Searching for answers to life’s big questions can lead to many paths. In our youth, it may seem that leaving home is what it will take to discover ourselves. School, activities, volunteer work, friendships, internships, jobs or even church can take us away from “home” and provide opportunities to grow and learn in new environments. And as we discovered from...Read more

by Laurie Lindauer, Communications Manager, SSND North American Vocation Team I departed a little before 8 a.m. on the morning of June 12, 2023. The sun was shining and the sky was a clear, deep blue with some puffy white clouds. The drive from St. Louis to Ellington (Missouri) was scenic. The first half, on major routes, provided views of...Read more

The 60th World Day of Prayer for Vocations will be observed Sunday, April 30, 2023. This is the Fourth Sunday of Easter, also known as “Good Shepherd Sunday.” The purpose of this day is to publicly fulfill the Lord’s instruction to, “Pray the Lord of the harvest to send laborers into his harvest” (Mt 9:38; Lk 10:2). Please pray that...Read more

National Vocation Awareness Week (NVAW) in the U.S. is celebrated the first full week in November every year. The SSND North American Vocation Team invites everyone to consider what can be done to increase the awareness and understanding of religious vocations during NVAW and beyond. 10 ways to help promote a culture of vocation: Pray for all young people to...Read more

We are happy to be a part of the fourth annual Meet Our Sisters Tour during National Vocation Awareness Week (NVAW) November 6-12, 2022. The “tour” highlights the life, mission and ministries of Catholic sisters living and serving throughout Illinois. Learn more here. School Sisters of Notre Dame (SSND) were founded in 1833 in Bavaria by Blessed Theresa of Jesus...Read more

All women discerning religious life with the School Sisters of Notre Dame (SSND) take a slightly different path depending on their personal inner journey, profession and the structure of her home province. One program that remains the same for all SSND is the novitiate – the heart and center of initial formation. Once a woman completes the affiliation and postulancy...Read more

Discovering God’s will for your life – your vocation – is a process. It is not just one decision, but a collection of decisions that leads to peace and joy in your heart. God wants you to be happy! Listening for God’s voice in the big and small moments of life, we hear God’s invitation to use our gifts and...Read more

According to Sister Bridget Waldorf, she “put in a lot of miles” this summer. As a member of the North American Vocation Team (NAVT) for the School Sisters of Notre Dame (SSND), Sister Bridget made sure she had plenty of opportunities to accompany young people during their summer break this year. This meant participation in several days-long programs scheduled throughout...Read more

by Sister Stephanie Spandl, SSND   “What’s a vocation? Who has one?” (Hint: we all do!) These were a couple of the opening questions Sisters Jill Laszewski and I asked 17 students at St. Jerome’s Catholic School in Maplewood, Minnesota. Thanks to the efforts of Sister Audrey Lindenfelser who ministers at the school, we received an invitation, as members of...Read more

“What is the tallest mountain in the United States and how many meters is it?” With that final question, the North American Vocation Team (NAVT) closed out its Second Annual SSND Trivia Night to celebrate Catholic Schools Week. The online event brings together high schools affiliated with SSND as a way to deepen the connection among the NAVT, the students...Read more