CND Sisters celebrate forty years of service

posted on November 16, 2012

by Shannon Grooms

Our Lady of the Sioux Church in Oglala held a surprise celebration for Sr. Mary Jane Hebert and Sr. Margaret Giroux this fall. Both Sisters of the Congregation of Notre Dame, this year marks the 40th year the Order has served the Pine Ridge Reservation community. The OLS church community held a special surprise celebration for the sisters on Sunday, September 9, 2012.

The Congregation of Notre Dame was founded in Montreal in the late 17th century by Sister Marguerite Bourgeoys. Now a Saint, Marguerite founded the order to address education of young girls and missionary work with Native people, Marguerite wanted CND Sisters to live among those they were serving – especially the poor. Sister Mary Jane and Sister Margaret have shared both their faith and their life with the people of Our Lady of the Sioux Church and the community of Oglala.

The celebration included Sunday Mass and a special meal. Both Sr. Mary Jane and Sr. Margaret were each gifted with a star quilt wall hanging and an additional hanging for their Motherhouse in Connecticut. One of the first Sisters from the Congregation of Notre Dame to come to the Pine Ridge Reservation, Mrs. Elaine Murphy, was also in attendance.

If you are interested in learning more about any of the religious orders on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation, contact Fr. Peter Klink at 605-867-5491 ext 604.