Service Days and Retreats Service Program The mission of the Academy of Notre Dame de Namur includes inspiration to live the prophetic nature of the gospel with a passion for justice and love for the poor. This is the heart of the Academy’s service program, where our students are encouraged to go into the world and encounter the most vulnerable. St. Julie Billiart’s vision was to educate women with hearts as wide as the world. Encountering others in service and reflection is just one way that we uphold her vision today. We believe that individuals have an inherent responsibility to embrace the ideals of service and stewardship, and that the unique gifts of each individual, nurtured and celebrated, serve the community and the world. It is in this spirit that we encourage our students to find causes and organizations for which they are passionate and dedicate their time to advancing the work of these organizations.
Goals 1. Identify, analyze and act on systems of injustice.
To be women inspired to create change, we need to understand the systems of injustice in the world. The only way to begin to understand these systems is to go into them. We know that the work we do now through our service may not solve systemic problems, but serve as a beginning to addressing them. We will continue to reflect and learn, working with those who experience injustice to create a more just world.
2. Share our resources with our community.
As a Catholic institution that is fortunate to have many resources and talents, it is our obligation to share them with others. We are called to give our time and talents to our neighbors in the greater Philadelphia area and across the world.
3. Form honorable and compassionate global citizens.
Through encounters with difference, we grow in empathy and compassion. Service requires us to put our own needs aside and focus on others. If we continue this practice, we will grow to be women informed about the world and committed to its future. “Good will alone is not enough; it must also be put into practice.” - St. Julie Billiart 43
