How We Serve

The Sisters of Notre Dame serve in a variety of ministries across the United States of America in response to the need of God’s people.

We are engaged in education, from pre-school to university, at all socio-economic levels, as teachers, administrators, and tutors. We strengthen our educational principles through teacher training and mentoring, concentrating on the education of the whole person: intellectual, spiritual, emotional, and physical.

Many of our sisters work in parish catechesis, sacramental preparation, and faith formation with children and adults, pastoral ministry with the sick and homebound, and outreach and education for social justice, especially for human dignity and preservation of earth’s resources.

Sisters help people grow in their relationship with God through retreat work and spiritual direction, ministry with youth and young adults, vocation ministry, and the Associate Program.

Sisters of Notre Dame serve in health care and administration, hospices, homes for children, and senior living facilities. They offer spiritual comfort and bereavement support, and provide mental health counseling.

In our commitment to justice, peace, and the integrity of creation, we provide education and outreach to assist migrant and refugee families, and individuals who are trafficked, homeless, and incarcerated.

Chardon, OH Ministries

Cleveland, Ohio, was the first US address of the Sisters of Notre Dame when they arrived from Germany in 1874. After 85 years in Cleveland, the SND provincial center moved in 1960 to Chardon, east of Cleveland in Geauga county. The urban, industrial areas of Northeast Ohio around Cleveland, Akron and Youngstown have become a center for health care, higher education, the arts, and home to diverse communities of hard-working people. Here the sisters and associates continue to serve in ministries of education and spiritual growth, especially with women and children on society’s margins.

Covington, KY Ministries

Two Sisters of Notre Dame arrived in Covington, Kentucky in 1874, missioned to teach at the Mother of God parish school. From there SND ministries in the Northern Kentucky region have expanded–with great enthusiasm and community support—from education to health care, child care, young adult ministry and social outreach. The Covington region is known for its unique combination of small-town warmth and worldly amenities, making it a hub for powerful charitable outreach and personal connections.

Los Angeles, CA Ministries

Sisters of Notre Dame were missioned to Los Angeles from Cleveland in 1924. Today, the SNDs and Associates minister in the Archdiocese of Los Angeles, home to 4.3 million Catholics in 300 parishes, with Sunday Eucharist celebrated in 42 languages. Southern California is synonymous with diversity—beaches, aerospace, immigrants, entertainment media, mountains, technology, agriculture, pharmaceuticals, manufacturing, deserts—and each of these realities also represents an opportunity to radiate God’s goodness and provident care. A true house of love.

Toledo, OH Ministries

In 1876, the Sisters of Notre Dame traveled to St John the Evangelist Parish in Delphos, Ohio to begin the cornerstone foundation of the future Toledo Region. It was there that our foundress, Sister Maria Aloysia Wolbring ministered. Other affiliations soon were established and in 1924, the Toledo Region was formed. Today, the pioneer spirit of our Delphos Sisters lives on in the Sisters of the Toledo region. In education, parish ministry, community service, justice and peace work, and in spirituality, the Sisters of Notre Dame and our Associates embody God’s goodness and provident care where the need is greatest.

Global Missions

One Heart. One Hope. One Mission.

Consecrated for mission in the Church, we serve people, especially those who experience poverty in its various forms, through education and other ministries. We place special emphasis on catechesis so that we may help others to grow in faith and confidence in God our Father.