The Sisters of Notre Dame will celebrate 30 years of service by hosting an open house from 1 to 5 p.m. Sun., April 11 at the Notre Dame Center, behind La Reina High School, 1776 Hendrix Ave., Thousand Oaks.

This birthday party for the provincial headquarters will include refreshments, exhibits, a raffle drawing and a rare tour of cloistered areas of the convent.

The center has hosted many retreats, liturgies and fundraising events, but April 11 will be the first time in three decades that the cloister will be opened to the general public.

One special attendee will be Sister Mary Francelia Klingshirn, who supervised the building project as provincial superior and now lives in active retirement at the center.

The six Spanish colonial buildings on the grounds are connected by covered walkways. There are also two small courtyards and a large interior lawn. Some renovations have occurred over the years, most notably in 2005 when the preschool was created.

The center houses the administrative offices of the province, the Notre Dame Learning Center preschool, a convent and assisted living facilities.

The Sisters of Notre Dame have served in California since 1924, primarily in educational ministries at parishes and schools. They have been ministering in Ventura County for more than 50 years, most notably at La Reina High School in Thousand Oaks.

All are welcome to attend the open house. To RSVP, call Carmela Burke at (805) 917-3714 or e-mail carmela@sndca.org.