North American Ministries

Archbishop William Lori after liturgical celebration of the 70th anniversary of Trinity School with Board Members Sister Regina Pellegrini, SNDdeN and Sister Shawn Marie Maguire, SNDdeN; Principal Sister Catherine Phelps, SNDdeN and on the Archbishop’s left Sister Rita Sturwold, SNDdeN, Director of Sponsorship and Mission Integration

In 1840, knowing they would never return, eight Sisters left their motherhouse in Namur, Belgium, for a journey to the United States. They arrived in New York City on October 19. From there, the Sisters traveled through Philadelphia, Pittsburgh and down the Ohio River to Cincinnati. They had come on the invitation of Cincinnati’s Bishop to open a school in his diocese.

The first small group of Sisters formed a nucleus for the work of the Congregation in the United States. By 1890, more than 80 additional Sisters had arrived from Europe. They were joined by American women entering the community, and together, these Sisters took their mission of education for the poor wherever it was most needed. By 1901, there were nearly 1200 Sisters of Notre Dame in America, with foundations in place in California, Ohio, Illinois, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Pennsylvania, and Washington D.C.

Where you can currently find the Tri-Province Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur in active ministries:

Education:

  • Notre Dame Christo Rey High School, Lowell, MA
  • Notre Dame High School, San Jose, CA
  • Sisters Academy of Baltimore, Baltimore, MD
  • Trinity Washington University, Washington D.C.
  • Academy of Notre Dame High School, Villanova, Pennsylvania
  • Maryvale Preparatory School, Brooklandville, Maryland
  • Trinity School, Ellicott City, Maryland

Beyond the Classroom:

  • Hope CommUnity Center, empowering immigrants and working poor families, Apopka, FL 
  • Women’s Prison Ministry, “Camille Graham Prison,” Columbia, SC, supporting incarcerated women
  • Christ House for Homeless Men, Washington, DC, supporting men from the streets of DC who are sick
  • Africa Faith and Justice Network, Washington, DC, educating African Religious Sisters from a variety of Congregations ministering throughout Africa
  • Environmental Concerns Projects, including Land Conservation, Chase City, VA
  • Pastoral Associate, The Holy Rood Parish collaborative, Chelmsford/Lowell, MA
  • Pastoral Minister, Family Therapist, Marriage Tribunal, Diocese of Orlando, FL
  • Ministry with Asylees and Refugees, Borders of Arizona and Texas
  • Pastoral Counseloring
  • Saint Jerome Child Care Center
  • Parish and Migrant Ministry

Outreach Programs:

  • Asylee Women Empowerment
  • English as another language
  • Support SND Haiti Projects, Bakery and Clean Water Facility

Ministry stories

  • Prison Ministry in South Carolina

    Prison Ministry in South Carolina

    There are 21 state-Correctional Institutions in South Carolina. There are 19 for men and 2 for women. These Correctional Institutions do not include jails or detention centers – these facilities are located in each county. The CIs are defined as Minimum Security, Medium Security and Close Security. It has been almost three years since we

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  • History of the Julie Community Center: serving Baltimore

    History of the Julie Community Center: serving Baltimore

    The Julie Community Center (JCC) was established in 1975 by Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur and residents of East Baltimore.  Incorporated in September of 1976 as a 501 (c)(3), the Center has served the southeast and east Baltimore communities for over 40 years.  The JCC has functioned as a partnership with the residents of

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