Life is Short Eat Dessert First!

Ice cream is one of my favorite dessert items, I could eat it every day but I enjoy it most when surrounded by family and friends.  Often it is in the sharing of dessert that some of the best stories of life are shared. I can remember attending an ice cream social in high school with the School Sisters of Notre Dame and being amazed at how happy and free-spirited the sisters were, we laughed for hours as we enjoyed our treats.

Over the Summer months various campuses will host Old Fashioned Ice Cream Socials compete with music, activities for families, open houses, conversations, laughter, and of course ICE CREAM! I have found the ice cream socials a great way to interact with the School Sisters. Individuals young and old get to see the sisters laughing and reuniting with former students, families and friends. Watch http://ww.ssnd.org/events and http://facebook.com/ssnd.northamerica for dates and times in your area.

Have you had a similar opportunity to share with a religious? What was the experience like?

Believing in God’s love for all people and desiring to witness to that love, we respond to the urgent needs of our times.

As an international congregation the School Sisters of Notre Dame minister in 34 countries. In April a major earthquake struck Nepal, causing massive destruction and forever changing the lives of thousands of individuals. Four SSND's were serving in Nepal at the time of the earthquake. We continue to pray for the people of Nepal and those who minister to individuals in the area. To learn more about the sisters serving in Nepal or in other countries visit http://www.ssnd.org

Pope Francis: "Go, do not be afraid, and serve"

As the weather begins to get warmer and the school year comes to an end many young adults are looking for summer volunteer opportunities. As a young adult myself I find service opportunities as a way to live out my faith and help those most in need. One of my favorite service opportunities was when I took a group of young adults to Ocean Springs, MS to volunteer with Habitat for Humanity. Over the course of the week the temperatures soared to over 100 degrees but we keep working. We painted homes, built a shed, and met individuals who would be moving into the new homes. It was an incredible reward to see my hard work and determination impact the lives of others.

One of my favorite quotes from Blessed Theresa Gerhardinger, Foundress of the School Sisters of Notre Dame is:

United and content with little,

We go out into the whole world,

Into the tiniest villages

Wherever God calls us

….to bring the good news

Of God’s reign.

This quote is so fitting as we look for those service opportunities. Don't be afraid to use your time, talent, and treasure to not only help those in need but to share the good news.

What are some of your service experiences?

God as my Co-Pilot

A friend recently sent me the book “Nobody’s Cuter than You” A memoir about the beauty of friendship. As I sat reading over the weekend I couldn’t help but resonate with several of the short stories not just because I can remember similar instances with my girlfriends but because it echoes my role as a Vocation Director. I was most struck by the point that so often what happens in life can be frustrating and challenging as we sort out the whys and what-ifs, but ultimately God has control. God can show us much better options if we allow him to be our co-pilot in life. This was very evident in my college years; I was in nursing school, playing collegiate soccer, involved in my sorority, working as a Nurse Tech. yet I felt like something was missing. It wasn’t until I stepped out of my comfort zone (with the help of God) and attended a week long mission trip to Guatemala that I finally connected the dots! I was missing out on the simplistic life, the involvement in parish ministry and meeting people where they were in their lives instead of rushing from task to task. While I wouldn’t take back any of the experiences because ultimately I am a better person for them I know now that the missing piece was my faith journey.

Have you had a similar experience? Are you willing to let God be your co-pilot?

Foundress Friday

For more thoughts from Blessed Theresa and other insights into SSND, check us out on Pinterest!

Welcome

The North American Vocation Team for the School Sisters of Notre Dame is excited to launch this new platform for connection! We are here to share, interact with, and learn from all who are discerning a call to religious life or seeking more information about our congregation.

Here you will find daily posts on a variety of topics, from articles about consecrated religious life, to helpful advice and prayer resources for the process of discerning a choice, to the history, mission, and lived reality of the School Sisters of Notre Dame. We hope to build a community of folks who have a common interest in these things and to provide an encouraging and welcoming space for conversations and discoveries.

We're glad that you are here, and we hope that you come back often!