School Sisters of Notre Dame, Central Pacific Province

We’re proud to celebrate Sister Debra Sciano, SSND, who has begun her term as president of the Leadership Conference of Women Religious (LCWR), representing about two-thirds of Catholic sisters in the United States.

The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel shares Sister Deb’s remarkable journey—from serving as a Milwaukee County assistant district attorney and family mediator to leadership with the School Sisters of Notre Dame and now LCWR.

Read more about Sister Deb and the experience, hope, and commitment to religious life she brings to this national leadership role.

https://www.jsonline.com/story/news/local/milwaukee/2026/08/17/catholic-sister-from-milwaukee-now-leads-largest-us-group-of-religious-women/91293838007/

She was a Milwaukee prosecutor. Now she leads most of the nation's Catholic sisters Sr. Debra Sciano is now the president of a group that represents about two-thirds of all 35,000 Catholic sisters in the U.S., colloquially called nuns.

Meet today's featured Jubilarian, Sister Ruth Ann Klauser who is celebrating her 60-year Jubilee!
We invite you to join in celebrating all our Jubilarian sisters by reading their profiles, sending them an eCard, sharing a story or making a gift in their honor. Visit www.ssndcp.org/2026-jubilee.

When the School Sisters of Notre Dame founded Notre Dame School of Dallas in 1963, they began with 19 students and a conviction that children with intellectual disabilities deserved an education designed to help them thrive.

More than 60 years later, that mission continues.

America Magazine visited Notre Dame School as part of a new national feature exploring how Catholic schools are serving students with intellectual and developmental disabilities—and what true inclusion asks of Catholic education.

Today, Notre Dame serves about 150 students from across the Dallas area, preparing them not only academically, but with the practical, social, and vocational skills that foster greater independence.

We’re proud to see this SSND educational legacy—and the remarkable community carrying it forward—featured in America.

https://www.americamagazine.org/features/2026/08/13/catholic-schools-students-special-needs/

America Magazine - The Jesuit Review

Meet the Catholic schools serving students with special needs Because Catholic education should be available to all.

Meet today's featured Jubilarian, Sister Ann Carol Kaufenberg who is celebrating her 60-year Jubilee!
We invite you to join in celebrating all our Jubilarian sisters by reading their profiles, sending them an eCard, sharing a story or making a gift in their honor. Visit www.ssndcp.org/2026-jubilee.

Meet today's featured Jubilarian, Sister Miriam Therese Kanaya who is celebrating her 60-year Jubilee!
We invite you to join in celebrating all our Jubilarian sisters by reading their profiles, sending them an eCard, sharing a story or making a gift in their honor. Visit www.ssndcp.org/2026-jubilee.

Who Dat! 🏈⚜️

Sister Margaret Mary Friesenhahn is sending congratulations from Covington, Louisiana to Drew Brees on his induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame!

For New Orleans Saints fans across Louisiana and beyond, Drew gave us plenty to cheer about—but his impact has reached far beyond the football field. Sister Margaret Mary joins the Who Dat Nation in celebrating this well-deserved honor and an extraordinary legacy. She is pictured here with a hat autographed by the quarterback and gifted to her by a family member one Christmas.

Congratulations, Drew! ⚜️🏈

Called to Action NEW EPISODE ALERT:
https://www.ssndcp.org/calledtoaction
In Season 6, Episode 8: Breaking Down Language Barriers we welcome Sister Jean Ellman who shares with us her experiences educating both students and adults to speak bilingually, helping them be more successful in their community.
You can find a new episode every 2nd Wednesday of the month on Spotify Apple Podcasts Amazon Music iHeartPodcast Network and ssndcp.org/calledtoaction

Meet today's featured Jubilarian, Sister Mary Judith Kamada who is celebrating her 60-year Jubilee!
We invite you to join in celebrating all our Jubilarian sisters by reading their profiles, sending them an eCard, sharing a story or making a gift in their honor. Visit www.ssndcp.org/2026-jubilee.

Sister Debra Sciano, a dedicated baseball fan, diligently fills out scorecards during games, tracking every out, hit, and error. This meticulousness also reflects her role as the provincial leader of the School Sisters of Notre Dame's Central Pacific Province, where she navigates life with a unique perspective.

Meet Sr. Debra Sciano, new president of the Leadership Conference of Women Religious Sciano said she expects the organization to continue emphasizing collaboration among congregations, church organizations and lay partners, an approach shaped by Pope Francis' emphasis on synodality.