The Sisters of Notre Dame first arrived in California in 1924. Since then their passion and spirit have spread and grown into the diverse ministry it is today. Listen to Sister Mary Sheila Fay tell stories of the struggles and successes of those early days.
Special thanks to Sister Mary Joanne Wittenburg and Sister Mary Sheila Fay.
Reverend Mother Mary Cecilia Romen who accepted the first two schools in California
La Grande Station where the first eleven sisters arrived in Los Angeles in 1924
The first eleven sisters who came to California
Saint Matthias Convent in Huntington Park in 1924
Sisters (top) Mary Bernard Flury, Amandis Thyen, and Fortunata (visiting from Cleveland), (bottom) Mary Isabel Lang, Ellen Healy,Walburge Schmitt, and Hildegarde Delahanty
Saint Matthias School in 1924
Sisters Mary Clarissa Westhoven, Sirana Kirchner, Alice Lang, Balbina Hagedorn, and Blanche Wolf in 1925
Dedication of Saint Lawrence school in 1924
Third and fourth grade students
Sister Mary Clarissa Westhoven with her first and second grade students
Sister Mary Balbina who was the first principal and local superior at Saint Lawrence
Sister Mary Sirana Kirchner, who taught third and fourth grade, on the day of her Golden Jubilee
Sisters of Notre Dame on a picnic at Emerald Bay in 1926
Sisters at Mission Santa Inez
Saint Rose of Lima, the third school established by the sisters in California
Sister Mary Ruth, a teacher and member of the first faculty at Saint Rose of Lima
The first graduating class from Saint Rose of Lima with Sister Mary Balbina
Re-dedication of Saint Matthias school after the earthquake in 1933
Saint Matthias convent was rebuilt to repair damage caused by the earthquake
Sister Mary Bernard Flury, who was principal at Saint Matthias and helped build the spirit of the California province
Sister Mary Walburge, Cardinal Timothy Manning, Sister Mary Balbina, and Bishop John Ward celebrating the 50th anniversary of the province in 1974
Pioneer sisters in 1974