An associate is a woman or man, 21 years of age or older, who wishes to share with School Sisters of Notre Dame in faith, prayer, and spiritual growth within her/his own life style.

The associate makes a covenant to live the SSND spirit through . . .

• Deepening personal and communal prayer according to individual needs and desires.
• Participating in SSND spiritual, educational, and social activities.
  Each Associate is free to choose activities according to her/his own interests.
• Joining together in common prayer experiences including retreats, ongoing education sessions six times a year, and community celebrations.
• Participating in corporate service projects locally and on an international level, through Global Partners. (They have provided goats for families in Guatemala and, currently, are engaged in fund raising for a water well project, also in Guatemala.)
• Extending the spirit of SSND in their respective ministries/lifestyles. Associates represent a great variety of ministries: education, health care, industry, pastoral positions, clerical duties, even the joys and challenges of retirement. As single or married persons, associates extend the SSND spirit to family, friends, coworkers, and others who come into their lives.
• Sharing their gifts, faith life, and lived experience with other Associates and with SSNDs.
  

School Sisters of Notre Dame and Associates enrich one another by . . .

• Meeting regularly for mutual sharing of faith, prayer, and reflection on SSND spirituality.
  This may take place on a one to one basis, small faith sharing groups, or large group gatherings of Sisters and Associates.
• Attending local and province gatherings. These may be educational, spiritual, social, or a combination of activities.
• Supporting and challenging one another in living the mission of Jesus Christ in the spirit of SSND.

Taking the Steps to Become an Associate
There is an application process and preparation time during which the prospective Associate can become acquainted with the School Sisters of Notre Dame, and with SSND heritage, mission, and spirituality. After the person completes the preparation time, and his/her own decision making process, and the companion and members of the Congregation also finish their part of the process, the pre-associate makes a covenant as an associate for one year.