Laudato Seeds of Change
An Immersion Experience with the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur
Our inaugural Laudato Seeds of Change immersion program was held in June at our facilities in Ipswich, Massachusetts, where a small group of women was challenged to engage more deeply with Laudato Si’ and respond to the current ecological crisis, which is rooted in overconsumption and disregard for the natural world.
Laudato Seeds of Change is dedicated to cultivating and nurturing the “seeds of goodness” that flourish in our world today, particularly those found within our Community of Creation. Embracing our deep kinship with all of Creation, we worked collaboratively with the land in Ipswich, deepened our spiritual bonds with the Earth and one another and moved beyond an anthropocentric worldview, allowing the land itself to transform, teach and guide us.
Program Overview
In the United States and around the world, we are called to fundamentally change how we live. As Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur, we live in hope for a brighter future, one grounded in advocacy for the whole Community of Creation.
This immersion experience invites participants to rediscover their place within that community, to move beyond an anthropocentric worldview, and to honor their deep interconnectedness and interdependence with the natural world.
Rooted in community, simple living and lifelong learning, the program brings together laywomen and vowed religious to share in the joy of Creation.
Each morning, participants work at Cuvilly Arts & Earth Center, engaging in activities such as organic farming, animal care and land restoration, hands‑on practices that deepen awareness of our relationship with the Earth. Afternoons offer time for education, reflection and spiritual direction. Weekends include additional opportunities for community and exploration, such as visits to local historic sites related to care for Creation, presentations by regional conservation groups, and shared social outings.
Participants live communally in dorm‑style postulant housing at the Notre Dame Spirituality Center, with daily opportunities to connect with the Sisters and their charism. They will also learn about the Sisters’ mission, history and ongoing commitments to social and ecological justice, while helping discern how this work of building community with Creation continues today.
Join Us in 2027!
Interested in joining us next year? Please reach out for more information: vocations@ewsndden.org or 650-486-2177; otherwise, watch for announcements on our web and social media sites.