November 2022 Newsletter

FAITH INTO ACTION OCTOBER, 2022 NOTRE DAME SISTERS 3501 State Street, Omaha, NE 68112 (402) 455.2994 | NotreDameSisters.org

FOLLOW OUR JOURNEY.

BELOW ARE UPDATES ON OUR WORK.

Sr. Mary Ann Zimmer elected to the international Generalate Team!

Every six years the Notre Dame Sisters have a General Chapter. The General Chapter includes delegates from the four Provinces in the Notre Dame Sisters Congregation - the Bavarian Province from Germany, the Czech Republic Province, the Slovak Province, and the United States Province.

At this Chapter, a Generalate Team is elected. The Generalate Team is the Leadership Team for the entire Congregation. Sr. Mary Ann Zimmer has been selected to serve on the Team from the U.S. Province. Their term of office is from 2022 to 2028. Sr. Mary Ann was recently elected to the Leadership Team for the American Province, and is only the second American Sister to ever serve on this international team. Sr. Margaret Hickey was the first, serving from 2010-2016.

Join us in congratulating Mary Ann on being elected to this position!

World Teachers' Day Oct. 6 Write on our Facebook page on or after October 6th to celebrate your favorite teachers.

We are grateful for the lives dedicated to education.

We thank all educators, working or retired, lay people or consecrated religious. Share a fun memory of someone who educated you so we can all celebrate and remember teachers on our Facebook page.

International Hospice Day is Oct. 10 Read a story of service through hopsice PRAY WITH US! Family, friends, and relatives struggling with health concerns.

For safety and rescue of many in Afghanistan and a respectful solution to the unsettled situation.

For the people and first responders dealing with the devastation of earthquakes, hurricanes and fires throughout the world.

For the leaders of nations keeping before their decisions peace in the world and the common good.

For those suffering from COVID and the health care providers.

For an end to the war in Ukraine and throughout the world.

For continued commitment to healing and reconciling the deep divisions in people throughout the world.

Eight years ago I became a chaplain at CHI Hospice and Healthcare. In this part- time position as chaplain I visit hospice patients in nursing facilities or in their homes within a 50-mile radius of Omaha.

Chaplain ministry is a listening ministry, meeting them where they are, providing affirmation, emotional and spiritual support and prayer.

Preparing for one’s death is a unique experience, so very special and important not only for the patient, but also for their family and friends. I call it a “Sacred Time,” providing the opportunity for family to say "Thank you," "I love you," "I’m sorry," "I’ll miss you," to share stories, to laugh and cry together. This prepares the patient to come to let go and enter a whole new and beautiful life with God. One patient was a woman who had been healthy all her life and was diagnosed with terminal cancer. She struggled to “wrap her mind and heart” around this diagnosis. One day when I arrived for a visit all the children were present. The patient was responsive but tired as she sat in her recliner in the living room. During the visit one of the sons asked the children to come together in a circle where he stated it was time for them to reconcile with one another and become a family again. He acknowledged his part in the divisions. Others joined in. It was a beautiful moment. We then gathered around the patient and shared a prayer together after which each person individually gave a blessing to their Mom. As chaplain, I knew it was time for the family to be present with their Mom and each other. On my way out the door, one of the children came and asked me to come back because Mom had just taken her last breath. She died peacefully, knowing her children were at peace with one another. And the children were at peace. Truly a sacred time for all! ~Sr. Celeste Wobeter, ND

Welcome to our new NDS Associates Michael Driscoll and Camilla Joan White made their initial commitments to the Notre Dame Associates.

We also commemorate commitments from: Olga Bello, Phyllis Chandler, Dick Connealy. Dot Connealy, Carol Craven, Linda Fitzgerald, Dave Garrett, Marylou Garrett, Jane Geary, Judy Gubbels, Juanita Harding, Theresa Homan, Barbara Hickey, Kris Lanik, Ed McKibbin, Cathy Leak, Ann O'Connor, Bonnie McDowall, Jenene Rauth, Kathy Schinker, Joanne Vihstadt, Diane Shada, Cindy Wenninghoff, Mildred Vitrous, Jo Williams, Connie Determan, Carol Kosmicki, Rita Melgares, Rod Determan, Judy Moe McCallum, and Theresa Wiggs.

Learn more about the Associates at notredamesisters.org/notre-dame-associates/