A Lifetime of Hospitality

By Rachael Bertone

This article initially appeared in the inaugural issue of our magazine, 'Sowing Goodness.' The full issue is available here.

During her 65 years as a Sister of Notre Dame de Namur, Jeanette Braun, SNDdeN has had many roles. Yet whether teaching, producing television shows, working with NDMV-AmeriCorps volunteers or in any of her ministries, Sister Jeannette sees a common thread woven through them.

A loving spirit of welcome was a gift that she received from her parents; growing up, there was always room at the Braun’s table for a lonely neighbor or someone in need. It’s no surprise, then, that her latest, longest and last formal ministry has been to do just that.

Since 2012, Sister Jeanette has been director of the Table of Plenty (TOP), a non-profit organization that provides a weekly supper for the elderly, struggling families and people without homes in the Half Moon Bay, California community. As she and volunteer helpers welcome and nourish the guests, they live out Sister Jeanette’s favorite quote from St. Julie: “Our charity must not be limited by the love we have for one another. We must have hearts as wide as the world.”

Over the years, the organization has served more than 100,000 meals, and there have been hundreds of volunteers, including SNDdeN Associates. Their efforts have not gone unnoticed. top has been sustained by generous donations and grants, and in March 2022 Sister Jeanette received a Jefferson Award for Public Service for her work.

*Ellen Chiri, new TOP director with Sister Jeanette Braun in the TOP kitchen.*

Sister Jeanette is stepping down from her role as director of top, leaving it in the good hands of a new director and refreshed board of directors. “I am filled with pride and gratitude,” she wrote when announcing the changes, for “what we as a community have accomplished, not only in serving over 100,000 meals, but meals served with loving hospitality and respect to our neighbors in need.”

Naturally, being an SNDdeN, her days of ministry are never over. Among other projects, she plans to be a Table of Plenty volunteer—and also a guest!

If you would like to contribute to the Sisters and their ministries, click here. Your generosity allows us to continue to support the mission of the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur U.S. East-West.