SNDdeN Congregational
Leadership Team

The five members of the Congregational Leadership Team (CLT) are responsible for the international governance of the Congregation of the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur (SNDdeN). They work as a team in administering the religious congregation.  One member holds the designation of Congregational Leader. 

Election

Every six years, delegates from the 18 Units in the Congregation participate in a General Chapter to formulate broad policy, to give new direction to the religious community and to elect a Congregational Leadership Team. The members of the CLT are elected to serve for six years. They govern the Congregation and move forward or implement the directions and policies set by the membership at the General Chapter.

Congregational Leadership Team (2008-2014)

In July 2008, delegates to the General Chapter met in Belmont, CA. They elected Sisters Maria Delaney, Jeanne MacDonald, Nancy O’Shea, Liliane Sweko and Teresita Weind as the Congregational Leadership Team of the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur. These delegates from five continents (Afica, Asia, Europe, North America and South America) chose Sister Teresita Weind as Congregational Leader. In Rome, Italy, the current CLT assumed full responsibility for the governance of the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur in December 2008.

Heritage

In 1804, St. Julie Billiart, foundress of the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur, established a strong central government for the new religious congregation. She was the first leader of the Congregation, formerly called a Superior General. She sent Sisters to serve in schools in France and Belgium. In the years following her death, Sisters were sent all over the world from the motherhouse in Namur, Belgium. As the Congregation grew, smaller governmental regions (called Units or Provinces) became distinct geographical regions. Today, the Units retain a high degree of autonomy, as well as have responsibility for the support of their members and for funding their works. The Congregation as a whole contributes to the support of unfunded and underfunded Notre Dame Ministries worldwide.

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