Founded in 1849 Coesfeld, Germany, the Sisters of Notre Dame of Coesfeld is a Catholic religious institute. Germany, in the mid-19th century, was a place of religious and social need. Hilligonde Wolbring and Elisabeth Kuhling had both attended the Royal Teacher Training Seminar for Women in Munster, and were teaching at Saint Lambert Parish in Coesfeld, Westphalia. While there, they began taking in orphaned and neglected children. As they came across more and more children in need, they moved into a house with seven girls. Hilligonde used her inheritance to fund the work. On the suggestion of their parish priest, Father Theodore Elting, they sought permission to establish a religious congregation that would provide them with the needed finances to continue and extend their work. Three sisters of the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur traveled from the Netherlands to instruct them. Wolbring (Sister Maria Aloysia) and Kuling (Sister Maria Ignatia) formally established the Sisters of Notre Dame of Coesfeld in 1850, and Father Elting acquired an abandoned former convent to serve as their first motherhouse. The Sisters became an independent congregation in 1855. However, in the early 1870s, the Kingdom of Prussia began a program of secularization, known as Kulturkampf, forbidding religious congregations from teaching. In 1871, all religious congregations in the country were exiled. The Sisters were invited to teach in Cleveland, Ohio. Soon, members of the Sisters of Notre Dame were teaching in Cleveland and in Covington, Kentucky. Over the next few years, a couple of hundred Sisters came to the United States, establishing three provinces, in Ohio, Kentucky, and California. Besides its presence in the US, the Sisters also support a missionary outreach program. In 1947, the motherhouse was established in Rome. In 2008, a congregation was reestablished in its home place of Coesfeld, Germany.
Recommended Resources
Situated on ninety-four wooded acres in Whitehouse, Ohio, the facility is operated by the Sisters of Notre Dame, offering a variety of programs and retreats. Boasting four meeting rooms of various sizes, a multi-purpose room capable of seating a hundred people at tables, individual and double guest rooms and meeting rooms, a dining room, chapel, and seven-acre lake, its rates, policies, and features are put forth.
http://www.lialrenewalcenter.org/
The Sisters of Notre Dame founded Notre Dame College in 1922 as a liberal arts institution for women, and began admitting men in 2001. Located in South Euclid, Ohio, the college’s history, accreditation status, assessment and program reviews, community resources, strategic plan, and academic programs are featured. Its academic, athletics, and alumni programs are highlighted.
http://www.notredamecollege.edu/
Located in Chardon, Ohio, the PK-8th grade Catholic school is sponsored by the Sisters of Notre Dame, enrolling students from five counties and thirty-two parishes. Its mission, vision and core values, Catholic identity, admissions policies, accreditation status, and academic programs are highlighted, along with a staff directory, statistical data, and announcements. Employment opportunities are posted to the site.
http://www.notredameelementary.org/
Consecrated for mission in the Church, the Sisters are called to be apostolic women religious, holding to vows of chastity, poverty and obedience. Its history, mission, charism, and symbology are set forth, and its locations throughout the world are posted to the site. Involved in education, social work, pastoral work, health care, and social issues, its mission and ministries are highlighted.
http://snd1.org/en/
Sisters of Notre Dame Vocations
The story of the founding of the Order is set forth, along with a profile of the Catholic religious institute, their life in community, and an introduction to the Sisters, as well as an overview of their work and locations. For those considering membership, the process of discernment, the formation process, prayer resources, and other information are included. Contacts and a calendar of events are posted to the site.
http://www.snd-vocations.org/
Sisters of Notre Dame, California Province
Founded in Coesfeld, Germany in 1850, the Sisters of the Notre Dame came to Los Angeles, California from Ohio in 1924, and Sisters from the California province now serve in Italy, Uganda and Southern California. A history of the international Catholic organization, its development in California, and its overseas missions are featured, along with membership information and contacts.
https://sndca.org/
Sisters of Notre Dame, Chardon Province
The Sisters of Notre Dame of Chardon, Ohio are part of an international Catholic religious institute that began in Coesfeld, Germany in 1850, with members coming to Ohio in 1874, and spreading to other parts of the United States from there. The congregational beginnings and arrival in Ohio is related, and an overview of its ministries, opportunities, and membership policies are stated.
https://sndchardon.org/
Sisters of Notre Dame, Covington Province
The Sisters of Notre Dame of Covington, Kentucky are consecrated women religious, missioned in the Catholic Church to proclaim the goodness and providence of God. Those interested in participating in the work of the Order, volunteer opportunities are posted, along with its policies for membership as an associate or as a sister. Directions, contacts, schedules, photographs, and career opportunities.
http://www.sndky.org/
