As Sister Yvonne Bondi, SNDdeN, remembers it, Sisters had always been a part of her life.
As a child, Sister Yvonne and her brother John went to Sacred Heart School and later she attended Notre Dame High School—both in San Jose, Calif.
“The Sisters inspired me," she says. "They projected happiness, and were always kind.”
While these traits kindled her desire to become a Sister, her parents weren’t keen on the idea but finally relented, saying, “If this makes you happy.”
Yvonne entered the convent right after graduation. Later, as Sister Marie Denise, she began teaching at Notre Dame Girls’ School in San Francisco.
Sister Yvonne is ever thankful that in those early days of teaching she had good mentors and experienced Sisters who knew the ropes.
She would later become that good mentor to others. As Shyrl McCormick remembers:
“Sister Yvonne was a good friend and mentor when she was the principal of St. Louise de Marillac School in Covina, Calif. I was a junior high school teacher (1968-1970), and her kindness and support meant so much. Under her leadership I got to initiate all kinds of things that helped me develop professionally.”
Sister Yvonne also remembers her first time teaching boys (at Madonna del Sasso in Salinas, Calif.). One day, she decided to teach her class the “Star Spangled Banner.” When the song reached the “rockets’ red glare, the bombs bursting in air” all the boys started making loud bomb and gun noises.
All Sister Yvonne could do was laugh.
In 1974, she had the opportunity to take advantage of the Mini-Arc spiritual renewal program in Rome. In the post-Vatican II rapidly changing world, Sister says, “It was good for me to take part in this program and see that our Sisters are part of a bigger picture with a global vision.”
After Rome, Sister Yvonne was sent to Holy Family School in Hawaii and served there as co-principal with Sister Louise O’Reilly. Sister Yvonne immediately fell in love with the beauty and culture of the islands.
In all, Sister Yvonne taught for 38 years in 12 different schools. She considers them joyous years.
Today, Sister Yvonne keeps very active serving as a spiritual director and the coordinator for the Sisters' Mission Appeals program.
She also volunteers at Samaritan House, where she helps prepare meals for homeless people.
“I am so grateful to be part of the SNDdeN community and for all the other people who have come into my life. I have learned that family extends to the whole world.”
Watch Sister Yvonne's reflection on hope, taken at the time of her 70th Jubilee, here:
Ministries
1956-1958 – Notre Dame Elementary School, San Francisco, Calif. Teacher, Grades 3 & 4
1958-1960 – Madonna del Sasso School, Salinas, Calif. Teacher, Grade 3
1960-1962 – St.Joseph Elementary School , Alameda, Calif. Teacher, Grade 3
1962- 1964 – Junipero Serra School, Carmel, Calif. Teacher, Grades 6 & 8
1964-1965 – St.Mark School, Seattle, Wash. Teacher, Grade 8
1965-1968 – Notre Dame School, Chico, Calif. Teacher, Grade 8
1968- 1973 – St. Louise de Marillac School, Covina , Calif. Principal, Grade 5
1973-1975 – Sacred Heart School, Saratoga, Calif. Teacher, Grade 6
1974 – Summer Renewal Program- Mini-Arc Program, Rome, Italy
1975-1976 – Holy Family School, Honolulu, Hawaii Teacher, Grade 4
1976-1981 – Holy Family School, Honolulu, Hawaii Principal
1981-1982 – Most Holy Trinity School, San Jose, Calif. Teacher, Grade 8
1982-1984 – House of Prayer, Carmel, Calif. Staff
1984-1991 – Sacred Heart School, Salinas, Calif. Principal
1991-1992 – Sabbatical Year, Study / 30 Day Retreat
1992-1996 – St. Elizabeth Seton School, Palo Alto, Calif. Teacher, Grade 6