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:
To view full screen, click the word “Vimeo” in bottom right of video.
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.
- Zoom recording from Session 2
To view full screen, click the word “Vimeo” in bottom right of video.
Monday, December 1, 2025
Eastern: 3:45 pm or 6:15 pm | Pacific: 12:45 pm or 3:15 pm
Pre-Work:
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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
- Zoom recording from Session 3
To view full screen, click the word “Vimeo” in bottom right of video.
Monday, February 9, 2026
Eastern: 3:45 pm or 6:15 pm | Pacific: 12:45 pm or 3:15 pm
Pre-Work:
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| Watch: | |
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Additional Resources:
- 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)
- Zoom recording from Session 4
To view full screen, click the word “Vimeo” in bottom right of video.
Monday, March 2, 2026
Eastern: 3:45 pm or 6:15 pm | Pacific: 12:45 pm or 3:15 pm
Pre-Work:
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Hallmark 5: We embrace the gift of diversity
- We welcome to our community people of diverse cultures, ethnicities, races,
socio-economic circumstances, genders, ages, sexual orientations, and faith traditions. - We develop inclusive educational programs that expand our knowledge and
understanding as we honor and celebrate the diversity in our world. - We initiate strategies and support services that respect individual learning styles while
building each person’s self-esteem. - We work to reform unjust structures that perpetuate systemic racism and inequality.
Additional Resources:
- Statement by the SNDdeN Anti-Racism Team
- Prayers for Racial Justice and Reconciliation
- National Black Sisters Conference
- Resources for Equity Work from Notre Dame San Jose
- Sr. Thea Bowman Legacy and Resources
- Zoom recording from Session 5
To view full screen, click the word “Vimeo” in bottom right of video.
Monday, April 13, 2026
Eastern: 3:45 pm or 6:15 pm | Pacific: 12:45 pm or 3:15 pm
Pre-Work:
| Read: | |
| Think About: |
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Additional Resources:
- St. Julie Letter
- To Heaven on Foot, by Sister Mary Linscott SNDdeN
- Zoom recording from Session 6
To view full screen, click the word “Vimeo” in bottom right of video.