Association is a call of the Spirit inviting women and men to participate with Sisters, Brothers and Priests in the ministry and prayer of their Congregations in today’s Church. This mutual relationship expands the gifts of each congregation and enriches the faith community.

A warm welcome to our newest Associates.

Patricia Rovere, Kathy O'Connor-Grosshauser, Sr. Jeanette Braun (Co-coordinator), Irene Andersen, Anne Hannigan (Co-coordinator), Joanne Rossi, Linda Walsh and Esther Hilferty.

Irene Andersen

Irene, a quiet, reflective woman, is drawn to St. Julie who was handicapped for many years and who taught children traumatized by violence and hunger. Both a nurse and a teacher, she spends three days a week in schools working with children who have learning disabilities or who are autistic or emotionally disturbed. Another afternoon, she cares for two girls, one who is blind and deaf and the other who is in a wheel chair. With her husband, Eilif, she is also involved in her parish and its sister-parish in Guatemala. Not long ago, they visited the parish where they checked the new water system that their parish had funded and were invited to see the homes and join in celebrations and dancing. "The people were so poor," she remembers, "but they'd give you anything."  Irene is a Notre Dame High School, Belmont, graduate and her daughters all attended Notre Dame in San Jose. Her husband, three daughters and her son, are very happy about her Associate commitment to Notre Dame. "They know I like serving others, especially the sick, disabled and less fortunate. They know how much Notre Dame and St. Julie mean to me. I even have a daughter and a granddaughter named for her."

Linda Walsh

"All my life," Linda told us, "I have had colleagues as an artist and as a teacher. Now in Notre Dame I have sisters."  Sculptor and ceramicist, Linda is Acting Director of the School of Art and Design at San Jose State University. She loves teaching and, especially, working on public art projects and the community building that is part of those. Linda, whose husband, Tom, is a Catholic, met the Sisters when their son, Michael, started to ask her questions she couldn't answer, This led to her own search and to Sister Sharon Skain's RCIA program in her parish, to another Sister of Notre Dame for spiritual direction, and to sharing prayer and reflection with a group of Sisters and their friends. As she made her promises as an Associate of Notre Dame, she said, "St. Julie's simplicity, joy and humor, her lack of interest in dogma and belief in the goodness of God, her work as a teacher and teacher of teachers, her loving friendships and her courage touch me deeply. All my life there have been times of joy where the earth and creation and love among people shimmer. I think this must be what St. Julie was talking about as the great goodness of God."

Kathy O'Connor-Grosshauser

Youth minister and confirmation coordinator at Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish, Belmont, Kathy's warmth and energy encourage teens to share ideas, learn and reach out to others. Her relationship at her parish and with Notre Dame began years ago when Sister Alberta Karp, with no questions and with a big hug, welcomed this small, bright girl into her IHM classroom - the 36^th child in a classroom prepared for 35. Today Kathy has four children, her daughter at Notre Dame High School, Belmont, a son at NDNU, another son at Sonoma State and her oldest looking for work - and this very busy ministry at IHM. It was her co-workers in the parish, Marie Felix and Dede Waters-Masters, both Notre Dame Associates, who told her that she really must become an Associate.  They, with her husband Ivan and their four children, are wonderfully supportive of her association with Notre Dame. A friend of St. Julie's since that day she met Sister Alberta, Kathy admires Julie's way of working with others and seeing the good in all. "St. Julie was definitely a "walk the talk" person!"

Patricia Rovere

Patricia is long-time Notre Dame friend. She went to St. Charles School, San Carlos, in the years when all the teachers were Sisters of Notre Dame. Like many girls in her class, she wanted to be a Sister herself, but life called her in a different direction. She has a son, two daughters and eight grandchildren - one boy and seven girls, "so cute they make you want to get up in the morning." She was reacquainted with the  Sisters when she met Sister Elizabeth Hagmaier. The two volunteers have become friends through their at volunteer work at Carlmont Convalescent Hospital. At Sister Elizabeth's invitations, she has come to retreat days at the Province Center and given hours to help get the boxes of food and supplies mailed off to Zimbabwe. It is St. Julie with the smile that attracts her. She says,  "St. Julie suffered and still had a smile on her face. She was helpful but tough. I see her as an angel coming to show us how to help others and love people."

Joanne Rossi

Joanne  Rossi, an educator and teacher of teachers, is surely continuing St. Julie's ministry. Dean of the School of Education and Leadership at NDNU, she has worked with Sisters of Notre Dame for almost 12 years. "Every day," she says, I have the chance to show compassion to students, faculty and staff. I believe that being an Associate will be a constant reminder to me to keep the values and vision of Notre Dame in the forefront." What touches her most about St. Julie, she says, is St. Julie's perseverance despite overwhelming obstacles. "She never waivered. She never relied solely on herself, but always gave it to God. This is unlike me. I give it to God, but take it back when I don't think he's doing a good job." She knows her family,, her husband of 43 years, her sister, her two daughters and her two grandchildren, are very spiritual people and will be with her on this new journey

Esther Hilferty

"It's her compassion," neighbor Joanne Thompson, a Notre Dame Associate, says about Esther. "In social justice groups, in direct service, in advocacy for those in need, everywhere, she shows heart-centered compassion to each person." Esther's Los Angeles junior high acquaintance with Sisters of Notre Dame was renewed when she attended workshops and lectures at NDNU. Later her  friend, Joanne, invited her to retreat days at the Province Center and then to become an Associate. For many years Esther was a public health and school nurse, then a teacher aid in a bilingual program, and finally, a teacher in an art preschool. She is now active with St. Charles Parish, St. Vincent de Paul Society, and is a Eucharistic Minister. She has four sons but declined to tell us - or maybe to count - her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Sadly, one of her sons died of a brain tumor two years ago.  As she became an Associate, she said, "St. Julie's tremendous courage, determination and faith inspire me. I hope to become a more prayerful person and to keep my focus on serving others."