The Living Legacy of the Sisters of Notre Dame in California
SND USA MISSION STATEMENT
A Catholic congregation of women religious, the Sisters of Notre Dame of the United States are united in one heart, one hope, and one mission to proclaim God’s goodness and compassionate love for people of all faiths and cultures through a variety of ministries, both national and international, particularly serving those who are poor and marginalized.
Sisters of Notre Dame of the United States
Regional Office 1776 Hendrix Ave. Thousand Oaks, CA 91360
805-917-3714 | infoca@sndusa.org | www.sndusa.org
Thank you for being part of our great story
With profound gratitude to our good and provident God, the Sisters of Notre Dame are honored to share our legacy in California, a legacy that began on August 30, 1924. Eleven sisters arrived in Los Angeles on that date, beginning a new chapter in our congregational history. The original name of Los Angeles was “The Town of Our Lady the Queen of the Angels of Porciúncula.” And so relying on Mary, patroness of our congregation, they came to proclaim the Gospel in word and deed. Little did they know all that would await both them and the community in the days and years to follow.
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 Ohio. Their total gift of self to God through their vows, their devotion to the SND community, and their passion to spread the Gospel—provided strength for their journey. And finally, missionary zeal. Sr. Mary Walburge Schmitt later admitted that she had previously volunteered to go to China or India, so she didn’t think California would be that much different.
Laity and clergy have influenced and assisted in our missionary call to California from the earliest days. Your partnership has been a treasured aspect of our lives throughout these 100 years. As ministry colleagues, students and others entrusted to our care, Associates, volunteers, donors, and friends—each of you has been an incredible blessing to us. You are our living legacy. 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. May Mary, Queen of the Angels, and Mother of the Church, hold you close.
We are part of a great story
As Sisters of Notre Dame we share in the special gifts of the Holy Spirit given to our spiritual mother, Julie Billiart, to our foundress, Hilligonde Wolbring, and to our co-foundress, Elisabeth Kuhling. Hilligonde’s charism, a deep experience of God’s provident care, moved her to a compassionate love for others, especially poor children.
Constitutions of the Sisters of Notre Dame, Article 1
The Sisters of Notre Dame are members of an international congregation that began in Coesfeld, Germany in 1850. Two teachers, Hilligonde Wolbring and Elisabeth Kühling, cared for poor, neglected children whose families were unable to provide for them.
At the invitation and encouragement of Rev. Theodor Elting, the two women decided to continue their good work as vowed religious. Through the Sisters of Notre Dame of Amersfoort, Holland, they received a way of religious life that came from St. Julie Billiart, foundress of the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur.
The new Coesfeld congregation expressed its charism, a deep experience of God’s goodness and provident care, both in spirituality and in apostolic service.
World without borders
As an international congregation, our life together makes visible to the world that the Church is a community of prayer, reconciliation and Christian love.
Constitutions of the Sisters of Notre Dame, Article 54
Living St. Julie’s encouragement to have hearts as wide as the universe, the congregation is now present on 5 continents: Europe, North and South America, Asia and Africa.
California sisters have provided global influence through congregational leadership and service. They were also instrumental in co-founding a mission in Uganda.
Led to the USA
In directing our life to God alone, seeking to find him in all things, we experience joy and inner freedom. Such a disposition enables us to be open to the guidance of the Holy Spirit. When we experience the mystery of the cross, we trust in God’s love and goodness and respond with courage and serenity.
Constitutions of the Sisters of Notre Dame, Article 2
The Coesfeld Sisters of Notre Dame developed a flourishing educational ministry from kindergarten to teacher education. Beyond education, their work extended to the care of neglected children and infirm elderly. Laws passed by the Bismarck government during the Kulturkampf between 1872 and 1875 removed religious sisters from teaching positions in the public elementary schools and expelled teaching congregations from Prussia. This situation led the Coesfeld congregation to seek a new field of labor in the United States, arriving on July 4, 1874. When the sisters sailed into New York harbor, they thought the fireworks were welcoming them.
Mt. St. Mary’s Institute for Girls in Cleveland, Ohio, opened in 1883. Sr. Mary Pancratia Pohl ministered there as did Sr. Maria Aloysia Wolbring, fulfilling her dream to care for orphans.
Sent to build a House of Love
Jesus has called us together to be a community for mission as he once gathered his disciples around him….
A community life in which we feel at home affects the lives of those with whom we come into contact.
Constitutions of the Sisters of Notre Dame, Articles 54 and 59
At the beginning of the twentieth century, Los Angeles was a relatively small town. The National Census of 1910 registered a population of slightly less than 320,000. In 1913, William Mulholland completed construction of the Owens River Aqueduct, multiplying Los Angeles’ water supply five-fold. As a result, between 1910 and 1930, the city increased the size of its territory ten times. Suddenly, Los Angeles began to move towards the status of a metropolis.
Freed from the restraints of World War I, waves of immigrants, chiefly from the mid-west, poured into the region. Although the promise of cheap land as well as the employment opportunities offered by the burgeoning motion picture industry and by oil strikes in Long Beach, Huntington Beach and Santa Fe Springs contributed to the influx, many people were lured west by the warm Mediterranean climate.
The pioneers at St. Matthias
Among those impressed by Southern California’s mild weather was Reverend Mother Cecilia Romen, third Superior General of the Sisters of Notre Dame. She wanted to establish a house “in the country” where sisters who suffered from the harsh winters in Ohio and Kentucky could regain their health. The direct call to California came through a letter from Mrs. Catherine Pohl of Huntington Park. “Our pastor, Father Patrick Pearse, is asking for sisters for the school in our parish, St. Matthias. Would your sisters consider this tempting offer and come to California?”
According to SND tradition, Rev. Mother Mary Cecilia Roman said to the pioneers, “Go out to California and build a house of love.”
Adapted from Spreading the Fire: The Story of the Sisters of Notre Dame in California 1924 – 2010 by Sr. Mary Joanne Wittenburg, SND
Beach scenes circa 1925 and 2024
Upon the 50th anniversary of their arrival in 1974, Sr. Mary Sirana Kirchner, one of the pioneers, shared her sentiments:
“I am filled with pride for what has been accomplished by our Notre Dame community…I am proud of our first sisters who kindled and nurtured the fire and who are an inspiration to those who [have] followed; proud of the scores of…sisters who are ministering under ever increasing challenges, who are doing splendid work for the church of Los Angeles. I am filled with gratitude to God for his providential care of our community…. The fire enkindled by our pioneers sisters has grown and spread. It continues to warm, to enlighten, to strengthen and to comfort thousands of souls. ‘How good is the good God.’”
Adapted from Spreading the Fire: The Story of the Sisters of Notre Dame in California 1924 – 2010
by Sr. Mary Joanne Wittenburg,
SND
Called to Proclaim the Gospelthrough Spirituality
The eternal God is revealed in Jesus as Emmanuel, God-with-us. We are surrounded with God’s presence and enfolded in faithful love by the One who has called us by name…. Only in union with God will our work be fruitful, for without God we can do nothing. The more interiorly still we become, the more open we will be to the Holy Spirit. Such openness makes us attentive to the signs of the times and inspires us to be a prophetic witness to the reign of God.
As our prayer and action become a single response of love, our life gradually achieves unity and peace.
Adapted from Constitutions of the Sisters of Notre Dame, Articles 41 and 42
Called to Proclaim the Gospelthrough Education
As an apostolic community committed to our mission, we devote ourselves to education in all its forms, especially to catechesis and to other ministries.
Constitutions of the Sisters of Notre Dame, Article 3
Over the past 100 years, the Sisters of Notre Dame from California have engaged in education, from pre-school to the university level, at all socio-economic levels, as teachers, administrators, and support personnel. We strengthen our educational principles through teacher training and mentoring, concentrating on the education of the whole person: spiritual, intellectual, emotional, and physical.
Many sisters have worked in parish catechesis, sacramental preparation, and faith formation with children and adults, pastoral ministry with the sick and homebound, and outreach and education for social justice.
Called to Proclaim the Gospelin Africa
As members of an international congregation, we take an active interest in developments within the universal Church and society. Like St. Julie, Sister Maria Aloysia and our first Coesfeld Sisters, we should be filled with a missionary spirit, ready to carry the good news to the ends of the earth. This spirit challenges us to immerse ourselves in the culture of the people we serve and to discern with them their needs. As we share their life we enter into solidarity with them and are mutually enriched. In fidelity to our charism, we seek out poor and marginalized people, help them recognize their human dignity and give them hope and courage in their struggle for justice and life.
Constitutions of the Sisters of Notre Dame, Article 67
What began as a primary boarding school has grown to include nursery schools through junior college. Support ministries include a farm and formation for young women joining the congregation.
Called to Proclaim the Gospelthrough Outreach
Impelled by a missionary spirit, we respond to the needs of the times and share God’s compassionate love with people of all faiths and cultures, particularly those who are poor and marginalized.
Constitutions of the Sisters of Notre Dame, Article 3
In their commitment to justice, peace, and the integrity of creation, the sisters provide outreach to migrants and refugee families, and to individuals who are trafficked, homeless, or incarcerated. Sisters also serve in health care and offer spiritual comfort and bereavement support. Just as physical and spiritual needs are diverse, the sisters respond with creative fidelity to their vocations, offering direct service, education and advocacy.
Called to Proclaim the Gospelthrough Discipleship
Jesus has called us together to be a community for mission as he once gathered his disciples around him.
He shared with them his way of life, revealed to them his Father’s love and sent them forth to continue his mission.
Following the example of the early Church, and united with Mary, the first disciple, as a community of faith we seek to give witness to the presence of the Lord among us.
Constitutions of the Sisters of Notre Dame, Article 54
since 1999.
Sisters also help people deepen their relationship with God through retreat work and spiritual direction, ministry with youth and young adults, vocation ministry, and the Associate Program.
Then and now: the SND Associates have shared in the SND spirit and mission
Mary…our patroness
Through her life Mary made visible in a perfect way the glad tidings of the Gospel and participated in the redemptive mission of her Son.
In her total dedication to God in faith and love, she is the model for our daily surrender to the ever-new call of the Lord. We honor Mary as Mother of the Church and as patroness of our congregation.
Constitutions of the Sisters of Notre Dame, Article 12
Prayer to Mary, Mother of the Church
Blessed Mary, through …your yes at the Annunciation …your courage on Calvary …and your silent presence at Pentecost, you became the Mother of the Church. With grateful and humble hearts we ask for your abundant blessings for all humankind, especially those who are poor and marginalized. Guide us every day, that we may follow Jesus, radiating his hope and peace until that day dawns when we are all united forever in heaven. Amen.
Sisters Of Notre Dame of the United States
1776 Hendrix Avenue Thousand Oaks, CA 91360
www.sndusa.org
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