All posts by snddenGW

ABOUT This blog is an experiment from our initial Good Works blog on WordPress (snddenGW). Good Works is our printed international Mission Support magazine. It is published three times a year by the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur’s Congregational Mission Office. A link to our downloadable, full edition .pdf file is available on our main website: sndden.org or our Good Works – International Magazine Archive. We are experimenting with this “2014 Theme″ template that is designed to automatically scale for desktop, tablet, and smart phone size screens. From your past feedback, we are learning that over 60 percent of you are sending prayer intentions from our mobile websites (if on a smart phone) and 40% from our main site from desktops and tablets. This blog edition will be “tweeted” and announced on Facebook when we are ready to “go pubic.” Please add your feedback in the comment section on any page. It will really be helpful and we move ahead with our social media efforts.

educating for life, Networking for Mission, Notre Dame Educational System

Facing Global Challenges: Mission for 100 Years

April 17, 2024 snddenGW Leave a comment

By Sr. Masako Miyake, SNDdeN

Left to right: Sr. Frances Helena, born Agnes Comber, Sr. Marie Lucilla, born Ellen Mulvaney, Sr. Agnes St. John, born Agnes Donnelly, Sr. Aimee Julie, born Louis Koppenhafer, Sr. Marie Raymond, born Margaret Mary Lane, in front: Sr. Marie Claire, born Elizabeth Leahy.

Gratitude for Mission
In August 2024, the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur (SNDdeN) will celebrate 100 years in Japan! Responding to the invitation from Archbishop Henry Döering, SJ in the Hiroshima Diocese, six SNDdeN from Massachusetts, left by ship from San Francisco, California, USA for Japan on July 22, 1924. With the exception of the Sr. Marie Claire Leahy, Superior of the Community, the five young Sisters were all in their 20s. They left on Mission without a strong preparation neither for the culture nor the language in Japan. Yet, all reports from that time indicate a joyful welcome and arrival in Okayama, without any hardships or confusion in understanding!

Challenges and Rich Roots
In September 1923, a major earthquake centered in Tokyo, left Japan suffering both socially and economically in 1924. This high school which the Sisters inherited was also facing serious problems. When our Sisters took over this school, they had serious difficulties in recruiting students due to a poor reputation with aging buildings and financial problems. Sr. Mary Claire Leahy, the new Principal returned briefly to the USA to enlist help from the Massachusetts Province. In a newsletter called “Uchiwa,” the school detailed the critical situation with a decision and plan for the construction of a new school building. The SNDdeN in the MA sister-schools organized and carried forward successfully a fundraising campaign. The children in these schools did not buy candy but instead put coins in the donation box to help the school in Japan.

At that time, the Sisters in Japan strengthened the curriculum in a System of Education with vibrant educational content and clear policies for the school. A school song expressed in poetry the Christian values and spirit in the Japanese culture. The second Principal, Sr. Mary Kostka Kemper, promoted vigorously the growth and development for the school which gradually merited a reputation of SNDdeN educational excellence among the people in Okayama.

Global Crisis: World War II
In December 1941, Japan and the United States entered a state of war. The school, directed by American Sisters, suffered a major impact when the Sisters were first placed under house arrest in a convent and
then imprisoned in a hostile national internment camp. The rules were strict: conversation was in Japanese, no going out, no contact with townspeople, but the warden in charge was warm. A place of worship was set up, and they could attend Mass every morning and at times, they went out to enjoy the cherry blossoms. After the war, the prison camp warden was baptized a Catholic and his daughter became a student at our Notre Dame school.

In January 1944, the American Sisters were deported to the U.S. on a prisoner-of-war exchange.

These are young women taught by the Sisters in the early days in Okayama. Three of these girls in the front row later became SNDdeN: Sisters Agatha Julie Hoshijima, Therese Nagata and Maria Julie Yasuda. They protected the school during the war.

During the war, Notre Dame Seishin Girls’ High School had 750 students. Three young Japanese SNDdeN Sisters, Marie Ignatius Aoki, Maria Julie Yasuda, and Agatha Julie Hoshijima, who had made their First Vows in the Novitiate in MA, remained at the school. Though their ties to the U.S. were viewed with suspicion and they were suspected of being spies, many parents and teachers trusted the Sisters and their education. Their SNDdeN hearts must have been heavily shaken at times in this serious war-time. The hardships of the Sisters, taking care of boarding students when food was so scarce, were immeasurable. And the graduates of these days hold today a special bond with each other and with our Sisters. Mr. Suzuki Shitomi, who became the President of the School Board, and Mr. Shunkichi Matsuura, the Principal of the school supported the Sisters and protected the school. They also tried to develop and established a “Josen” (Women’s Specialized School) which became the basis for the establishment of a four-year University after the war.

Sr. Mary Kostka Kemper, SNDdeN

Return To Japan
In October 1946, after the war, and after a four-year absence, seven American Sisters returned to Japan. At that time, in response to a reporter’s interview, Sr. Mary Kostka Kemper stated “I am very happy that the school, staff and students were all safe,” and “I will serve God and peace.” Her first words to the students were, “Your country is beautiful and you have a wonderful culture. Be proud of your country.” These words encouraged those who tended to lose faith in their own country, due to the hardships and defeat in the war. Sixteen American Sisters had served in Japan before World War II.

Growth of a Province
In 1956, the Novitiate opened in Kichijoji, Tokyo and new members came.

Between 1947 and 1956, 23 more American Sisters went on Mission to Japan.
1963 ~ Japan became a Vice‐Province of Massachusetts Province.
1975 ~ Japan became an independent Province.
The number of the Japanese Sisters increased year by year.

New convents opened gradually:
1963 ~ Shibukawa
1973 ~ Takaya Higashi Hiroshima
1972 ~ Tokushima
1977 ~ Kochi

In the year 2000, there were 57 Vowed Japanese Sisters. Only three SNDdeN Americans and one Sister from the British Province were serving then in Japan.

In 2003, a new convent with an itinerant church opened in Higashi-Hiroshima, and the new apostolate expanded there.

Priority for Education: University and Schools
Notre Dame Seishin Schools of the SNDdeN grew in step with the postwar reconstruction and development of Japan.
The following were founded/established:
1949 ~ Notre Dame Seishin University in Okayama
1950 ~ Notre Dame Seishin Junior and Senior High Schools in the city of Hiroshima
1961 ~ Notre Dame Seishin Junior College in Hiroshima
1964 ~ Niigata Seishin Girls’ High School

In 1964, Seishin Junior and Senior High Schools, the oldest SNDdeN school in Japan, were relocated from the cramped Okayama campus to Kurashiki (Shoson);

In 1965, the University established an attached Kindergarten.
In 1967, the University established an attached Elementary School.

In total, there were ten schools.

And now, the Japan Province is at a major turning point.

Collaboration in Education, Collaboration with the Church, Japan

Living in the Present with Hope for the Future

March 15, 2024 snddenGW Leave a comment

By Sr. Masako Miyake, SNDdeN

Since the early foundations of the Japan Province, we have been serving as Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur (SNDdeN) in giving Priority to Catholic Education. This is our GOAL from Kindergarten through University. People in Japan regard our Sisters as Women Religious who convey successfully a faith-based view of creation and humanity, educating with strong values for a viable life in a global society. We teach educational principles, apparently absent in many schools today! As directed by St. Julie Billiart, our Sisters EDUCATE the whole person for life!

Sisters Julie Immaculata Iwata, Kazue Miki, Gratia Marie Takaki, Frances Takagi, Minako Kanechiku, and in front, Assumpta Sato enjoy this pause for happy conversation.

The number of Catholics in Japan is small. Yet we believe that those who received their faith through Catholic schools are significant among our Japanese people! Only a few Catholic students are in each school. Usually none of them are baptized during their school days. Our alumnae live Christian values after graduation, and sometimes are baptized at the end of their lives. We are proud of the Christian impact on so many people through education.

Vocations to Religious Life
As in most developed countries in the Northern Hemisphere today, vocations to Religious Life in Japan have also declined significantly. Catholics have always been a minority (0.34% of population), and now the declining birthrate, diversifying values in religions have caused some of the decline. Also, the younger generation seems to refuse making commitments, even in marriage. Influenced too in this changing global society, with fewer Sisters, people do not experience the value and attractiveness of Women Religious, who work in educational ministries. Most Congregations in Japan, including SNDdeN, are facing an aging population and lack new vocations. Likewise, there are few lay people with whom we are able to share and to whom we can entrust our apostolate.

**Sr. Masako Miyake** teaches a multi-cultural group of children in First Communion class.

In recent decades, our diminished membership has resulted in closing several convents and moving on from some apostolates. At present, we are in four communities, with apostolates in one University and Graduate School, two Middle and High schools, one Elementary school, and two Kindergartens. Only a few Sisters work full time in school.
In the near future, we may need to reconstitute our ministries.

Facing the Future with Hope for the Church
Like so many areas in the world, the Church has diminished in the number of practicing Catholics. There are many parishes with no visible young Japanese. Among refugees and migrants in Japan, there are, however, some Catholics in the increasing numbers of young people and children of foreign nationalities and roots. Half of the Catholics in Japan belong to peoples with roots in other countries. We are inviting actively these new peoples to join our Notre Dame family, as in the parish at St. Julie’s in Higashi-Hiroshima.

Today, Japanese Bishops who are following Pope Francis in the movement for SYNODALITY are forward-looking. They are bringing alive the principles of the latest Encyclicals, Laudato Si’ and Fratelli Tutti.

Changing Society
In this increasingly diverse society, we have begun to encourage “belonging” in actively inviting young people to join the Notre Dame family. We need Sisters from other Notre Dame Units to join our mission in Japan. The Bishop of Hiroshima invited to a retreat week-end on August 19 and 20, 2023, 400 Vietnamese young Catholics with Sisters, priest and lay-teachers to our Seishin Schools in Kurashiki. The Vice-Principal, Masako Mori, a Catholic SNDdeN alumna, was a great help from the preparatory stage and on the days of the gathering. The Principal of the school and two SNDdeN, Sisters Saiko Nakamura and Kumiko Azuma witnessed by their presence the commitment, enthusiasm and hope of these young Vietnamese Catholics, in this two-day Gospel Experience.

In July 2023, **Bishop Paul Daisuke Narui, SVD from Niigata** directed a training session in Karuizawa, Nagano Prefecture, for 25 Formators on the theme *“Interculturality in Religious Congregations.”* The Japan Province Leadership Team asked Sr. Kumiko Azuma to participate in this Conference.

As some Church Leaders have re-energized migrant populations in Japan, others, like the Bishop of Niigata, have initiated meetings for the purpose of helping Women Religious in Formation to invite Vocations to Religious Life. This is surely a good sign by the Church for renewed hope for our SNDdeN in Japan. We are also encouraging our Sisters from other Provinces/Units to come again and join our Mission with a new generation in Japan.

**Bishop Alexio Mitsuru Shirahama** of the Hiroshima Diocese directed a retreat with 400 young Vietnamese Catholics at our SNDdeN schools in Kurashiki, Hiroshima! **Sisters Kumiko Azuma and Saiko Nakamura** were able to be present at some sessions of this weekend.

We hope that some NDdeN Associates will serve at St. Julie’s in Higashi-Hiroshima with new families. We need to consider the digital mission, a major force for communication today. The challenge of opening up to the next generation will bring new growth and hope. No matter how old we are, nor how small is our Province, our SNDdeN in Japan, give strong commitments, even in small ways. We will be a great support to any Sisters who come to serve in our Mission as wide as the world.

We pray with thanksgiving for the many people who have been good Friends and Partners in Mission over the past 100 years, throughout challenging times! Many are not Catholic nor even Christian. As we celebrate our Year of Jubilee in this 100th Anniversary, we are preparing to welcome new members, in reaffirming our calls to the Gospel Mission, the Church and our Congregation. Like the first six SNDdeN of 100 years ago and the Sisters who have walked through history with us, we are all missionaries sent for this time and place, to kindle the fire of our Mission and to proclaim continuously that our good God is so very good!

Collaboration in Education, Collaboration with the Church, Collaboration with the State, Collaboration: Village and Parish, Health Clinic, Hospital, Justice, Maternity Clinic, Mental Health, Ministry, Outreach, Peace-making

Diamond Jubilee Joy in Nigeria Province 1963-2023

March 13, 2024 snddenGW Leave a comment

by Sister Priscilla Aliu, SNDdeN

On February 2, 2023, as Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur (SNDdeN), we opened our Diamond Jubilee with Associates, and Friends in Mission. The Jubilee gong echoed in our Communities and Ministries, in remembering St. Julie Billiart and the goodness of God in the life of our Province. We lit candles to celebrate six themes in the decades of our SNDdeN History.

Jubilee Joy: 2023 Timeline

On April 15, Sisters explored with a Jesuit our “Ignatian & Notre Dame Spirituality.”
On May 13, Sisters joined in mini-celebrations across the four zones in Nigeria.
On August 10, Sisters and Friends gathered at the Redemptorist Pilgrimage Centre in Enugu, to thank Mary, whose name we bear as “Notre Dame.”
August 12, 2023, Eucharistic Liturgy and Reception for Diamond Jubilee Year.

Rosary Procession during the Marian Pilgrimage.

Highlights of the Jubilee Liturgy

The entire Province gathered to celebrate a Eucharistic Liturgy of Thanksgiving at Holy Ghost Cathedral at Enugu, with Most Reverend Anselm Umoren, MSP, officiating Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Abuja. The procession included two bishops, 50 priest-celebrants, the Province Leadership Team (PLT), and two Sisters of the Congregational Leadership Team (CLT). This threefold celebration included:
1) Perpetual Vow ceremony
2) Silver Jubilee of 5 Sisters
3) SNDdeN Diamond Jubilee.

Most Reverend Callistus Onaga, Bishop of the Diocese of Enugu, gave the welcome. He congratulated our Congregation for our Mission: “to serve the poor in the most abandoned places.” Bishop Onaga recalled his first meeting with our Sisters in Enugu Diocese. In 2001, having returned from Europe, he saw our Sisters living on a small stipend while teaching children, living in dire poverty, in the remote village of Ugwuomu, a place without water, roads and electricity. So impressed by our Sisters, he marvels still at our St. Julie Billiart, who gave such witness to her Sisters. He stressed the need NOW for SNDdeN, as followers of Jesus, to inspire more Religious Vocations in order to reach more people living in poverty and suffering from multiple crises in today’s world. Bishop Onaga praised and thanked our Sisters for our “work for humanity,” on our Diamond Jubilee!

CLT gifts to the Nigeria Province received by the Provincial Leadership Team.

Sisters Miriam Montero Bereche and Amarachi Ezeonu, SNDdeN (CLT from Rome) recognized with pride and joy the Nigerian Daughters of St. Julie, proclaiming God’s goodness through various ministries. She thanked the Province Leadership Team, Sisters Fidelia Chukwu (Province Moderator), Prisca Igbozulike and Monica Umeh, SNDdeN for their Leadership and growth in the Province. Sr. Miriam encouraged the Sisters in their ministries for children and adults. She asked us to invite more young women to join our Congregation, in becoming, like St. Julie, women of faith filled with love for God and God’s people! Sr. Amarachi Ezeonu brought a Blessing from Pope Francis to the Nigeria Province. This papal gift is a symbol of prophesy and witness of St. Julie’s ongoing commitment through her Sisters in Nigeria. The Sisters recognized and honored staff serving for many years in the Nigeria Province… province drivers, teachers in different schools, hospitals, clinics.

The Jubilee Celebration concluded with a joyful reception at the arena of the Cathedral with cultural dance – a day of thanksgiving for the Sisters, Friends, Families and good people of God at the Liturgy and Reception.

Growth of the Nigeria Province
We remember 1963, with the arrival by boat from the United Kingdom of three Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur in Oro, Kwara State. Sisters Ellen Gielty, Joan Mary Brown and Mary Dolores Greeley opened Notre Dame Girls’ Secondary School at the invitation of Monsignor William Mahoney, SMA. In 1967, we went to Edo State at the request of Bishop Kelly in Benin Archdiocese. He had travelled to the Generalate in Rome to beg Sr. Loretto Julia Carroll (Superior General) for Sisters to manage St. Angela’s Girls’ School in Uzairue. Later Families and Friends built there a Notre Dame Hospital.

Eight Sisters who make FINAL VOWS as SNDdeN at Cathedral in Enugu.
(L to R) Sisters Angela NNAMANI, Jacinta OJILIMOBE, Lilian ORAMAH, Nanadein PABOR, Rita OSIGWE, Saratu BAKO, Veronica PASCHAL
*and Virginia NNADI.*

We celebrate our Sisters in Nigeria
In 1980, the Congregation invited and received young Nigerian women to become SNDdeN. Through the following years more Nigerian women came. Our communities grew and our ministries expanded
with formation and education as a priority for our Sisters and their ministries. In 2000, we were 67 Nigerian Sisters, 7 British and 3 American SNDdeN serving in 13 Communities in the Nigeria Province.

In September 2023, L-R: Sisters Mary OLIKAGU, Chinaza NNEJI, Florence BAMEYI, Lilian
UWAH, Ngozichukwu EGBO, Genevieve UGOCHUKWU, Edna CHUKWUEMEKA, Grace LAWRENCE, and Blessing AGBONLAHOR made FIRST VOWS as SNDdeN at St. Philip Neri Church in Jattu.

On September 23, 2023, 9 Novices made First Vows. We are now 121 Professed Nigerian SNDdeN, with most serving in 18 Communities in Nigeria. Two British Sisters minister with us. Nigerian Sisters are also studying or giving service in other countries. Sr. Amarachi Ezeonu is a member of our Leadership Team for the Congregation.

We celebrate our Communities and Ministries
We now live in 17 communities in Nigeria and serve in 9 Catholic Dioceses in 7 states. We serve in the apostolates of Education, Health Care, Pastoral Ministry, Retreats, Spiritual Direction, Social Work, and Justice and Peace Communications. In collaboration with Church Leadership, the Province is growing. We open new communities and staff new ministries, as throughout these 60 years.

We celebrate our Mission and Growth into the Future
We move with hope into an unknown, challenging future. We face world crises: global warming and its tragic consequences in multiple deaths, wars, kidnappings, murders, trafficking of young people, with homeless and starving migrants and refugees, etc. We experience divisions
in countries, religions and even our Church. Yet we look to a future where SNDdeN can make a difference, in UNITY with Pope Francis into spreading SYNODALITY around the Globe. Our prayer and ministries in this NEW MOMENT are a “labor of love” as in these past 60 years.

God is so good!

African Photovoltaic Project, Clinic, Collaboration: Village and Parish

SNDdeN Photovoltaic Project Provides Energy for Health Care

February 22, 2024 snddenGW Leave a comment

by Sr. Marie-Madeleine Ngawene, SNDdeN

Sr. Marie-Madeleine Ngawene tries to ease the pain as she gives the child an injection.

The Photovoltaic Project of the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur (SNDdeN) reaches far-away, rural places with energy and provides electricity and water for hospital care. The Referral Health Center in Notre Dame Parish in Pelende, Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is only one of these small villages where more services for health care have happened for the people. Located in the Diocese of Popokabaka, this Center began as a State emergency First-Aid Center, opened by the SNDdeN Congregation in 1956. About 67 years ago, this Center, in the health zone of Wamba Luadi, at a great distance from any hospitals for the people in Pelende, was too far away to reach a hospital in medical emergencies.

Sr. Marie de la Croix, an SNDdeN from the Belgium Province opened the First-Aid Center as the first Director and served from 1956 until 1960. Sr. Helen Casci, another Belgian SNDdeN replaced Sr. Marie as the Director and served until 1968. Since then, our Congolese Sisters have directed and managed this health care facility. Sr. Marie-Madeleine Ngawene, SNDdeN is currently the Director of this Referral Health Center. She has been able to expand services at the Center with electricity and water provided by the SNDdeN Photovoltaic Project.

With the creation of rural health zones, this First-Aid Center has undergone an evolution in health care. It became a dispensary and then a maternity clinic/hospital. As a Health Center, this facility serves a large population of nearly 9,285 people, spread out in 7 villages who were unable formerly to reach hospitals on time. Distances to hospitals from these villages resulted often in home deliveries of babies, the deaths of mothers and their infants, as well as other sick and elderly persons. The entire population of the area now finds health care at this Center in Pelende…with electricity, light and water.

The population has somewhat diminished in these villages. The disastrous roads, especially during the rainy season prevent vehicles from traveling in the region and as a result, the people cannot sell the surplus of their farm produce. This means that the farming activity of this population does not provide enough money to access health care. In the light of the needs of the population and the demand for more SNDdeN in the region, since 2021, the Diocese of Popokabaka with the Minister of health, have provided an attending physician, Doctor Swamina Mu Yesu Julien. He works with Sr. Marie-Madeleine Ngawene who directs and manages the Referral Health Center.

**Doctor Swamina Mu Yesu Jelien helps a patient get comfortable after surgery.**

The Referral Health Center in Pelende has set the following objectives:

To provide quality health care to the population
To reduce maternal and infant mortality
To promote preventative, curative and motivational activities while educating the population

For quality care, the Center organizes the following services:

Consultation
Laboratory
Hospitalization
Maternity care
Preschool and promotional consultation

With the arrival of the Physician, three other services have been added:

Consultation with Physician
An Operating Room
Hospitalization and Surgeries

All services have the goal of contributing to improvement of the quality health care for the sick in this region. The Sisters make known God’s goodness in bringing energy and light to people through the Photovoltaic Project.

Good Works

Sisters in the Congo-Kinshasa Province Collaborate in Education

March 23, 2022 snddenGW Leave a comment

French

Education in Kisenso
By Sister Patience Mpela, SNDdeN

Sr. Ernestine Nkuemu, Directress of the Primary School, does team-teaching with a Co-worker.

Julie Billiart Primary and Secondary School is a traditional Catholic school which the Archdiocese of Kinshasa entrusted to the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur. Located in Kisenso, one of the communes on the outskirts of the capital of the Democratic Republic of Congo, this school educates today about 1,000 students, boys and girls. The population in Kisenso are mostly people living in poverty, whose principal activities are small businesses and gardening.

Two Sisters collaborate with 21 lay persons at Julie Billiart Primary School in Kisenso. Sister Ernestine Nkuemu, SNDdeN is the Directress and Sister Godeliève Ziunga, SNDdeN is a substitute teacher. Their dedicated Co-workers are an Assistant Director, 18 teachers, a maintenance worker and a watchman.

Little children love the happy learnings at Julie Billiart Primary School.

Story
This school administered and directed now by our SNDdeN, is the work of a Belgian missionary to the Congo and pastor of St. Ambrose Parish, Father Frans Vereecke. In 2000, this priest, greatly concerned for the large population and their children who live in this enclave, founded for the parish Saint Ambrose Primary School. Although there were schools in the area, there was not any school offering quality education for the children. Knowing the SNDdeN and having confidence in their reputation for quality education, this priest judged that it would be good to entrust the direction of the school to our Congregation. The school was renamed in 2007 to Julie Billiart Primary School and in these later years with the expansion, the classification of Secondary was added to the school’s name.

Secondary School children appreciate their choices of teaching, biochemistry and commercial studies.

When the Sisters arrived, many parents wished to entrust their children to benefit from a good education in this setting. The school began with two classes (first and second grade). Little by little, other classes were added. This Primary School grew to a Secondary School with 18 classes today for all these children. The students have three options for studies: teaching, biochemistry and commercial. At the end of the secondary level, the students achieve positive results in the state exams.

Sister Odette Lukongi, Directress of the Secondary School, collaborates with qualified teachers to direct and teach at the school.

Sr. Odette Lukongi is the Directress of Julie Billart Secondary School;
she also teaches Religious Education classes. She works in collaboration with a faculty who are mostly lay people. She often shares with students the life and charism of St. Julie, and the international Mission of the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur. Since the beginning of the COVID 19 pandemic, the educational system has experienced upheaval. The academic calendar has changed and students do not have vacations at the scheduled times, now adjusted to local circumstances.

Parents, students and teachers are happy to have the presence and educational expertise of the Sisters and recognize that their Co-workers contribute so much to the school. Parents appreciate the formation and solid education for their children.

Health Care Center in Mpese
By Sister Aline Matsanga, SNDdeN, Director

Sisters Nadine Miesi, Aline Matsanga and Hélène Lugungu, SNDdeN appreciate their three Co-workers who share this ministry and Mission at the Health Care Center.

Mpese Health Center is one of the health facilities of the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur (SNDdeN) in the Congo- Kinshasa Province. Established in Central Congo in the Diocese of Kisantu, this Center is more than 100 km from Kinshasa, the capital of the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Three Sisters collaborate with three Co-workers to serve a large population, with inpatient and outpatient medical care. This Health Center provides for Mpese and the surrounding area some relief to the population who are so far away from any medical referrals and lacks transport to reach the hospital. The Staff at the Center treats sick children and adults alike, does pre-natal consultations for pregnant
women, delivers the newborns in the region, and enables pre-school consultations for children before school age. It also cares for those with diabetes and other chronic illnesses.

Sr. Nadine Miesi collaborates with her Co-workers as she consults a mother about her sick child.

Sister Aline Matsanga is the Director of Mpese Health Center and a qualified nurse. She receives nursing support from Sister Nadine Miesi, also a trained nurse and Sister Hélène Lugungu who is an experienced mid-wife.

Three qualified Co-workers, a nurse, laboratory technician and a mid-wife collaborate with the Sisters in this Center for care and wellness of many people in this area. All personnel, in order to upgrade their training and skills, benefit from additional training organized by the SNDdeN Office for the Coordination and Capacity Building of Medical Works, an organization in the Nselo Health Zone.

The people, suffering from multiple illnesses and fractures in the villages have great difficulty in reaching hospitals and clinics in the region, without adequate transportation and the treacherous roads.

The majority of the population are farmers whose livelihood results from agricultural produce. Their socio-economic situation does not allow the people to receive appropriate heath care. Sometimes, they are only able to pay for medical care and treatments with the produce from the crops in their fields.

The Sisters and lay nurses are the care-givers not only at the Health Center. They even go to the villages to do consultations with the elderly, who are not able to come to the center. The do not have money for transportation and health-care costs. The Sisters provide free medical services for many people living in poverty. They also go into villages for pre-school consultations for children who need any medical follow-up.

It is impossible to know the far-reaching impact of these six health-care workers and these twenty-four educators in this part of the Congo! They bring the life and spirit of St. Julie Billiart and the Mission of the Congregation through such a vibrant collaboration.

Good Works

Les Sœurs de la province Congo-Kinshasa collaborent à l’éducation

March 23, 2022 snddenGW Leave a comment

anglais

L’ÉDUCATION À KISENSO
Par Sœur Patience Mpela, SNDdeN

Sr. Ernestine Nkuemu, Directress of the Primary School, does team-teaching with a Co-worker.

L’école primaire et secondaire Julie Billiart est une école traditionnelle catholique que l’archidiocèse de Kinshasa a confiée aux Sœurs de Notre Dame de Namur. Située à Kisenso, l’une des communes à la périphérie de la capitale de la République Démocratique du Congo, cette école scolarise aujourd’hui environ 1000 élèves, garçons et filles. La population de Kisenso est principalement composée de personnes vivant dans la pauvreté, dont les principales activités sont le petit commerce et le jardinage.

Deux sœurs collaborent avec 21 laïcs à l’école primaire Julie Billiart à Kisenso. Sœur Ernestine Nkuemu, SNDdeN est la directrice et Sœur Godeliève Ziunga, SNDdeN est enseignante suppléante. Leurs collaborateurs dévoués sont un directeur adjoint, 18 enseignants, un préposé à l’entretien et un gardien.

Little children love the happy learnings at Julie Billiart Primary School.

Histoire

Cette école administrée et dirigée maintenant par les SNDdeN, est l’œuvre d’un missionnaire belge au Congo et curé de la paroisse Saint Ambroise, le Père Frans Vereecke. En 2000, ce prêtre, très préoccupé pour la population nombreuse et leurs enfants qui vivent dans cette enclave, fonda l’école primaire paroissiale Saint Ambroise. Bien qu’il y avait des écoles dans la région, il n’y en avait aucune qui dispensait une éducation de qualité pour les enfants. Connaissant les SNDdeN et ayant confiance en leur réputation d’éducation de qualité, ce prêtre a jugé qu’il serait bon de confier la direction de l’école à notre congrégation. L’école a été rebaptisée en 2007, école primaire Julie Billiart et dans ces dernières années avec l’agrandissement, l’enseignement secondaire a été ajouté au nom de l’école.

Little children love the happy learnings at Julie Billiart Primary School.

A l’arrivée des sœurs, de nombreux parents ont souhaité leur confier leurs enfants afin de bénéficier d’une bonne éducation dans ce cadre. L’école a commencé avec deux classes (première et deuxième année). Petit à petit, d’autres classes ont été ajoutées. Cette école primaire s’est agrandie en école secondaire. Ecole comprenant 18 classes aujourd’hui pour tous ces enfants. Les étudiants ont trois options d’études : la didactique, la biochimie et les études commerciales. À la fin du secondaire, les élèves obtiennent des résultats positifs aux examens d’État.

Sister Odette Lukongi, Directress of the Secondary School, collaborates with qualified teachers to direct and teach at the school.

Sr Odette Lukongi est la directrice de l’école secondaire Julie Billiart ; elle donne également des cours d’éducation religieuse. Elle travaille en collaboration avec un corps professoral majoritairement laïc. Elle partage souvent avec les étudiants la vie et le charisme de sainte Julie et la mission internationale des Sœurs de Notre-Dame de Namur. Depuis le début de la pandémie du COVID 19, le système éducatif a connu des bouleversements. Le calendrier académique a changé et les étudiants n’ont pas leurs vacances aux périodes prévues, maintenant ajustées aux conditions locales.

Parents, élèves et enseignants sont heureux d’avoir la présence et le savoir-faire en éducation des sœurs et reconnaissent que leurs collaborateurs contribuent tant au fonctionnement de l’école. Les parents apprécient la formation et la solide éducation pour leurs enfants

CENTRE DE SOINS DE SANTE A MPESE

Par Sœur Aline Matsanga, SNDdeN, Directrice

Le centre de santé de Mpese est l’un des établissements de santé des Sœurs de Notre Dame de Namur (SNDdeN) au Congo dans la Province de Kinshasa. Implanté au Congo central dans le diocèse de Kisantu, ce centre est à plus de 100 km de Kinshasa, la capitale de la République Démocratique du Congo.

Trois sœurs y travaillent avec trois collaborateurs pour servir une grande population, avec des soins médicaux hospitaliers et ambulatoires.

Ce centre médical fournit, pour Mpese et les environs, un peu de soulagement pour la population qui est si loin de toute référence médicale et manque de moyens de transport pour se rendre à l’hôpital.

Le personnel du centre soigne les malades petits et grands, fait des consultations prénatales pour les femmes enceintes, accouche des nouveaux-nés dans la région et permet à l’école maternelle d’organiser des consultations pour enfants non encore en âge scolaire. Il s’occupe aussi de ceux qui ont du diabète et autres maladies chroniques.

Sœur Aline Matsanga, infirmière, est la directrice du centre de santé de Mpese. Elle reçoit un soutien infirmier de sœur Nadine Miesi, également infirmière de formation et de sœur Hélène Lugungu qui est une sage-femme expérimentée.

Trois collaboratrices qualifiées, une infirmière technicienne de laboratoire et une sage-femme collaborent avec les sœurs de ce centre pour les soins et le bien-être de nombreuses personnes dans cette zone. Afin de mettre à niveau sa formation et ses compétences, tout le personnel bénéficie d’une formation complémentaire organisée par le Bureau de coordination des SNDN et le Renforcement des capacités des œuvres médicales, une organisation dans la zone de santé de Nselo.

La majorité de la population se compose d’agriculteurs dont la subsistance provient des produits de l’agriculture. Leur situation socio-économique ne permet pas aux gens de recevoir des soins de santé. Parfois, ils ne peuvent payer les soins et traitements médicaux qu’avec les produits des récoltes de leurs champs.

Les sœurs et les infirmières laïques ne donnent pas uniquement des soins dans le centre.

Elles vont aussi dans les villages chez les personnes plus âgées qui ne sont pas capables de se déplacer pour venir au centre ; elles n’ont pas d’argent pour le transport et les dépenses de santé. Les sœurs offrent des services médicaux gratuits pour de nombreuses personnes vivant dans la pauvreté. Elles vont aussi dans les villages pour des consultations préscolaires pour les enfants qui ont besoin d’un suivi médical.

ll est impossible de connaître l’impact profond de ces six acteurs des soins de santé et de ces vingt-quatre éducateurs de cette partie du Congo !

Ils apportent la vie et l’esprit de Ste Julie Billiart et la mission de la congrégation à travers une collaboration si vibrante.

Good Works

We Celebrate the 20th Anniversary of the Global Mission of the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur at the United Nations!

January 5, 2022 snddenGW 2 Comments

French

By Sister Amarachi Grace Ezeonu, SNDdeN
~ On behalf of and in collaboration with Sisters Joan Burke and Jean Stoner, SNDdeN

Participants gather after the Event for Sustainable Development Goals 4, to achieve 2030 Agenda, sponsored by the SND@UN in 2019. Sr. Kristin Hokanson, SNDdeN (center: a panelist) poses with Sr. Amarachi Ezeonu and other panelists.

During the late 1990s, at International Union of Superiors General of Women meetings in Rome, the General Government Team (GGT), now called the Congregation Leadership Team, were impressed as they saw the influence and standing of Congregations with United Nations accreditation and began to
investigate how the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur might obtain this status. Sister Ellen Gielty, General Moderator, started the long and detailed process of applying for accreditation. She had to demonstrate what the Congregation could offer to the UN and how it would promote the aims of this world body as outlined in the UN Charter. Her efforts bore fruit in 2001, and the GGT, after a search among the members, named Sister Joan F. Burke, SNDdeN (then serving in Nigeria) to serve as the first SNDdeN NGO Representative with an office in New York. Sr. Joan took up her assignment in 2002 and served as our UN NGO Representative until 2010 when she handed it over to Sister Jean Stoner, SNDdeN who served from 2010-2016. Sister Jean passed the baton in 2016 to Sister Amarachi Ezeonu, SNDdeN who is the current Representative.

After a presentation, Sr. Amarachi interacts with students of Mount Notre Dame High School, Cincinnati, Ohio.

The UN is a global body with membership of 193 nations and over 5,000 NGOs accredited to the Economic and Social Council of the organization. SNDatUN collaborate closely with other NGOs in our advocacy for the people and our planet through our presence and through our oral and written statements at UN meetings. Our endeavors at the UN complement the Congregation’s long-standing mission of providing quality education, healthcare, and other social services, especially for people living in poverty. In our fast-changing world with many emerging and complex social, environmental, and economic challenges, both our advocacy for systemic change and our efforts to provide social-psychological services for people are necessary for sustainable development.

Sr. Joan Burke with Sr. Rebeca Spires, SNDdeN from Brazil at the Permanent Forum of Independent Peoples in 2006.

Nowhere else across the globe is there a coming together of representative of governments from every country. Each – old and young, rich and poor, large and small, east and west, north and south – has an equal vote. We, SNDdeN, are present where this happens so we can continue to participate in ongoing advocacy efforts and engage others in the important work of systemic change. We clearly benefit from being at the UN because there we are part of collaborative strategies to address policies on a global level instead of trying to do this work on our own.

Sr. Jean Stoner helps her niece, Katie Blawie as an Intern at the UN.

The UN benefits from our participation as a faith-based NGO since we bring our mission-oriented values, experience, and process skills to bear directly on the work of the member nations. As Kofi Annan stated to a group NGO representatives, “You are the conscience of the UN.” Our global mission as an accredited NGO at the UN provides the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur an excellent opportunity to realize one of the mandates of our Constitutions:

“We work with others to transform unjust structures and systems as we participate in creating new ways of relating which enables all to experience more fully the goodness of God.” (Constitutions 23) It is also a fulfillment of St. Julie Billiart’s vision that “her sisters would go throughout the world, proclaiming God’s loving care for all peoples.”

Sr. Amarachi with two members of RUN (Religious at the UN); Sr. Margaret O’Dwyer, DC and Sr. Celine Paramundayil, MM in a UN conference hall.

We continue to be proud that the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur are at the United Nations. Our NGO participation in the international action that occurs at the United Nations is a uniquely valuable public witness to St. Julie Billiart’s wanting her daughters to have Hearts wide as the world. In appreciation for twenty years of collaborative efforts with others in our global advocacy at the UN, we echo the words of the second Secretary-General of the United Nations, Dag Hammarskjöld: “For all that has been, thanks.
For all that shall be, Yes!”

Good Works

Nous célébrons le 20e anniversaire de la mission mondiale des Sœurs de Notre-Dame de Namur aux Nations unies !

January 5, 2022 snddenGW Leave a comment

anglais

Par Sœur Amarachi Grace Ezeonu, SNDdeN
Au nom de Sœurs Joan Burke et Jean Stoner, SNDdeN et en collaboration avec elles.

Durant les années 1990,aux rencontres de l’Union internationale des supérieures générales à Rome, l’équipe du gouvernement général (GGT), maintenant appelée l’équipe de leadership de la congrégation, a été impressionnée en voyant l’influence et le statut des congrégations accréditées aux Nations unies et a commencé à enquêter sur la façon dont les Sœurs de Notre-Dame de Namur pourraient obtenir ce statut.

Sœur Ellen Gielty, modératrice générale, a commencé le processus, long et détaillé, de demander une accréditation. Elle a dû démontrer ce que la congrégation pouvait offrir à l’ONU et comment elle favoriserait les objectifs de cet organisme mondial tels qu’ils sont décrits dans la Charte des Nations unies. Ses efforts ont porté leurs fruits en 2001, et le GGT, après une recherche parmi les membres, nomma Soeur Joan F. Burke, SNDdeN (alors au Nigeria) pour servir de première représentante de l’ONG SNDdeN avec un bureau à New York. Sr Joan a pris ses fonctions en 2002 et a été notre représentante des ONG auprès des Nations unies jusqu’en 2010, date à laquelle elle a remis cette mission à Sœur Jean Stoner, SNDdeN qui servi de 2010 à 2016. Sœur Jean passé le relais en 2016 à Sœur Amarachi Ezeonu, SNDdeN qui est la représentante actuelle.

After a presentation, Sr. Amarachi interacts with students of Mount Notre Dame High School, Cincinnati, Ohio.

L’ONU est un organisme mondial avec l’adhésion de 193 nations et plus de 5 000 ONG accréditées auprès du conseil économique et social de l’organisation. SND à l’ONU collabore étroitement avec d’autres ONG dans notre plaidoyer pour les êtres humains et notre planète par notre présence et à travers nos déclarations orales et écrites aux réunions à l’ONU. Nos efforts à l’ONU complètent la mission de longue date de la congrégation de donner une éducation, des soins de santé et d’autres services sociaux de qualité, surtout pour les personnes vivant dans la pauvreté. Dans notre monde en évolution rapide avec de nombreux aspects, émergents et complexes, sociaux, environnementaux, économiques, tant notre plaidoyer pour le changement systémique que nos efforts pour fournir des services socio-psychologiques aux personnes sont nécessaires pour le développement durable.

Sr. Joan Burke with Sr. Rebeca Spires, SNDdeN from Brazil at the Permanent Forum of Independent Peoples in 2006.

Il n’y a nulle part ailleurs dans le monde un rassemblement de représentants des gouvernements de tous les pays. Chacun – vieux et jeune, riche et pauvre, grands et petits, de l’est et de l’ouest, du nord et du sud, a droit égal au vote.

Nous, SNDdeN, sommes présentes là où cela se produit afin que nous puissions continuer nos efforts de défense et engager les autres à participer à l’important travail de changement systémique.

Etre à l’ONU est clairement bénéfique pour nous parce que là nous entrons dans des stratégies collaboratives face au niveau politique mondial au lieu d’essayer de faire ce travail par nous-mêmes.

Sr. Jean Stoner helps her niece, Katie Blawie as an Intern at the UN.

L’ONU bénéficie de notre participation en tant qu’ONG confessionnelle puisque nous apportons nos valeurs axées sur la mission, notre expérience et nos compétences de processus qui portent directement sur le travail des nations membres. Comme l’a déclaré Kofi Annan à un groupe de représentants d’ONG : « Vous êtes la conscience de l’ONU. »

Notre mission mondiale en tant qu’ONG accréditée à l’ONU met à disposition des Sœurs de Notre-Dame de Namur une excellente occasion de réaliser l’un des mandats de nos constitutions :

« Nous travaillons avec ceux qui travaillent à la transformation des structures et des systèmes injustes ; nous participons à la création de nouveaux modes de relations qui permettent à tous d’expérimenter plus pleinement la bonté de Dieu. » (Constitutions 23). C’est aussi l’accomplissement de la vision de Sainte Julie Billiart que « ses sœurs iraient à travers le monde, proclamant le souci aimant de Dieu pour tous les peuples. »

Sr. Amarachi with two members of RUN (Religious at the UN); Sr. Margaret O’Dwyer, DC and Sr. Celine Paramundayil, MM in a UN conference hall.

Nous continuons d’être fières que les Sœurs de Notre-Dame de Namur soient aux Nations unies. Notre participation d’ONG à l’action internationale qui a lieu aux Nations unies est un témoignage public de valeur unique à sainte Julie Billiart qui voulait que ses filles aient des cœurs larges comme le monde. En remerciement pour vingt ans d’efforts de collaboration avec d’autres dans notre plaidoyer mondial à l’ONU, nous faisons écho aux paroles du deuxième secrétaire général des Nations Unies, Dag Hammarskjöld : « Pour tout ce qui a été, merci.
Pour tout ce qui sera, oui ! »

Good Works, St. Julie Billiart

New Generation Meets St. Julie Billiart

December 14, 2021 snddenGW Leave a comment

French

By Professor Shusuke Kobayashi

In this fall semester, Notre Dame Seishin University (NDSU) in Okayama, Japan will offer a new course called Christian Study VII which explores the theme of “Living the Spirit of St. Julie Billiart in a Global Society.” This special course consists of lectures by five Sisters of Notre de Namur from the U.S. and will be conducted as online hybrid classes. The President of the University, Sr. Aoi Tsuda, SNDdeN and I, Professor Shusuke Kobayashi, are coordinating the course.

Purpose of Course
The purpose of the course is twofold. It is designed to give students an opportunity to become familiar with the spirit of St. Julie, and universal values beyond time and place, that is, the pleasures of living in the grace of God and serving people in need. The course will also help students consider problems in our global society and then reflect on how they could contribute individually to the solution of such problems.

Educational Philosophy for Students
How did we come to conceptualize this course? We want our students to broaden their perspectives and widen their hearts by fully understanding our educational philosophy and its background. Our school is one in a long line of educational missions of St. Julie. Her Charism, which was God’s gift and blessing, has been passed on and is living today in educational practices all over the world.

Notre Dame Seishin University in Okayama, Japan

Students will come to realize that our school is and has been a part of a world-wide network to which they themselves are linked. This course is only one example, we may say, in which the Congregation has been engaged through various kinds of social justice work, in accordance with Catholic Social Teachings. We intend and hope that this course will teach our students the value of thinking and acting globally and in working for others.

COVID Invades Plans for Face-to-Face
Since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, we have adopted online lessons. For this course, which involves participants on two continents, we decided to make the most of this style, connecting our school in Okayama with lecturers in the U.S. and our students at home, via the internet. Lectures have been
pre-recorded and can be viewed on an on-demand basis, and students can send questions to the lecturers. We intended to have real-time classes as well as face-to-face discussion sessions in actual classrooms where students can exchange with each other their ideas inspired by the lectures. Now, with the escalation of the pandemic everywhere, we are unable to have these classes. We are proceeding with every lecture and class online.

“Living the Spirit of St. Julie Billiart in a Global Society.”

Themes of SNDdeN Lecturers

Six Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur have collaborated so frequently with us at NDSU in preparing this course. Now, prior to the series of lectures, Sr. Aoi Tsuda offers us an introductory lecture. Then the lectures follow and explore three major themes sequentially. The initial theme is “The Spirit of St. Julie and the Missions of Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur.” Sr. Lorraine Connell (Massachusetts, SNDdeN General Treasurer) explains the Congregation’s Hallmarks and the Jubilee Fund. This will give the students general ideas about the Congregation’s missionary activities. Then, from theological and
historical viewpoints, Sr. Judith Merkle (New York) discusses the implication and manifestation of St. Julie’s Charism in the 21st century.

The second theme is “Global Society and Christianity.” Sr. Marie Ann Prefontaine (Massachusetts) introduces the topic of Catholic Social Teachings, focusing on its eleven foundational principles in the time of globalization. Then, Sr. Jean Stoner (California) brings in the topic of current global realties and examines seven “ethical coordinates” which can guide us when we try to move forward together as global citizens into the future.

The third theme, “The Global Mission of the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur” is exemplified by Sr. Amarachi Grace Ezeonu (New York) in her ministry as the Congregation’s Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) Representative at the United Nations. She explains several global issues on which the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur focus at the UN, such as migration, anti-trafficking and extractive industries.

International Collaboration
It is our great pleasure and honor to have as lecturers the Sisters serving in the United States who are specialists in their fields, in universities, as super educators and as experienced NGO Representatives at the UN. Our connections with them is a valued asset for which we are deeply proud as a Catholic University in Japan. We hope that this new endeavor will be followed by further international and intercultural collaboration at our University, and that it will also strengthen our ties with the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur all over the world.

Good Works, St. Julie Billiart

La nouvelle génération rencontre Ste Julie Billiart

December 14, 2021 snddenGW Leave a comment

anglais

Par le professeur Shusuke Kobayashi

En ce semestre d’automne, l’Université Notre Dame Seishin (NDSU) à Okayama, Japon, proposera un nouveau cours intitulé Christian Study VII (Etude chrétienne VII) qui explore le thème suivant : « Vivre l’esprit de Sainte Julie Billiart dans une société mondiale ». Ce cours spécial consiste en des conférences données par cinq Sœurs de Notre-Dame de Namur des États-Unis et se déroulera sous la forme d’un cours hybride en ligne. La présidente de l’Université, Sr. Aoi Tsuda, SNDdeN et moi, le professeur Shusuke Kobayashi, coordonnons ce cours.

Objectif du cours

L’objectif de ce cours est double. Il est conçu pour donner aux étudiantes une occasion de se familiariser avec l’esprit de sainte Julie et les valeurs universelles au-delà du temps et du lieu, c’est-à-dire les plaisirs de vivre dans la grâce de Dieu et de servir les personnes dans le besoin. Le cours aidera également les étudiantes à considérer les problèmes de notre société mondiale et à réfléchir à la manière dont elles pourraient contribuer individuellement à la solution de tels problèmes.

Philosophie éducative pour les étudiantes

Comment en sommes-nous arrivés à conceptualiser ce cours ? Nous voulons que nos étudiantes étendent leurs perspectives et élargissent leur cœur en comprenant pleinement notre philosophie éducative et son contexte. Notre école s’inscrit dans une longue lignée de missions éducatives de Sainte Julie. Son charisme, qui était un don et une bénédiction de Dieu, a été transmis et vit aujourd’hui dans les pratiques éducatives dans le monde entier.

Les étudiantes se rendront compte que notre école fait et a fait partie d’un réseau mondial auquel elles sont elles-mêmes reliées. Ce cours n’est qu’un exemple, pourrions-nous dire, de l’engagement de la congrégation par le biais de divers types d’activités de justice sociale, conformément à la doctrine sociale catholique. Nous avons l’intention et l’espoir que ce cours enseignera à nos étudiantes la valeur de la réflexion et de l’action au niveau mondial et en travaillant pour les autres.

Université Notre Dame Seishin à Okayama, Japon

COVID envahit les plans pour le face-à-face

Depuis le début de la pandémie de COVID-19, nous avons adopté des cours en ligne. Pour ce cours, qui implique des participants sur deux continents, nous avons décidé de tirer le meilleur parti de ce style, en connectant notre école à Okayama avec des conférencières aux États-Unis et avec nos étudiantes chez elles, via l’internet. Les conférences ont été préenregistrées et peuvent être visionnées à la demande, et les étudiantes peuvent envoyer des questions aux conférencières. Nous avions l’intention d’avoir des cours en temps réel ainsi que des sessions de discussion en face-à-face dans des salles de classe réelles où les étudiantes peuvent échanger entre elles leurs idées inspirées par les conférences. Maintenant, avec l’escalade de la pandémie partout, nous sommes incapables d’organiser ces cours. Nous procédons avec chaque conférence et chaque cours en ligne.

« Vivre l’esprit de Ste Julie Billiart dans une société globale ».

Thèmes des conférencières SNDdeN

Six Sœurs de Notre Dame de Namur ont collaboré si souvent avec nous à NDSU pour préparer ce cours. Maintenant, avant la série de conférences, Sr. Aoi Tsuda nous offre une conférence d’introduction. Puis les conférences suivent et explorent trois thèmes majeurs de manière séquentielle.

Le thème initial est « L’esprit de Sainte Julie et les missions des Sœurs de Notre-Dame de Namur ». Sr. Lorraine Connell (Massachusetts, économe générale des SNDdeN) explique les caractéristiques et le Fonds du Jubilé de la congrégation. Cela donnera aux étudiantes des idées générales sur les activités missionnaires de la congrégation. Ensuite, d’un point de vue théologique et historique, Sr. Judith Merkle (New York) aborde l’implication et la manifestation du charisme de Ste Julie au 21ème siècle.

Le deuxième thème est « Société mondiale et christianisme ». Sr. Marie Ann Prefontaine (Massachusetts) introduit le sujet de la doctrine sociale catholique, en se concentrant sur ses onze principes fondamentaux à l’heure de la mondialisation. Ensuite, Sr. Jean Stoner (Californie) introduit le sujet des réalités mondiales actuelles et examine sept « coordonnées éthiques » qui peuvent nous guider lorsque nous essayons d’avancer ensemble en tant que citoyens du monde dans le futur.

Le troisième thème, « La mission mondiale des Sœurs de Notre-Dame de Namur », est illustré par Sr. Amarachi Grace Ezeonu (New York) dans son ministère en tant que représentante de l’organisation non gouvernementale (ONG) de la congrégation auprès des Nations unies. Elle explique plusieurs problèmes mondiaux sur lesquels les Sœurs de Notre Dame de Namur se concentrent à l’ONU, comme la migration, la lutte contre la traite des êtres humains et les industries extractives.

Collaboration internationale

C’est un grand plaisir et un honneur pour nous d’avoir comme conférencières les Sœurs en poste aux États-Unis qui sont des spécialistes dans leurs domaines, dans les universités, en tant que super éducatrices et en tant que représentantes expérimentées de l’ONG à l’ONU. Les liens que nous entretenons avec elles sont un atout précieux dont nous sommes profondément fiers en tant qu’université catholique au Japon.

Nous espérons que cette nouvelle initiative sera suivie d’autres collaborations internationales et interculturelles au sein de notre université, et qu’elle renforcera également nos liens avec les Sœurs de Notre-Dame de Namur dans le monde entier.

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Making known God's goodness