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| Q |
If I become an SSND, where would I live? |
| A |
Most likely, you would live with at least one, but usually no more than six sisters in housing rented or owned by SSND, which is referred to as a community. This housing can be in the form of apartments, town houses, flats, or stand alone residences in neighborhoods throughout our province. |
| Q |
Am I paid for the work I do; is there a salary? |
| A |
Most sisters who are not retired receive a salary for their work from the organization for which they work. For example, if a sister works as an employee of a hospital, that organization will provide the paycheck just as if the sister were a lay person. That salary is then placed directly into a common SSND fund for the support of all sisters, both active and retired, within the province. Sisters who work for the province itself receive a salary from SSND, that is also returned to the common fund. |
| Q |
How are my individual needs addressed in terms of food, clothing, shelter, and entertainment? |
| A |
Every month, each community house receives money to cover payment for all living expenses such as food, utilities, rent, etc., and for personal needs that include clothing, gifts, and entertainment. |
| Q |
Will I have a choice as to where I work and in what areas of ministry I'd like to pursue? |
| A |
Keeping our SSND mission and charism in mind, you are free to pursue a job that fits your skills and abilities. You'll discuss your choices with an SSND counselor who will help you through the process of establishing your career. |
| Q |
Will I ever be sent on a mission or placed in a ministry that I feel uncomfortable with? |
| A |
No, we will always work to find a fit for your unique skills and abilities with the consensus of SSND leadership. Generally, SSNDs find their own jobs and do not get "placed." However, with internal SSND positions, some are appointed to take on certain duties that fit with their experience. |
| Q |
Can I maintain relationships with friends and family? |
| A |
Yes, it is encouraged that these relationships continue. |
| Q |
Do SSNDs get personal time off or take vacations? |
| A |
We feel that personal time and vacations are as important to sisters as they are to the lay community. For this reason, leisure time is encouraged for a balanced life. |
| Q |
What if I wanted to leave the School Sisters of Notre Dame after starting the process to become an SSND or after I've become a professed sister? |
| A |
The formal process to become an SSND can take as long as six years and gives you the opportunity to decide if this is the right life for you. A decision to discontinue the process and leave is yours. After becoming a sister, the decision to leave is still yours, and to help with the transition, for both you and the SSND community, a process is implemented to make sure that yours and SSND's needs are respected. And of course, you will remain a Catholic. |
| Q |
Can I pursue higher education and will it be funded by SSND. |
| A |
Ongoing education is possible and even encouraged. Each woman's situation is evaluated on its own merit. |
| Q |
Do I have to be a virgin to enter the SSND congregation, and must I remain celibate during the formation process before becoming a sister? |
| A |
You do not have to be a virgin to begin the process to become a sister. However, before your first step in formal affiliation (first stage) we expect you to have been celibate for one year and continue this through the rest of your formation process and then as a School Sister of Notre Dame. |
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