March 27, 2023
By Grace Avila, Assistant Archivist The School Sisters of Notre Dame (SSND) were established in Bavaria in 1833 by Mother Theresa Gerhardinger to provide children with a good education regardless of their background or social status. Mother Caroline Friess brought these same ideals to North America in 1847. Therefore, it was only natural for SSND to work with the Archdiocese...Read more
March 7, 2023
March 8-14, 2023 For 52 weeks a year, School Sisters of Notre Dame and all women religious give public witness to Christ through a diversity of ministerial works such as teaching, pastoral care, health care, retreat and spirituality programs, and a multitude of other outreach efforts. They often work on the frontlines of global change, striving to improve various aspects...Read more
February 21, 2023
By Tim Cary, Archivist On September 1, 1948, in Strasburg and Mantador, North Dakota, an interesting side note in the history of the School Sisters of Notre Dame (SSND) began. A new school year was about to begin, and the teachers at the schools in those towns (Sisters Celine Koktan, Lucida Kunz, Thomas Caven, Isabel Kathrein, Josepha Forster, Kathleen Rother,...Read more
February 15, 2023
In fidelity to our charism and the mission to bring all to oneness, we commit to live more simply, responsibly, and sustainably and to educate, advocate and act in collaboration with others for the dignity of life and the care of all creation.” Read the full SSND commitment to become a Laudato Si’ congregation This month, Christians all over the world will begin the...Read more
January 25, 2023
By Michele Levandoski, Archivist Let’s begin 2023 by celebrating trailblazing School Sisters of Notre Dame. This month we highlight sisters who were the first or the only in the congregation who held certain distinctions, such as earning a Ph.D., serving as a college president or getting a chauffer’s license. Note: Every attempt has been made to correctly identify the “first”...Read more
December 28, 2022
Human trafficking is present in every state and province the School Sisters of Notre Dame live and minister. This modern-day slavery comes in many forms, including forced labor, forced prostitution, debt bondage and forced marriage. And while human trafficking often occurs unseen by us, we can all play a part in eradicating human trafficking through prayer, education, advocacy, survivor services...Read more
December 21, 2022
By Grace Avila, Assistant Archivist This article is part of the School Sisters of Notre Dame North American Archives’ 175th anniversary celebration of SSND arriving in North America. For the next year, the staff at the North American Archives will celebrate this milestone by highlighting SSND “firsts.” Each month will focus on a particular sister, event or mission that has a unique...Read more
December 9, 2022
As we enter this holy time of preparing our hearts and minds for the coming of Christ, we undoubtedly get caught up in the nuances of the holiday season. From decorating our homes to finding the perfect gift for loved ones, the Christmas season is often associated with excess and overindulgence, making it difficult to follow the Laudato Si’ commitment...Read more
December 6, 2022
By Sister Pat Lange Words, whether written or spoken, can mirror the best in our human species, or serve as destroyers of all that is good and holy. This is a universal reflection, for words are spoken or written in languages that cover our planet. Words can turn the world upside down. Not all words have a brief shelf life;...Read more
December 2, 2022
One way the School Sisters of Notre Dame express their mission of unity is to enable people to reach the fullness of their potential. Sometimes, as is the case at SisterHouse in Chicago, Illinois, that means giving a second chance to reach that potential. SisterHouse, celebrating its 40th anniversary in 2022, offers a temporary home to women seeking recovery from...Read more

March 27, 2023
By Grace Avila, Assistant Archivist The School Sisters of Notre Dame (SSND) were established in Bavaria in 1833 by Mother Theresa Gerhardinger to provide children with a good education regardless of their background or social status. Mother Caroline Friess brought these same ideals to North America in 1847. Therefore, it was only natural for SSND to work with the Archdiocese...Read more
March 7, 2023
March 8-14, 2023 For 52 weeks a year, School Sisters of Notre Dame and all women religious give public witness to Christ through a diversity of ministerial works such as teaching, pastoral care, health care, retreat and spirituality programs, and a multitude of other outreach efforts. They often work on the frontlines of global change, striving to improve various aspects...Read more
February 21, 2023
By Tim Cary, Archivist On September 1, 1948, in Strasburg and Mantador, North Dakota, an interesting side note in the history of the School Sisters of Notre Dame (SSND) began. A new school year was about to begin, and the teachers at the schools in those towns (Sisters Celine Koktan, Lucida Kunz, Thomas Caven, Isabel Kathrein, Josepha Forster, Kathleen Rother,...Read more
February 15, 2023
In fidelity to our charism and the mission to bring all to oneness, we commit to live more simply, responsibly, and sustainably and to educate, advocate and act in collaboration with others for the dignity of life and the care of all creation.” Read the full SSND commitment to become a Laudato Si’ congregation This month, Christians all over the world will begin the...Read more
January 25, 2023
By Michele Levandoski, Archivist Let’s begin 2023 by celebrating trailblazing School Sisters of Notre Dame. This month we highlight sisters who were the first or the only in the congregation who held certain distinctions, such as earning a Ph.D., serving as a college president or getting a chauffer’s license. Note: Every attempt has been made to correctly identify the “first”...Read more
December 28, 2022
Human trafficking is present in every state and province the School Sisters of Notre Dame live and minister. This modern-day slavery comes in many forms, including forced labor, forced prostitution, debt bondage and forced marriage. And while human trafficking often occurs unseen by us, we can all play a part in eradicating human trafficking through prayer, education, advocacy, survivor services...Read more
December 21, 2022
By Grace Avila, Assistant Archivist This article is part of the School Sisters of Notre Dame North American Archives’ 175th anniversary celebration of SSND arriving in North America. For the next year, the staff at the North American Archives will celebrate this milestone by highlighting SSND “firsts.” Each month will focus on a particular sister, event or mission that has a unique...Read more
December 9, 2022
As we enter this holy time of preparing our hearts and minds for the coming of Christ, we undoubtedly get caught up in the nuances of the holiday season. From decorating our homes to finding the perfect gift for loved ones, the Christmas season is often associated with excess and overindulgence, making it difficult to follow the Laudato Si’ commitment...Read more
December 6, 2022
By Sister Pat Lange Words, whether written or spoken, can mirror the best in our human species, or serve as destroyers of all that is good and holy. This is a universal reflection, for words are spoken or written in languages that cover our planet. Words can turn the world upside down. Not all words have a brief shelf life;...Read more
December 2, 2022
One way the School Sisters of Notre Dame express their mission of unity is to enable people to reach the fullness of their potential. Sometimes, as is the case at SisterHouse in Chicago, Illinois, that means giving a second chance to reach that potential. SisterHouse, celebrating its 40th anniversary in 2022, offers a temporary home to women seeking recovery from...Read more