The Sisters of Notre Dame are an international congregation with sisters ministering in Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda. The Sisters of Notre Dame of the United States, employees, associates, and donors were delighted with the opportunity to welcome Sister Christine Syombua, SND, delegation superior, and Sister Therese Marie Nabakka, SND, delegation treasurer from the East Africa Delegation during their recent trip to the United States. The Sisters spent time visiting each region; Chardon, OH, Toledo, OH, Thousand Oaks, CA, and Covington, KY. They gave presentations in each area. For a recording of this year’s annual update, as well as previous presentations, visit our video archive.
Chardon, OH – Sr. Christine and Sr. Therese Marie were welcomed to the United States with a trip to Niagara Falls, which Sr. Therese Marie said she had longed to see since she learned about it in school. The Sisters also hosted a Lunch and Learn at the Chardon Provincial Center for SNDs and employees to attend in person and virtually. Sr. Christine gave updates on the African missions begun by SNDs from India and USA. Sr. Christine is one of 89 SNDs in the East Africa Delegation: 45 perpetual professed and 44 temporary professed. There are also 35 Africans in early formation years, 25 candidates and 7 SNDs from Papua New Guinea. Sr. Therese Marie spoke about SND ministries of education, social work, pastoral work, health care and farming.
Toledo, OH – During their U.S. visit, Sr. Christine and Sr. Therese Marie explored the Toledo Region and participated in several significant events. Their time in Toledo began with coffee with a generous donor who has an affinity for the African delegation followed by an ice cream social with SND employees who were thrilled to participate in a lively Q&A session. Throughout their eight-day visit they made stops at the SND administrative office, Our Lady, Queen of the Most Holy Rosary Cathedral and the shores of Lake Erie in downtown Toledo. While staying in Toledo, they took a daytrip to Delphos, Ohio where in 1876 the Sisters of Notre Dame laid the cornerstone at St. John the Evangelist Parish where our foundress, Sr. Maria Aloysia Wolbring, ministered. Sr. Christine and Sr. Therese Marie were able to attend the Toledo public Jubilee celebration, and were taken on tours of Rosary Care Center, Maria Early Learning Center, Notre Dame Academy and the Novitiate House. A special highlight during their time in Northwest Ohio was a trip to the Basilica and National Shrine of Our Lady of Consolation in Carey, Ohio. The week concluded with an Associates’ gathering and a farewell cookout and bonfire. The Toledo sisters and staff cherished the opportunity to connect with Sr. Christine and Sr. Therese Marie and appreciated learning more about the SND African delegation.
Thousand Oaks, CA – Many heartfelt reunions marked Sr. Christine and Sr. Therese Marie’s time in California. In addition to their stay at Notre Dame Center, they spent time with each of the California sisters who served as missionaries in Uganda. They also reconnected with current and past congregational leaders who have made regular visits to the missions in East Africa. In addition to donor visits and events, the Sisters were able to meet LA Archdiocesan leaders in the Propagation of the Faith office, staff from the Hilton Fund for Sisters, and parishioners from St. Julie Billiart Parish in Newbury Park, who have supported the Uganda mission. They also enjoyed two days in Los Angeles with Uganda pioneer missionary Sr. Jane Marie McHugh and her students at St. Dominic’s School in Eagle Rock, CA.
Covington, KY – During their visit to our Covington Region, East African Delegation Sisters Christine and Therese Marie enjoyed meeting our sisters, staff and friends as they visited the Notre Dame Urban Education Center, the Cathedral Basilica of the Assumption and St. Charles Community including Lourdes Hall. At St. Agnes School in Ft. Wright, KY and St. Columban School in Loveland, OH, they spoke with students and staff, describing our worldwide commitment to education. They also met with the team at The Bridges Ministry in Lancaster, OH to witness our partnership and collaboration with other mission-driven organizations. A highlight of their visit to Covington was an ice cream social with the staff at Julie Early Learning Center, a gathering filled with laughs and fellowship! While Sr. Christine and Sr. Therese Marie’s itinerary was full of sightseeing and touring new places, what they cherished most was building relationships across our different cultures and experiencing the familiar SND spirit and charism that made them feel right at home!
