August 2026 | Monthly eNewsletter |
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Connection, community, and camp! |
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Last summer, for the first time, Whole Kids Outreach, an affiliated ministry of School Sisters of Notre Dame, coordinated with the SSND North American Vocation Team to welcome high schoolers from Notre Dame schools to a Summer Service Week. The students served as volunteer counselors for local children who attended Camp Whole Kids—a day camp run by the ministry. The experience was so enthusiastically embraced by the high schoolers that it was offered again this year, and once again, every available volunteer spot was filled.
With that, during another hot week in July, 16 students and their chaperones from Notre Dame High School St. Louis, Cristo Rey Dallas College Prep, and St. Savior High School in New York made the trip to rural Ellington, Missouri, and Camp Whole Kids. There, they had a week of both traditional summer camp fun as well as unique opportunities to connect with sisters and each other in prayer, community life, and new bonds of friendship. |
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Then and now, the connection remains |
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Throughout the year, the Resource Development Office for School Sisters of Notre Dame hosts Celebrate & Connect events as an opportunity for communities to reconnect with the sisters who have ministered in their schools and parishes.
Earlier this summer, 20 SSND journeyed to Jefferson City, Missouri, to spend an afternoon catching up with former students and co-workers from their ministry days in the area as well as donors and other friends of SSND. Fueled by good food and good memories, the day included time not only to reminisce and recall the significant impact of the sisters, but also to reinvigorate connections both old and new. |
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Ground-breaking in Mankato |
In early July, the Southwest Minnesota Housing Partnership hosted a groundbreaking ceremony for Good Counsel Meadows. The project includes eight newly constructed homes designed to complement the surrounding neighborhood. Good Counsel Meadows is one component of SWMHP’s multi-phase adaptive reuse and redevelopment of the Good Counsel campus, former home of SSND in Mankato. Project partners, community members, neighbors, and SSND were all invited to mark the occasion, and Provincial Councilor Sister Mary Kay Brooks joined in as an official “groundbreaker.”
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| Sister Deb takes the field |
On June 17, Milwaukee Brewers fan and our own Provincial Leader, Sister Deb Sciano threw out the ceremonial first pitch ahead of the evening’s game between Milwaukee and Cleveland. Sisters and SSND staff and friends enjoyed a tail-gating celebration (along with plenty of brats) before taking their seats at American Family Field to cheer on Sister Deb and the Brewers. The home team ultimately brought home a 9-4 victory for a perfect summer evening at the ballpark! |
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Serving St. Louis students |
In Season 6: The Mission Continues, Episode 7: Educating Girls for Life! we welcome Mary Elizabeth Grimes, president at Marian Middle School. Marian Middle School is the only all-girls private middle school in the St. Louis community serving urban adolescent youth in a faith-based environment. Mary Elizabeth shares with us how Marian Middle School invests in the success of young girls, from 6th to 8th grade and onward through their life to assist them with getting into college and finding a career. Enjoy this episode and please share any comments or questions at communications@ssndcp.org.
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| In service to other sisters |
Sister Kathleen Bauer has been named the Appointed Congregational Leader by the Vatican for the Sisters of St. Francis in Clinton, Iowa. With the determination by the Franciscan congregation that they need outside assistance to fill leadership roles in order to move their larger hopes and visions forward, Sister Kathleen’s knowledge, experience, care, and support is an important and welcome addition. Sister Kathleen was installed on June 28, joining a team of two additional women religious who bring their own skills and perspectives for a thoughtful and well-rounded leadership outlook.
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"God has created us for heaven." |
Blessed Theresa Gerhardinger, Letter 11, September 10, 1831 |
Sister Helen Stejskal, July 7, 2026
Sister Mary Brigid O’Reilly, July 9, 2026 Sister Patricia Hall, July 13, 2026
Sister Patricia Ann Obremski, August 3, 2026 Sister Loriann Stanton, August 4, 2026
View Remembrance page |
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Our next issue will be September 2, 2026.
For past issues, visit our eNewsletter Archives. |
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| School Sisters of Notre Dame |
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