorating talents by making pumpkins. A great time was had by all.

Students at Prince of Peace School hosted a retirement celebration for Sr. Mary Norene McCormack on March 30, 2017. 

Sisters and staff celebrated St. Patrick's Day together. 

The response to the music therapy program (from donors and our sisters with dementia) has put a song in our hearts. We received multiple iPod Shuffles and iTunes gift cards to create personalized playlists for our sisters with dementia and Alzheimer's. 

Fr. Larry Tensi, pastor at St. Columban in Loveland, OH, recently invited sisters in Lourdes Hall to visit and view his crèche collection.

We enjoyed celebrating the Feast of St. Nicholas as a community. At supper on December 6, we began with singing in Lourdes Hall and then proceeded to the large dining room, caroling along the way. Apple turnovers, fruit, and candy are special treats we always serve on this day.

The Sisters of Notre Dame would like to begin simple, personalized music therapy for sisters with Alzheimer's and dementia at the Covington Province.

Sisters who reside in Lourdes Hall Care Center visited St. Charles Community on September 7.

Students from St. Columban School in Loveland, OH, visited St. Joseph Heights for a rousing game of Bingo with their "Nun Buddies." The sisters and students have been pen pals this academic year and finally got to meet in person. We loved their energy and their thoughtfulness. The students brought desserts and prizes for the Bingo game and were polite and attentive to their Nun Buddies throughout the day.

What does retirement mean for a Sister of Notre Dame? 

An Internet search for “retirement” yields mostly fishing and 401(k)-related results. For an SND, fishing is something we do on Fridays during Lent and prudent financial planning will always be a must. Beyond that, retirement is a prayerful, engaging chapter of our lives. With less to do, we have found we can do so much more.

The Covington Province has applied for local and national grants in support of our retirement needs. 

On November 2, 2015, Sr. Bernard Clare Budde welcomed a friend from her childhood to the St. Joseph Heights Provincial Center.

by Sr. Mary Ruth Lubbers

On October 10 and 11, 2015, Sisters Mary Ann Christine Kathman, Claire Engbersen, Lourita Warken, and Ruth Lubbers took part in Our Lady of Fatima Catholic Church and School’s 110^th Anniversary celebration in Birmingham, Alabama.  

Move over, Monet! Sr. Mary Ann Christine Kathman’s artwork was recently chosen as an auction item to benefit the Alzheimer’s Association Greater Cincinnati Chapter. The live auction took place at The Art of Making Memories benefit on May 7, 2015 at the Horseshoe Casino in Cincinnati.

The Sisters of Notre Dame taught me when I was a child at St Martin’s in Cincinnati and were a big influence on me. How fortunate for me to be reacquainted with the Sisters so many years later.

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