A message from Sr. M. Kristin Battles PROVINCIAL SUPERIOR, 2001 - 2010
VOL. XXV NO. 1 WINTER 2018 Vision & Challenge is published three times annually by the Sisters of Notre Dame, California Province. SISTERS OF NOTRE DAME Founded by Hilligonde Wolbring in Coesfeld, Germany in 1850, the Sisters of Notre Dame is an international congregation of women religious who serve the church in 18 countries. The Sisters of Notre Dame have ministered in California for more than 94 years, bringing hope to humankind through education, faith formation, spiritual development, pastoral ministry, health care, social outreach ministries and missionary service. For more information, visit www.sndca.org. VISION & CHALLENGE TEAM Provincial Superior: Sr. M. Anncarla Costello, S.N.D. Director of Mission Advancement Services: Sr. M. Lisa Megaffin, S.N.D. Communications Manager: Sarah Marcuse Contributors and advisers for this edition: Sr. Kristin Battles, Sr. Betty Mae Bienlein, DebraBuckingham, Jen Coito, Sr. Anncarla Costello, Darlene Goodman, Annabelle Gordon, Sr. Marie Paul Grech, Audrey & Deacon Joe Hamamoto, Sr. Amy Hauck, Sr. Judeen Julier, Sarah Marcuse, Kevin McNamara, Sr. Lisa Megaffin, Sr. Joan Schlotfeldt, Sr. Joyanne Sullivan, Lisa Stupar, and Sr. Joanne Wittenburg Artwork, Graphic Design: Jamie Designs, Inc. Updates: Please contact the Mission Advancement Office for the name and/or address corrections at info@sndca.org or 1776 Hendrix Ave., Thousand Oaks, CA 91360 PRINTING Vision & Challenge is printed locally by Custom Printing in Oxnard, California. Please remember to recycle your copy after reading.
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EDITOR’S NOTE The Sisters of Notre Dame are grateful to be able to share this 25th anniversary commemorative edition of Vision & Challenge. We include the reflections of the three provincial superiors during this time. It was Sr. Kristin Battles who inaugurated the province’s development office and Vision & Challenge in 1993. In this message, Sr. Kristin, current superior general of the Sisters of Notre Dame, recalls the beginnings. Dear Friends, It is hard to imagine that 25 years have passed so quickly! We launched Vision & Challenge in 1993 as a way to share with you, our relatives, benefactors, ministry colleagues and friends, what was happening throughout our California Province. You are the people who have partnered with us for so many years and through prayer, friendship and financial support, have Sr. Anncarla Costello made our ministries of education, health care, missionary work, and works for justice, peace and the integrity of creation possible.
with Sr. Kristin Battles
Let me say a few words about the title Vision & Challenge. Vision refers to the mission we as Sisters of Notre Dame are committed to— incarnating the love of our good and provident God. Challenge refers to the everyday realities we deal with in making our mission concrete in word and deed. Here is an interesting paragraph from that first edition. What are our current challenges? We face the challenge of ministering in a world hostile to Christian values, where family life is endangered and excessive pleasure and materialism are glorified; the challenge of educating youth to accept others regardless of race, nationality or religion as brothers and sisters; the challenge of helping to transform our world into a just and loving community. I believe we have been true to our goal of making Vision & Challenge an instrument of communication and inspiration. You, our readers, are a part of our Notre Dame story and we want you to experience how God in his goodness and provident care is using all of us together to help build his Kingdom here on earth. Thank you for your loyalty and support. I hope each time you receive a new issue it brings joy to your heart to see the good that is being done for others and that you feel you are an important part of the mission of the Sisters of Notre Dame. Very gratefully yours,
Sr. M. Kristin Battles, S.N.D.
Superior General of the Sisters of Notre Dame
VISION & CHALLENGE | 25TH ANNIVERSARY EDITION