Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur, East-West Province

06/14/2026

💙 During Pride Month, we reaffirm the Catholic belief that every person is created in the image and likeness of God and deserves dignity, respect and love. As a Catholic community of religious sisters, we are called to accompany one another with humility, mercy and a commitment to the Gospel, recognizing that our good God’s love extends to every person. Read more on our website: https://bit.ly/4u6bvrP

06/13/2026

💛 Celebration Saturday: Our Saturday series highlights our 2026 Jubilarians -- women who have spent a lifetime in faithful service to our good God.

Today, we recognize Sister Sheila Palmer, a 70-year Jubilarian. https://bit.ly/4ehdmEg

Sister Sheila has an unusual vocation story! She was born in Jamaica and answered her call to religious life at 16, entering the Franciscan Missionary Sisters. She taught high school English in Jamaica for 32 years before making the difficult decision to follow her family to the United States.

Seeking a teaching congregation that valued diversity, she joined the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur. She taught in Connecticut and Massachusetts, where she helped integrate Black students. She later helped found the Notre Dame Education Center and taught English to students from more than 50 countries. At her 70th Jubilee in 2026, Sister Sheila remains grateful for her vocation.

06/12/2026

🌻 We joyfully welcomed several new Associates of Notre Dame de Namur this month at ceremonies in Worcester, Mass., and Belmont, Calif. These men and women are committed to living Saint Julie's mission and charism in their everyday lives. Learn more on our website: https://snddeneastwest.org/join-us/associate-program/

“When I wake up, the first thing that comes to me is a feeling of admiration and gratitude for the goodness of God, who is willing to give me another day to glorify Him." -St. Julie Billiart

06/11/2026

💙 The Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur have hearts as wide as the world. We are an international Apostolic Congregation founded in 1804, and our Sisters serve in 16 countries across five continents.

Our U.S. East-West Province is dedicated to education, justice, peace and caring for God's creation. Visit our website to learn more about our work: https://snddeneastwest.org/our-work/

“At the heart of the Christian understanding of the human person lies the great biblical affirmation that men and women are created in the image and likeness (cf. Gen 1:26-27) of the Triune God. Created for relationship, every human person is planned and willed by God to enter into communion with him, with others and with creation.” -Pope Leo XIV

06/10/2026

NDNU President Beth Martin met with Pope Leo XIV and presented several gifts that reflected the heritage and mission of the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur. These included a biography of martyr Sister Dorothy Stang, SNDdeN and a relic of Saint Julie Billiart, foundress of SNDdeN. https://bit.ly/3RTTEGc

The Sisters are celebrating 175 years of impactful ministry in California this year, where they have helped strengthen Catholic education across the state. Learn more on our website: https://bit.ly/4xdGFz7

BELMONT, CA— June 8, 2026 — Notre Dame de Namur University (NDNU) announced that President Beth Martin, Ph.D., participated in a delegation of the Association of Catholic Colleges and Universities (ACCU) that met with His Holiness Pope Leo XIV at the Vatican.

06/09/2026

In recognition of the commemoration of June Pride Month, let us be united in prayer, through
the Prayer for Acceptance and Respect, that all people will be respected with the dignity each
one deserves:

Prayer for Acceptance and Respect

Loving Creator, open our hearts to see the beauty in every soul.

Teach us to listen without judgment, to speak with kindness, and to act with compassion.

Guide us all toward a world where differences are celebrated, and love is the common language we share. Amen.

Let our words build bridges, not walls, and our actions reflect the respect we wish to receive.

May we be a light that welcomes, a voice that uplifts, and a presence that reminds others they are valued.

Guide us all toward a world where differences are celebrated and love is the common language we share. Amen.

06/08/2026

🌳 Meet the participants in our inaugural Laudato Seeds of Change Immersion Program!

These eight incredible women will join our Sisters and staff in Ipswich, Massachusetts, for hands-on learning about our universal call to care for God's creation.

You can support this effort, and our many ministries, with a tax-deductible gift to the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur. Your donation will help ensure the participants return home to be changemakers in their communities! https://bit.ly/3LGo3V9

06/06/2026

💛 Celebration Saturday: Our Saturday series highlights our 2026 Jubilarians -- women who have spent a lifetime in faithful service to our good God.

Today, we recognize Sister Rosa Dolores Rodríguez, a 60-year Jubilarian. https://bit.ly/4nFV0A9

Sister Rosa Dolores is best known for founding Casa de la Cultura Center, a nonprofit based in Pajaro, California, serving the migrant families in the Watsonville area. For her work, Sister Rosa Dolores has been named “Woman of the Year” by the Watsonville Chamber of Commerce, the California State Senate and the State Assembly.

Read more about her impact on the Hispanic community in Watsonville in this article from Santa Cruz Local: https://bit.ly/4nL1bDa

06/05/2026

🌎 On this World Environment Day, we are excited to announce that our inaugural Laudato Seeds of Change Immersion Program will launch this month!

Eight incredible women from across the United States will join our Sisters and staff in Ipswich, Mass., for hands-on learning about our universal call to CARE FOR GOD'S CREATION.

Join in supporting this effort with a tax-deductible gift to the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur. You'll help ensure eight women go home to be changemakers in their communities! https://bit.ly/3LGo3V9

06/04/2026

Our May newsletter has just been released ... Read all about the Sisters' activities, and be sure to subscribe for good news delivered straight to you! Featured this month:
🔹 Sister Marietta Brown, SNDdeN
🔹 Sister Peggy Cummins, SNDdeN
🔹 Sister Mary Johnson, SNDdeN
🔹 Sister Ellen Keane, SNDdeN
🔹 Sister Kathryn Keenan, SNDdeN
🔹 Sister Mary Alice McCabe, SNDdeN
🔹 Sister Evelyn McKenna, SNDdeN
🔹 Sister Anne Stevenson, SNDdeN

📰 May's "Goodness in Action" newsletter: https://conta.cc/4uHAwcU
➡️ Sign up for news: https://snddeneastwest.org/e-news-signup/