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When they profess first or temporary vows, School Sisters of Notre Dame express their desire to dedicate themselves to God and now enter into the heart of SSND life and learn to integrate the elements of prayer, community and ministry. Within a six-year period, they prayerfully discern if religious life is their heart’s deepest desire. During this time of preparation for Perpetual Profession, they come to know if the vowed life is the right choice for their life.

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Sister Mary Goretty Aboge District of Africa I am impelled by love of Christ to further Christ’s mission as a SSND. I professed my Temporary Religious Vows on July 14, 2007, at the age of 30. I continue to form community with Sisters at Kiptere, Kenya, and minister as a teacher at St. Francis Girls’ Secondary School. I enjoy journeying with young students who continue to grow into the dignified women God wants them to be. Together we touch and transform the world anew.

.Sister Jacinta Kanini District of Africa I am a student at Christ the Teacher Institute of Education at the moment. I am making my first renewal of vows this July in Nairobi Community where I am living. The spirit of Blessed Theresa continues to develop, challenge and transform me in my daily living in the service of the Lord.

Sister Zipporah K. Marigwa District of Africa I took my First Vows in 2005, I have worked in St. Clare’s Primary School, Kiptere, Kericho, and St. Theresa’s Gekano Girls’ Secondary, Kisii. As an SSND, I have enjoyed working with the youth. It touches my life at the same time as I reach out to them. Through God’s grace, may the good work begun in me continue as per our constitution.

Sister Hannah Mignagno Atlantic-Midwest Province When I was in postulancy I was inspired by the example I saw from other SSND's. They truly lived Christ's mission to and for one another. I wanted Jesus as the center of my life and being inspired by other SSNDs I knew I was ready to take the next step by becoming a novice. I look forward to a year of growing relationship with God and with SSND.

Sister Masicha Carolyne Nasamiyu District of Africa I was born in 1975 and live in Kenya. I professed my vows on July 5, 2003. I am a social minister currently working on the National Justice and Peace Commission of the Association of Sisterhoods of Kenya. I coordinate the activities of the Gender Equity Program with the aim of empowering women to enter into leadership roles and participate in decision-making processes with their men counterparts.

Sister Ebele Rosemary Okoye District of Africa I am from Nigeria, and I am presently at St. Francis Girls’ secondary school in Kiptere, Kenya, where I teach Biology and Christian Religious Education. I also coordinate the guidance and counseling program at the school. I took my first vows on the July 5, 2003, had the first renewal on July 5, 2006. At the moment I am starting preparation for the second renewal, God willing.

Sister Norah Anne M. Oyagi District of Africa I currently live in Nyabururu, Kisii, in Kenya. I minister as a nurse at the Christa Marianne Hospital within Kisii town – in collaboration with the Franciscan Sisters of St. Joseph – Asumbi. Here I witness the enablement of persons taking responsibility for their health and hence community improvement.

Sister Melissa Schreifels Mankato Province "I am much happier having made this commitment than I would be had I been single and working part-time and volunteering part-time," Sister Melissa said in an interview on WCCO News in Minnesota last year. A part-time pharmacist who also is working on a teaching degree, Sister Melissa was drawn to SSND because of the work the sisters do to educate and empower women and children. Click here to read the report about Sister Melissa.

Sister Glenda Becker St. Louis Province I was taught by SSNDs in Effingham, Illinois, entered the congregation after graduation and stayed only a short time. I went on to earn a BS in music and a master's in deaf education. While a teacher at the Illinois School for the Deaf, and as a single woman, I adopted a deaf child. I reconnected with SSNDs and became an Associate. I answered God's patient invitation and re-entered. I took First Vows in 2006. I am currently the musician and liturgist at the Motherhouse of the St. Louis Province. As a mother, grandmother and great-grandmother, I am delighted to say that my family wholeheartedly supports my vocation.

Sister Theodorah (Theo) M. Ihiro District of Africa I am a student at Christ the Teacher Institute of Education in Nairobi. I professed vows two years ago. I continue to embrace the life-long process of being and yet becoming as Christ continues to unravel Christ’s self to me each day.

Sister Teresia (Terri) Mamwacha District of Africa At present, I am teaching geography and history at St. Theresa’s Girls’ Secondary School in Kenya. Beginning next year, I look forward to joining a degree programme in Education.

Sister Gladys Manani District of Africa This is my seventh year as a temporary professed SSND. I am 34 and am a nurse who is currently completing studies in nursing.

Sister Mary Mburu District of Africa I am a Temporary Professed Sister in the process of preparing to renew my vows for the first time. I’m a student at Marist International College. I’m studying accounting, and I am the bursar for the School Sisters of Notre Dame in the Kenya area.

Sister Joan Namwand Mukhwana District of Africa I was born in the western part of Kenya, East Africa, in 1972. Presently, I am a teacher at a girls high school. I was professed on July 5, 2003. I am also the vocation director, and I work with young women to help them discover how God is calling them.

Sister Mary B. Odumdo District of Africa I was born in 1971 in Kenya, in the Kisumu diocese. I am one of nine siblings in my family – five girls and four boys. I am the sixth born and both my parents are still alive. Out of nine siblings, two are dead and seven are still living. I came to know School Sisters of Notre Dame in 1992, and I was attracted by the charism – especially the part of making the needy/poor our option, in other words, being in solidarity with others. I renewed my vows on in June 2008 for two years and prepare to be consecrated forever.

Sister Mary Jacinta Achieng’ Ondeng District of Africa I was born in 1968 in Kisumu City, Kenya. I am a second born in a family of five siblings. I was professed in July 2001. Currently I am living in the Nairobi Community. I am a trained teacher and counselor by profession. I minister in Tangaza College, a constituent of the Catholic University of Eastern Africa. I am happy to be a School Sister of Notre Dame and to know that I have many Sisters throughout the world. As Blessed Theresa tells us, “May the bond of unity and love fasten our hearts to Christ and make us one in mission.”