By Karen Bil Ratzlaff

In 1989 Father Mateo Sheedy, working in a poor San Jose neighborhood, wondered what could be done for all the kids who were dropping out of school and getting involved with gangs. Having a school nearby, the right kind of school, would be one answer. And indeed when Sacred Heart Nativity School opened in 2001 (really reopened*), it helped solve several problems.

All of the students (96% Latino) come from families whose household income hovers close to the poverty line. Breakfast (at nearby Martha's Kitchen) and lunch are provided free or at low-cost to all students ensuring that no student goes hungry. School uniforms mean no gang colors and no need to buy lots of clothes. A long school day (7:20 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.) keeps students focused and provides time for one-on-one tutoring and activities. Religion classes and lively signs remind students of their worth and encourage them to "do the right thing." And the classes? Among others, English literature and writing feature heavily. Good English skills are vital to compete for college openings in the future. And yes, that's the goal, getting these children to college. The school motto, "Breaking the cycle of poverty through education," is taken seriously.

It's no surprise to find Sisters of Notre Dame volunteering at the Nativity Schools in San Jose, which includes Our Lady of Grace Nativity School for Girls (opened in 2006). The school motto could have been written by St. Julie Billiart, one of the Sisters' foundresses who devoted herself to bringing education to the poor in abandoned places.

Sr. Yvonne Bondi at the Sacred Heart Navity Library.

With a resounding "yes," Sr. Yvonne dove in sorting and organizing books and updating the card catalog with index cards she typed at home. A few years later Sr. Ann Carmel Badalamente teased Sr. Yvonne, "Isn't it time to get this library into the 21st century?" and offered to help make it happen. Sr. Ann Carmel admits, "I had no idea what it entailed. None. But I started doing research about other schools and found out."

Sr. Yvonne Bondi, Sr. Natalia Carrasco, Sr. Aileen Bermingham, Our Lady of Grace Vice Principal Angela Lovasco, Sr. JulieMarie Thorpe, Sr. Barbara Hamm, and Sr. Ann Carmel Badalamente

Today, Sr. Ann Carmel continues to process new books and Sr. Yvonne still serves as the school's librarian, but gladly gets help from Sr. Barbara Hamm and parent volunteer Patricia Ortiz.

But, the Sisters involvement at the schools also means that students can get tutoring from veteran teachers like Sr. Julie Marie Thorpe, Sr. Aileen Bermingham and Sr. Natalia Carrasco. Having always worked with children, Sr. Julie Marie began tutoring at Our Lady of Grace when it opened with its first group of 6th graders. Three years later, Sister had the joy of seeing one of "her girls" graduate in May. "I've loved watching Juliana develop over the years. Tutoring here has been very life giving for me."

For Sisters who are no longer teaching full time, giving of themselves at the Sacred Heart Nativity Schools and helping to "break the cycle of poverty through education" is a perfect fit.

*A previous Sacred Heart School started in 1906 and was fully staffed by SNDs. The school closed and became a parish center during the early ‘70s.