Perpetual Profession of Vows 2022
Celebrating the sacred commitment to religious life
Because God first loved us, we respond in love, freely choosing to follow Christ.
You Are Sent, C 10
In the fall of 2022, the Province of Africa held celebrations in Ghana, Kenya and Nigeria. Thirteen sisters professed their final vows to religious life as a School Sister of Notre Dame. Select an image below to learn more about each newly professed sisters of the province.
Sister Patience Doom Age
Nigeria
Although, Sister Patience is a professional teacher with majors in Business Administration, sister is currently a property manager at Theresa House, Sunyani, Ghana. She also works with children at the parish nearby. She enjoys gardening and cooking. Her favorite Blessed Theresa Gerhardinger's quote is: “Let us never forget the love of Jesus for children whom he took upon his lap, caressed and blessed. Of them he said whoever receives one of these little ones in my name, receives me.”
Sister Patience experienced God’s call through her experience of how consecrated women with different backgrounds have chosen to live together in harmony and love. She continues to experience a deep inner peace as an SSND through her service to God’s people and care for God’s creation.
Her message to our partners in mission is, “I have much appreciation for you, for your kindness, support and thoughtfulness towards us. My journey of faith would not have been a fruitful one without your sacrificial efforts in so many ways. Continue to be assured of my prayerful support. I love you all!”
Sister Patience message to those interested in joining SSND is to be open to encounter God who is loving and kind. This personal encounter with Christ will lead to a closeness with God and with others despite our differences and inadequacy. Through this, we experience conversion that leads to growth within us.
Sister Esther Ayaapoa Alaam
Ghana
Sister Esther is a midwife who is currently serving at Notre Dame Clinic, Adoagyiri, Ghana. She enjoys reading, movie watching and is also enamored by our charism of empowering people. She became a religious because she wanted to give out more of herself in service to others and the charism of the School Sisters of Notre Dame got her heart.
“Working with collaborators in ministry has been a blessing. Only together we are enough, together we continue to carry on what has been entrusted to us,” Sister Esther shares.
It's a beautiful life, I have no regrets joining the School Sisters of Notre Dame. I am very happy and grateful to be part of this beautiful family. If you are discerning a vocation to religious life, do not hesitate. Come, let us share this joy together and with others. Her favorite Blessed Theresa Gerhardinger's quote is: “With the Lord, what we do is less important than how we do it.”
Sister Monica Enenu Benedict
Nigeria
Sister Monica lives in Anwule community in Otukpo Diocese of Benue State. She serves as the Head Teacher of Corpus Christi Nurser and Primary School, Anwule. Her professional training is in the field of mass communication as well as education. She likes to write, sing and explore. Her favorite Blessed Theresa Gerhardinger's quote is: “Let us give our whole heart to God for it belongs to him.”
For Sister Monica, the choice of religious life was a desire that came with an experience of a deeper love and longing for God such that she felt God alone mattered and nothing more. She became a religious because she felt the deep desire to dedicate her life to God and to the service of God's people.
To our partners in mission, Sister Monica says that God's mission is our mission. We are called to proclaim God's kingdom by our lives. Through our collaboration in mission, we will reach out to more persons and achieve more for Christ and thus enable persons reach the fullness of their God given potentials. Together we will continue to live out the charism of our foundress, Blessed Theresa of Jesus Gerhardinger by promoting unity and educating with the conviction that we can transform the world through education.
Religious life is a beautiful life and it is a privilege to be called to serve in the Lord's vineyard. So do not be afraid to respond to God's call because the Lord who calls gives the grace for his mission and God himself will bless your commitment to him.
Sister Edna Chepkoech
Kenya
Sister Edna is a laboratory technician at St. Francis Girls Secondary School, Kiptere. She has a certificate in Science with a specialization in Laboratory Technology. She enjoys playing handball, gardening and adding into the life of the community and the environs all around her. Her favorite Blessed Theresa Gerhardinger's quote is: “O God, I desire to love you earnestly and make this love visible by fulfilling the responsibility of my state in life.”
Sister Edna is grateful to live as a School Sister of Notre Dame. She admires SSND choice to live simply within an intercultural community, which is a common theme within our international congregation. She emphasizes that this calls for a global a world view that understands that problems are not for just one person to solve, but together we can achieve our goals and celebrate life. She enjoys this beautiful vocation and entrusts her whole self to God who gives her strength to go about her endeavors.
She is grateful to our partners in mission and assures each of them her prayerful support and views life as a blessed opportunity to be open to unlearn, learn and relearn. It is her hope that the sisters may continue to strengthen the bonds of unity that they have formed with their partners in mission.
Her message to those wishing to join SSND is, “To entrust your life to God and listen to His voice each day through scriptures as you worship Him in prayer and song. Also, to strive to imitate the lives of religious men/ women and to be attentive to all that is going on in one’s environment.”
Sister Maryann Lawrence Ekam
Nigeria
Sister Maryann is an educator with a world vision who also loves to sing. She is professional teacher in Business Education and is currently serving as secretary at St Mulumba’s parish, Jos, Nigeria. Her favorite Blessed Theresa Gerhardinger's quote is: “In all, may God be our goal and end, our highest good, in whom we find all that makes us content and truly happy.”
Sister Maryann feels inspired when she experiences a deep relationship with Jesus through daily Eucharist, prayer, and reading of the scriptures. The benefits of this experience are what energizes her for mission. For you and all who continue to collaborate with us in mission, she invites, “hold unto your faith and continue to witness to Christ by your very being.”
For all those discerning religious life, sister prays for them thus, “I pray daily for all those discerning religious life for God's direction, courage and steadfastness. May God's grace be sufficient as you discern. Be open! Be courageous! Be prayerful!”
Sister Lilian Awuonda Gor
Kenya
Sister Lilian has a background in Special Needs Education. Currently, she serves as a teacher at Likuyani Primary School, Kenya. Sister enjoys reading and singing. Her favorite Blessed Theresa Gerhardinger's quote is: “Have patience with yourself concerning the growth of the reign of God within you...and go head step by step-not all at once, the reign of God grows, says Jesus.”
Sister Lilian learned about religious life as a child from her readings about the lives of saints. She was attracted by their lifestyle and began imitating their selfless love and genuine concern for others, virtues she also saw in her parents. She opened her heart to discern and felt at home with the School Sisters of Notre Dame. Sister Lilian is grateful to all who partner with us in mission, their sacrifices have contributed to the advancement of the kingdom of God and the spread of our charism in different parts of our world especially in Africa.
Sister Lilian shares, “I would encourage anyone who is discerning religious life to listen to the promptings of their hearts. Sometimes it is going to be confusing, prayer will help to sort things out. Trust in the God who has placed the desire in your heart and dare to take the risk then come and see whenever you are ready.”
Sister Sarah Chepkorir Kipsang
Kenya
Sister Sarah is a teacher by profession and currently ministers at Pope Benedict XVI Minor Seminary, Kisii Diocese, Kenya. She enjoys reading, singing and doing creative handwork. Her favorite Blessed Theresa Gerhardinger's quote is: “With our dear Lord what we do is less important than how we do it.”
Sister Sarah’s call to religious life was nurtured through visiting and living in various SSND communities. Through these visits she experienced a deep peace and resonance with the SSND way of life. She is especially grateful for the prayers and support from the sisters, family members, formators, spiritual directors and all people of good will who have enabled her to be the person that she is today.
Her message to our partners in mission is, “God still calls, for in His vineyard the laborers are still needed. Say ‘Yes’ to that still voice from within calling: ‘Come, follow me..... I will show you the way as I lead.…’”
To all discerning a call to religious life, sister invites, “Come and join us, that together we may witness to the great love of our Lord who shows us how to love unconditionally.”
Sister Ejura Elisabeth Michael
Nigeria
Currently a teacher at Saint Edward’s Upper Basic School, The Gambia. Sister Ejura is also the manager of the SSND Girls Hostel in Bwiam. She has a degree in public administration and enjoys singing, reading, listening to music, and playing games. Her favorite Blessed Theresa Gerhardinger's quote is: “O Jesus, I want to work hard at humility and love and become gentle, so that your image may become more radiant in me.”
Sister Ejura experiences religious life as an invitation to be in a sound relationship with God who is love. She has found fulfillment in the varied ways that she has serves others in different SSND ministries, her community and God’s children placed into her stewardship.
Acknowledging that the mission is vast and diverse, she thanks our partners for networking with us as we collaborate together. She assures them of our moral, spiritual and professional support. To those interested in joining religious life, she encourages, “Be open to listen to God at the core of your being in your earnest search for Him. Surrender all to the feet of Jesus and entrust yourself to the maternal care of our Blessed Mother and with bold confidence, take the first step today and apply to become a SSND.”
Sister Ruth Nyanchama Mose
Kenya
A graduate of languages and linguistics, Sister Ruth is a teacher at Notre Dame Girls Senior High school Fiapre, Sunyani, Ghana. She enjoys reading and writing, singing and listening to music, and farming. Her favorite Blessed Theresa Gerhardinger's quote is: “In and with God everything is possible; this is my consolation, my comfort, my joy, and my only hope.”
Her vocation was nurtured as a child by her parent's loving support as thoughts of joining religious life filled her young heart. This desire led her to join SSND where the formation, teaching, guidance and prayer strengthened her conviction to give her total self to God. Her message to our partners in mission is, “We, the School Sisters of Notre Dame, are grateful for the many ways you have supported us through your prayers, collaboration, and benevolence. May our faithful God continue to enrich you with his blessings in abundance.” She encourages young women to consider joining SSND so as to experience the joy of religious life, and to remain open to God’s call who blesses our heart’s desires.
Sister Uzoamaka Chimal Moneme
Nigeria
Sister Uzo is a trained teacher with a degree in Biology Education. She currently teaches at Hillside International School, Uyo, Akwa Ibom State. Sister enjoys baking, reading, watching sports, especially football and listening to good music. Her favorite Blessed Theresa Gerhardinger's quote is: “To God above all be glory and thanks. He it is who so gladly uses the weak to reveal his power, wisdom and love.”
Sister Uzo was attracted to the SSNDs because of the warm welcome she received at her first meeting with the Sisters in OLA College Akwanga. The attraction took root and in her discernment, she found joy, peace of mind and felt at home with SSND.
She is particularly grateful for all the support given to us by our partners in mission and prays for God’s blessing on each of them.
To those interested in joining us she says, “The joy of serving God and all of humanity is beautiful, we invite young women who feel called to give their lives in service to God, to join us so that together we can further the kingdom of God here on earth.”
Sister Sarah Unwaunyin Tanjo
Nigeria
Sister Sara is a laboratory scientist and currently a teacher at St. Matthew Agricultural Secondary School, Bumbuna, Sierra Leone. She enjoys cooking, exercising, journaling and mentoring. Her favourite Blessed Theresa Gerhardinger's quote is: “Love is the sign by which the world will be convinced we believe in Jesus.”
She was attracted to religious life by the good example of some of her high school teachers who were religious. Their life resonated with the moral values she experienced from her staunch catholic parents. She treasures the day she made her first vows and states, “On this day July 4th 2015, religious life felt so right for me, it was so remarkable because I felt the unconditional love and mercies of God choosing me.”
She encourages our partners in mission not to relent in their support of empowering the girl child and those most vulnerable in the society their priority. “We believe that if a girl child is educated, the family and by extension the society and the world will be transformed.” Religious life is a call from God that requires an authentic response of participating and promoting justice, love and peace in our world that is broken. To all those discerning this way of life, Sister Sarah says, “Do not be afraid, speak up, be open and persevere, it is God who calls and empowers.”
Sister Ndukeobong Clement Umoren
Nigeria
Proficient in Economics and Business Administration, Sister Ndukeobong is currently the Head of Administration, Caritas, Makeni, Sierra Leone. She enjoys reading, singing and creative writing. Her favourite Blessed Theresa Gerhardinger's quote is: “What the future will bring is in the God’s hands.”
Sister Ndukeobong experienced the call to religious life at a very tender age. Coming from a family of staunch Catholics nurtured her faith and prepared her to be open to serve God and humanity in a great way. She was privileged to be taught and mentored by SSND’s in High School and upon attending her first ‘come and see’ seminar she strengthened her resolve to become a School Sister of Notre Dame. She is grateful to God who has brought her this far and trusts that His Grace continues to lead her on.
Her message to our partners in mission, “Thank you so much for your unflinching support, partnership, prayers and solidarity. We are because you are. It is an encouragement and a motivation to know that you are there to support, journey and work with us for the common good and for the salvation of souls.” Her message to those interested in joining SSND is to seek a personal encounter with God through prayer and deep listening to God’s movements in our hearts. She notes that no one is too young to serve God and encourages having a spiritual guide who would help one to listen to God’s voice who is ever present in all stages of life’s journey.
Sister Juliana Awuor Wangao
Kenya
Currently serving as a laboratory technician in Sierra Leone, Sister Juliana has a diploma in medical laboratory science and a degree in public health (Epidemiology). She enjoys listening to documentaries, music and travelling. Her favorite Blessed Theresa Gerhardinger's quote is: “We are not born with serenity of heart; we must gradually acquire it.”
Sister appreciates our diverse international culture and was thrilled to live with and experience her colleagues who were from different parts of the continent. She notes that this witness to unity “widens and breaks the barriers that prevent us from seeing God’s unconditional love and image in every creation.”
She is particularly grateful to our partners in mission and promises our prayerful support and continued collaboration with each of them. Her advice to those interested in joining religious life is that, “This is a beautiful life that draws us to be one people, respecting the image of God in all creation. All are welcome.”