New Dawn in the Novitiate

Celebration

By Sr. Jacinta Ojilimmobe, SNDdeN

Prayer center piece

Handover Ceremony at the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur (SNDdeN), Novitiate, Kulende, Ilorin, Kwara State on the 3rd day of February, 2025. It was a remarkable day at the Novitiate as Sr. Christiana Sule, SNDdeN handed over the formation of the Novices to Sr. Esther Okonroma, SNDdeN. Sr. Christy, as she is called, served as the novice directress for over six years after assisting Sr. Ifeoma Okpala, SNDdeN, the then novice mistress.

Gathered for the ceremony were the novitiate community, one of the leadership team member Sr. Monica Umeh, SNDdeN, and Sisters from Tanke Community who work in Our Lady’s Catholic Schools, Kulende.

The ceremony began at 12 noon with the Angelus Prayer and opening prayer led by Sr. Monica Umeh. This was immediately followed by a song and a scriptural reading (Mtt. 13:2-9) and a reflection. Sr. Monica, on behalf of the Province, thanked Sr. Christy for her six years of formation ministry, a ministry she acknowledged to be stressful and demanding. After the appreciation followed the rite of the handover.

Sr. Monica Umeh (far right) questioning Sr. Esther Okonroma

Constitution #82 of the congregation of the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur was read out clearly which centered on formation of the Novices. This was followed by questioning of the new directress by the leadership team member to be sure that she was ready to undertake the task ahead of her. With all eagerness, Sr. Esther responded “I do” to all the questions she was asked.

The ceremony reached its peak when Sr. Christy formerly handed to the incoming novice directress, a well-documented handover notes, a Bible, a vessel of cherry plant, and the constitution of the congregation. One of the most remarkable of these items was the cherry plant which was planted and has been nurtured by the outgoing Novice Directress and a Novice.

She stated that the plant was the appropriate symbol for the ceremony since it’s a plant that requires nurturing, care, and patience. It isn’t a plant that produces fruits in a short while but needs a longer nurturing. As she handed the plant to Sr. Esther, she said that she was handing over the whole novices to her to nurture and care for. The ceremony ended with the blessing of the new novice mistress and the novices; a special prayer of farewell for Sr. Christy Sule. In conclusion, Sr. Esther Okonroma addressed the sisters and novices at the ceremony and asked for their prayers.

Srs. Esther Okonroma and Christiana Sule
Sr. Esther receiving the Cherry plant from Sr. Christiana Sule
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School Resumption

Education

By Teresa Anyabuike, SNDdeN

Christmas and New Year celebration is over and all the children who travelled for the celebration are back to begin school. “Holidays are over, Holidays are over” as they sing to remind themselves that Christmas holidays are over, while they continue to face their academic journey that begins a new term today.

All the schools owned and managed by the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur have started a New Term for 2025. We are grateful to our good God for the grace of life.

As St. Julie and Françoise would have been very happy to welcome the children back to school, so the Sisters are very glad welcoming the children to school with smiles on their faces.

Sr. Uche Agbo, SNDdeN trying to show her children something on the white board at St Nobert International school, Mgbowo
Sr. Christiana Sidi, SNDdeN, Headmistress of St. Peter Nursery and Primary School, Ndeaboh addresses the children during Assembly
Sr. Felicia Ogbodo, SNDdeN, Headmistress of St. Nobert International school, Mgbowo, chatting with the little ones in a round table discussion.
Srs. Jennifer Orban, SNDdeN and Christiana Sidi, SNDdeN with some of the children at the morning Assembly

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Generosity and Divine Providence

Reflection
Sunflower

By Martha Moses

Have I ever given anything like these poor widows in these scriptural passages: 1 Kings 17:10-16 and Mark 12:38-41? Reflecting on the passages, I concluded immediately that I have never given anything like them because they gave all they had.

After much reflection, I remembered my own little act of generosity which cost me greatly. On the day of my baptism, I went to a river to fetch some water, and my mother advised and warned me strictly not to delay. In order not to waste time or get distracted by others, I went to the river that was not as busy as the regular one, which was more suitable and enjoyable.

I fetched my water and hasten up, just about leaving the river, a girl by name Augustina arrived at the river. She pleaded with me to wait for her, that the river is a lonely. I explained to her my reasons for not wanting stay back. She continued in her plead. Moved with pity, I yielded to her plea and joined her to wash some of the clothes she brought to the river, so as to finish fast.

My worried and anxious mother sent four persons to look for me since I was long in coming. They couldn’t find me because the river I went was not popular like the regular one.

I rushed back home after my generous act, found out that everybody had gone to the Church. I quickly worn my white dress for baptism. By the time I got to the Church, baptism was over. My mother was very bitter, so with my siblings and catechism teacher. I cried my eyes out.

After some years, I got baptised and I was so happy.

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