The Center for Mission & Spirituality

The Center for Mission and Spirituality seeks to translate into action the strong mission, beliefs and legacy of the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur, and to make bridges to the sisters locally, nationally and internationally.

The Center for Mission and Spirituality provides opportunities for formation, education, and social justice through discussions, lectures, community service and prayer. Through the various mission integration programs, the strong mission and vision of the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur (SND) continues to permeate across Emmanuel's campus.

Celebrations and Traditions

Annual programming through the center brings SNDs to campus to engage students in their global educational mission and promotes discussion and activities related to social justice.

Supper with the Sisters

Supper with the Sisters brings together Emmanuel College students with Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur from around the world to share in discussion and a meal. Through this program, students learn about what the Sisters are doing today to live out the mission of St. Julie Billiart globally.

Supper with the Sisters is offered twice a semester and is co-sponsored by the Student Government Association.

Founders' Week

Each year during Founders' Week, the Emmanuel community reflects upon the founding of the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur by St. Julie Billiart and the founding of the College in 1919. Founders' Day is part of a weeklong celebration that includes prayer services, discussions and local community service opportunities for students, faculty and staff.

Sister Marie Augusta Neal, SND Lecture Series

This lecture honors one of the College's most distinguished faculty members, the late Sr. Marie Augusta Neal, SND ‘42. Sr. Marie Augusta taught sociology at Emmanuel for nearly 40 years, inspiring students to take an active role in global and social issues. She was internationally known for her work for change in the Church.

Mass of the Holy Spirit

To mark the opening of the academic year, Catholic colleges and universities celebrate the Mass of the Holy Spirit. This longstanding tradition dates back to 16th century Europe and allows the entire College community to come together and celebrate Emmanuel's mission and Catholic identity. The Mass of the Holy Spirit is celebrated in conjunction with Emmanuel's Academic Convocation as the official start to the academic calendar. The Mass serves as a means of invoking the Holy Spirit for guidance and wisdom throughout the academic year.

Upcoming Events

Supper with the Sisters: Advocating Against Human Trafficking

 "Overview of the Notre Dame Education Center and Personal Advocacy Against Human Trafficking" presented by Sister Peggy Cummins, SND. Sister Peggy is the Volunteer Coordinator at Notre Dame Education Center as well as an advocate against Human Trafficking.

Notre Dame Education Center's (NDEC) mission is to provide a community-based, comprehensive adult learning and literacy program through the provision of a variety of education programs underscored by the values of respect, understanding and quality services.

Sister Peggy will also speak on the topic of human trafficking in the United States and worldwide. She has worked for the past several years to educate the public about this widespread atrocity and to provide victims with emergency housing and solutions for their future.

"Trafficking doesn't just take place in Thailand or Eastern Europe," says Sr. Peggy, "it takes place right here in the United States every day." An estimated 850,000 people are trafficked annually worldwide, according to the U.S. State Department, including 20,000 of them in the United States.

Sponsored by the Center for Mission and Spirituality. Please RSVP by Monday, April 16, 2012 to mission@emmanuel.edu.