Joan Marsh

Sr. Kay McMullen and I met when we trained together for the Monterey County AIDS Project in the 1980s. In the years since, I've become not only more and more fond of her but more in admiration of her and everything the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur stand for. After participating in two Associate retreats, my admiration has grown to include that group as well. I feel privileged to become an Associate. I truly believe that these remarkable women will stretch me to be of more and better service in the future.

Mary Haesloop

I am honored to be making this commitment to be an Associate of the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur. Believing in the "Goodness of God" is the very core of my being. The work that St. Julie and Francoise started: educating those less fortunate and teaching them what they need to know for life is now being carried out by the Sisters in the California Province and their Associates. Being part of their mission is very near and dear to my heart. I have been associated with the Sisters since 1990 when my children went to Notre Dame Elementary School. I hope by my association with the Sisters of Notre Dame I will be able to help continue this mission through the actions of my daily life. I am honored by this privilege and only hope I can live up to the expectations of this relationship.

Suzy Smith

I met my first Sister of Notre Dame about 12 years ago when I decided to go back to school at the then College of Notre Dame to pursue a teaching credential. My reading teacher, Sr. Nancy McCarron, encouraged me to interview at the elementary school because it would "be good practice" and I've never left! The sisters and all of the community of Notre Dame have truly been my sanctuary and my second family. The more sisters I meet the more I want to spend time with them and get to know them. They are the embodiment of joy, faith and service. I have repeatedly been amazed at their open, loving support at different difficult and joyous times throughout the last 10 years of my life that I've spent at Notre Dame. I am humbled and honored to be an Associate of Notre Dame and hope that I can be of service to the larger Notre Dame Community.

Lois Jones

Sisters of Notre Dame and Associates are champions proclaiming the goodness of God in our time. As an Associate I have the opportunity to become a viable participant in a group of strong, spirited women who make life better for others. It is an unbelievable chance to develop deep spiritual and intellectual ties with the Sisters and Associates and learn from their wisdom of experience. I look forward to deepening my own spirituality and meaning of life.

Sandy Lee

I felt honored and humbled when I was asked to consider becoming an Associate of the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur. I have been on a long spiritual journey. I have discovered that being a member of the NDNU community [Sandy is the Registrar] has helped me along that journey. I am fortunate to work and to have become friends with a number of wonderful women who are Associates and have unknowingly helped to lead me to making this important decision. One of my roles as registrar of the University is to uphold the academic integrity of the institution. That supports one aspect of the educational mission of the Sisters. Over the past months, it has been wonderful to interact with a group of women who are all at different stages of their spiritual journey, believe in the goodness of God, and are committed to peace and the service of others.

Gina Dorst

I grew up in the Catholic Church and over the years became less and less involved for various reasons. I wanted to find a way to come back to the church, but didn't know in what way. Then, upon coming to work at NDNU [Gina is Executive Assistant to the President], I met and began working with the most intelligent, energetic, engaging, dedicated, and sincere group of women I have ever met - the SNDs. My sponsor Jan Lennon, became an Associate last year and shared with me her experience and I knew in my heart that it was something I wanted to do as well. I was thrilled and honored when I was asked to join the Sisters in their journey and mission of service by becoming an Associate. So in my own spiritual journey, I am renewing by baptismal vows and celebrating the life and work of St. Julie and the Sisters to be of service to others

Mary Fox

I believe I have been called to Association with the Sisters of Notre Dame in order to deepen my spiritual life and to better serve others. I look forward to being in community with Sisters and Associates who share common values, goals and commitments.

Camille Cordero

I grew up in Notre Dame, first as a student at Guadalupe School in Santa Barbara, then as a teacher with the Sisters in parish religious education programs. When Sister Catherine McGrath began to gather women to share more closely the Sisters' prayer and ministries, I became an eager member of the group. In 1990, I formalized my relationship with the Sisters of Notre Dame as an Associate. Now, 20 years later, I remain a committed Notre Dame Associate! It's a wonderful group of women and a spiritual group. Over these years, I've been through hard times including the deaths of my parents. It was as if St. Julie and the Sisters kept on inviting me, loving me, and supporting me. On the hardest days, they helped me see the goodness of God and how good it is to be part of this supportive family. Wherever I am and whatever I'm doing, I want to keep St. Julie's memory and spirit alive.

Lydia Wahab

I have wrestled with faith for most of my adult life yet have not been able to turn away from the God-moments that I have witnessed. I know deep down that "God is good." This congregation is a beacon of inspiration for someone like me.

Read more about Lydia's journey and why she feels the Associates and Sisters are a lifeline!

Rita Russo

St. Julie and the Sisters of Notre Dame have and always will have a special place in my heart. I was part of the community for 28 years, and St. Julie's spirit continues to influence my life in many ways. Her love of the poor and her faithfulness in answering the call of the Gospel is something that helps me reach out to others and see God's presence in everything, For me becoming an Associate is like coming full circle.

Rebellion landed me at Notre Dame High School, Belmont, after my freshman year at Sequoia High School. While my behavior did not always exemplify my gratitude, over the next three years I gradually realized what a tremendous gift my NDB education was.

Find out why God kept Libby on a "short leash!"

Ruth Zucca

Why? But then, why not? Why not stand with this beautiful and resolute group of women? Who speak simply and with such hope? The Hallmarks of a Notre Dame Learning Community capture the spirit: Love of the poor...through a gospel way of life...continuing a strong educational tradition...the most abandoned places...proclaim by our lives even more than by our words that God is good. If not now, when?

I was raised as a mainline Protestant. Always "churched" as my family moved around the country. I was active in Sunday School and youth group activities. My first experience with anything Catholic came when a Catholic high school friend and I used to "drop in" to her church after swimming in the high school pool. I felt at home there...

Read about Lynn's long road to the Sisters of Notre Dame.

Marilyn McElhaney

The vision and spirit of St. Julie Billiart became real to me through Sr. Roseanne Murphy, who was one of my professors at College of Notre Dame. Thirty-six years later I was blessed to be on a pilgrimage led by Sr. Roseanne. Through being an Associate of Notre Dame, I feel connected to something larger than myself. Teaching teenagers of immigrants from Asia and Latin America takes on a deeper significance as I am part of an international community of women who carry Christ's love and St. Julie's mission into this millenium.

Janet Gallagher

In 1980, I was invited by Sr. Catherine Minner to do "something new" with my life, to deepen my relationship with God and Notre Dame. In July 21, 1981, the day of my commitment as a Notre Dame Associate, was one of the most beautiful days of my life; my silver jubilee celebration last summer was another. Associates follow in St. Julie's footsteps and journey as she journeyed through life--making known the goodness of God with our own lives.

I began my "association" with the Sisters when I entered first grade at Notre Dame Elementary School in San Francisco. I spent my entire grade school and high school career under their wonderful tutelage. Then I went off to college at U.C. Berkeley and my connection with the Sisters ended.

Find out how a fortuitious reconnection with the Sisters of Notre Dame changed her life.

Kay Buckley

There is a sense of friendship in the community of Notre Dame that encircles one.... Sure, I'm busy, but I learn from the Sisters that I can take time to be centered, to care for others and to pray. I'm surrounded by love and prayer. I had cancer as a young woman and it was devastating. I had it again a few years ago and it was a totally different experience. I wasn't afraid. I wasn't angry. I had gathered strength and a sense of peace from the Sisters.

Pat Stacker

I recognize my invitation to association with the Sisters of Notre Dame as part of God's plan for me. After my marriage of 25 years ended. I spent several years trying to get "reacquainted" with myself and learned to trust that God would allow to happen, what needs to happen in my life. Educated by the Sisters, I found that they again became my mentors and friends, nurturing and encouraging my spiritual development. I have discovered that a large part of who I am is rooted in the charism of St. Julie Billiart. I am grateful for the Sisters' supportive presence and the opportunity to become involved in the mission of Notre Dame.

Kathy Noether

I have felt a great love and respect for the Sisters of Notre Dame since first grade at Sacred Heart in San Jose. When a dear friend suggested I consider becoming an Associate, I jumped in! I reconnected with Sisters I had been very close to from many years before, and became reacquainted with what was happening. What was there, and will always remain, was the deep spirituality of simplicity and integral passion for justice and peace. These are gifts of connection for me and my association with the Sisters of Notre Dame.

Laverne Poturalski

Becoming an Associate has strengthened my relationship with God and has also given me a sense of peace and harmony in my life. By following the mission of St. Julie, I trust I can make a difference in the difficult world we live in. Like St. Julie, the Sisters and the Associates have a devoted faith and trust in God that has given me the strength to become an educator of young children. I truly believe they offer hope for peace and justice in our world.

Janet Ferree

Being an Associate, even when I have little time to join the gatherings, has given me a means to fulfill a calling. More importantly, it has propped me up with prayerful support during difficult personal times and given me a firm foundation from which I can deepen my faith. As Associates, we have the support of the entire Notre Dame Congregation behind us as we carry out the Gospel message in word and action. How blessed are those whom God calls to become Associates of Notre Dame!

My parents were neither Catholic nor involved in any other church. At best, they were agnostic; most likely they were atheists. However, they believed in discipline and phonics, so they chose a Catholic school for me.

Find out how that one decision changed Anne's life.