By the time Jean Stoner was a junior in high school, she knew she wanted to be a Sister of Notre Dame. This decision was "clear as a bell." As a Sister, she excelled at teaching girls trigonometry, but her latest assignment has taken her out of the classroom and put her in the United Nations!

Find out more about Sr. Jean's journey.

For this former Protestant, "religious life" was a foreign concept, but one that she embraced as she entered the convent after graduating from high school. She served for years as a primary school teacher before discovering her gift for working with the sick and dying.

Find out how Sr. Karen is using her unique gifting.

"First, I wanted to be a doctor to cure the world, then a nurse to help the world," shares Sr. Anne. But after much prayer she found a different way to help people. She responded to God's call to become a Sister of Notre Dame.

Read more about Sr. Anne and her work in Sacramento.

Mary Ellen's choice to enter the religious life wasn't entirely supported by her father who told her, "You're not the type. Sisters are neat and organized and quiet." Mary Ellen confesses, "I was none of the above." But what she was, and is, a compassionate and fearless woman who serves the poor and supports those in the world who have few, if any, advocates.

Read about Sister's life in Africa, which included starting a Donkey Cart Ambulance Service, and learn what she's doing today.

After high school graduation, Ann Carmel chose to work in the family business. But after three years, she decided to enter the Notre Dame community. Over 60 years later, she is still thankful for that decision!

Read about Sr. Ann Carmel's life and ministries.

While a junior at Notre Dame High School, San Francisco, Aileen and a good friend volunteered at a day care center run by the Holy Family Sisters. "I'm not sure how much we helped. I think we did it for the peanut butter sandwiches," she laughs. But later her friend decided to join the Holy Family Sisters and Aileen realized she felt drawn to the Sisters of Notre Dame.

Read about Sr. Aileen's journey as a Sister of Notre Dame.

By 1948, in her senior year of high school, June was dating a boy, playing violin in the Monterey Symphony Orchestra and riding motorcycles. She knew she could be happy marrying the boy and raising a family together. "But," she thought, "if I become a Sister my life will be bigger, with wider influence." She chose to become a Sister and remembers entering the convent thinking, "I'm home!"

You'll enjoy reading about Sr. June's unique ministry.

"For many years now, I have been privileged to work with and help others who are poor. I am very grateful to Sr. Mary Angelica and many others who encouraged me along the way." Sr. Avelina is also very grateful for the education she received and uses it with joy.

Find out more about Sister and what she's doing today.

As a high school student, Teresa loved singing in the school choir and going with the group to entertain in convalescent hospitals and other places. But when the group sang at the novitiate in Saratoga, she experienced something new. "God told me I belonged there!"

Learn more about Sr. Teresa.

After surviving polio as a teenager, Ann knew God had something special for her life, but she would have to make a deal with her mother first.

Read about Sr. Ann's deal and her special life.

Sr. Agnes (Marie Josepha) has a slip of paper with the school, grade and dates for each school where she taught, for nearly 60 years. "These are more than my memories," she says, "these are my life. I just loved the children."

Find out more about Sister's love for children.

While serving as a missionary in Africa, Sr. Carolyn responded to a call for volunteers to go to the Sudan. Her Bishop told her plainly, "I'm sending you to Hell."

Read about Sr. Carolyn's ministry to the Lost Boys.

From the first, the international mission of the Sisters of Notre Dame with its emphasis on the goodness of God and special care for poor women and children appealed to her.

Read about Sr. Kathryn's many ministries.

Outgoing, with a tremendous trust in people and with a great sense of humor, Sr. Susan brings many gifts and experiences to her work with the homeless.

Find out what startled Sr. Susan the first night she worked in a shelter.

As a young girl at St. Columbkille School in Los Angeles, Eloise knew that she wanted to be a Sister, "but didn't let it show too much." But she was always active, helping the Sisters teach catechism and bringing flowers and food to the sick in the parish.

Find out how a young Eloise became a Montessori champion.

At age 19, Helen announced her decision to enter the Sisters of Notre Dame and one brother warned, "Oh, Helen…they’ll never keep you." But, of course, keep her they did, and her years as a Sister now number 71!

Read about her life and a few of the things that help keep her young at heart!