School Sisters of Notre Dame - Global

01/09/2026

Celebrating the World Day of Prayer for the Care of Creation and the launch of the Season of Creation at the SSND Generalate in Rome.

Celebrating the World Day of Prayer for the Care of Creation and the launch of the Season of Creation at the SSND Generalate in Rome.

The path before us is clear, though not easy. As Pope Leo describes, “We are called to allow our hearts to be renewed, so that we might seek peace and care for creation. Scripture tells us to guard our hearts, for everything we do flows from them (cf. Prov 4:23). If we take up this task with humility and faith, we will become collaborators in God’s work of renewal. We will move, slowly but surely, from desert to garden, from division to communion, and from violence to peace.”

29/08/2026

Shalom International Meeting Update:
Our last few days were filled with prayer, work, and fellowship. We visited Instituto Notre Dame-Escuela Bilingüe, where we learned about the SSND history, enjoyed a student presentation on caring for our common home, and received produce grown by students’ families. Sisters Reina and Marie Augusteen minister at this K-12 bilingual school.
We also visited Copprome, a residential home serving 35 children ages 1-18. Founded 37 years ago by Sr. Teresita, the program began by caring for children living on the streets and now partners with the government to provide care for the children.
Amid daily prayer, our group completed its work of setting Shalom’s focus for the next two years and concluded with a meaningful closing prayer ritual.
(Many thanks to Sr. Joan Pikiell for the updates.)

29/08/2026

Shalom International Meeting Update:
Sunday was a day filled with blessings, fellowship, and inspiration in Gracias.
Many residents gathered to greet Sr. Mary. One man, in particular, walked 2.5 miles to attend Mass and present Sr. Mary with a gift of bananas. The joy of the day was evident in the many hugs and heartfelt reunions shared among friends and neighbors.
After Mass, we enjoyed a delicious lunch prepared by Sisters Viviane, Lucy, and Carolyn. The afternoon was spent meeting with members of the community and learning about the many ways they are working to build a brighter future.
Our first visit was with two members of an ecology committee connected to the parish. They shared their efforts to care for the land by promoting environmental stewardship, preventing deforestation, and organizing cleanup and recycling initiatives.
We also had the opportunity to visit the coffee cooperative that Sr. Mary helped establish. Members of the cooperative spoke about its history, accomplishments, and hopes for the future. We toured the outdoor and covered bean-drying areas, and some of us enjoyed a wonderful cup of freshly brewed coffee.
From there, we met with a women's craft group supported by Sr. Lucy and a youth English-learning group led by Sr. Viviane. We were privileged to witness a culminating presentation in which more than 20 students in grades 7 through 9 delivered speeches in English, showcasing their hard work and growing confidence.
Along the way, Sr. Mary explained a mural on one of the town's community buildings. The artwork features local wisdom figures and traditional symbols, including Berta Cáceres, the Honduran environmental activist and Indigenous leader whose legacy continues to inspire many.
Our final visit was with Santos, a local weaver, who demonstrated the looms he uses to create beautiful traditional clothing. It was fascinating to learn about this important cultural craft and see his artistry firsthand.
It was a full day, rich with meaningful encounters, learning opportunities, and countless blessings. We are grateful for the warm welcome and the chance to witness the faith, resilience, and community spirit that make this place so special.

27/08/2026

Update from Sr. Joan at the Shalom International Meeting:
Sunday was another very busy day! We took a short ride from the Retreat Center into Monte Verde center, where Sisters Lucy and Viviane live and minister. Their home, located just outside the church, has become a gathering place for people who walk from near and far to attend Mass. Their Shalom commitment is literally written on the wall before you enter. They have created a lovely prayer space and gardens. On our tour of the convent areas, Tim even found a little taste of home!

When the Sisters first arrived 20 years ago, the church consisted of only exterior walls, standing about three cinder blocks high. They encouraged parishioners to raise funds and work together to complete the building. Today, the community takes great pride in the beautiful church they helped build. Improvements to the sanctuary are still being made.

At that time, residents had to spend an entire day traveling by bus just to purchase basic necessities. To address this need, the Sisters helped establish a parish store, which is operated by parishioner volunteers. The proceeds support parish ministries and projects while also saving community members from making long and difficult trips for essential goods. Stay tuned for the many afternoon adventures!

26/08/2026

Update from the Shalom International Meeting, visit to Monte Verde:
Saturday was a day of adventure, faith, and hospitality.
Our day began with an early morning departure to Monte Verde, a five-hour journey along some very interesting roads. Sr. Mary was our driver. As we drew closer to Monte Verde, the breathtaking views of rolling hills and valleys left us in awe. The roads, on the other hand, certainly inspired a few prayers along the way. Unfortunately, no photo could truly capture the adventure. Thank goodness for four-wheel drive!
We arrived in time for lunch and Mass at the Zacatal Suyepa community. Tomás and Emelinda graciously welcomed us with a delicious soup and fresh tortillas. Many members of the parish had contributed ingredients, making the meal a beautiful expression of community. As we ate, Tomás's chicken rested in the nearby shrubs while his grandson entertained us by riding around on his blue donkey. It was a memorable and humbling experience.
After lunch, we walked to the parish for Mass. To the left of the altar sat several buckets of water brought by parishioners to be blessed after the service. Sr. Mary explained that the holy water is used to bless homes, people, and many aspects of daily life. Before Mass concluded, a newborn baby who had been born prematurely was presented at the altar by the priest. Sr. Carolyn also offered a special blessing.
Following Mass, we traveled to the retreat house that would be our home for the next two nights. Built with the help of our Sisters, the retreat center hosts a variety of groups throughout the year. While we were there, a medical mission team from Mexico arrived to provide clinic services for the coming week.
We ended the day with dinner and a unique dessert: apple bananas, each about the size of Sr. Renata's finger! It was the perfect ending to a day filled with stunning scenery, inspiring faith, generous hospitality, and more than a little adventure.

22/08/2026

Shalom International Meeting, Day 4: Friday began with a thoughtful prayer led by Sr. Francine, reflecting on the climate crisis and its impact on both people and our planet.

We then set out for an ecological experience at the beautiful Lancetilla Botanical Gardens. Before we even reached the park, however, we encountered a different kind of crisis when our vehicle began having mechanical issues. Fortunately, two guardian angels, Edgar and Kevin, came to our rescue. One of them, Kevin, recognized Sr. Rosa Maria as he had attended the SSND school in El Progreso, and his sister is currently a teacher there! They helped get our vehicle running again and even gave some of us a ride in his own car. A heartfelt thank-you to Edgar and Kevin for their kindness and assistance.
Once at Lancetilla, we enjoyed learning about the rich native flora of Honduras. From there, we traveled to Tela on the Caribbean coast, where we shared lunch and took time to enjoy the warm waters of the sea. Some of us dipped in our feet, while Sr. Barb ventured in a bit further! We also made sure that Sr. Sarah, who was with us in spirit, had a chance to "play in the sand."

We returned just in time to reconnect with Sr. Sarah via Zoom and hear from Cesar Piscoya of CELAM, the Latin American and Caribbean Episcopal Council. Cesar spoke about how SSND, through its Shalom Network, has an opportunity to support the Manifesto of the Global South for Our Common Home. He highlighted both the unique challenges and the promising opportunities facing SSND in this important work. Thank you, Cesar, for sharing your insights and inspiration! And a special thank you to Sr. Mary, our diligent driver and interpreter!

21/08/2026

Shalom International Meeting, Update from Participants:
Thursday was a full and meaningful day!
We began at breakfast by celebrating Sr. Rosa Maria's birthday. Sr. Barb then led us in a moving prayer of lament for all those suffering because of war and conflict, while also lifting up peace and nonviolence as paths toward hope. Fr. Guy followed with a powerful reflection on Scripture, highlighting gospel nonviolence and Jesus as our model.
After a brief break, Tim guided the group in a thoughtful conversation about formation experiences for our contacts, exploring what currently exists and what new opportunities we might develop.
In the afternoon, we had the privilege of meeting some of the people the sisters accompany in their ministries. We were introduced to a women's leadership group that empowers women through workshops focused on knowing and claiming their rights. The women shared their journey and spoke about how they provide legal and moral support to those experiencing violence. They expressed deep gratitude for the support of Sr. Rosa Maria and all the SSNDs.
Then it was time for a road trip! Sr. Mary took us into the hills to visit a small K-6 school where Sr. Emilina shares her gifts by teaching art. With just three classrooms, the school may be small, but its welcome was immense. The students and teachers greeted us with open arms and joyful hearts.
On our way back, we stopped at a park in El Progreso near the church. It was a beautiful way to end a wonderful day.

20/08/2026

Update from participants at the Shalom International Meeting, Day Two: The day began with prayer led by Sr. Renata. Together, we read and reflected on passages from Fratelli Tutti, then paired up to share what touched our hearts most deeply. As part of our reflection, each person wrote the names of individuals or groups they believe are marginalized and added them to our prayer space.
Later in the morning, Tim provided an update on the Shalom International Network, retracing its history and reminding us how You Are Sent (SSND Constitution) calls each of us to live a life of Shalom. Sr. Joan then shared an update on our United Nations NGO work, highlighting our history and the many partner organizations that collaborate with us in this important mission.
In the afternoon, Tim presented a summary of Magnifica Humanitas, emphasizing its strong connections to the work of Shalom and our shared commitment to justice, peace, and human dignity.
As a fun highlight of the day, during his morning walk Tim encountered one of the resident spiny-tailed iguanas, as well as an impressive termite nest!

19/08/2026

The Shalom International Branch Representatives Meeting began today in El Progresso, Honduras.
The day started with an orientation and plans for the week followed by a prayer ritual. The afternoon included the branch reports and conversation in the spirit to begin to discuss next steps. Sr. Sarah joined remotely. Rosa Maria took Sr. Joan to see the fruit they grow on the property - pineapples and bananas among other things. Everyone appreciates the wonderful hospitality!

14/08/2026

School Sisters of Notre Dame have been participating in the Leadership Conference of Women Religious (LCWR) in the USA this week. Congratulations to Sr. Debra Sciano who becomes president of LCWR today.