Mary Catherine Dundon, SSND
Professed in 1948

Sister Mary Catherine Dundon celebrates 60 years as a School Sister of Notre Dame. She has ministered as a teacher, education/curriculum coordinator, administrator, development director and volunteer.

A meaningful time in my ministry…
I had the thrill of bringing to reality the vision of the presidents and deans of Mount Mary, Alverno and Cardinal Stritch colleges by becoming the founder and first executive director of the now 25-year old Milwaukee Achiever Program (Literacy Services). This collaborative venture had a beautiful unifying effect on these three institutions, their religious sisters and alumnae who became the first volunteers of this program which addresses the great need for adult basic education and ESL in Milwaukee. It was a challenge and privilege to have planted the mustard seed for the Achiever Program and it is awesome to see what others have done to help it grow.

What drew you to the SSND community?
I felt a strong sense of call to the religious life since I was a child, visiting with the Daughters of Charity at St. Mary’s Hospital while my dad made his weekly rounds to his patients. I was drawn to SSND who were my dear teachers at Messmer High.

What has it meant to you to be a sister through the years?
Growing through the years during the liberating and deepening changes in the Church through Vatican II, and concomitantly in my religious community, have confirmed in me that my following of Jesus’ call through SSND has been the best decision I ever made.

What would you like people to know about the School Sisters of Notre Dame?
The School Sisters of Notre Dame are an international congregation of women dedicated to transforming the world through education in the broadest sense. We are contemplatives in action who truly love and support each other in our service especially to women and youth, with a heart for those who are poor.

What words of encouragement or wisdom would you offer to a woman exploring the possibility of a vocation as a woman religious?
If you sense a call to follow Jesus through the religious life, just know that the rewards are greater than you can imagine. It’s a great way to love God and others.

What is your current ministry?
Now I am part-time development director for the Dominican Center for Women (DCW). This program provides Adult Education and Housing programs for low-income people in the central city. On three mornings a week, I write proposals, conduct fundraising appeals, and handle the correspondence associated with these activities. DCW serves people with a dream to improve the quality of their lives and their political and economic well-being. At DCW we have created a warm, neighborhood-involved, community of friends. It’s a joy to be sharing my gifts with them as I receive from them in turn.

Is there anything else that you would like to share with people about your life?
I enjoy a long-standing variety of volunteer work:

• Tutoring two students for Milwaukee Achiever Literacy Services in ESL three hours each week.
• Preparing deposits of weekly donations for the SSND Mission Advancement Office.
• Visiting and bringing Eucharist to 20 residents at Luther Manor Retirement Home each Sunday.
• Directing Rising Stars, an SSND volunteer tutoring program for children in need during the school day.
• Serving as secretary to the board of Casa Romero Renewal Center and of the Board Development Committee since 2001.

 

 

 

 

 

Sister’s missions:
Sacred Heart, Laurium, MI, 1947
St. Anne, Milwaukee, WI, 1947
St. Michael, Milwaukee, WI, 1948-1956
Academy of Our Lady School, Chicago, IL, 1956-1961
Marinette Catholic Central High, Marinette, WI, 1961-1966
Lourdes High School, Oshkosh, WI, 1966-1967
Caroline Academy, Mequon, WI, 1967-1968
Doctoral Study at Marquette University, Milwaukee, WI, 1968-1971
Notre Dame of the Lake, Mequon, WI, 1971-1972
Mount Mary College, Milwaukee, WI, 1972-1982
Milwaukee Achiever Literacy Services, Milwaukee, WI, 1982-1992
SSND Provincial Offices, Elm Grove, WI, 1992-1999
Dominican Center for Women Inc., Milwaukee, WI, 2000-Present