“God is good … all the time and all the time … God is good.”
Gwynette Proctor entered the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur in August, 1980. On the occasion of her 40th Jubilee as a Sister she wrote the following reflection in 2020:
"Born into the long-time Catholic culture of Southern Maryland, I am daughter of Yolanda and Leon Proctor, raised in Baltimore with four siblings and innumerable foster brothers and sisters.
"From Frostburg State College I became a teacher in Baltimore City. During that time, “I was invited.” That’s how I came to realize a calling to be a Sister of Notre Dame de Namur. I met a Sister of Notre Dame de Namur who was involved in an Adult Peer Retreat Program as I was and she asked: “Have you ever thought of being a Sister?”
"My dedication to education in its many forms matched the mission of theCongregation. As the daughter of a school teacher, I valued the profession and emulated my mother in following it. In 1984, in collaboration with the Archdiocese of Baltimore, I worked as the Coordinator of Urban Youth Ministry and founded a program of spiritual, educational and leadership development for young Black lives, the Harambee Catholic Youth Organization.
"Later I served in a variety of educational and leadership positions: Principal of Academy of Notre Dame in D.C.; Executive Director of the National Black Sisters Conference; Director of Baltimore’s Catholic Charities programs: Our Daily Bread, a soup kitchen, and Christopher Place Employment Academy, a residential program of education and job training for formerly homeless men.
"Notre Dame Education Center in Lawrence, Mass. called in 2002. As Executive Director I learned of many different cultures and was inspired by peoples’ determination to learn the English language, obtain a GED or acquire appropriate job skills. After serving on the SNDdeN National Leadership Team for several years, I became Director of the Office of Black Catholic Ministries in the Archdiocese of Baltimore.
"My years as a Sister of Notre Dame have been enriching and challenging. I continue to be inspired by Julie’s commitment to 'stand with and for the poor and oppressed in the most abandoned places.' I will continue to work toward 'right relationships' that empower people and promote 'justice, equality and equity' for all in our communities.
'God is good … all the time and all the time … God is good.'"