Her mission is simple:
“...to help others experience God’s unconditional love, mercy and the power of forgiveness.”
“It’s as if she sees the invisible, and in doing so conveys the mystery and beauty of God in all of creation.”
Sister Rose Marie is a Sister of Notre Dame, an educator, photographer, author, spiritual director, and advocate for the poor.
Many have found genuine freedom, healing, and peace through the insights and prayer God gives through her ministry that includes spiritual direction, speaking engagements, retreats, faith formation and parish missions for all ages and backgrounds. Her photography has been exhibited all over the USA, for the World Meeting of Family in 2015, and in Ireland.
Known as the “Nun with a Nikon,” Sister Rose Marie has founded a ministry, Notre Dame Creations, that has become well known for her dramatic landscapes, powerful portraits, light and shadows. She is widely recognized for capturing the emotional essence of place and time within her images. It’s as if she sees the invisible, and in doing so conveys the mystery and beauty of God in all of creation.
Sister Rose Marie began with a borrowed camera and a $20 bill from her father. In 2002, she published her first book, In the Between, a beautiful blend of her own unique photography and prose reflecting her mission. In the Between received the 2003 Multi Media International Award, Rome, Italy for excellence in the use of Media for Religious Communication and Evangelization. Proceeds from the sale of the book funded the establishment in Tanzania of the Zinduka Women’s Center, Notre Dame Academy (1000 students), an orphanage for HIV orphans, and a convent and Montessori school in Nairobi, Kenya. Thousands of children, and hundreds of women are being self-empowered spiritually, physically, and emotionally. Our East Africa mission is thriving with solid vocations. Sponsors and resources are needed to educate our African sisters to receive a degree in Theology, Education, Health Care, Social Services, etc.
For ten years, Sister has given the Saturday evening highlight at the Los Angeles Religious Education Congress. She is widely known for her national speaking presentations, retreats, parish missions, and catechesis for adults, youth, and children on topics including self-discovery, spirituality, Biblical theology, scripture, human trafficking, missiology, Africa, vocation, and her passion for Global Mission Awareness.
Sister has spent a lifetime working to spearhead fundraising projects for worthy efforts around the globe. In particular, she was crucial in the history and development of the Sisters of Notre Dame in Tanzania and Kenya through creative initiatives to raise consciousness of the plight of vulnerable women and children living in the slums of Njiro-Arusha, Tanzania, East Africa.
Additionally, she helped to establish and raise funds for the Zinduka Women’s Center, Njiro-Arusha, Tanzania, East Africa, which empowers vulnerable and poor Masaai women with education, health care, social services, micro loans, and community development.
Sister holds a Masters Degree in Pastoral Theology and Ministry from Boston College and completed graduated work in the Art of Spiritual Direction from Loyola Marymount University.
