“We have always been an international congregation, located all over the world, on five continents, and we have embraced our multicultural diversity, sharing our unique cultures whenever we are together,” said Sister Debra Sciano, provincial leader for School Sisters of Notre Dame, Central Pacific Province. “In more recent years, we have shifted our focus to be intercultural, rather than multicultural, which is less focused on our differences and more about building relationships, and experiencing one another in a more personal way, with deeper communication and openness to be transformed and shaped by those encounters. Being intercultural and looking for ways to grow together in community is reflective of our mission to bring all together in that oneness for which Jesus Christ was sent to the world.”

With that focus in mind, School Sisters of Notre Dame is pleased to announce that Interculturality is the theme for the 2027 Women’s Leadership Luncheon. Throughout the month of March 2027, four distinct keynote speakers will share their insights and experiences to explore this concept and bring it to life in a meaningful way. We invite you to discover along with us by planning to attend the luncheon nearest you in Dallas, Milwaukee, St. Louis, or St. Paul, Minnesota.

A much-anticipated moment was made real on August 9 as sisters, students, staff, guests, and community members joined together as the ribbon was cut on a significant expansion project at Notre Dame High School, St. Louis. The new building houses the school's STREAM programming spaces—Science, Technology, Religion, Engineering, Art, and Mathematics—and stands as a testament to the ongoing value placed on Catholic education and the School Sisters of Notre Dame's mission of educating women.

"I hope that the students will be inspired by the legacy of SSND and the outstanding education that they receive will help them become faith-filled leaders in the future for our world and society,” said Sister Regina Palacios, provincial councilor for School Sisters of Notre Dame, Central Pacific Province and one of the sisters in attendance.

Season of Creation, celebrated each September and ending on October 4, the feast day of St. Francis of Assisi, is an opportunity for people across the globe to celebrate and consider their relationship with creation. It is also an opportunity to take action in efforts to protect and care for our common home. The theme for this year’s Season of Creation is Living Water.

The School Sisters of Notre Dame, Central Pacific Province Laudato Si’ committee invites you to learn more about Season of Creation and why it is especially important in this moment of so many environmental challenges, especially as they relate to water. They also share a list of suggestions on how you can mark this month with creative, reflective, or action-focused activities.

Readers of the St. Louis American newspaper have named Marian Middle School as the city’s Best Middle School. Some 60,000 votes were submitted in this inaugural Reader’s Choice Awards, which recognized schools, businesses, organizations, services, and cultural categories across St. Louis. Congratulations to Marian Middle School on this recognition and to the teachers, students, administrators, parents, and alumni who continue to invest in the success and empowerment of this co-sponsored ministry of SSND. 

In August, Global Sisters Report published an interview and in-depth profile on Sister Debra Sciano as she made the move from president-elect to president of the Leadership Conference of Women Religious, an organization that represents about two-thirds of Catholic sisters in the United States. The story shares about her childhood, how she became a SSND, her work as an assistant district attorney, and her leadership roles for both the SSND Central Pacific Province and beyond. There are interviews with some of those who know her well and some great photos–from her recent outing at the Milwaukee Brewers game to her First Communion day.

The Catholic Missourian recently interviewed Sister Bernita Wasinger as she prepared to move from her decade-long ministries in Loose Creek, Missouri, to The Sarah Community in Bridgeton, Missouri. Sister Bernita has served as a visitor to the homebound, bringing Communion and company. What’s next as she makes this move? “I’m not sure how it’s going to shape up. I’m just going to have to say, ‘God, lead me.’ Because He’s gotten me this far.”

In Season 6: The Mission Continues, Episode 8: Breaking Down Language Barriers, we welcome Sister Jean Ellman who was recently honored with a Distinguished Service Award for her dedication to bilingual education and Hispanic ministry at the Notre Dame School of Milwaukee. Sister Jean shares her experiences educating students and adults to help them be more successful in communicating with their family and in their community. We also appreciate hearing feedback from our audience. Please share any comments or questions about the podcast to communications@ssndcp.org

"God has created us for heaven."

Blessed Theresa Gerhardinger, Letter 11, September 10, 1831

Sister Patricia Ann Obremski, August 3, 2026

Sister Loriann Stanton, August 4, 2026

Sister Margaret Mary Dohms, August 11, 2026

Sister Mary Bryan Owens, August 13, 2026

Sister Barbara Geers, August 17, 2026

Sister Katherine Scheurer, August 29, 2026

View Obituary page

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