In preparation for our 175th Anniversary Gala in Boston, Massachusetts, we're posting a three-part story from our summer magazine, Sowing Goodness, detailing the history and impact the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur have contributed to the New England region. Read part one and part two of this series.
175 Years in New England: Part Three
Global Expansion
Early 20th Century through Today
The Sisters’ global reach expanded in 1924 when they ventured to Japan. Celebrating a century of Mission and ministry, today there is a thriving province, school and university. In 1931, the Sisters opened a school in Rome, Italy. In 1946, they assumed leadership roles at Mary, Star of the Sea School in Honolulu, Hawaii.
Notre Dame Spirituality Center
The spirituality of the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur is characterized by the call to discover and become the very goodness of God in our world. The Sisters commit themselves to deepening their relationships with God, one another, those living in poverty and the whole of creation. In living their mission, they seek abundance for all and have found a way to share their charism through the Notre Dame Spirituality Center in Ipswich. Established in 1998 and open to the public, the Spirituality Center provides a contemplative setting and spiritual and educational opportunities to enable others to profoundly experience life’s goodness.
Responding to the Needs of the Time
Ongoing Educational Institutions & Social Services
• St. Patrick School in Lowell (1952) |
Project Care and Concern – Dorchester, Massachusetts
Project Care and Concern (PCC), under the direction of Sister Joyce McMullen, SNDdeN, responds to the needs of low-income families, youth and senior citizens by helping folks attain their fundamental human rights whenever they have been deprived. Their mission is to build nurturing communities in Dorchester where children are cherished, families are supported and older adults are respected. The program’s impact has grown over the years and now includes senior citizen services and programs, summer camps for children, a food pantry and a thrift shop.
Notre Dame Education Center – Lawrence, Massachusetts
Notre Dame Education Center – Lawrence (NDEC-L) is proud to be a bridge of hope for adults in the Greater Lawrence area, seeking to improve their lives and families through education and community engagement. NDEC-L is an inclusive learning community where diverse, underserved adults enrich their lives through education and gain the tools necessary for enhanced professional opportunity and community engagement. NDEC-L provides English language and citizenship classes, skills training and leadership development—tuition-free or low-cost—in a learning environment that is welcoming, respectful and dignified.
Cuvilly Arts and Earth Center – Ipswich, Massachusetts
The Cuvilly Arts and Earth Center, located in Ipswich, stands on the ancestral homelands of the Pawtucket People. The Center opened in 1984 on the premises of a former dairy farm. Through educational programs and community building that address ecological justice issues, the Cuvilly Arts and Earth Center inspires people of all ages, preschool through adult, to explore their innate creativity and connection to the earth. The Center strives to model ecological sustainability in a space that embraces the belief that all life is sacred and the diversity of life is essential for the planet’s well-being.
Deep Roots and a Flourishing Future
True to the founding Mission of St. Julie, the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur’s commitment to share their charism remains unwavering. Over 175 years, they traversed every diocese in New England, enriching communities with their educational legacy. Today, they remain the longest-serving religious congregation of women in the Archdiocese of Boston, their deep roots epitomized by academic institutions and social service endeavors throughout New England. Countless Sisters still serve in parishes, schools and service agencies throughout New England, tending to the flourishing examples of God’s goodness planted long ago. Through resilience, compassion and dedication, the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur have left an indelible mark on generations of students and communities, ensuring an enduring legacy of goodness that continues to inspire.
⋘ Read part two of An Enduring Legacy of Goodness
