Thank you for your interest in the inaugural Laudato Seeds of Change immersion program with the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur. We are excited to invite you to apply for this program, where we will foster opportunities for action, where all participants will commit to lifestyle change and spiritual renewal – discerning how they can shift from an attitude of stewardship to one of kinship.
This program is rooted in community. Participants will live communally in dorm-style postulant housing at the Spirituality Center. They will also have an opportunity to engage with sisters in the Ipswich community, learning about their mission, history, and current commitments and actions for social and ecological justice. 
Please read through these instructions fully before beginning your application process.
In this year’s program, we will be accepting up to seven (7) women who are at least twenty (20) years old for two weeks between Sunday, June 21 and Sunday, July 5, 2026. You must be able to provide your own transportation to the Boston area. You must come into the program alone (no dependents, spouses or pets can accompany you). Your basic needs (housing and food) will be provided as part of this comprehensive retreat experience. If you have specific questions about these requirements, please reach out to Sabrina Harper sharper@ewsndden.org.
The 2026 cohort application consists of three parts, and your application will not be considered complete until all pieces are received. The application’s priority deadline is February 28, 2026. The final deadline for consideration is April 30, 2026.
- The first part of the application is the form found here.
- The second part of the application is comprised of a longer-form self-reflection questions that can be found here. You can type your responses in a document or respond orally in video format. When complete, please send your responses to Sabrina Harper (sharper@ewsndden.org)
- Finally, you will need to submit two references: one personal and one professional or educational. Guidelines for these references can be found here.
Application Timeline:
- Priority Application Deadline – February 28, 2026
- Final Application Deadline – April 30, 2026
- Interview and discernment process will take place through March and April 2026.
- Accepted and participating applications will sign a letter of intent by mid-May.
- Arrival at the Notre Dame Spirituality Center in Ipswich, Massachusetts, will be June 21, 2026.
If you have any questions throughout the application process, please reach out to Sabrina Harper at sharper@ewsndden.org or 650-286-4177.