Missionaries for a Time

One

Life. . .One year. . . a world of possibilities!

Missionaries for a Time

3837 Secor RoadToledo, OH 43623

One Life . . . One year. . . a world of possibilities!

Sisters of Notre Dame

Missionaries for a Time

From the beginning of our congregation, the Sisters of Notre Dame, compelled by our love for Jesus and His mission, have responded to the needs of the times with courage and creativity. We share our resources for the benefit of those we serve in the name of Jesus. We invite you to join in this response as missionaries who will assist us in addressing the educational, pastoral and social needs of our brothers and sisters in need around the world. The Sisters of Notre Dame have been involved with this outreach since 1850.

Mission StatementMissionaries for a Time are volunteers who put their Christian faith into action by standing in

solidarity with those in need. In the spirit of the Sisters of Notre Dame, missionaries address the educational, pastoral, and social needs of the people they serve. Living in community and sharing their spirituality supports the volunteers as they strive to bring Christ to the world.

Core ValuesVolunteers interested in Missionaries for a Time dedicate themselves to four core values:wServicewCommunity LivingwSimple LivingwSpirituality

ServiceMissionaries for a Time are committed to service and education in all of its forms. While the types and places of service will vary for each missionary, each volunteer will be serving the needs of others in a unique and precious way. Through the work itself and reflection on her service, each volunteer can experience a lifelong transformation of her views of those in need around the world.

Community LivingThe Mission House is more than a residence for missionaries…it is a community. The community members intentionally support each other and strive to build positive relationships with each other and with those they serve. This foundation of support over shared meals, daily conversation and community building encourages each member to reflect on and evaluate her own personal growth, values, and goals.

Simple Living Simple living is being aware of our choices and how those choices impact the people around us and the whole world. Consider:wbeing in solidarity with the poorwunderstanding the interconnectedness of all thingswfinding a balance in your life.

Missionaries for a Time encourage each other to live lives of simplicity, becoming free from the pressures of society and eliminating the daily distractions of material possessions. By embracing this simple lifestyle, each volunteer can place her focus on building relationships, which allows all of us to see the world in a new and glorious light!

SpiritualityMissionaries for a Time live in a faith community. Through an atmosphere of openness and acceptance, our own core values flow out into others. While our program is rooted in the Catholic Christian tradition, we welcome and respect each volunteer in her own faith background and journey. An environment of respect in the Mission House enables the community to explore issues of faith and spirituality openly and without judgment.

Why serve with Missionaries for a Time? Experience…wdiverse cultures and people at home and abroadwdifferent ways of living and praying togetherwmyriad-minded approaches to Godwa greater sensitivity to Jesus’ special love for poor and marginalized peoplewthe blessings of your own faith as you share it with otherswthe opportunity for spiritual and personal growthwliving with a community of women religious as together you serve God and His peoplewsharing the hope and love of the Gospel as you walk with poor people in their daily struggles.

What services are provided by Missionaries for a Time?Missionaries for a Time live their Christian values in various ministries, including education, pastoral work and domestic services. They live the Gospel message by sharing their own skills to empower the people with whom they serve. In all that they do, the message of the missionaries is one of respect for human dignity.

Work you could do with Missionaries for a Time:w Children’s servicesw Service to individuals with disabilitiesw Educationw Health care and health educationw Pastoral ministry at a local parishw Domestic servicesw Senior servicesw Social services and community centersw Homeless sheltersw Services to programs serving women and childrenw Youth and/or young adult ministryw Tutoring at-risk studentsw Service with children with unique learning needsw Religious educationActual placement sites and types of service needed vary in a given year.

Options available for service with Missionaries for a Time:

1. International service

2. Full-time (40 hours per week) in Toledo, Ohio

3. Part-time (10-20 hours per week) in Toledo, Ohio while attending a local college or university

4. Part-time or short term service (as available) in Toledo, Ohio while maintaining your current job.

All options include living in community with the Missionaries for a Time.

How long do Missionaries for a Time serve?After a period of orientation, Missionaries for a Time sign a renewable commitment for up to one year of service. Domestic volunteers typically serve from August 1 – June 30 of each year. International volunteers typically serve from May 15 – April 15.

Who can join?Single women, most often between the ages of 21-49, are invited to apply for the program. Candidates must have completed at least 2 years of college, or work experience. They should have the necessary skills or a trade that is appropriate in the mission environment. Prior work experience for all is encouraged. Current college students in the Toledo area, over the age of 21, who are willing to serve in a part-time capacity are also encouraged to apply.

What is required? Candidates…

wdemonstrate a strong faith commitment whave a sincere desire for mission serviceware emotionally matureware in good physical and mental healthware able to interact and cooperate with people of different religions, traditions and cultureswcan live simply, sacrifice and be flexibleware willing to learn.ware willing to work in community with the local church and the Sisters of Notre Dameware open to ongoing spiritual development.

How are the candidates prepared for work in the missions?The Missionaries for a Time program provides an orientation for both the international and domestic volunteers. The staff will help the candidate discern the call to missionary service and provide workshops and materials on cross-cultural living, communication skills, conflict resolution, mission spirituality, the Sisters of Notre Dame charism, relationships, healthy living, etc. The orientation is held at the Sisters of Notre Dame Mission House in Toledo, Ohio.

Following your service . . .Upon returning after the missionary assignment, the missionaries are offered a time to integrate and evaluate their mission experience. Opportunities may also be available to share their mission experience with the Sisters of Notre Dame, future missionaries, and the larger Church.

Where do Missionaries for a Time serve?The location for the international program is in Guimaras and Iloilo, Philippines.The location for the domestic program is in Toledo, Ohio.

History of SND The story of the Sisters of Notre Dame begins in Coesfeld, Germany in 1848, when Hilligonde Wolbring and her friend, Elisabeth Kuhling provided a loving home where neglected children could live while attending school. After two years, Hilligonde and Elisabeth established a new religious congregation with a spirituality and apostolic ministry based on a deep experience of God’s goodness and provident care.

In July of 1874, eight missionary sisters arrived in Cleveland, Ohio. Within the next four years, two hundred Sisters of Notre Dame came to the United States to escape religious persecution in Europe and to teach the children of immigrants.

For more information contact:Sr. Mary Joselyn Weeman

3837 Secor Road, Toledo, OH 43623 419.913.8329 or

jweeman@toledosnd.org

www.toledosnd.org (click on Service in Quick Links)

Find us on Facebook: Toledo Sisters of Notre Dame

As women disciples of Jesus Christ, we have come to value our internationality as a blessing that continues to unfold. With more than 2000 sisters united in Christ, the Sisters of Notre Dame minister in 16 countries on six continents.