“The general council, itself a community of faith, embodies for the international faith community that unity of government so cherished by Mother Theresa. Holding the charism of the congregation as a sacred trust, the council animates and assists the sisters to live according to the spirit and mission of Mother Theresa.” You Are Sent

The School Sisters of Notre Dame (SSND) has a governmental structure at the local, provincial and international level. Here in the Central Pacific Province, there is an elected Provincial Council of six sisters – Sisters Debra Sciano, Mary Kay Brooks, Joan DiProspere, Sandra Helton, Helen Jane Jaeb and Regina Palacios. Each member of the council has her own role, with all working collaboratively to guide and serve the province and the sisters, associates, staff and other partners in mission within. Provincial Council members are elected and serve in four-year terms. The current council was installed in June 2023 and will continue until June 2027.

On an international scale of governance, there is the General Council. Based in Rome, Italy, the General Council includes an elected general superior and four elected general councilors, each giving a six-year term in service to the global SSND community, helping to set the future direction of the congregation. The current General Council installed in 2024 until 2030 includes General Superior Sister Dominica Michalke and General Councilors Sisters Carolyn Anyega, Martina Radež, Christine Garcia and Mary Kerber.

Once during their term, the General Council visits each province. As an international congregation with a presence in multiple states and countries, there is a lot of ground to cover in the attempt of in-person connection. Members of the General Council did just that though during a month-long visit to the Central Pacific Province this fall. Sisters Mary Kerber, Christine Garcia, Carolyn Anyega and Martina Radež visited U.S.-based locations. Sister M. Dominica meanwhile visited Guam and Japan, rejoining the rest of the council toward the end of their visit.

All told, the four general councilors made their way to destinations across Missouri, Illinois, Texas, California, Arizona, Louisiana, North Dakota, Michigan, Minnesota and Wisconsin. Sometimes in pairs, alone or all four together, they checked in with various ministries, toured schools and enjoyed visits with sisters in SSND retirement communities.

“The Acts of the 25th General Chapter state that we ‘commit to actions that deepen our relationships of communion, wherever we are,’” said Sister Regina Palacios. “The recent visit of the General Council to the Central Pacific Province was for me a truly inspiring and deepening of our relationship with the international community. The visit gave us an opportunity to share the mission and ministries of our sisters from Japan and Guam to the Midwest and to the South of our Province. I was amazed at the energy and enthusiasm of the General Council as they eagerly travelled from place to place and were present to many diverse experiences. However, the opportunity to listen and learn from them about our sisters all over the world was for me a witness to universal communion. This lived experience has broadened my perspective of what it means to be an international congregation and for this gift, I give thanks.”

While at the key province locations of St. Louis, Milwaukee and Mankato, Minnesota, general councilors took the time to meet with colleagues serving in those areas. Colleagues were invited to attend a conversation with the visiting general councilors, sharing their roles and taking the opportunity to ask questions and gain further insight into the work of the General Council.

“What struck me most about meeting with the General Council was how genuinely grateful they were,” said Natalie Pistone, executive assistant at Sancta Maria in Ripa, St. Louis. “When they heard how long some of the staff had been with the sisters, you could see that the staff’s years of dedicated service were meaningful to the council. As a new addition to the staff, the meeting was a reassurance that working for the SSND is truly special.”

While in Milwaukee, they also toured the SSND North American Archives, the extensive collection of SSND letters, photographs, writings, art, clothing and other artifacts which makes its home on the Mount Mary University Campus.

On October 16, toward the end of their visit, General Superior Sister M. Dominica Michalke joined the rest of the General Council and the Provincial Council to attend and participate in the dedication of a monument that now stands over the SSND Elm Grove cemetery in Elm Grove, Wisconsin. A new apartment complex, fittingly named Caroline Heights, has been built where the former Elm Grove campus was once located, but the cemetery, now graced by the artful monument depicting Blessed Theresa and Mother Caroline, remains.

Part of the trip also included the Provincial Assembly, a three-day meeting held at Sancta Maria in Ripa which united the General Council, Provincial Council and sisters for project updates, collaborative planning, sharing of goals and simply time spent together.