The Provincial Secretariat in Coesfeld receives requests for family research time and again. Often great-nieces or great-nephews want information about their great-aunt who was a Sister of Notre Dame. The most important data can be quickly researched in the Congregation’s Book of the Dead.
A special visit took place at Annenthal in September. Mr. William Terwort from Covington, Kentucky visited the home town of his ancestors in Vreden, about 30 km from Coesfeld, for the first time. Since his family in the USA is closely connected with the Sisters of Notre Dame, he wanted to meet the sisters in Coesfeld and see the Coesfeld Cross.
He came accompanied by his grand cousin from Vreden. It was a wonderful coincidence that the sisters in the community of Kloster Annental were gathered in the garden and refectory for an ice cream party. The two Terworts were able to enjoy an ice cream in the sunshine and get to know some of the sisters.
Afterwards, Sr. Josefa Maria Bergmann showed them our Heritage Center which shows our founding history and worldwide spread. This was followed by a visit to the Lamberti Church with the Coesfeld Cross, followed by a short tour of the former Liebfrauenburg where the sisters settled again in Coesfeld in 1950. The so-called castle park and the site of the former Annathal monastery, where the hospital now stands, were also visited.
Report: Sr. Josefa Maria Bergmann