“Imaginative Hope”  

Throughout our Sisters of Notre Dame history, our Superior Generals have composed letters at Christmas, Easter, and other times. These letters offer their own spiritual insights, remind us of our founding sisters Sister Maria Aloysia and Sister Maria Ignatia, our spiritual mother Saint Julie Billiart, and keep the Congregation abreast of developments, such as missionary activity. This Easter’s letter from Sister Mary Ann Culpert spoke of “imaginative hope.” More than a beautiful theme, the letter enumerated examples from history and the present that “imaginative hope” was God’s way to move the congregation forward by implementing God’s dreams. From 1850 to the present Sisters have looked for new ministries in hope to make God more known and loved. “Imaginative hope” was the impetus, the Holy Spirit’s urge, to realize God’s dream in Germany, Brazil, Indonesia, East Africa, USA, and many other parts of the world. The imaginative hope took root in education, hospitals, social work, missionary activity, prison ministry, parish leadership, and much more. The letter ended with the invitation to consider other ways God is inviting us to move forward. The invitation is extended also to our Associates. And, since you’re reading this, to you, too.