Sr. Jan Marie Villalobos is an alumna of Notre Dame Academy (CA) from the Class of 1976. Sr. Jan Marie felt an interior calling to religious life in the second grade at St. Augustine elementary in Culver City. As she says, “I had a feeling of being called to religious life when I was in the second grade at a school Mass. The community aspect was solidifying. I had confidence that God was going to take care of me.”

Sunday, October 28, 2018 is Priesthood Sunday. In honor of this day that affirms the role of the priesthood as central to the life of the Church, we reflected on the role of our chaplain, Fr. Robert Ross, and the life he brings to our province. Get to know Fr. Ross.

Meet Pete Nerone from Covington, KY.

Pete is a dear and longtime partner of the Sisters of Notre Dame. You may have seen him at a United in Prayer event, volunteering at the 4th of July Festival, or attending the Uganda Mission Pancake Breakfast. Mission Advancement staff asked Pete about his partnership with and role in the Notre Dame community. His responses were extremely humbling!

My first experience of the Sisters of Notre Dame was when we moved back to Covington, Kentucky from Norfolk, Virginia and I started school at St. John's on Pike Street.  Moving back to Kentucky also afforded me the opportunity to visit my mother's sister, Sister Mary Everilda, later known as Sr. Mary Florence.

Notre Dame Sisters Ruth Lubbers and Kate Hine arranged a spring break service trip with students from the University of Akron. Their spring break destination? Covington, Kentucky.

In between their service hours, we sat down with some of the students to ask what the trip has meant to them. Click below to watch!

I started working with the Sisters of Notre Dame ten years ago because of Sister Dennise Wagenlander--surprise!  Yes, she has me on speed dial!  My husband, Keith, and I have four daughters that graduated from St. Columban where the Sisters of Notre Dame taught.  Sister Suzanne Rose and Sister Dennise were our principals while our daughters were there.

Hello, my name is Theresa Brugger. I made my covenant as a Notre Dame Associate on April 12, 2015. To say this is when my relationship with the sisters began would  simply not be true.

Some time ago I was asked to write this piece. At first glance I thought, “No problem.” When I put the pen to paper, I was not impressed with the result.  So I started over. Then after evaluating the next draft, I realized how daunting this task actually was.

Growing up a Mt. Adams girl from the wrong side of the river, Kathy Kramer had to be “introduced” to Kentucky by her Covington Catholic graduate husband, Larry. Kathy took to the correct side of the river like a Buckeye fallen from a tree.

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.

My favorite part of working with the Sisters of Notre Dame is the relationship that has formed….of mutual love and respect.  The Sisters are so grounded in their mission that the focus and direction never strays too far.  Few are blessed to have such examples of God’s love so present in their daily interactions.

My relationship with the Sisters of Notre Dame began in 1959 at St. John Catholic School in Covington, KY. My family was long-time members of both the church and the school. The three Sisters that I remember as teachers are Sisters Mary Michyl Habermehl, Mary Shannon Kriege, and Mary Kevan Seibert.

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. 

As the Sisters of Notre Dame prepare for their provincial chapter, themed “Encountering the Word, Engaging the World,” I think about my first encounter with the Sisters of Notre Dame and how our shared engagement with the world has grown.

I went to St. Augustine School in Covington, KY for six years and became close to many Sisters of Notre Dame.  My first grade teacher was Sister Agnita.  She was very dear.  Of course, in the second grade I had Sr. Mary de Lellis, who led us through our First Communion. Then in the third grade I had dear Sister Mary Francello Orth.  She still remembers my sister's name today and asks how she is doing in Memphis. You see, my sister was the bright one in the family and a hard act to follow.

Why do I enjoy being a part of the Notre Dame family, especially as an Associate of Notre Dame?  That is so simple, one word−relationship. 

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.

My connection to the Sisters of Notre Dame began as a first grader at St. Augustine School in Covington, Ky.  It was as a first grader that I met a gentle giant of a woman, Sister Mary Francello Orth.  I was ever so fortunate to also have Sister Mary Francis Dirr in my life as a second grader.  Sister Mary Francis prepared me well for the reception of the sacraments of Confession and First Communion.

"My love for the Sisters of Notre Dame began as a small child.  The Sisters taught at St. John's grade school in Wilder, KY.  I had a brother or sister in just about every grade level when I attended the school and my family was very close to the Sisters..."

"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. ..." 

"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..."

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...

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...

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!”...