In 2019 I celebrated 60 years as a Sister of Notre Dame de Namur. My life in Notre Dame has been blessing upon blessing. I am daughter of Raymond and Anna McCormick, and the younger sister of Claire and Raymond. Claire entered the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur when I was not quite two years old so I literally grew up in the arms of our Sisters. I attended the Academy of Notre Dame, Villanova, from first grade through high school.
As a small child, I resisted any suggestion that I might follow Claire into the convent. With time, however, the call became stronger and a few months after our high school graduation, I arrived with the rest of my “band” to join the postulate at Ilchester.
In our early years, we were exposed to the rigors of a Trinity College education together with the challenges of a church and SNDdeN community undergoing the profound changes of Vatican II. These influences shaped me and enabled me to mature in appreciation of my calling.
I spent 17 years in the ministry of financial service to the Province and Trinity College. During this time, I joined the Reflection Centre where I was exposed to issues affecting developing countries. Then challenged by my own lack of understanding of the causes of the world's inequality, I asked to pursue postgraduate study in International Affairs. From that came my first African visit in 1983, and, as we sometimes say, “The rest is history.”
I have been blessed with more than 30 years of life and ministry in Kenya. During these years, I have taught undergraduate and post-graduate students at the University of Nairobi. I have supervised academic work and acted as a mentor. I have made close friends among my colleagues and neighbors, and received great support and kindness. I have belonged to a Notre Dame community that has to my great joy become predominantly Kenyan. And now retirement: a challenge to be, to do, and to allow our Good God to continue to work.
Ministries
Educator
Academy of Notre Dame, Square, Philadelphia, PA
Trinity Preparatory School, Ilchester, MD
Academy of Notre Dame, K Street, Washington, DC – Teacher and Co-Principal
University of Nairobi, Nairobi, Kenya
Service to the Sisters
SNDdeN,Maryland Province, Baltimore, MD – Treasurer
Trinity College, Washington, DC – Treasurer and Interim President
Consortium of Universities, Financial Advisor to Executive Director
SNDdeN, Maryland Province, Washington, DC – Staff to Board of Trustees
SNDdeN Kenya Region, Nairobi, Kenya – Treasurer