The Sisters of Fraternity Notre Dame

In 1991, a group of French nuns arrived in New York to open a mission. All of them were from the Order of Fraternite Notre Dame. Not one spoke English. Their first plan was to establish a soup kitchen for the poorest of the poor. They chose a storefront in Spanish Harlem and started working. Within a short period of time, they arranged to have food that was not sold by bakeries and restaurants donated to the mission. This was then served to the visitors of their kitchen. Other activities of involvement include dispensing food to the homeless in Times Square and caring for AIDS patients at nearby hospitals. A warm and friendly relationship has developed with the surrounding community. Neighbors enjoy their presence on the block and seem to look out for them. They do not proselytize, preferring to let their work quietly speak for itself.

Shortly after their arrival, they began to study the martial arts. The thought of using it on the streets to protect themselves was not the reason they began training. It was purely for exercise and recreation. One of the sister's, Mary Chantel, had earned a black belt in judo before entering the convent. She was eager to resume the sport and found a place for all of them to work out. Ironically, it was located in Hell's Kitchen. "Even though we study the martial arts, it does not in any way take away from our religious calling," says Sister Marie Francesca. "Our committment to make a difference to those in need always comes first."

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