Network | Summer 2013

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Summer 2013

Sisters of Notre Dame

One Heart, One Hope, One Mission

Africa Rising: Signs of Hope for a Challenged Continent Also inside: Jubilee Celebrations The Bethany Retreat Center Today

Table of Contents 2 Africa Rising: Signs of Hope for a Challenged Continent Follow us on

8 Bethany Retreat Center Today! by searching “SND Chardon”

10 SND Donor Reception recognizes generosity of others

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12 Artist captures SND spirit in watercolor collages

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Blogs: http://www.kathleenglavich.org

14 Sisters of Notre Dame Jubilee Celebrations 2013

http://www.melanniesvobodasnd.org http://www.livingjustly.org http://www.catholicwebsolutions.com

25 Regina Alumnae Association

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Cover: For the past 21 years, the Sisters of Notre Dame have answered the call to East Africa, educating women and children, empowering African women through education and job training, and assisting their African sisters and brothers to improve their lives.

Send correspondence to: Network Sisters of Notre Dame 13000 Auburn Road Chardon, OH 44024 www.sndchardon.org 440.286.7101

A Letter from the Provincial Superior

Dear Friends, As summer begins, we slow down a bit and notice the beauty that surrounds us.

Summer is a time to spend with family and friends, and to rejuvenate our spirit.

Renewal gives us the opportunity to see things in a whole new light and to share our gifts and talents with those who need us the most. St. Julie Billiart, spiritual mother of the Sisters of Notre Dame, once said, “Let us beware of being in a greater hurry than the good God.” While we all lead busy lives, we also need time out to appreciate each other as we refresh our body and soul in God’s blessings.

Over this past year, the Sisters of Notre Dame have been actively working to further the mission of bringing God’s provident care to others. We hope through our ministries and through our presence with people that others can find God’s goodness in their daily life.

We are thankful for our many friends, our “partners in mission,” and we invite you to glimpse in this issue some small part of all the goodness that your prayers, support and gifts have made possible.

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Our Bethany retreat center provides new opportunities for people to take time out for quiet and spiritual renewal.

The stories of our Sisters celebrating their jubilees this summer are inspiring; perhaps you will want to re-connect with a Sister you recognize. The work of our Sisters in Africa is truly amazing. During our visit this spring Sr. Marie and I saw firsthand what your participation has meant to our Sisters and the people they serve in East Africa. Your partnership represents your commitment not only to the Sisters of Notre Dame but also to people worldwide. We are grateful!

As you take time this summer to enjoy your family and friends, and the beauty of creation, may you continue to find God’s love for you in all things. Let us bring hope and peace to our everchanging world.

May your summer be filled with many blessings!

Sr. Margaret M. Gorman Provincial Superior Sisters of Notre Dame, Chardon

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Children in Simanjiro, Tanzania, Maasai School

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Signs of Hope for a Challenged Continent

For the past 21 years, the Sisters of Notre Dame have answered the call to East Africa – building missions, primary and secondary schools and orphanages; educating women and children in poverty; and serving where HIV/AIDS ravages nations.

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espite numerous obstacles – lack of funding, scarce resources, an aging population of SND religious – approximately 35 SNDs from the United States, India, Germany and Brazil consider Tanzania, Kenya, Mozambique and Uganda home.

These women religious serve with joy and gratitude – blessed by mutually enriching relationships with the African people and by success in assisting their African sisters and brothers to improve their lives.

This spring, Sr. Margaret Gorman, Provincial Superior of the Sisters of Notre Dame, and Sr. Marie Manning, Global Missions Coordinator, traveled to these African nations to witness first-hand the exciting work being done by the Sisters of Notre Dame.

From Chardon, Ohio province, they delivered words of encouragement and celebrated with their global Sisters the overwhelming successes achieved in educating women and children and empowering African women through education and job training.

Sr. Marie shares her immediate reaction upon landing in Uganda: “I was overwhelmed by the beauty that surrounded us and by the warmth of the African people. I was also blessed as I met and talked with my Sisters and heard of their tireless efforts in sowing and nurturing the seeds of faith. I stand in awe of their accomplishments.”

Historical Perspective The first SND missionary to Africa was Sr. Randal Sup in 1991. She served as the Archbishop’s secretary in Nairobi. In late 1992, Sr. Shobana, Patna’s Provincial, sent three Indian SNDs to mission in Arusha, Tanzania.

They lived initially in a convent with no electricity or water source and eagerly began their missionary work at the all-girls St. Joseph Diocesan Secondary School in Ngarenaro. Of the 584 students in the school, 241 were Catholics; 126 Lutheran; 129

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“You educate a boy, you are educating an individual.

You educate a girl, you are educating an entire village.”

Muslim; 73 Seventh Day Adventist; 25 other denominations. Two of the three pioneers, Sr. Shobha and Sr. Thara, are still there today, dedicating the past 21 years to educating and empowering the women and children of Africa.

In 1995, two SNDs from California and two SNDs from Kentucky began another African ministry, this one in Uganda. Sr. Janet Stamm, Covington Pioneer, still serves in Buseesa, Uganda working alongside Sr. DelRita, Covington Pioneer. In 1998, Chardon SND Sr. Annete Adams joined them in Buseesa until answering the call to Arusha, Tanzania in 2004.

A lot has transpired with the Sisters of Notre Dame’s missions in the past 21 years...

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Left to right: Sr. Marie; Sr. Lalita; Bishop Rwoma of Singida Diocese, Tanzania; Sr. Mukti and Sr. Margaret

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africa rising continued from page 3

Uganda Uganda is one of the poorest nations in the world, with 37.7% of the population living on less than $1.25 a day. Half of the population is under 15 years of age.

day, the Sisters also built a farm where they raise vegetables and care for chickens, goats and pigs. Our work as educators could not begin until our missionaries figured out how to meet basic survival needs. It is quite impressive.”

Sr. Margaret and Sr. Marie’s “safari” began in Uganda with a four-hour van ride on the rugged, dirt roads into Buseesa. Though the road was bumpy, their hearts were glad.

They were anxious to meet the eight SNDs from various countries including the U.S. SNDs working in Buseesa today.

Next, Sr. Margaret and Sr. Marie traveled to the Uganda Martyrs Parish, established near the school to serve the children, faculty and staff as well as local villagers. “Daily Mass is celebrated at the school, and while not required, most children are excited to come and sing and worship,” says Sr. Marie.

“I was blown away to see all that the Sisters of Notre Dame had built in the past 18 years. We discovered there was an incredible ‘Children’s Village’ where approximately 400 children were being educated in both an elementary and secondary school.

We were greeted by the singing and laughter of school children,” Sr. Marie describes. Sr. Marie joined in the fun, making balloon hats for all the preschoolers at the school.

The energized Chardon Sisters continued their journey, spending one day in Mpala, Uganda where the SNDs have built a formation house and a preschool. Located near several universities, Mpala serves as a house of studies for young African Sisters preparing for ministry. The complex at Mpala also welcomes candidates exploring their vocation with the Sisters of Notre Dame.

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“You Sisters of Notre Dame have a different way of doing things. You are close to the people.”

“It was fascinating,” says Sr. Margaret. “The Bishop invited the Sisters of Notre Dame to this remote area because the people had the least access to education of any regions in his diocese. It is so remote that all the students and faculty have to board on campus.

The complex includes about 30 buildings powered by solar power and 87 tanks to capture rain water.

To feed 500 people three meals a

Kenya Although Kenya is the largest and most advanced economy in east and central Africa, development is concentrated in the cities, especially the capital city of Nairobi. Tribal identity is very strong in Kenya, so resolution of the recent election disputes without violence was a significant step in stabilizing Kenyan political life.

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Sr. Marie shares a little of the local language: “‘Mlango Wa Mbingu’ – means, ‘Come in to Pray.’ That was the inscription on the sign greeting us at the gate of a lush prayer garden. Cell phones, cameras, and loud talk were not welcome here.

It is considered sacred ground.

Resurrection Garden is a quiet retreat where Sisters and guests may pray.”

Sr. Margaret and Sr. Marie enjoyed a few laughs at Kenya’s Giraffe Education Center, where they met and fed a giraffe named “Daisy.” Giraffes are an endangered species, so school children are brought to the Center to raise their awareness of this issue.

“In Kenya, we visited the ‘Bomas’, a museum of traditional African homes,” says Sr. Margaret. “We learned a great deal about the culture of the various tribes. A typical family compound would include a separate hut for each wife and her children, a kind of corral for the livestock, and storage huts for grain. A man might have 20 to 30 children.”

From the tribal huts the two Chardon SNDs traveled to the two SND schools in Kenya. The Carmelites of Mary Immaculate own Mt. Sinai School, where Sr. Shobha, an SND pioneer in Africa, serves as administrator.

After spending four days in Uganda, Sr. Margaret and Sr. Marie set off for four days in Nairobi, Kenya.

Sr. Annete, Chardon missionary in Africa

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Sr. Kusum chats with a family in Kiomboi, Singida, Tanzania.

Two young African Sisters join her in the school, Srs. Emma and Elizabeth.

“Beautiful artwork adorns the outside of Mt. Sinai School,” describes Sr. Margaret.

“As master educators, our Sisters are called upon to be jacks-of-all-trades in this mission field – going into the bush and clearing fields, planting crops, finding water, and building schools. All had a desire to be missionaries, even though they joined an order devoted to education rather than mission work. They speak of it as a vocation within a vocation.

They are thriving here,” Sr. Margaret passionately exclaims.

The travel-worn Sisters stayed a few days, walking in the beautifully landscaped gardens at the ND Primary School and enjoying the alert, curious, intelligent faces of the children in class. Again, balloon hats by Sr. Marie were a tremendous hit with the children and Sisters alike.

Tanzania Child labor is common in Tanzania with millions working, more girls than boys. More than two million children have been orphaned as a result of the AIDS epidemic.

After a quick plane ride, Sr. Margaret and Sr. Marie took in the captivating landscape of Tanzania. “That evening in Njiro, Arusha we were welcomed again with song and dance at the novitiate,” Sr. Marie describes. In the morning, they traveled five hours to Simanjiro where the Maasai tribe lives, a people originally known as nomadic cow herders.

“Sr. Rashmi works in this mission.

Her training as a social worker, like many of our Sisters in India and Africa, has proven quite useful. Sr. Rashmi opened a primary school here just two months ago for the Maasai children. The convent and

school are designed like the traditional Maasai huts, where she stayed while setting up the new mission and school. She is just on fire,” describes Sr. Marie.

Two African Sisters of Notre Dame work alongside her at this mission: Sr. Hellen and Sr. Susan. Together, these three Sisters of Notre Dame are teaching the children English, the alphabet, and much more. There are currently two classes with 20 children in each class and no boarding facility at this location.

Children walk a short distance from their village to attend class.

Sr. Margaret says, “I am fascinated that Maasai leaders asked the Sisters of Notre Dame to educate their children.

Although the children’s learning is interrupted because they take turns attending school, they will be the first generation to receive formal education. Who knows what impact that will have in the future? One of continued on page 6

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Sr. Magdalene Mativo, Sr. Mukti, Sr. Christine with some “Aloysia Children”

africa rising continued from page 5

the graduates from the Sisters’ first years in Arusha is already a member of Parliament.”

In the Diocese of Singida they visited the local bishop. “Bishop Rwoma told Sr. Mukti, ‘You Sisters of Notre Dame have a different way of doing things.

You are close to the people.’ I think that is a beautiful compliment,” Sr. Marie adds.

Sr. Margaret and Sr. Marie continued their travels and discoveries, visiting the SND convent in Kiomboi. Last July the Sisters opened a nursery school in their convent garage while construction began for a primary school. Almost immediately new homes began popping up in the previously undeveloped area.

The local people are eager to take advantage of the new school.

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The second project under construction in Kiomboi is an orphanage to provide a safe home for children affected by AIDS – those personally infected as well as those who have lost parents to AIDS. They are called “Aloysia Children,” named after the foundress of the Sisters of Notre Dame, who was herself an orphan.

“The funding for this first orphans’ home was made possible, in part, by the generosity of Mary Monaco, a Cleveland donor. Her legacy gift to the Sisters of Notre Dame Global Missions was to be used, in particular, to benefit children who have lost a parent. This SND project serving HIV/Aids affected orphans in Africa was a perfect fit,” remarks Sr. Marie.

Sr. Marie and Sr. Margaret spent hours playing with the children.

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Animal balloons magically appeared again! The Chardon Sisters enjoyed music and dance to the beat of tribal drums, enthusiastically played by their African Sisters.

Back to Njiro On their ride back to Njiro, Arusha, the Sisters watched the sun set on majestic Mt. Kilimanjaro.

Lives are being changed, families are overcoming the grip of poverty thanks to the Notre Dame Zinduka (Awake!) Center for Women in Arusha.

The Center’s aim is to integrate the development of women and to assist them to grow in socio-economic self-reliance. Here they learn various trades so they can support their families and rise out of poverty. For example, Sr. Marie explains that in

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school throughout Africa uniforms are required. The SND schools purchase uniforms sewn by women of the Zinduka Center. Self-help groups meet monthly to discuss relevant issues, offer mutual support and begin income-generating programs. With the support of Zinduka women, three nursery schools were opened in nearby villages for children who otherwise would never attend school.

However, just outside the Zinduka Center gates one of the Indian missionaries was shot and robbed just days before Sr. Margaret and Sr. Marie arrived at the Center. Although Sr. Shobana is recovering, the incident was a tragic reminder of the risks being taken by the Sisters of Notre Dame in Africa.

Also in Arusha is the formation house, home to 35 young African women preparing to become Sisters of Notre Dame. They come from four countries and many tribes, learning to harmonize their individual gifts and backgrounds in their new “tribe” of Notre Dame.

Sr. Roshini from Patna, India and Sr. Annete from the Chardon province collaborate in the education of these vibrant young women who are the future of the mission in Africa.

Mindful, prayerful, the Sisters of Notre Dame throughout the world continue responding to the commission of Jesus to go out into all the nations. As Sr. Margaret and Sr. Marie head back home to the United States and Chardon Province, their thoughts and prayers remain with their global Sisters of Africa and the people whom the Sisters accompany.

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Sr. Michelle Kelly, SND, also visited Africa this past year. She was in Buseesa, Uganda for seven weeks. “I taught English, Math, and Technology at St. Julie Primary Boarding School and English and Math at Notre Dame Academy (Secondary School),” says Sr. Michelle. “The Primary school is for both boys and girls and the Secondary is an all girls school.

I also spent a week in Arusha, Tanzania visiting Sr. Annete, the Indian Missionaries and the young women in formation.”

Sr. Michelle Kelly

“These three weeks in Africa were a vivid example of what global solidarity means,” reflects Sr. Margaret. “The Sisters of Notre Dame serve on five continents and yet have face-to-face relationships with each other. Meeting our African Sisters personally, understanding their work, seeing firsthand how they carry out our common mission, brings home how closely connected we are. The world really is a global village.”

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Young women who attended Notre Dame Academy from 1964 to 1979 will lovingly remember the three-story ‘barn’ on campus that housed a student dormitory, gym classes and Freshman Hall. For many NDA students who elected to continue their education at the Academy when it moved from Ansel Road to Munson Township, this boarding school was their “home-awayfrom-home”– providing days filled with laughter, joy and cherished friendships amidst hayfields, muddy cow pastures and wide-open country views.

BETHANY RETREAT CENTER TODAY!

The boarding school closed in 1979, underwent major renovations, and was dedicated as Bethany Renewal Center on September 12, 1981. For many years, Bethany was used by the Sisters of Notre Dame for their annual retreats and numerous weekend programs. Gradually, the use of the Renewal Center expanded as Sisters began to bring school or parish groups to Bethany for staff retreats, prayer days and other programs.

In 2009, a new chapter in the history of Bethany was unfolding. Following a proposal for a study of the use of Bethany Retreat Center (its present name), a committee was formed, extensive conversations ensued, and Sisters and local parishes were surveyed about interest in the use of Bethany. Positive responses from both groups moved the planning forward, resulting in a decision to expand

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Bethany Retreat Center

the programming at Bethany and open the retreat center for use by local parishes and other groups.

On August 6, 2012, Sister Mary Jennifer Kramer became the full-time Director of Bethany Retreat Center. Sister Jennifer states, “For over 30 years, Bethany has been a place of blessing for our Sisters who have come for retreats and days of prayer and reflection. We are very happy and excited now to welcome others in a more expansive way, to experience God’s goodness and provident care in this holy place.”

She continues, “The retreat center provides a vehicle for us to share our mission, to offer a place of peace, beauty and simplicity for those who are seeking God in their lives.”

Bethany Retreat Center features 25 single bedrooms, a chapel, large dining room with a full kitchen, small-group meeting rooms and an air-conditioned conference room with large windows overlooking a wooded landscape. Capacity at the center is 35 individuals or 25 overnight guests. The retreat center is available

“We are very happy and excited now to welcome others in a more expansive way, to experience God’s goodness and provident care in this holy place.” for groups September through May. A suggested donation is offered for the use of Bethany or for scheduled programs.

Since August, Sister Jennifer has welcomed nearly 400 people to Bethany – parish prayer groups, young adults, women’s retreat groups, Associates of the Sisters of Notre Dame, parish staffs, Sisters and others. Many individuals have participated in one or more of the programs scheduled at Bethany throughout this past year: days of reflection with guest speakers during Advent and Lent, a monthly ‘Quiet Day of Prayer’ (which also includes a delicious box lunch), a series on the person and spirituality of Thomas Merton, book discussions, video presentations, “Coffee and Contemplation” for women, a

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weekend retreat on discernment, Taize Prayer and other offerings.

Plans are already taking shape for a “Women’s ‘Tea” in early November – a relaxing morning of breakfast, tea, prayer and a presentation. Fresh book discussions and a new series on the spiritual teaching of Ignatius of Loyola are coming in the Fall. There will also be opportunities to arrange individual Spiritual Direction at Bethany Retreat Center next year.

If you would like to be added to our e-mail list and receive information about upcoming programs, please e-mail Sister Jennifer Kramer at: bethanyretreatcenter@ndec.org If you or your group are interested in learning more about Bethany Retreat Center or would like to schedule a program, you can e-mail Sister Jennifer at the above address or contact her at 440.279.1143.

The center offers flexible hours for weekday or weekend booking.

The old, white “barn” has come a long way since 1964 – but it still stands strong as a place of welcome, joy and peace. The name “Bethany” comes from the place in Scripture where Jesus’ friends lived, Lazarus, Martha and Mary in whose home He was a welcomed guest whenever He was in town. Bethany became, for Jesus, a quiet and peaceful place to rest from the crowds, enjoy deep friendship, a good dinner and be refreshed for carrying on His ministry.

Sr. Jennifer Kramer, SND, Director of Bethany Retreat Center

Sister Jennifer explains, “Our prayer is that people will come to Bethany Retreat Center and find a place like Jesus did, a home of prayer, renewal, friendship and peace, so that they might take with them, their own ‘Bethany’ – a place in their heart where Jesus and others are welcome to come and dwell.”

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SND Donor Reception recognizes generosity of others (L-R) Barbara Titus, vice president of Sheoga Hardwood Flooring & Paneling, and Deborah Vornbrock, vice president of SOAR!

Sheoga Hardwood Flooring & Paneling, Inc., and SOAR! (Support Our Aging Religious, Inc.) were recognized on May 5 for their ongoing generosity to the Sisters of Notre Dame, Chardon Province. The event included a Eucharistic celebration and luncheon at the SND Educational Center.

Sheoga Hardwood Flooring & Paneling Located in the heart of a Geauga County’s Amish community at 15320 Burton-Windsor Road in Middlefield, Sheoga Hardwood Flooring & Paneling, Inc has been producing hardwood flooring and wood paneling since 1982. While approximately 70 percent of Sheoga’s workforce is Amish, the company continues to support many diverse organizations in the community, including the Sisters of Notre Dame. Sheoga has been instrumental in helping to strengthen the SND Global Missions program.

By Sheoga supporting the Sisters and the Global Missions they have in turn also created an awareness to people and groups they work with internationally.

Their generous annual gift specifically provides much needed support to the India ministries.

“Being Catholic myself, I love the mission of the Sisters of Notre Dame,” explains Barbara Titus, Vice President at Sheoga. “In my role at Sheoga Hardwood Flooring & Paneling, I wanted to make sure we were also supporting a Catholic organization. I share the Sisters’ desire to see women in other countries persevere and grow. I learned about the Sisters of Notre Dame’s missions in India where microloans were used to help train women so they could support their families and educate their children.

Titus says Sheoga Hardwood Flooring & Paneling embraces Biblical truths – such as that God is first and we must respect all. “I am blessed that Sheoga

Fr. Thomas Weber presides at the Eucharistic Celebration.

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Sr. Margaret Gorman welcomes SND Partners in Missions

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Carrie Higginbotham, Director of Strategic Initiatives for the Sisters of Notre Dame Chardon Province, and Deborah Vornbrock, Vice President of SOAR!, enjoy a laugh at the Donor Recognition Luncheon.

considers how employees and customers would want to be treated and makes sure each homeowner and customer is satisfied. That’s what God would want us to do,” says the seasoned business professional. Like the Sisters of Notre Dame, Sheoga Hardwood Flooring & Paneling is also committed to sustainability. The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Forest Inventory and Analysis found in 2012 that there are 2.45 trees growing for every tree that is harvested or dies of natural causes across the Appalachian forest region where wood for Sheoga is harvested.

This represents a resource that meets present needs without compromising those of future generations – the very definition of sustainability.

To demonstrate its commitment to sustainable forestry and responsible wood sourcing, Sheoga is proud to participate in NWFA’s Responsible Procurement Program (RPP) and to produce flooring under the RPP’s U.S. Renewing Forests label.

Many of Sheoga’s suppliers of hardwood timber are from a large rural Amish community – still using horses to transfer logs to the sawmill. “We make sure we are good stewards of what we have been given,” states Titus. “Our wood is primarily air dried by nature.

Our bi-products are ideal for the Amish community to start their fires and heat their water. Sawdust is a natural resource for animal bedding. We’ve even provided sawdust for Amish picnic bedding. We provide scrap wood and other bi-products to Amish widows at no cost. It’s all part of working with the community and being a good neighbor.”

SOAR!

SOAR! is a non-profit 501 (c) (3) grantmaking organization recognized in the Official Catholic Directory and a member of the National Catholic Development Conference. SOAR! brings together people of all religious denominations across America whose lives have been touched by the unparalleled “I love working here. I’ve had the contributions that Catholic Sisters, opportunity to represent the company brothers and priests have made to throughout the U.S. and across the families, communities and the nation. world,” says Titus, celebrating her SOAR! made its first grant to the Sisters 22nd year at Sheoga Flooring. We are of Notre Dame in 2001 as part of the very focused on providing a quality capital campaign for the new Health product and exceptional service. To Care Center. Over the years, SOAR! do that requires teamwork – which has generously provided support for is the foundation of Sheoga.” Titus is numerous needs within the SND Health one of only four women employed at Care Center, including a therapeutic the company. She finds true value in whirlpool tub, new mattresses, an EKG sharing a portion of one’s success with machine, electric lift chairs for Sisters others. We continue to give to the Sisters with mobility issues, and an enhanced because we know they share our values security system. in making a difference in our world.

Sr. Emilia Castelletti talks with Stanley and Diane Gorom.

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Sister Kathleen Lunsmann, IHM – President of SOAR! says “We are pleased to be able to help the Sisters of Notre Dame and all religious Sisters because of their lives of dedicated service. SOAR! donors want the Sisters to be able to age safely and with dignity. Like so many other Sisters, the Sisters of Notre Dame have done so much for the church and their community.” SOAR!’s mission enables all members of those congregations to continue in their active ministries.

Raising and providing funds for congregations to meet immediate needs of their retired members is just one of the missions of SOAR! The organization also educates the public about the serious retirement needs confronting elderly religious and has developed a national network of concerned individuals who wish to respond to this need. The economic crisis facing elderly religious in the United States is a result of a dramatic rise in the median age of our religious, insufficient funds to care for these elderly members of the Catholic Church, and the exponential rise in the cost of health care.

“SOAR! formed a relationship with the Sisters of Notre Dame that has developed into a valuable partnership,” adds Kelly Schlereth, Health Care Center Director. “Their generosity has enhanced the services we can provide to the Sisters and, most importantly, enabled the Sisters to remain in their own home.” SOAR! has been instrumental in providing much needed support to our aging religious. They have impacted many lives and have engaged others to become involved. Sr. Kathleen goes on to say “SOAR! invites other people to minister with us in support of aging Sisters. We remind people of the ongoing contributions of Sisters in our society.”

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Artist Captures SND Spirit in Watercolor Collages

A local artist helped celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Notre Dame Barbecue/Boutique by donating his remarkable talents and painting a collage of the various schools, churches, provincial centers, and other memorable sites of the Sisters.

“Painting is exciting.

It enables me to do a lot of good,” he says.

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This is the second collage-style watercolor Richard Doyle created for the Sisters of Notre Dame. His first, “Castle on Ansel,” an 11 X 14 painting, was commissioned by an alumni group celebrating their 50th class reunion. “Through the process of creating this painting of Notre Dame Academy, I learned my mother Betty Gocke Doyle, now deceased, was a 1938 graduate of NDA,” explains the talented gentleman.

The artist and writer hails from Medina, Ohio and started painting as a hobby. It has blossomed to become a successful small business. Doyle says with a laugh, “The company was originally to be named, ‘You Did That?’ because that was the standard retort by people who saw my paintings or read my writings. However, that name was taken, so Doyle Arts was born.”

The second watercolor, also 11x14, depicts 29 items in the mosaic including the Notre Dame College, in South Euclid, Ohio; the first Provincial House on Superior Avenue, Cleveland; the SND Coat of Arms; St. Peter Church, in Cleveland, Ohio, the first school the Sisters taught at when coming to the United States; the second Provincial House on Ansel Road, in Cleveland; the Mary statue in the Provincial Center cemetery, in Chardon, Ohio; Mount St. Mary Institute, on Buckeye Road in Cleveland, where Sr. M. Aloysia Wolbring, Foundress of the Sisters of Notre Dame died in 1889; Notre Dame Academy in Patna, India; Regina Hall of Regina High School, in South Euclid; Julie Billiart School, in Lyndhurst, Ohio; and the Coesfeld Crucifix, in the Provincial Center Chapel in Chardon, Ohio.

Doyle is currently working on a collage project for a company with multiple locations to celebrate its 40th anniversary as well as a collage for the historic city of Wellington, in Lorain County. He recently finished a collage of the Ohio University campus where his son attends.

“I hope to complete a collage of South Bass Island at Put-in-Bay this summer,” Doyle adds.

“Painting is exciting. It enables me to do a lot of good,” he says. “I can freely donate to charities.”

In addition to painting, Doyle began Doyle Financial Services in Wadsworth, Ohio three years ago after working for many years at Merrill Lynch. He is married with two children.

If you are interested in purchasing the Notre Dame Academy print or the second print that captures the landmarks of SND ministries, please contact Dena Adler at dadler@ndec.org.

Doyle received a guided tour of all the SND facilities by Daniel Schilling, SND Director of Human Resources. He took photos needed to complete both projects and met with archivist Sr. M. Elizabeth Wood who assisted by providing the painter with additional images for each print. “We had a great time during the process,” Doyle says.

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ubilee Celebrations 2013

J ubilee of 70 years

Sisters of Notre Dame

GRACE

Sister Mary Deanna Lutch For seventy years, Sr. Mary Deanna Lutch has devoted herself to God and serving others. As a schoolgirl at St. Wendelin and later at Notre Dame Academy, she was drawn to the Sisters of Notre Dame.

“I was inspired by the happy and dedicated spirit of the Sisters who taught me in grade school and at NDA,” she says. “I, too, wanted to help and serve God’s people, and God’s love and goodness drew me to become a Sister of Notre Dame.”

Sr. M. Deanna was a primary, intermediate and junior high teacher for many years, 30 of which she spent at several schools in California, including St. Paul, San Pablo; St. Leo, and St Lawrence. After she moved back to the Provincial Center, she dedicated more than two decades to community service. Today, Sister remains active in community service and prayer line ministries.

Sister Mary St. Jude Weisensell As a high school student, Sr. Mary St. Jude Weisensell was impressed and moved by the Sisters who taught her.

“I found the Sisters so interesting and so concerned about our welfare,” she says.

“It was wonderful living and working with these Sisters.”

Within her 70 years of religious life, Sister ministered as a teacher and principal at several Cleveland-area schools, including St. Justin, Eastlake and St. Francis, Cleveland. She taught at 14

the The Campus School of the Catholic University, Washington, DC, and was principal and teacher at St. Peter, Canton.

Sister lent her expertise as an assistant textbook editor for Christ Our Life Religion Series and, for many years, she ministered to the homebound especially at St. Gregory Parish in South Euclid. Today she is active in the prayer ministry.

Sr. M. St. Jude stresses the importance of what the Church does to make it easy for so many – including herself – to come close to God. She credits the goodness of the SNDs for how her life turned out.

65 years

IRON

Jubilee

Sister Regina Alfonso

(Formerly Sister Mary Gerard) Through her interaction with the Sisters of Notre Dame at St. Thomas School in Memphis, Sr. Regina Alfonso was compelled to join the SND community.

“I admired them and wanted to be a teacher like them,” she says.

Sr. Regina taught intermediate grades at many schools within the Cleveland Diocese, including Our Lady of Mt. Carmel, St. Stephen, and St. Vitus. She taught at St. Mary School, Warren, and was principal and local superior of St. Agnes, Arlington, VA, and Sacred Heart Academy, Winchester, VA. For seven years, she taught at The Campus School of the Catholic University, Washington DC. At Notre Dame College, Sr. Regina was an instructor and professor of education (21 years); associate professor emerita (six years); and a writer (three years). From 1998 to 2011, Sister updated 20 urban Catholic elementary

school libraries. Sister also went to St. Julie School in Buseesa, Africa to help train teachers there.

As for her current motivation, Sister says, “It’s making an effort to see and serve Jesus in all those I meet and minister to.” Currently, Sr. Regina is a tutor at SND Legacy Project, Cleveland, and a volunteer at St. Francis of Assisi School, Gates Mills.

Sister Marian Coughlin (Formerly Sister Mary St. Patrick) From the time she was in first grade, Sr. Marian Coughlin had the desire to be a Sister. It turns out that her parents shared in that desire.

“I learned that my parents had been praying that some of their twelve children would be called to serve the Lord in the consecrated life,” she says.

“God answered their prayers in my call to Notre Dame and my brother Howard’s call to the priesthood.”

Sister served as teacher, principal and local superior at both St. Michael, Independence, and St. Joseph, Amherst, and taught at several other schools within the diocese. She taught primary grades at St. John in McLean, VA, and was principal and local superior at Our Lady of Lourdes, Dunedin, FL. She now teaches PSR at St. Mary, Chardon, and devotes herself to community service at NDEC. “I have had the privilege of serving 48 years in Catholic education and 16 years of leading the First Communicants to the Lord in my retirement years,” says Sr. Marian. “Recently, the Lord, through Psalm 37, leads me daily: ‘Take delight in the Lord and He will grant you your heart’s requests. Commit to the Lord your way; trust in Him, and He will act.’” www.sndchardon.org

Sister Mary Annfrancis Demming

all change at a horse show at the Akron Rubber Bowl.

When she was a young girl, Sr. Mary Annfrancis Demming pledged herself to God; she made good on that pledge years later.

“I was sitting in the bleachers, watching this magnificent horseshow,” she recalls. “All of a sudden, of no power of my own, I was lifted up.

The man behind me said, ‘Lady, if you would sit down I could see.’” From that moment on, Sister knew that she wanted to be a nun.

“My mother had been very ill when I was in school,” she says. “I prayed to God that I would do anything he wanted (if he made her well), even if that meant entering the convent. So later, as a senior in high school, I felt drawn to the Sisters of Notre Dame and I entered.”

Sr. M. Annfrancis taught in several Cleveland-area schools, including St. Peter High School, Cleveland Central Catholic High School, and Notre Dame Academy. She held teaching positions at Notre Dame Academy, Middleburg, VA (where she had earlier served as assistant treasurer for six years); St. Agnes, Arlington, VA; St. Peter, Canton, and others. At the Notre Dame Education Center in Chardon, she worked in the community office and later in community service.

She spent 22 years at Notre DameCathedral Latin School; 19 years in the finance office and three as a teacher.

“The model I have for myself is to be the best that I can be,” says Sr. M. Annfrancis, who now devotes her time to community services at NDEC, Chardon. “Jesus, Lord, I come.”

Sister Mary St. Mark Florence According to Sr. Mary St. Mark Florence, she had no plans to be a teacher or a Sister. After graduating from high school, she worked in a hospital as a receptionist. That would Sisters of Notre Dame | Network

Though she was not taught by SNDs, Sr. M. St. Mark did visit Notre Dame Academy earlier in her life and was impressed with NDA and the Sisters.

After she received her call, she told her parents that she wanted to be a Sister of Notre Dame.

Sister spent seven years in Virginia as a primary teacher and aide, then ministered to the sick at Arlington Hospital. She taught at several Cleveland schools, including St. Gregory, South Euclid (she opened the kindergarten there); Gesu; and St. Michael, Independence. At the Notre Dame Education Center, she was receptionist for 29 years and was later an activities specialist in the Health Care Center. Her most recent ministries included receptionist and community service at NDEC. She strives to live her life according to Jesus’ words: “What you do for others, you do for me.”

Sister Mary Caron Kehner “When I was in the sixth grade, my teacher talked to me one night after school,” says Sr. Mary Caron Kehner of her call to the SND community. “She said, ‘Maybe when you grow up, you can come and live with us.’ Looking back, I see God speaking through her.”

From that point on, Sr. M. Caron knew she was going to be a Sister of Notre Dame. “I never thought that I was going to teach. I just wanted to be a Sister,” she adds.

For 22 years, Sr. M. Caron has assisted in the Notre Dame Advancement Office. She was teacher, principal and local superior at St. Joseph, Amherst; Holy Trinity, Avon; and St. Peter, Lorain. Sister held these same positions at Immaculate Heart, Youngstown; St. Agnes, Arlington, VA; and St. Mary, Massillon. She was principal and local superior of St. Mary, Chardon.

For Sr. M. Caron, words to live by are, “‘Love one another.’ That’s what I try to do. We may not always be successful, but it’s something to work toward.”

Sister Mary Teresa Langenderfer (Formerly Sister Mary Alberte) Sr. Mary Teresa Langenderfer says that her aunt, Sr. Mary Anselm – who would later serve as novice mistress when Sr. M. Teresa entered – and her first and second grade teacher, Sr. Mary Edward of Immaculate Conception in Marygrove, Ohio, helped in her call to become a Sister.

“There was something deeply spiritual and special about the Sisters. They had an interior joy which I experienced, too. I wanted to do something for the good Lord.”

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She taught in several other schools, including St. Mary, Chardon, Notre Dame Elementary, and St. Michael, Canton. She taught in areas outside of the Cleveland Diocese, including Arlington, VA and Washington, DC. “The passage of the Good Shepherd is of great importance for me at this time,” adds Sr. M. Teresa. Currently, Sister ministers through the prayer phone line, and as a Health Care Center pastoral visitor.

Sister Mary Therese Ann Lynch After high school, Sr. Mary Therese Ann Lynch spent two years in the workforce. She did not know any SNDs until, at a youth club gathering, she met a girl who attended Notre Dame Academy. “She talked about being a Sister and took me to meet the SNDs,” says Sr. M. Therese Ann. “I was very happy to become a Sister.”

Sr. M. Therese Ann was a primary and intermediate teacher at numerous Los Angeles-area schools, including Our Lady of Perpetual Help, St. Francis, and Our Lady of Assumption. She served as a certified nursing assistant at the ND Health Care Center in Thousand Oaks, CA. She taught in Massillon and in several Cleveland-area schools, including St. Mary, Elyria. At NDEC in Chardon, she devoted nine years to community services, four years to crafting, and three years as a NDEC aide and handwriting teacher. Today, she continues with boutique crafting and is dedicated to the prayer ministry.

Reflecting on how she feels about her 65 year jubilee, Sr. M. Therese Ann says, “I feel wonderful and

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lighthearted. I’ve been here for 65 years! I want to please God, love Him and do His will.”

Sister Mary Martha Maynard (Formerly Sister Mary Cecilianne) Sr. Mary Martha Maynard was taught

by Ursuline Sisters in grade school.

“They were lovely, but I never had the inclination or the call in grade school,” she says. “God drew me to the SNDs, when I was a sophomore in high school (at NDA). I got this message from the Lord that this is what he wanted me to do.”

Most of Sr. M. Martha’s ministry assignments were within the Cleveland Diocese. She taught primary and intermediate grades in several schools and was principal and local superior at St. Mary, Chardon; St. Francis, Gates Mills; and St. Vitus, Cleveland, where she was also regional superior. For seven years, she taught at The Campus School at the Catholic University, Washington, DC. At the Chardon ND Health Care Center, she spent 14 years as pastoral minister. For the past five years, she has been involved in the prayer ministry.

Sr. M. Martha looks to the Psalms for inspiration: “To do God’s will is my delight and always to do His will is my guiding force.”

Sister Teresemarie McCloskey Sr. Teresemarie McCloskey attended NDA in Toledo then later moved to Cleveland to attend Notre Dame College. While a sophomore at NDC, she became interested in the idea of becoming a Sister.

Eventually, she entered the SND community in Cleveland. Sister’s early ministry assignments led her to teach at Notre Dame Academy and Elyria District Catholic High School; she was an assistant principal at Our Lady of Lourdes High School.

For the next 39 years, Sr. Teresemarie was a professor of mathematics at Notre Dame College. For the past 12 years, she has devoted herself to the prayer ministry and ministering to the homebound. A lifelong writer, Sr. Teresemarie hopes to finish her book on John Henry Newman, the 19th century British cardinal.

“I try to live my life day by day, especially in conjunction with the daily Eucharist,” says Sr. Teresemarie. “I get my inspiration from the Eucharist. “

Sister Mary Alicemarie Resley As a student at NDA, Sr. Mary Alicemarie Resley felt that the Sisters truly cared about their students. “They always seemed to want to take care of their students, take time out for them,” she recalls. “I thought that was unusual.”

Sister reflects fondly on her vocation, especially the teaching days. As a primary teacher, Sister was assigned to several Cleveland schools: St. Boniface, St. Vitus, Metro Catholic, and others.

At St. Mary and Holy Redeemer, she was a librarian for six years. She taught at St. Mary, Warren, and was in food service at several SND convents throughout the Cleveland Diocese and at Our Lady of Victory, Washington, DC, and St. Mary, Massillon. For the past 16 years, Sr. M. Alicemarie has worked in the Global Missions Office; she also devotes her time to the prayer ministry and the prayer phone line. www.sndchardon.org

On her years as an SND, Sr. M. Alicemarie says, “The more you get involved with your religious life and all that it means, the more it changes your life.”

continues to learn through her ministries: “I have learned to trust God in all things even in very difficult times because He is always there for us and with us.”

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Sister Mary Patrice Davis

(Formerly Sister Mary Jean Patrice)

Sister Mary Louise Trivison (Formerly Sr. Mary St. Louis) The Sisters of Notre Dame left a lasting impression that drew Sr. Mary Louise Trivison to her vocation. “I was impressed with the SNDs’ great love: love for their community, for their students and certainly their ability as educators,” she says. “They were wonderful teachers.

I knew I wanted to dedicate my life to God in the field of education, so I was very drawn to the community.”

Sr. Mary Louise taught at Notre Dame Academy and Elyria Catholic High School, and was later assigned to teach at St. Mary High School, Warren, and Cardinal Mooney High School, Youngstown. Sister devoted the next 36 years to Notre Dame College as an instructor and professor of theology and Spanish. While there, she served on the Commission of Interreligious Affairs (19 years) and on the SND Provincial Council (two years). During her time as professor emerita, Sister cofounded the Tolerance Resource Center (later renamed the Abrahamic Center) – a learning center for NDC students and the public to study topics like racism, hate, the Holocaust, diversity, etc. Sr. Mary Louise worked on an oral history project for two years and currently serves as an ND National Prayer Book committee member. In addition, she ministers to the homebound.

After decades of serving God, others, and teaching, Sr. Mary Louise

Sister Mary Jonathan Zeleznik When she was in the third grade, Sr. Mary Jonathan Zeleznik often arranged her four younger brothers on steps so she could teach them. As it turned out, those steps were her very first classroom.

“I always wanted to be a teacher,” says Sr. M. Jonathan. Having grown up learning from the Sisters of Notre Dame, she knew the SNDs were great educators.

Sister was a teacher at several schools in Cleveland and Canton. She was principal and local coordinator at St. Mary, Elyria; St. Peter, Lorain; St. Vitus, Cleveland, and Christ Our King, Warren. She was RCIA director at St. Anselm, Chesterland; assistant local coordinator at NDEC; pastoral team member at the SND Health Care Center; and she responded to the prayer phone line. For 12 years, Sr. M. Jonathan was an assistant general at the Generalate in Rome. She was living in Rome when Pope John Paul II was elected and felt blessed to meet him several times.

Sister hopes that she remains blessed with good health so she can continue to enjoy her life at the Provincial Center and her ministry as a pastoral visitor in the Health Care Center. On celebrating her 65-year jubilee, Sister says, “It’s wonderful. I can’t believe it came so quickly!”

Sr. Mary Patrice Davis was a primary grade teacher in several Cleveland-area schools including St. Vitus and St. Michael, Independence. For six years, she served as principal at St. Mary, Chardon. She taught intermediate grades at several schools, including Gesu, and St. Joan of Arc, Chagrin Falls. Sister spent three years in Thousand Oaks, CA, where she taught primary grades at St. Paschal Baylon.

At Notre Dame Elementary School, Chardon, Sister dedicated three years to teaching primary grades and 18 years to teaching intermediate grades.

Sister currently resides at the Chardon Provincial Center. She devotes her time to assisting in the NDEC mail room.

Sister Mary Julie Rose Keck Sr. Mary Julie Rose Keck spent many years as a teacher and/or principal in several Cleveland-area schools, including SS. Cyril & Methodius; St. Felicitas; St. Francis, Gates Mills; and St. Boniface. She was principal of St. John, Warrenton, VA. “Even as a student at St. Francis High School in Cleveland, I was amazed at the encouragement and genuine concern the Sisters had for each student; I was deeply touched by the love and goodness the Sisters showed for each other,” she says.

Sister now resides in Chardon and, for the past 19 years, has dedicated herself continued

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as assistant to the provincial secretary.

Today, for me, it is all about gratitude.

“Celebrating 60 years as a Sister of Notre Dame, I am deeply grateful to God for all the graces I have received and for all the wonderful people who have touched my life.”

Sister Juliemarie McDonald Spirituality and creativity have always gone hand-in-hand for Sr. Juliemarie McDonald. As a junior high and high school educator, Sister enjoyed teaching many subjects, but writing was her favorite.

Sister’s ministry assignments led her to St. Francis, Gates Mills; Regina High School; Notre Dame Academy; and several schools in Virginia and Florida, including NDA, Middleburg, VA. In Florida, Sister was director of religious education and campus minister; she was pastoral minister at Mease Dunedin Hospital. She was a residence hall campus minister at Notre Dame College, Ohio. In Chardon, she assisted in the ND Mission Office and facilitated faith sharing in the Health Care Center.

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colorful flower gardens outside of the Health Care Center. On being a Sister of Notre Dame, Sr. Juliemarie says, “It’s brought me much closer to the Lord, and that’s what it’s all about.”

Sister Mary Jean René Mlodzikowski Like many in her community, Sr. Mary Jean René Mlodzikowski was impressed with her SND teachers. She attended Notre Dame Academy and became an aspirant, preparing to enter the community during senior year. “I liked the Sisters from the very start,” she says.

“I was just awestruck by them.”

In Cleveland, Sister taught at Our Lady of Lourdes, St. Vitus, and St. Joseph, Amherst. She was principal at several schools outside of the diocese, including St. Joseph, Randolph; St. Aloysius, East Liverpool; and St. Joseph, Winter Haven, FL. For nine years, Sister was pastoral minister at St. Joseph. At the ND Provincial Center, her ministries include facilities office window assistant, Gallery assistant, community service, and Geauga Senior Center volunteer.

For more than a decade, Sr. Juliemarie has shared her creative gifts by crafting for the ND boutique. From purses to aprons to bears, Sister loves to sew all types of creations. “I am trying to finish dresses that we can send off to the poor children of Sierra Leone (West Africa),” she says.

“I’ve always been called to Ephesians 4:29-32,” says Sr. M. Jean René. “‘Never let evil talk past your lips. Say only the good things men need to hear, things that really help them…’”

In addition to crafting, Sister writes for the young Sisters in formation in the missions. Her writings include the gospel cycles, gospel reflections, and faith sharing. She loves tending to the

Sr. Ritamae Preto has always striven to be good to people and offer help whenever needed. During 60 years as an SND, she has done just that.

Within the Cleveland Diocese, Sister

Sister Ritamae Preto

taught at St. Michael; St. Mary, Elyria; and St. Louis (where she later devoted nine years to before and after school care). For 15 years, Sister was an intermediate teacher and liturgy coordinator at St. Gabriel, Mentor. Her vocation led her to Washington, DC, where she spent seven years teaching at Our Lady of Victory. Sister’s favorite subjects were language and art.

For four years, Sr. Ritamae assisted with the Chardon Provincial Center prayer line. Today, she is devoted to the prayer ministry at Regina Health Center, Richfield, Ohio. “The Lord is good,” she says. “He has done great things for me. No matter what happens, I just know there will be great things.”

Sister Mary Dolores Stanko (Formerly Sister Mary Charles Ann) When asked what drew her to the Sisters of Notre Dame, Sr. Mary Dolores Stanko says she thought, “If I could be like them, I could be pleasing to God. Their lives are centered on God.” Sister spent more than 28 years teaching high school at several Cleveland-area schools, including St. Peter, Our Lady of Lourdes, Elyria Catholic, Regina, and Notre Dame Academy. Sr. M. Dolores says she enjoyed teaching geometry because it awakened her students’ ability to reason, and teaching science because it opened her students and her to the wonder of creation. Sister believes that it was a privilege to teach religion.

For four years, Sister worked on the religion textbook committee and then spent 25 years as the assistant to the

www.sndchardon.org

provincial secretary. In addition, she helped the provincial secretarial office with special projects. Words that inspire Sr. M. Dolores are: “God’s love never fails, no matter the need.”

Sister Mary John Albert Thiry As a student of Notre Dame Academy and the daughter of a man who was taught by the Sisters of Notre Dame (Toledo Province), Sr. Mary John Albert Thiry says she had an affinity for the SNDs. Her years of teaching high school in the Cleveland Diocese brought her to Regina, St. Francis, and other schools.

At St. Peter, she was a dedicated principal, guidance counselor, and teacher; at Notre Dame Academy, she served as teacher, guidance director, and assistant principal. Assignments outside the diocese included twelve years at Notre Dame Academy, Middleburg, VA (principal) and eight years at John F. Kennedy, Warren (guidance counselor and teacher).

Sister devoted 11 years as pastoral minister and director of religious education at St. Francis De Sales, Parma. She has been a pastoral care volunteer at Mt. Alverna Village and Jesuit Retreat House for two years.

Sister shares her thoughts on being a Diamond jubilarian: “It has been my life for 62 years. It gives me an opportunity to be closer to the people in the Church, to work for the Church, to have a very strong family in the community, and to have the opportunity for spiritual growth and development.”

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Sister Mary Annete Adams

Sr. Mary Annete Adams taught primary grades at several Cleveland schools, including St. Stephen, St. Wendelin and St. Mary, Chardon. She was the Chardon provincial secretary for eight years. After serving as an administrator for Migrant Mobile School Ohio and Florida, she became a missionary in the East African nations of Uganda and Tanzania. Today, she is the postulant director/delegation secretary in Arusha, Tanzania.

“I had a great desire to simply serve the Lord, especially with the poor; I found so much joy in the lives of the Sisters I knew,” says Sr. M. Annete. “As a missionary here in Africa, I believe we are all called to live the Gospel message, to live simply and honestly among the poor.”

Sr. M. Annete remains inspired by I Peter 4:10: “Place your gifts at the service of others.”

Sister Myra Avsec (Formerly Sister Mary Antonmarie) Sr. Myra Avsec spent most of her religious life devoted to community services including helping the sick, cooking, and driving. For 10 years, she was a preschool aide at St. Francis of Assisi in Gates Mills.

Her first contact with the SNDs was through her older cousin, Sr. Mary Avsec (Sister Mary St. Bernadine), who attended Notre Dame Academy.

“I have felt called to Notre Dame since I was a young girl walking the

mile home from school,” Sister says.

“I ignored the call, but God insisted and in my senior year at NDA, I finally said, ‘Okay, I am coming…’ The journey has not always been easy, but 50-plus years later, I am still ‘coming.’”

Sister resides at the Provincial Center in Chardon where she dedicates her time to the prayer ministry and community service. The scriptures that Sr. Myra holds close to her heart are: “I am with you always” and “Be still and know that I am God.”

Sister Mary Ann Burke (Formerly Sister Mary Brigid) During much of her ministry, Sr. Mary Ann Burke served others through food service at the Provincial Center and NDA Boarding School, Chardon, and NDA, Middleburg, VA. She went on to devote six years to her position of regional superior of the Chardon Province. For 11 years, she served in the pastoral ministry at St. Joseph, Amherst.

Today, Sr. Mary Ann dedicates herself to an outreach ministry with the homebound, Ignatian spirituality exercises in parishes, and spiritual direction. She has been inspired by her Regina High School teachers and the faith practiced by her family, including her cousins in the SND community, Sr. Mary Ronauld Frohnapple and Sr. Grace Mary Corbett. Sister Mary Ann’s personal philosophy is “to follow and bring Christ to others with a sense of humor.”

Sister Mary Laurie Divoky Since childhood, Sr. Mary Laurie Divoky had always wanted to be a nurse. She was accepted into nursing continued

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school as a high school senior. Then a holy restlessness tested that decision, she says.

“After prayer and discernment I found peace at Mass on Easter. I said ‘yes’ to a call to follow Jesus as a Sister of Notre Dame a month after graduation. At that moment I felt strongly that this was God’s Will, even though I was entering a teaching order. While education was a life-giving ministry, there have been many other calls to serve in pastoral care as well.”

Sr. M. Laurie was a teacher at St. Margaret Mary, South Euclid, Our Lady of Mt. Carmel (East), St. Joseph, Cleveland and others. She was principal at St. Joseph and St. Aloysius, East Liverpool and St. Peter, Lorain.

Sister was a devoted pastoral associate at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel, Ashtabula (10 years) and St. Richard, North Olmstead (three years). For the past five years, Sr. Laurie has served as the spiritual care coordinator at Hospice of Western Reserve, Ashtabula.

Regarding her shift into pastoral and spiritual care, Sr. M. Laurie says, “There are so many blessings receiving and sharing God’s goodness and compassionate love, especially with the wounded and hurting.”

Sister Mary Ann Hvizda (Formerly Sister Mary St. Vincent) In her home parish of SS. Cyril and Methodius in Lakewood, Ohio, Sr. Mary Ann Hvizda experienced a faithfilled and vibrant community. The priests and her SND teachers were an inspiration to her, as were her parents.

As the years progressed, she felt that God was calling her to religious life.

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She also wanted to be a teacher, yet another reason for entering the SNDs. “Shortly before my mom died, she shared a simple message with me: ‘Life is short.’ This has remained with me through the years and has inspired me to be mindful of and grateful for the blessings and gifts of each day.”

Sr. Mary Ann began her religious life as an intermediate and junior high teacher at St. Gregory the Great, St. Francis of Assisi, and SS. Cyril & Methodius. She believes that she received another calling to hospice ministry through her care-giving to her mother who received hospice services.

Sister spent one year as an intern and another as a resident in the Clinical Pastoral Education Program at St. Vincent Charity Hospital, Cleveland.

For the past 12 years, Sr. Mary Ann has been the spiritual care coordinator for the Hospice of the Western Reserve.

“It has been a wonderful blessing to companion people at this special time on their journey,” she says of her hospice work.

Sister Mary Barbara Klodt (Formerly Sister Mary Isidore) Sr. Mary Barbara Klodt credits her fifth grade teacher, Sr. Lucille Marie Nuncia Geise, for inspiring her to become a Sister of Notre Dame.

As an intermediate and junior high teacher, Sister was assigned to St. Mary, Elyria; St. Joseph, Cleveland; and St. Wendelin (where she was assistant principal as well). For 13 years, she taught junior high at Julie Billiart School. She spent nine years as youth minister and three years as director of religious education at

St. Mary, Massillon. Sister was local superior of the Provincial Center, Chardon, for five years and served as director of religious education at Sacred Heart of Mary (Harrisburg, OH) and St. Louis (Louisville, OH).

Sr. M. Barbara says that she strives to live Galatians 2:20: “I no longer live but Christ lives in me.”

Sister Mary Antoinette Krejsa When she was a student at Notre Dame Academy, Sr. Mary Antoinette Krejsa says, “I admired the teachers that I had at NDA and I wanted to answer a call. I liked their simplicity and they were good educators.”

Sister taught throughout the Cleveland Diocese at several schools, including St. Mary, Chardon; St. Gabriel, Mentor; and St. Michael, Independence. She was principal at St. Joan of Arc, Chagrin Falls; Our Lady of Victory, Washington, DC; and St. Therese, Wilson, NC. She was director of religious education at Shrine of the Blessed Sacrament, Washington, DC, and administrative projects assistant at Metro Catholic, Cleveland. For three years, Sister lived in Rome and served as the local coordinator for the SNDs there. She returned to Cleveland in 2009 and is now a tutor at Cleveland Central Catholic.

“I’m very happy as a Sister of Notre Dame,” she says. “I like the international piece – (we are) part of an international congregation and multi-cultural.”

Sister Mary Roseanna Mellert “The friendly and welcoming Sisters touched my heart and I felt called to follow Jesus as they did,” says Sr. Mary www.sndchardon.org

Roseanna Mellert of her teachers at Regina High School.

Sister joined the community and taught at St. Vitus; St. Mary, Avon; and St. John, Warrenton, VA. She was principal at St. Joseph, Winter Haven, FL and St. Gabriel, Greenville, NC. For five years, she was on the pastoral team of Parroquial Santa Lucia, Dominican Republic. For the past six years, Sr. M. Roseanna has been a missionary at La Parroquia Sangre de Cristo, Jinotega, Nicaragua.

“God put the desire to be a missionary in me and God’s plan sent me to ministry in Orlando,” Sr. M. Roseanna says. “From there I went to the Dominican Republic as a missionary for five years on the team of the Diocese of Orlando. Then God led me to this mission in Jinotega, Nicaragua.

“There are many families who live with only the basic necessities and as I visit with them I am humbled by their deep faith and trust in God. Though they have so little, they are willing to share their love and their crops. I pray that I can share Jesus’ love by my presence and teaching catechism classes.”

Sister Mary Joanne Miller (Formerly Sister Mary St. Colette) Sr. Mary Joanne Miller was 10 months old when her older sister, Sister Mary Andrew Miller, joined the Sisters of Notre Dame. Throughout her childhood, she and her family would visit the convent. Often all the Sisters would come into the parlor with their greetings.

“As I reflected on those visits much later in life, there was always joy and laughter,” Sister says. “I think that had

an effect on me, and, of course, I looked up to my sister. I also went to Our Lady of Lourdes, where the SNDs taught, and my dad used to drive them all around and I often went along. I guess you could say I was surrounded by SND influences!”

Justin Martyr, Eastlake; St. Margaret Mary, South Euclid and St. Helen, Newbury. For the past 11 years, she has served as director of religious education at St. Mary/St. Frances Cabrini, Conneaut, Ohio.

For eight years, Sister taught high school at NDA, Chardon (where she was principal for six years); Regina; Lorain Catholic (principal for 4.5 years); and Cardinal Gibbons, Raleigh, NC. At the Chardon Provincial Center, Sister served as assistant treasurer and treasurer.

Currently, she is the business manager at Metro Catholic School and an accountant at St. Francis School, Cleveland.

On her fifty years as an SND, Sr. M. Barbara says, “Divine Providence worked in my life and I am grateful to God and to Our Lady, Notre Dame.”

One life lesson that Sr. M. Joanne would like to share is: “I have always believed in the innate goodness of each person, so I try to accept and appreciate each – as I also hope they accept me – with their particular expression of that goodness, of God’s infinite goodness.”

Sister Mary Barbara Morscher (Formerly Sister Mary Dennine) “The Sisters of St. Joseph, Rocky River, greatly influenced my life,” says Sr. Mary Barbara Morscher. “I wanted to be like them, wear what they wore, and teach in elementary school.”

Traveling a half hour on a city bus every day to St. Peter High School provided Sister plenty of time to think about her future vocation. In addition, her numerous school activities and classes allowed her to become friends with many of the Sisters.

Sr. M. Barbara taught at St Francis of Assisi, Our Lady of Mount Carmel (East), and St. Joan of Arc, Chagrin Falls. She was principal at St. Mary, Elyria; St.

Sister Mary Constance Przybylski (Formerly Sister Mary Levan) Sr. Mary Constance (“Connie”) Przybylski entered the Sisters of Notre Dame upon graduating from Avon High School. For the first 23 years of her religious life, she was missioned to the SND community sewing room, mainly at the Provincial Center. Here, she sewed the Sisters’ habits. Later, she was the business and book store manager at Regina High School, and served as a director of religious education at both St. James, Warren, and at SS. Cyril & Methodius, Lakewood. For the past 18 years, Sister has been the devoted director of religious education at Holy Spirit Church, Avon Lake.

Sr. M. Constance says, “A motto that has stuck with me through the years is: ‘I will only pass this way once. If, therefore, there is a good deed or a kindness that I may do or give, let me do it now, for I will never pass this way again.’ My love for the Holy Eucharist goes along with this since we are all one in Christ. Jesus said, ‘Whatsoever you do to the least of my brethren, you do unto me.’ May I serve wherever I am or whomever I am with.” continued

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Sister Marilyn Schiller (Formerly Sister Mary Loraine) When asked what compelled her to join the SND order, Sr. Marilyn Schiller replies, “God pushed me!” She also credits the example of the nuns who taught her at Regina High School, both in and out of class.

Sister’s vocation began with teaching intermediate grade and junior high, mostly within the Cleveland Diocese.

She was assigned to St. Jude, Elyria (principal); St. Peter, North Ridgeville; and St. Francis of Assisi (principal). Her vocation led her to become a counselor at Chagrin Valley Counseling Assoc., Solon, and The Haven, Parma. She was a therapist at several institutions, including Laurelwood Hospital, Willoughby, the Counseling Center of Wayne/Holmes Counties, and Catholic Charities Community Services, Medina. Currently, Sister is active in the Provincial Center prayer ministry.

“God doesn’t need my help in deciding what comes next in my life, but God does need my cooperation,” says Sr. Marilyn. “‘Let go and let God’ is what I need daily in my life because I am rather independent.”

Sister Maureen Spillane (Formerly Sister Mary Firmata) On being compelled to join the Sisters of Notre Dame, Sr. Maureen Spillane says, “I felt called to do something more with my life and wanted to help people poorer than me.” As an SND, Sister was a primary grade teacher at several Cleveland-area schools, including St. Benedict, St. Michael, Independence, and St. Joseph, (where she also taught intermediate grades).

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She was principal of St. Thomas, Sheffield Lake, and Holy Redeemer, Cleveland. She spent three years teaching primary grades at St. James, Warren.

While missioned to the Chardon Provincial Center, Sr. Maureen answered the call to be regional superior and assistant provincial. She spent six years in each of these ministries. For the past two years, Sister has served as director of temporary professed Sisters.

“One life lesson I embrace,” says Sr. Maureen, “is to preach the Gospel and to use words if necessary.”

Sister Mary Louise Teckman (Formerly Sister Mary Chanel) Sr. Mary Louise Teckman says that God spoke to her through the goodness and simplicity of the Sisters at St. Stephen during her high school years. God spoke through the mountains and caverns of Virginia and he speaks daily through others, especially her family, Sisters and friends.

For many years, Sister taught primary, intermediate and junior high grades at several schools: St. Paschal Baylon, Gesu, and St. Margaret Mary. In Virginia, Sr. Mary Louise was teacher at St. John, McLean and St. Leo, Fairfax and a teacher and principal at Sacred Heart Academy, Winchester.

She was principal at St. Joseph, Randolph, Ohio. At Notre Dame Elementary in Chardon, Sister served nine years as assistant principal. She has devoted herself to community service at the Provincial Center and, for the past three years, has volunteered at Maggie’s Place, Parma.

“My life has been shaped through others and the gifts of sunrise and

sunset – the beauty of God on mountains and in the depths of the caverns,” Sr. Mary Louise says. “I have been blessed to teach, to minister to teachers and staff, and to help in the service of others.”

Sister Mary Jane Vovk (Formerly Sister Mary Patriciarose) Sr. Mary Jane Vovk felt compelled to join the SNDs because of her experience with them in elementary school. “They were always so joyful and so good to everyone, especially the poor and neglected,” she recalls. “I enjoyed being with them and wanted to be like them.”

Sister has spent her religious life teaching at various locations throughout the Cleveland area. Some of her assignments include St. Joseph; St. Mary, Elyria; St. Peter, North Ridgeville; and St. Jude, Elyria. Sr. Mary Jane served as pastoral minister at Our Lady of Lourdes and St. Catherine. Since January 2000, she has been coordinator of religious formation at Metro Catholic School. Sister is also a pastoral visitor in the SND Health Care Center.

One of Sister’s favorite Bible verses is found in Habakkuk 2:3: “God says, ’I will not disappoint for the vision still has its time, presses on to fulfillment.

It is not yet time for it to come true. If it delays, wait for it. It will not be late.

Come it will without fail.’”

Sister Mary Kay White (Formerly Sister Mary Berchmans) In grade school, Sr. Mary Kay White was drawn to the Little Sisters of the Poor, whom she and her fellow Junior Catholic Daughters often visited. By www.sndchardon.org

the time she was in middle school, she knew that she wanted to be a Sister.

Her SND teachers encouraged her to attend Notre Dame Academy.

“During high school, my desire to be a Sister was deepened,” says Sr. M. Kay. “I heard God’s voice calling through the living of the Gospel exemplified by the Sisters as they showed compassionate love for the poor and needy.”

Sister taught primary grades at Notre Dame Elementary, St. Leo, Fairfax, VA and others. She says special ministry blessings have been teaching at her home parish, St. Mary Elyria, directing the R.C.I.A. process at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton, Coral Springs, Florida, and offering spiritual and pastoral care to the poor and needy at St. John and at St. Joseph on the campus of Catholic Health Services in Lauderdale Lakes, Florida.

Each day, Sr. M. Kay prays that she may make a difference in the life of each person she encounters by living the words of the prophet Micah: “This is what Yahweh asks of you: only this, to act justly, to love tenderly and to walk humbly with your God.”

40years

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Sister Mary Janet Lee Helphrey (Formerly Sister Marie Paul) Sr. Mary Janet Lee Helphrey joined the SND community through an invitation from Sister Mary Apolline. “She knew what desire I had inside and that meant so much to me,” says Sr. M. Janet Lee. “From her, I learned the meaning of religious life.

Such a dear she was, showing compassion, care, interest, and love.”

Sisters of Notre Dame | Network

At the Chardon Provincial Center, Sister served three years as sacristan, 11 years as nurse LPN, four years in maintenance, and a year assisting in the secretarial office. She was parish secretary of Our Lady of Lourdes and devoted nine years to community service at Notre Dame College, Providence Hall.

Today, Sr. M. Janet Lee assists in the Provincial Center Archives.

“I love Our Mother Mary’s words: ‘Do whatever He tells you,’” she says. “The words come from a joyful wedding in Cana. Following Jesus will give me happiness. Whatever my feelings or situations might be, I look to sacred scriptures, for life is sacred.”

Sister Mary Charlotte Hobelman (Formerly Sister Mary Thomas Becket) Sr. Mary Charlotte Hobelman’s primary fields of ministry have been in education and in social and pastoral ministry with new immigrants to the United States. Sister first served in the Sewing Ministry in the Provincial House in Chardon for nine years. She taught at Regina High School for six years, then moved into direct outreach with new immigrants in the Arlington, Virginia Diocese where she worked in various management positions at Hogar Hispano. She was an intern in the Secretariat for Hispanic Affairs and served as coordinator of migrant ministries and as national director of the Circus and Travelling Show Ministries at the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops. Sister is currently a missionary in the Comunidad de la Parroquia de Sangre de Cristo in the Diocese of Jinotega, Nicaragua.

“After applying to three other religious congregations and not being accepted because of a physical disability, I applied to the Sisters of Notre Dame, the Sisters who taught me at St. Stephen High School,” says Sr. M. Charlotte. “I knew that St. Julie Billiart founded the Sisters of Notre Dame when she was confined to a wheelchair, and I found that the SNDs were willing to take a chance on me.”

Sr. M. Charlotte has always loved and lived by the following prayer of St. Teresa of Avila: “Let nothing disturb thee, Nothing affright thee, God never changes. Patience gains all things.

Who has God wants nothing. God alone suffices.”

Sister Eileen Marie Quinlan (Formerly Sister Mary Denis) Throughout her high school years, Sr. Eileen Marie Quinlan was drawn to her teachers, the Sisters of Notre Dame. “As a student at Regina High School, I was impressed and inspired by the Sisters’ joyful spirit of community, their commitment to engagement in the civic world, and their prayerfulness. I wanted to be part of that.”

For the past 40 years, Sr. Eileen Marie has taught in high schools throughout the Cleveland Diocese, including Regina, Elyria Catholic, Notre Dame Academy, and Notre Dame-Cathedral Latin. She spent six teaching years at Notre Dame Academy, Middleburg, VA, and four years as a doctoral student at Loyola University, Chicago. At Notre Dame College, Sister has served as a professor of English for the past thirteen years. continued

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ubilee Celebrations

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Sister likes to pray with the fidelity of Mary Magdalene (John 20), Psalms 27 and 28, and Psalm 84, which begins: “How lovely your dwelling, O Lord of hosts! My soul yearns and pines for the courts of the Lord. My heart and flesh cry out for the living God.”

Sister Mary Niño Ranes Sr. Mary Niño Ranes views the SNDs as being God’s Holy people. She entered the community from Santo Niño in Manila, Philippines, so she, too, could lead others to give God’s love and follow His call.

Sister’s work as a primary teacher took her to schools throughout the Cleveland Diocese, including St. Joseph, Holy Trinity (Avon) and St. Helen, Newbury. She taught at St. Michael, Canton and several Virginia schools, including St. Ann, Arlington and Our Lady of Victory, Washington, DC. For four years, Sr. M. Niño was a missionary in Guimaras, Iloilo, Philippines. Today, she is active in the prayer ministry, ministry to the homebound, and prayer ministry for the Philippines.

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Sister Mary Debra Doig

Sr. Mary Debra Doig felt drawn to the SND community through her encounters with the Sisters of Notre Dame at Notre Dame College. She was struck by their spirit, commitment of service to all and love of God. “I also was seeking to be a part of something much larger than myself, where I could be part of making a difference in others’ lives,” she says.

Sister entered the order from Immaculate Conception in Willoughby.

For the past 25 years, she has been missioned to the Notre Dame Education Center in Chardon, serving as director of facilities, grounds and transportation.

One life lesson that resonates with Sr. M. Debra has to do with following the “Karma Cleanse: Be grateful. Act with love. Check your motives. Watch your attitude. Forgive.”

Sr. M. Niño looks to the Book of Psalms for inspiration as she continues to serve God: “O Lord, you are good and forgiving, full of love to all who call. Give heed O Lord, to my prayer and attend to the sound of my call” (Psalm 86).

Many blessings to our sisters who reached

In Memoriam Please remember in your prayers the following Sister of Notre Dame who has recently passed away.

Sr. Christin passed away unexpectantly on June 7, 2013 and she will celebrate her Ruby Jubilee with God.

Sister Mary Christin Alfieri (Formerly Sister Mary Anne Christin) Upon graduating from Regina High School, Sr. Mary Christin Alfieri felt a strong desire to serve the Church, just like the many Sisters who taught her.

“I saw a deep joy in the Sisters, and I admired their accomplishments as brilliant educators; something made me think that this was something I would like to seek in my life,” she said.

“I felt restless until I made the choice to follow the call, dedicated to Jesus, who gave me life and grace in baptism.

The decision gave me much joy as I saw Jesus take my life in His hands and accomplish great things.”

For five years, Sister taught at Notre Dame Elementary in Chardon. She went on to teach primary grades at St. James, Warren; St. Joan of Arc, Chagrin Falls, and Gesu. For 10 years, Sister taught at St. Helen School in Newbury, Ohio. For the past 16 years, Sr. M. Christin devoted herself as principal of St. Helen.

A lesson that Sr. M. Christin learned during life: “Take Julie’s advice and the many Sisters who have gone before me in this life: Leave all to God, trust in His providence and don’t worry; all will be well.”

milestones in the call to faith and service.

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Two Regina High School Alumnae Association Scholarships Awarded Congratulations to the following girls who will receive the Regina High School Alumnae Association Scholarships for the 2013-14 school year:

Jacqueline Marjak

Class Reunions If you are planning a reunion, please let the Alumnae Office know so we can pass on the information when we have inquires.

If you are planning one and need addresses or email information, please contact us at rhsalum@reginahigh.com.

A graduate of All Saints School of St. John Vianney Parish, Jacqueline will start her freshman year at Notre Dame-Cathedral Latin School in September. Jacqueline is the daughter of Mary Jo Garred Marjak ’86 and niece of Nancy Garred DeWerth ’89.

Stephanie Zbiegien

Stephanie will graduate from St. Francis of Assisi School and will also be attending Notre Dame-Cathedral Latin School. Stephanie is the daughter of Catharine Dougherty Zbiegien ’77 and niece of Veronica Dougherty Krebs ’73, Elizabeth Dougherty ’80 and Mary Ann Dougherty Krakora ’71. She is also the sister of Claire ’03, Maggie ’04, Mary ’07, Colleen ‘08, Sarah ‘10 and Grace.

These two scholarships were made possible through generous alumnae donations as well as the sale of spirit wear and Legacy Book. “All proceeds from our sales and all RHS donations go to the Scholarship Fund,” Sr. Kay O’Malley explains. “We are pleased to provide these outstanding, two young women with an opportunity to continue their high school education at Notre Dame-Cathedral Latin School.” * Legacy Books are still available for $20 plus $5 postage.

Class Reps Regina Alumnae Association will have a meeting in August for everyone who is a class rep or for those who would like to be one.

Being a class rep entails passing on information about alumnae activities to classmates; generating ideas from classmates for alumnae activities; sending alumnae information – addresses, email addresses and so forth – to the alumnae office; and gathering classmates together to plan reunions. If you are a rep and wish to continue or would like to become a class rep, please contact Sr. Kay at rhsalum@reginahigh.com or call 216-905-4851 or leave a message on the office phone 216-373-6493.

Regina High School Class of 2002 Reunion.

Events for 2013 – 2014

Girls Night Out November 1, 2013

The Jake at Pizzazz

20680 N. Park Blvd., University Heights, OH Cost: $15.00. Includes food, soft drinks and gratuity.

Reservations are due October 25.

Third Annual Regina Alumnae Retreat Feb. 21 -23, 2014

Bethany Retreat Center in Chardon

Cost: $50.00 plus a “good will” offering for the use of the facility.

Reservations are due February 10, 2014

Have a fun, creative idea for our spring activity?

Please contact rhsalum@reginahigh.com if you have any suggestions.

For both of these events make checks to: Regina Alumnae Association and mail to: 9918 Johnnycake Ridge Rd. Mentor, Ohio 44060

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Sisters of Notre Dame

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Sisters of Notre Dame 13000 Auburn Road Chardon, OH 44024 www.sndchardon.org

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Chicken BBQ 2013

Sunday, Sept. 22 & 29 Noon to 5 p.m.