Partnering in Mission
Parallax Sunflower
Program Overview
Partnering in Mission is an orientation program welcoming new teachers and staff into the network of Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur sponsored ministries and schools. The program offers an in-depth view of the history of the congregation, its mission and purpose, Catholic social thought, Notre Dame de Namur Hallmarks, and the spirituality and vocation of a Notre Dame de Namur educator. Sessions include presentations and time for small group sharing and discussion.
Program Objectives
- Learn about the SNDdeN mission, history, and current activities of the Sisters and their ministries.
- Connect with fellow teachers and staff across the national and global SNDdeN network.
- Discover educational and classroom resources on social and environmental justice, Catholic social thought, and the Hallmarks.
- Develop professionally and personally as a mission leader at your school.
Meeting Schedule
Six meetings per academic year held once per month on Zoom.
Mondays – Each session is offered twice per day to accommodate schedules.
- Eastern: 3:45 pm and 6:15 pm – Register for Early Session
- Pacific: 12:45 pm and 3:15 pm Pacific – Register for Late Session
Dates for 2025-26:
- October 6 | November 3 | December 1, 2025
- February 9 | March 2 | April 13, 2026
Monday, October 6, 2025
Eastern: 3:45 pm or 6:15 pm | Pacific: 12:45 pm or 3:15 pm
Pre-Work:
| Read: |
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| Watch: | Optional: Watch first 15 min of video: “Saint Julie Billiart and the Mission of the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur“ |
| Think About: |
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Additional Resources:
- Select Bibliography on St. Julie Billiart (pdf)
- Slides from Session 1 (pdf)
- Zoom recording from Session 1 below:
Videos about St. Julie and the History of the Congregation:
- St. Julie Billiart and the Mission of the SNDdeNs Yesterday and Today (:30)
- Sisters in Ministry: The Gospel in Action (:05)
- The History of Nuns in 5 minutes (:05)
Websites about the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur:
Monday, November 3, 2025
Eastern: 3:45 pm or 6:15 pm | Pacific: 12:45 pm or 3:15 pm
Pre-Work:
| Read: | |
| Watch: | Introducing the 7 Hallmarks (16 min) *Adjust the playback speed on the bottom righthand corner, as you see fit. |
| Think About: |
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Additional Resources:
- Hallmarks Collateral & Flipbook
- Hallmarks Retreat – Two-Day gathering of Notre Dame educators held in CA and MA annually. Speak to your principal to sign up.
Monday, December 1, 2025
Eastern: 3:45 pm or 6:15 pm | Pacific: 12:45 pm or 3:15 pm
Pre-Work:
- “Overview of the Catholic Social Tradition,” from See, Judge, Act: Catholic Social Teaching and Service Learning , by Erin Brigham, pp. 19-27, 33-34.
- Hearts as Wide and World: Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur at the United Nations from Good Works, October 2024.
- Watch: Global Sisters Report: The Gospel in Action (5:31 min) Featuring Sisters Dorothy Stang, and Mary Alice McCabe, SNDdeN
- Watch: Catholic Social Teaching in 2 Minutes (2 min)
Reflection Questions:
- How do you see connections between the global agenda of the SNDdeNs and the work that you do or the work that you see happening at your school?
- What are some of the principles of Catholic social teaching that come through in your work and teaching? What could you expand upon?
Additional Resources:
- SNDdeN Justice, Peace & Integrity of Creation
- Education for Justice - Free membership for SNDdeN educators. Register here.
- Global Sisters Report – In The Classroom
- Ignatian Solidarity Network
- 7 Themes of Catholic Social Teaching
Monday, February 9, 2026
Eastern: 3:45 pm or 6:15 pm | Pacific: 12:45 pm or 3:15 pm
Pre-Work:
- U.S. sister killed in the Amazon honored at Rome ‘new martyrs’ shrine from Global Sisters Report
- Review the Dorothy Stang Resource Page
- Watch: The Life and Legacy of Sister Dorothy Stang (9:27)
- Review: Laudato Si’ encyclical by Pope Francis (2015) & Catholic Climate Covenant resources
Reflection Questions:
- What do you find most inspiring about Sr. Dorothy Stang’s story? What do you find most challenging?
- Consider a personal or professional change you would like to make to increase your commitment to environmental justice.
Additional Resources:
- Resources on Sr. Dorothy Stang (articles, video links, photos, speakers)
- Laudato Si Action Platform
- Clean Water for Life
- The Letter: A Message for Our Earth (film)
- Sowing Goodness: EW Province magazine on climate initiatives
- Select Bibliography on Sr. Dorothy Stang, SNDdeN (pdf)
Monday, March 2, 2026
Eastern: 3:45 pm or 6:15 pm | Pacific: 12:45 pm or 3:15 pm
Pre-Work:
- Cherished Belonging: The Healing Power of Love in Divided Times, Introduction, by Greg Boyle (12 pages)
- Review Hallmark 5
- Watch: Cherished Belonging: The Healing Power of Love in Divided Times (TedX-style talk by Fr. Greg Boyle, SJ) (17 minutes)
Reflection Questions:
- How is the SNDdeN mission related to inclusion, and vice-versa?
- Think of a time when you were changed for the better by an unexpected visitor.
Additional Resources:
- SNDdeN Anti-Racism Task Force – Statements & Stories
- Resources for Equity Work Select bibliography by Notre Dame San Jose High School
- National Black Sisters Conference
- Sr. Thea Bowman, FSPA About | Legacy and Resources
Monday, April 13, 2026
Eastern: 3:45 pm or 6:15 pm | Pacific: 12:45 pm or 3:15 pm
Pre-Work:
- Characteristics of a Notre Dame Mission Spirituality (pdf)
- St. Julie Letter (pdf)
- Personal Vocation and Social Conscience, by John Neafsy (pdf)
- To Heaven on Foot, Sr. Mary Linscott SND (pdf)
Reflection Questions:
- How has your vocation changed over time? What is your “calling” at this moment/time in your life?
- How has your work/ministry/career shaped who you are?
- What values are most important to you as an educator?