Today, some School Sisters of Notre Dame (SSND) live in community at Our Lady of the Angels in Greenfield, Wisconsin, a specialized memory care facility operated in partnership with the School Sisters of St. Francis and SSND.
Our Lady of the Angels provides compassionate, person-centered care tailored to the sisters' physical, spiritual and social needs. The age of residents’ ranges from 73-103. "Our care is very involved and we create community and meet needs especially as we age and change," said Sister Debra Sciano, SSND Central Pacific Province Provincial Leader.
SSND leadership recognized the need for dedicated memory care services about 15 years ago and worked to establish Our Lady of the Angels in collaboration with partners. Ongoing input from SSND sisters themselves helped shape the programming and environment.
Spiritual life remains central at Our Lady of the Angels. Sisters can attend daily Mass and regular communal prayer. The chapel and outdoor spaces provide areas for quiet reflection. Community celebrations for jubilees and holidays keep the sisters connected. As Sister Marie Rose Van Deurzen shared, "During the beautiful weather the sisters enjoyed doing exercises in the courtyard and going for accompanied walks around the building. Exercise is a daily activity. The sisters enjoy a variety of music gatherings. A favorite is dancing and keeping the beat to accordion music. They are privileged to participate in Mass or a communion service daily. They also pray morning prayer and say the rosary."
Activities and community involvement also allow the sisters to stay engaged. Music performances, exercise classes, gardening, cards, books and more fill the monthly activity calendar. Special visits from students and volunteers brighten the sisters' days.
There is a dedicated staff caring for the sisters each day. While nursing care arrangements have shifted recently, the mission remains the same - "to serve our members living with memory loss by providing quality specialized person-centered care in a compassionate and enriching environment."
Sister Debra Sciano invited visitors, "Please come, please come." to visit the sisters at Our Lady of the Angels. The sisters cherish time with friends old and new. By supporting one another in community, the School Sisters of Notre Dame continue their legacy of love and service.