At a recent Notre Dame, SF, alumnae event Elvis was in the building!

Would you like to reconnect with former classmates and others in the Notre Dame school family?

...then join us October 17th for an "Autumn Tea" hosted by the Notre Dame Alumnae Association of San Francisco at the historic Ralston Mansion for a delightful afternoon to be shared with alumnae and friends. The afternoon will end with a raffle of beautiful, themed gift baskets.

Sr. Phyllis Cook

Though inspired by St. Julie Billiart at an early age, Phyllis was not drawn to religious life and thought herself "not the type." But God changed her heart and mind and Phyllis became Sister Phyllis. She shares: "My early fascination with St. Julie has grown into a strong love and ever-growing appreciation of her wisdom and experience of the good God. I am grateful that 50 years ago, I was called to become a Sister of Notre Dame!" This is her story: An Ongoing Call

Throughout the next few months, we'll be sharing the life stories of our Sisters celebrating jubilees this year starting with Sr. Phyllis Cook who celebrates her 50th year as a Sister of Notre Dame.  

Sister Phyllis shares with us where this life has taken her and the joys of constantly learning and loving those she ministers to and with. This is her story.

By Sr. Lorraine Connell, SND

As I write [June 2010], we are in the final stages of the installation of three new photovoltaic systems in the Democratic Republic of Congo. The three sites are the schools and dispensaries at Kitenda, Pelende, and Lemfu. Some of the materials were sent last October, other parts are being purchased through local companies in Kinshasa. All the labor is local with the exception of Louie Casey who is the electrical engineer who has overseen this project for over five years. The materials that were shipped took over seven months to make it all the way through customs and be ready to transport by truck. One truck left Kinshasa last Monday May 31, and arrived in Pelende on Friday. The second truck left Kinshasa last Friday, and should arrive tomorrow, Tuesday the 8th of June. Louie will arrive in Kinshasa on Tuesday as well, and make his way over the roads to the sites of Kitenda and Pelende. Lemfu will be last, as it is the closest to Kinshasa.

If all goes according to plan the three sites will be up and running by the end of July, and we will all be able to watch the readouts of panels, batteries and power uses through our SND website. We will also be able to reach those sisters and colleagues through the internet. In turn the students and staffs of the schools and dispensaries will also be able to reach the world through the internet. The sisters and their colleagues are being trained to install, operate, and maintain the systems as part of the plan to "educate for life."

by Sister Kay McMullen, SND

As we pray for those in Haiti and Chili who have experienced devastating earthquakes, it reminds us of the earthquakes many of us have felt in California. So far most of us have not faced such huge losses, though our long-departed Sisters in San Francisco tell a different story. It was the morning of April 18th, 1906...

After our February 28th event inspired by Sr. Dorothy Stang, we started hearing from people who attended. We'd like to hear from you too! What's your story? How did the event inspire you?  How far is your courage carrying you?

Sr. Dorothy Stang

J. wrote: "The speakers were so inspiring. I came home and shared with my family at the dinner table. My granddaughters immediately got their storybook of Sister Dorothy 'Angel in our Forest' and we read it and re-read it that evening. They are only 3 and 5 and were so full of questions. It was a beautiful moment shared that I will treasure."

At this standing-room only event, guests learned that Sister Dorothy Stang was an ordinary woman--an ordinary woman with an all-consuming love for the poor, a willingness to live simply (all her possessions fit in one box), and amazing reserves of courage.