“The School Sisters of Notre Dame are an international congregation. We have been almost from the very beginning as Blessed Theresa sent sisters out into many countries,” said Sister Ann Scholz. “It was in the not-too-distant past—the 70s, 80s, 90s—we worked at understanding ourselves more as a multicultural congregation. We came to understand, I think, that not only are we made of many nationalities, but even more cultures, and that grew our respect for and understanding of those other cultures. I think the next evolutionary movement is interculturality.”

As the SSND congregation journeys on a continued discovery of their interculturality, the 2027 Women’s Leadership Luncheon invites everyone to learn more about this concept and why it is important. Next March, speakers at each of the province’s four luncheon events—St. Louis, Milwaukee, St. Paul, Minnesota, and Dallas— will add their voices to this relevant and growing conversation, helping understand how interculturality is different from multiculturality and how we can embrace it as a way to understand and appreciate those around us in a more significant way.

“It’s coming to understand that we have the opportunity, and perhaps the obligation to learn from each other,” said Sister Ann. “Interculturality always requires encounter and dialogue. A kind of deep dive into each other’s culture and ideally, all of us, each of us, are changed because of that.”

“In many of my ministries over the past 60 years, I can now see that I experienced interculturality,” said Sister Kathleen Koenen. “One example was called the English Tutoring Project. I was hired to administer the program. The program provided tutors to Catholic schools with children who were from new immigrant families and in need of learning English to succeed in school.

“Guess who learned the most—the administrator of the program—me! I learned how to communicate with a smile, a hand on a shoulder, or an interpreter. When I tried to speak in a new language, the little and big ones just smiled and giggled! I laughed, too! I learned the Burmese did not have last names, just a name that was meaningful. I learned that holidays were many different names and for different reasons. I no longer am working with English Tutoring Project, but the experience continues to form me. I have recently moved into a senior living center, but what do I see—a multicultural group of residents and staff! The learning and encounter continue.”

Sister Ann recalls the interculturality of a multicultural experience while visiting in Japan. It was not just about cataloging what was different but seeking to understand the beliefs behind behaviors and how underneath it all, values are often similar.

“You could see the SSND culture in the house—there were behaviors and visuals that were clearly SSND. There were also things that were clearly American. Then, because the St. Louis province founded the Japanese region, they had some St. Louis influence in them as well. And then of course, at its heart the community was Japanese. It was an experience of seeing how those multiple cultures sometimes clashed and sometimes merged beautifully—how each informed and enriched the other.”

How do we start finding opportunities for exploring and enhancing interculturality today?

“I don’t think that you need to travel widely in order to develop intercultural skills or intercultural knowledge or intercultural values,” said Sister Ann. “I think you start from where you are. We’ve got to develop attitudes and values like respect and open-mindedness and curiosity and a tolerance for ambiguity.”

“Recognize others and be welcoming,” said Sister Kathleen. “Share food and learn the name of each item. Attend an art exhibit of another culture, go to a restaurant in an off time and ask about the menu or food. One of the easiest ways is to go to a festival of one or more cultures. Listen and learn and enjoy. When the opportunity comes to you, try a new language even if only a greeting or name. It means you are trying.”

“It’s not about giving up your own culture or your own belief system or your own worldview. It’s about being open to enriching that, enlarging that,” said Sister Ann.

Discover more about the 2027 Women’s Leadership Luncheon and select each location for speaker and registration details.