19 May 2012

Thank you and Goodbye, Sister 
Maria Melani

It was with sadness and heavy hearts that the Sisters at Casa Madre Community bid farewell to Sister Maria Melani Sarini from the Pekalongan Province of Indonesia on May 1, 2012. Sister Maria Melani had been rendering her service at Casa Madre as an adoration Sister as well as assisting the kitchen for more than a year. Since she has to attend to some medical needs in Indonesia, Sister Maria Melani had to say good bye to Casa Madre Community unexpectedly. Our hearts are filled with gratitude to Sister Maria Melani for all the selfless service she has rendered to the Casa Madre Community. We will miss her delicious thick soups and freshly baked bread and her creative salads. We thank her for her valuable continued prayerful support! We accompany her with our prayerful wishes.

(Sister Maria Melani along with Sr. Mary Kristin on her farewell day.)


   

“You are the light of the world…let your light shine in the sight of all.” (Matthew 5:14,16) May each of you, dear Sisters, testify to the resurrection by the light of your life as you make your unique contribution to the transformation of our world.


 United with you in one heart, one hope, one mission, as we celebrate the Resurrection of Our Lord. 

Sister Mary Kristin, SND

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News from the International Leadership Meeting in Indonesia 
Another unit of the meeting of the general administration and all provincial and delegation superiors of the Sisters of Notre Dame was completed on March 10, 2012. The last several days offered the time to discuss important topics as we move into the future. Prior to the meeting, the general government had made a lot of material available to the participants who were invited to discuss it with their respective council members. Much work was done in small groups and then shared in plenary sessions. Thanks to the workshop on contemplative dialog which opened this meeting, our discussions were animated, peaceful, and fruitful. Sister Mary Kristin will be able to share some of the results with all the Sisters of Notre Dame in early April.

In addition to the meetings, a number of informative and cultural items were offered: The children from a nearby SND kindergarten came and danced and sang for us and presented a beautiful rendition of Indonesian culture; we watched a DVD on the eruption of Mount Merapi in 2010 and its consequences; we were offered insights into the Canoas Province’s new mission in Peru; we saw a video featuring the Covington province in a DVD on the “Year of Women Religious” a year of celebration proclaimed by the Bishop of the Covington Diocese; we were taken to an English lesson in the provincial house in Incheon, etc.

The coming days until March 15 are dedicated to learning more about the Indonesian culture and visiting the provincial house of our Indonesian sisters in Pekalongan. We are looking forward to very enriching experiences and then count on your prayers as we travel all around the world to return to our homes.



SND International Leadership Conference in Indonesia

March 1, 2012, marked the beginning of the international leadership conference for which 23 SNDs (+3 translators + one secretary) are assembled in Tawangmangu, Indonesia, where the sisters of the Pekalongan Province run a retreat center. This facility in combination with the wonderful hospitality of our Indonesian sisters offers a perfect gathering space for the general administration and provincial and delegation superiors from all over the world. Today’s opening Mass was celebrated by Bishop Julianus Sunarko, SJ, of the Purwokerto Diocese. Before entering into the discussions of the topics at hand, the participants of the meetings were offered insights into the Indonesian country and its culture as well as the history and ministries of our sisters here. In the afternoon, Sister Mary Kristin gave her opening address. For Sisters of Notre Dame, the text is available in the reserved section. This will be followed by a workshop on contemplative dialogue of three days, given by Steven Wirth, President of the Center for Contemplative Dialogue in Indiana. This workshop introduces skills for dialoguing from a non-defended position and other skills valuable for leadership. 



Tri-Congregational Meeting 2012

The General Councils of the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur, Amersfoort, and Coesfeld have been meeting every two years. This year's meeting, hosted by the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur at their Generalate in Rome, took place February 13th-16th. Our days together were spent in prayer and reflection, discussion on religious life, and input on inter-faith dialogue. The energy and enthusiasm we experienced reflect the conviction that the flame of goodness birthed in St. Julie's vision continues to burn brightly in all three Congregations. The Namur General Council consists of four American Sisters and one Sister from the Congo. Four Indonesian Sisters make up the General Council of the Amersfoort Sisters. Our General Council is the most International! A joint statement on the outcomes from the meeting will be published in the near future.





General Government in India

The general government has been in India since November 10th. They began their visit in the Visitation Province at the provincial center in Bangalore in south India. Their travels took them to all but two houses of this province. The sisters were able to visit Notre Dame schools, see village social work and view the area our sisters helped restore after the tsunami. They have been exposed to the rich culture and traditions of India through many of the welcome programs given in their honor at our schools. This visit has necessitated overnight train rides, longer jeep expeditions and a few flights. With all this travel, things have gone amazingly well. The sisters are now in the Assumption Province, Patna, learning about life in northern India. Within a few days they will be in Jamalpur where the congregation first planted the seed of Notre Dame in India. Commenting on their trip Sister Mary Kristin said, "We feel very much at home in India and feel we are on holy ground. In many ways this experience has been a pilgrimage for us. Our sisters are so welcoming and we are in awe of the wonderful work they are doing for God's people”.


SND African Conference held in Uganda
Every three years the East African Conference has been convened. The Fourth SND East African Conference was held in Uganda during the week of August 20. It was a wonderful gathering of missionaries and national sisters from Uganda, Mozambique, Kenya, and Tanzania with the general government. The Conference was held at the "Conference Center" near Lake Victoria. All were energized as each unit reviewed what is happening in East Africa in our missions and in formation as well as planning for the future. There are twenty five (25) native sisters in East Africa. Nine participated in the Conference - six sisters from Uganda, two from Tanzania/Kenya, and one from Mozambique. All the missions have candidates, postulants and novices in formation. The SND future in East Africa is looking very good in spite of all of the challenges encountered regularly. The conference participants stayed at the new formation center in Mpala, right outside of Entebbe. The participants were transported to and from the Conference Center each day by bus or in a van. The whole group took an overnight trip to the bush in Buseesa to visit St. Julie School and Notre Dame Senior Secondary, where we started in Uganda. The conference group left on Sunday to return to Mpala in the bus rented for the trip and got stuck on the mud road about 45 minutes into the trip. It had rained during the night and again that morning, making the roads very dangerous. In spite of the difficulties in travel, the Conference participants returned safely to Mpala and eventually to their respective missions. Sisters Mary Kristin, Maria Julindis, and Marie Emma stayed on in Mpala for a few extra days while Sister Maria Alcídia accompanied the sisters to Mozambique, Sister Mary Sreeja to Kenya and Tanzania, and Sister Mary Shauna stayed on in Buseesa. 


General Government Concludes Visit to India

The past two weeks the general government has been in the Patna Province in the north of India. It is in Jamalpur that the seeds of Notre Dame were first planted in India in 1949, by sisters from the Chardon, Ohio, USA Province. Hearing stories of the pioneer sisters and visiting the sites of the first foundations in India has been informative and inspirational. The same spirit of missionary enthusiasm, creative fidelity and love for the poor motivates our sisters today. Seeing the variety of ministries--formal education in schools, health clinics, and women's empowerment programs has been an invaluable learning experience. During their time in Patna the general team was able to be present and support the sisters during the difficult time after the tragic death of dear Sister Mary Sabeena. With grateful hearts the sisters said goodbye to India and journeyed toward the rising Sun as they traveled to South Korea on December 9th.

Health Care Conference – Report 2

The first phase of the SND Health Care Conference concluded on Saturday, May 5th, 2012. On Friday, May 4th, the participants spent the day integrating the following experiences: a presentation on our charism and the health care ministry; a visit to St. Charles Care Center with presentations on End of Life Issues, Palliative Care, and Wholistic Health; and a visit to St. Claire Regional Medical Center and presentations on Global Health issues. A Writing Committee had been formed to listen to the discussions throughout the week and to discern what the participants were saying about our charism as expressed through the ministry of health care. The participants affirmed a statement to be presented to the Congregation as well as determining the "next steps." Saturday, May 5th, offered the participants time to celebrate all that had been accomplished during our short time together as well as a visit to Mother of God Church, the site where the SND's first ministered in Covington, and to St. Mary of the Assumption Cathedral. The day concluded with a province gathering to enjoy the Kentucky Derby Horse Race together. It was a blessed and graced week. The participants left on Sunday, May 6th, traveling to the Chardon and Toledo provinces for short visits in each.  [Click here for Conference Presentations]

May 1, 2012 Health Care Conference Report


Participants to the SND Health Care Conference began to arrive in Covington, Kentucky, on Wednesday, April 26th. Forty two sisters (42) from Indonesia, Korea, India, Germany, Brazil, and the United States are gathering in the Immaculate Heart of Mary Province from April 30 to May 10 for the first Sisters of Notre Dame Notre Dame Health Care Conference. The goal of the Conference is to help us articulate how we live our charism in the ministry of Health Care. The Conference opened with greetings from Sr. Mary Kristin via technology. Sister is unable to attend the Conference since she is leaving on May 1 for the visitation in the Canoas Province. Sister Margaret Mary Gorman, the provincial of Christ the King Province, gave the opening address on "Charism and the Health Care Ministry of the Sisters of Notre Dame." Sister spoke on charism and how our charism has been expressed through our founding story and continued in our ministry of health care. The sister participants were asked to share their experiences in health care showing how our charism continues to be expressed today through the service of our sisters. The diversity of sisters from different areas of health care, different cultures and experiences enriched the discussions. In the midst of so much diversity, the common thread holding all together is the vibrancy of our Notre Dame charism.


All Roads Lead to Rome!



On April 16th, 2012 eight pilgrim Sisters, four from the Passo Fundo Province and four from the Canoas Province in Brazil added life and joy to our Casa Madre Community. Among the pilgrims Sr. Maria Imelda Hübner and Sr. Maria Riffel from the Passo Fundo Province work in Mozambique Mission. The group is having an enriching spiritual experience as they have come together to explore the home of our Catholic faith and to enjoy the pilgrimage with Sister Maria Silvia Stigger from our Casa Madre Community who is an experienced pilgrim guide to Brazilian Pilgrims. Sr. Deisi Maria our new comer also is taking this wonderful opportunity to accompany the Sisters to various places.


The Pilgrims already have had the opportunity of visiting the four Major Basilicas and some of the most significant Catholic sites in Rome; St. Peter’s Basilica, the Basilica of St. Mary Major, Holy Stairs and Basilica of St. John Lateran and St. Paul Outside the walls. For their day in Assisi, they were delighted to have the company of Sr. Marie Emma, Sr. Maria Moses and six Korean Tertians. In the coming days the Pilgrims are looking forward having the Papal Audience with His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI and Vatican Museum Tour. 


On 27th April as they journey from Casa Madre to experience the love and presence of good God in Germany, Holland and Namur the roots of our Congregation, we ask the Triune God to be with them. While they board their flight back to Brazil, on May 10th we are certain that their memories of this spiritual journey will remain in their hearts for a life time.


In the picture first row left to right: Sister Ana Maria (Passo Fundo), Sister Celia Maria (Canoas), Sister Maria Elvira (Canoas), Sister Márcia Maria (Canoas)
In the second row left to right: Sister Maria Silvia (Casa Madre) Sister Elaine Maria (Canoas), Sister Maria Riffel (Passo Fundo), Sister Maria Koch (Passo Fundo), Sister Maria Imelda (Passo Fundo)

Till we meet again, dear Indonesian Sisters and Friends,

God bless you, and thanks for all!!

International Leadership Conference Ended


After one more very enriching week in Indonesia, the participants in the International Leadership Conference have returned to their respective home countries. From March 11 – 16 we visited our convents, schools and hospital in Yogyakarta, Pekalongan, and Jakarta and famous Indonesian treasures like the Prambanan Temple, the Sacred Heart Shrine in Ganjuran, the Batik Museum in Pekalongan, “Taman Mini Indonesia Indah” [Miniature Indonesia], Sea World, and the Cathedral of Jakarta, where the Bishop offered us a warm welcome. Everywhere we went we were welcomed enthusiastically with music and dancing, were offered delicious snacks and meals and were treated to precious souvenirs of the Indonesian culture to take home with us. Everyone feels very blessed to have been able to experience Indonesia and its beautiful people.

Now Sr. Mary Kristin, Sr. Maria Alcidia, and Sr. Mary Sreeja are staying in Indonesia for the official visitation to the Pekalongan Province. Sister Mary Kristin wishes to share the following message:

“Dear Sisters, Associates and Friends, in the name of all the International Leadership Conference Participants I wish to thank each one of you most warmly for your prayerful support during the past three weeks. We felt it very much as we were discussing and discerning some important matters at this time. I will share some of the results with you soon. Please keep the prayers coming as the Mother of Good Counsel Province in Indonesia is the first province to have its general visitation.

Soon we will celebrate the Patronal Feast of our Congregation, the Annunciation of the Lord, this year on March 26. May we all seek to be open to the challenges and blessings God puts in front of us each day, and remain receptive to God’s tender love enfolding us always, so that we, like Mary, bring Christ to others. (cf. Const. Art. 2)

A joyful Patronal Feast to everyone and blessings on your Lenten journey!”




More Indonesian Conference News

On March 5, the first unit of the SND International Leadership Conference in Indonesia came to an end. For 3 ½ days, Steven Wirth introduced the members of the conference to the art of Contemplative Dialog. He helped them become aware of how often the contact with others is influenced by assumptions and taught them methods to verify if those correspond with the facts. He introduced the sisters to some techniques that can help engage in conversation across polarities, starting out by acknowledging the positive goals each value aims to achieve. All agree that this workshop was a valuable experience and a good preparation for the discussion of the topics which will be addressed in the days to come and many are thinking of ways to share what they have learned in these days with their sisters at home.

For the afternoon the Indonesian sisters had prepared an outing to the Sarangan Lake. Four vans took the sisters high up a mountain from where they could enjoy a magnificent view of the mountains surrounding them, and then down again on the other side where the lake awaited them. Some walked all the way around the lake in about an hour, while others enjoyed the peaceful atmosphere at the shore. Some enjoyed watching the many Indonesians engaged in typical holiday activities like playing badminton, going horseback riding and taking boat tours on the lake. This relaxing afternoon was an opportunity to regain strength for the coming days of the meeting.





 A Warm Welcome to the Korean Tertians 

On March 8, 2012, the Casa Madre Community welcomed this year’s Tertian group from Incheon Province, Korea. After completing the initial formation and some years in ministry, every group of Notre Dame Tertians in Korea, looks forward to having three months of enriching experience in Rome, Germany and the Netherlands as a part of its preparation for the perpetual profession. During this intense preparation for their perpetual profession the Tertians take this time for their spiritual reflection to grow, to learn and to experience the profound love of God and to know more about the rich heritage of the congregation.  The next two weeks the six Tertians along with their Tertian Directress Sister Marie Catharina will visit Germany and the Netherlands to experience the roots of our Congregation. They will return to Rome on the 27th of March, 2012. As they come in touch with the movement of the spirit that led them to their vocation and gave them the courage to answer His call, we wish them God’s abundant blessings to recommit themselves as Sisters of Notre Dame.  

(In the picture left to right: Sister Marie Hee-Young, Sister Marie Evangelina, Sister Maria Luise, Sr. Marie Catharina, Sister Marie Naeeun, Sister Maria Ga In, Sister Marie Mere)


Installation of Sister Maria Dominique as Delegation Superior

Congratulations to Sister Maria Dominique de Vroedt and the Regina Virginum Delegation, Tegelen, Netherlands. On January 7th  2012, the Tegelen unit changed from a Province to a General Delegation and Sister Maria Dominique became the delegation Superior. All the Sisters and many employees from the Delegation gathered in the Chapel of the Delegation Center for a 2:00 p.m. Mass marking the new beginning. Sister Maria Julindis Melis, represented the Generalate. A reception followed during which Sister Maria Dominique thanked Sister Maria Sylvia van der Aa for her 18 years of dedicated service as Provincial Superior. Sister Maria Julindis spoke in the name of the Congregation expressing gratitude to Sr. Maria Sylvia and her team for their generous service throughout the years, wishing the newly installed leadership team God’s abundant blessings as they begin their new ministries.   






General Government Experiences Korean Culture

The General Government concluded its Asian travels with two weeks in South Korea. There the Council changed light clothing for warm coats, gloves and scarves. While the weather was cold the atmosphere in each ND convent was warm and welcoming. Touring included homes for the elderly, a number of kindergartens, the Rehabilitation Center, RPP (Religious Pedagogical Practice) Center, Bakmun Elementary School, parish ministries and the unique ministries of sister artists. One highlight was visiting the newly established ecological farm. Short visits to the province's two missions were also included. As the General Government headed for the airport to travel back to Rome on December 23rd, snow began to fall. It was the perfect ending of six wonderful weeks in Asia. The general team agreed that the learning experience made each encounter invaluable. Each member of the team is most grateful to Sister Mary Sandhya, Sister Mary Beena, Sister Marie Aqunia and their teams and the sisters of their provinces for their hospitality.

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