Sisters of Notre Dame
Uganda Mission Office 1601 Dixie Highway, Covington, KY 41011 (859) 392-8109 | www.sndky.org
Sisters of Notre Dame
PRSRT STD US POSTAGE PAID CINCINNATI OH PERMIT NO 9714
Covington Province Uganda Mission Office
D r u m b e at s f o r m at i o n i s s u e
Dear Partner in Mission, Often in our publications we mention our “sisters in formation” or the “formation building” (pictured above). You may wonder what this “formation” is all about. Formation is basically about assisting a woman to recognize God’s call to a particular way of life and then responding to that call with total love and fidelity.
Sr. Mary Teopista at the Mpala convent
Sisters of Notre Dame
PANCAKE breakfast Sunday, February 21 | 8:30a-1:00p Notre Dame Academy Cafeteria | 1699 Hilton Drive
a Mission! d n a g U e th ts fi e n Be
This edition of Drumbeats explores the topic of “formation” as it is experienced in the Sisters of Notre Dame. Meet some of the special women who are presently in formation and some who are now full members. Gratefully in our good and provident God,
$6 Adults | $4 Children Sr. Mary Margaret Droege, SND Director, Uganda Mission Office
Sponsor ed by the L u d lo w Ko fo r 2 0 y f C e a rs !
The Sisters of Notre Dame
The process to becoming a full member of the community is a gradual introduction into deeper discipleship and education about the Sisters of Notre Dame, our charism, mission and spirit. The period of initial formation concludes with the woman offering herself totally to God through the pronouncing of the three vows: chastity, poverty and obedience. “The Congregational Formation Plan” offers the basic plan of formation, allowing adaptation for various cultures.
P.S. Some of these sisters will be visiting the U.S. and Covington Province for the first time this summer.
Contact Info Sr. Mary Margaret Droege 1601 Dixie Highway, Covington, KY 41011 Email: mmdroege@sndky.org | Phone: (859)392-8109
Step-by -step to sisterhood The formation of each individual follows a definite pattern. In Uganda, we have a unique situation: Since becoming part of the East Africa Delegation with missions from Tanzania and Kenya, we now come together for “initial formation” with sisters from these countries. There are four stages in our “initial formation” and the delegation countries host various stages of this process.
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Before initial formation, however, is the aspirancy stage. The focus is to help the adult woman understand that each person is called to a specific vocation. It is a period of providing opportunities for a young woman to have direct contact with our sisters in order to come to know us better, and for our sisters to come to know her.
PRE-POSTULANCY (Uganda and Tanzania) The focus here is to help the candidate to discover God’s call. Living in the formation house provides opportunities to deepen her vocation to religious life, grow in faith, and have regular accompaniment towards making a life choice. POSTULANCY (Uganda) The emphasis of this stage is to assist the postulant to discover more clearly her possible call to religious life. The focus is on instruction and study in the truths of the faith and a deeper understanding of Christ and his mission. Direction is given on developing a prayer life.
Temporary Professed
We do instruction, but our sisters in formation also have ministry at the nursery school and go out into the village. They visit with people and students’ families. They comfort them and come to know them. It creates a deep relationship between them as teachers and their students.
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In addition to this, a big focus now is teaching the new sisters about computers. Sr. Therese Marie is trained in this and is equipped to teach them.
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-Sr. Mary Immaculate Formation Director, pictured below in blue
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NOVITIATE (Tanzania) The goal of this stage is to initiate the novice into religious life in our congregation and to deepen her relationship with Jesus Christ. She studies the history of our congregation and grows in her understanding of our charism, spirit and mission. She is helped to remain open to the Holy Spirit to prepare herself for first profession of religious vows. The novitiate lasts two years. TEMPORARY PROFESSION (Uganda, Tanzania, Kenya) This period begins with the profession of vows for one to three years. The vows are renewed generally for up to 6 years. During this period, the sister participates in the life and apostolic mission of our congregation. She is helped to live with fidelity and conviction the life she has vowed. She continues her formation through a program of human, spiritual, theological, congregational, professional and cultural development. She strives to grow in the ability to integrate her spiritual and apostolic life.
Way s t o Pa r t n e r PRAYER Your prayers for the mission students, sisters, teachers, farm workers, and volunteers are needed and appreciated.
MISSION OUTREACH
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Arrange for a Sister of Notre Dame to speak about the Uganda Mission at your school, parish, or organization.
Tuition Assistance Designate your donation for tuition assistance. This enables a child to attend school at the mission and provides room and board during the school year. $50/month or $600/year.
Monthly Giving Companion Schedule an automatic monthly donation of any amount at www.sndky.weshareonline.org/Uganda.
Sr. Therese Marie professing temporary vows
Sr. Therese Marie with her parents after ceremony
How to Give ONLINE: Securely donate online at www.sndky.weshareonline.org/Uganda. Pay by credit/debit card or bank transfer. BY MAIL: Send contact info and check, cash, or money order to SND Uganda Mission Office, 1601 Dixie Highway, Covington, KY 41011. Checks payable to “Sisters of Notre Dame.” BY PHONE: Call Sr. Mary Margaret Droege at (859)392-8109 to pay by credit card over the phone.
Planned Giving Postulants
Not ready to give today? Give support later through a planned gift, such as: Wills/Bequests • Gifts of Stock • Charitable Gift Annuity • Individual Retirement Accounts • Property Charitable Trust • Life Insurance Policies
consider a Uganda Mission * Please presentation, educational activity, or
fundraiser for your 2016 Lenten offering.