"How good the good God is... Why can't we proclaim it to the whole world?" St. Julie Billiart
First Communion students at Moreland in 1900. Photographer unknown. Courtesy of Notre Dame Archives, Belmont.
Moreland Notre Dame School, a gift of Mrs. Margaret Moreland, was opened by the Sisters in 1899. The stately Victorian building included a day school, rooms for boarders and the convent for the Sisters. This extraordinary gift came about after Mrs. Moreland's daughter, Josephine, died while a student at College of Notre Dame in San Jose. Mrs. Moreland's grief was transformed into generosity and she gave this school to the Sisters and the children of Watsonville in memory of her daughter. She did not want any more children to have to go so far from home for a Catholic education.
Several Sisters are active at Moreland. Sister Teresa Ann Leahy, former principal of Moreland Notre Dame, volunteers as religion coordinator for the school and helps in countless other ways. Sr. Bernadette Garcia brings years of experience and a tremendous love of young children to her third graders. Sr. Liane Delsuc, resource specialist, finds teaching an exciting, challenging ministry. Her resource room is a place where students feel good about themselves as they improve their study habits, basic reading, language and math skills.
Empty food barrels ready to be filled with food for the hungry. Photo coutesty of MND.
Students also learn the importance of serving others in the community. Eighth graders serve lunch each week at the Loaves and Fishes Kitchen bringing their smiles to those who come for a meal. Seventh graders help four-year-olds at the Rolling Hills Head Start Program by washing hands, reading to the children and playing games outside. All grades participate in making Thanksgiving and Christmas decorations for Loaves and Fishes, collecting winter clothing for the Pajaro Valley Shelter, food for the Second Harvest Food Bank and preparing Christmas gifts for families and Easter baskets for the shelter children. The MND community is a very giving community and continues to foster and build on this tradition. Mrs. Moreland's gift to the people of Watsonville continues to enrich the community.
Principal Chrissy Grul and students. Photo courtesy of MND.
Christine Grul, Principal
Moreland Notre Dame School
133 Brennan St.
Watsonville, CA 95076-4304
Phone: 831-728-2051
Website: www.mndschool.org
Please click Reply to add your school story to this page.
