Community Update – September 2022

My Sisters in community called me to leadership this year and I officially began my tenure as Provincial President in August. As I reflect on this call, I turn to Jesus who models for us a way of leadership as service. He often said, “I came not to be served, but to serve” – to serve in essence is to be attentive to others. What kind of spirit does it take to be a servant leader? For me, the words of Micah describe very well that spirit, “to act justly, to love tenderly, and to walk humbly with God.” I am so grateful for your continued support of the Notre Dame Sisters’ ministries and wanted to send you a brief update about our community and projects funded by you, our generous donors.

Updates about the community

After completing extended terms on the leadership team, Srs. Margaret Hickey and Joy Connealy moved on in July, and Sr. Margaret was celebrated for her dedicated leadership (22 years over the course of six terms) with current and past colleagues. Srs. Mary Kay Meagher and Mary Ann Zimmer have joined me on the Leadership Team for a term of four years.

We Sisters were recently blessed with gathering together for our first in-person Community Weekend since 2019 to discuss and plan for our future. While some Sisters were not able to travel, this was the largest gathering we’ve had since the pandemic. More impressively, our global community of Notre Dame Sisters also gathered in the Czech Republic for the first time in years, with four US Sisters able to travel and attend for the first time in years.

New wheelchair-accessible van

With your gracious support, we were able to purchase a 2014 Toyota Sienna. This van is perfect for transporting multiple Sisters to appointments. With a ramp, a wheelchair can be moved comfortably into the front seat area, locking safely into place. More Sisters can also sit in the back, making this a safe, comfortable, and convenient form of transport for all Sisters, regardless of what their level of mobility is. I would like to thank those who “raised their paddle” at our Celebration of Spirit for making this a reality. Sr. Veronica Jo Posekany, ND, who takes Sisters to all of their doctor’s appointments, truly appreciates this, as do we all.

Property upgrades

I also wanted to update you on the projects funded through last year’s appeals – the choir loft and the retaining wall. We have finished making improvements to the choir loft so Sisters can gather comfortably in the loft, and via Zoom on a new, large teleconference screen. This will help keep us all connected, near and far. We recently began replacing the retaining wall on the West side of the campus. This replacement will last us decades while keeping the soil in place and improving the beauty of this historic campus. Your support keeps us Sisters moving forward, continuing to respond to God’s call to be an empowering presence to others.