A History of SNDdeN Associates in Alabama  

Once the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur got settled in Alabama starting in the 1970s, they began laying the foundation for a thriving Associates community in the Diocese of Birmingham that still lives the charism of St. Julie today.

Sister Janelle Sevier, SNDdeN at an Alabama Associates meeting.

A lively group gathered for a recent Alabama Associates meeting.

The longevity of the Alabama Associates program can be traced to three Sisters who planted the seeds of God’s goodness among women from various parishes.

Sisters Patricia Seward, Marguerite Gannon and Catherine Griffiths, SNDdeN taught prospective Associates about St. Julie Billiart and the charisms of simplicity, charity, prayer and dedication to educating the poor. Betty Teague was the first Associate in Alabama to make her commitment in 1991, and the following year, 18 new Associates joined her in a commitment ceremony at St. Barnabas Church.   

For the past 35 years, Alabama Associates have met faithfully. Sister Janelle Sevier, SNDdeN of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, is their spiritual director, guiding the group as it gathers for prayer, discussion and service opportunities. Past projects have included collecting Christmas gifts for the families of hospitalized children, collecting school supplies for SNDdeN ministries in Africa and supporting the African Photovoltaic Project.  

And each February, they celebrate SNDdeN Foundation Day together, recommitting themselves to the charism of the Sisters.

We thank our good God for his faithfulness in leading the Alabama Associates to spread the Gospel and share God’s goodness with the world. 

— Submitted by Associates Mary Sahawneh and Rosemary Gagliano, AND who both made their commitments in 1992.