Wendy Garcia Sigala
Just weeks after moving clear across the country to South Bend, Wendy Garcia Sigala and her husband learned she was pregnant with her first child. She felt excited but scared: would she have the support she needed in a new place? But Wendy’s new colleagues at Notre Dame quickly became more than coworkers — they became her lifeline.“
Notre Dame has given me more than a career; it’s given me a community that truly cares. From the beginning, it’s been a place where I’ve found encouragement, empathy, and a sense of belonging that’s carried me through the most transformative journey of my life.“
During Advent, we are reminded through Scripture of Mary’s motherhood and recognize the overwhelming circumstances she faced at the time of Christ’s birth. And yet, the Holy Spirit provided the support she needed through her cousin, Elizabeth, and her husband, Joseph. Inspired by these examples of love, how might we be more aware of and offer support to those in our lives who are struggling with feeling overwhelmed during this holiday season?
←
Thank you Wendy for sharing your story. You are beautiful inside and out. Notre Dame is better for having you there. You have been such an amazing part of my Notre Dame journey.
That was a very touching and loving story. Thank you so much for sharing..❤️
Wendy is such a special individual and a true representative of our Lady’s University. She is always encouraging us and cheering us on. I feel blessed to call her my friend. Thank you Wendy, Merry Christmas!
Wendy, you exemplify everything that is special about Notre Dame. You are a gifted leader and those of us who have worked with you have benefitted from your talents. Thank you for sharing this Advent message.
My favorite story so far. Christmas is about bringing a baby into this world and how it saved us all. And Advent is the time of expectancy and the season of Mary. Thanks for sharing your journey and your embrace of your beautiful child.
Thank you Wendy for sharing your story and your fears and anxieties. Becoming a mom is a challenge and you had a new job, new life, new home layered on top of that incredible challenge called parenthood. I am glad that you sought counseling when you needed it. Keep that process in. your parenting toolbox and you will always have that as one of your back ups. God bless you.
May God bless you and your family. Merry Christmas….Go IRISH!!!!
Wendy: Thank you for your touching story about your transition to your new job at Notre Dame the birth of your daughter. I’m happy that you found the love and support you needed from your colleagues, but I would have been surprised if that wasn’t the case.
Best wishes to you and your family in this Christmas season and continued success in your job. (I loved the picture of your daughter.)
Thank you Wendy for the memory.
Notre Dane was my first child Michael Fitzpatrick Tierney’s birth place also in 1968. The community was very gracious to our family as well.
He was so proud to put the picture of himself on Facebook a few years ago.
His dad was working on the PHD writing of his dissertation on Supreme Court Justice Thurgood Marshall.
His parents and grandparents loved having him baptized at the Sacred Heart Basilica by Father Michael Foran ( his grandmother just happened to know from back home in Syracuse,NY).
Thank you Wendy for sharing your beautiful story. God bless the Notre Dame community.
ND’72☘️
Thank you for your beautiful story
A true one of a kind !!
Merry Christmas Wendy! Thank you for sharing your story. Your daughter is a cutie and looks great in her ND Cheerleader outfit!
All the Best to you and your family in 2025! GO IRISH!
What a truly heartwarming story…sooo happy you are a part of our Notre Dame family! Continued blessings to you and yours, and the Merriest of Christmases…