IHM Archives Newsletter
Every month our sisters working in Archives publish a newsletter with quirky stories and little known facts about IHM life in the past. Below is a link to the latest Archives Notes. Consider this a mini-coursse in IHM her-story!
http://ihmsisters.org/media/publications_autogen/ArchivesNewsletter08312011.pdf
Posted in IHM, Meet IHMs, religious life, vocation
Tagged IHM Archives, IHM her-story, IHM sisters farm work, IHM sisters friendships
One of the joys of the weeks surrounding Jubilee is that our sisters who live at a distance are home. I took the opportunity to ask Sr. Maureen Kelly and Sr. Maria Antonia Aranda Diaz, two of our sisters who minister in Juarez, Mexico to share their vocation stories on video. I particularly wanted Maria Antonia to tell her story in her native tongue. Those of you whose native language is Spanish can enjoy that clip more than many of us. I also asked them to talk about their experiences of mission in Juarez. Stay tuned. I’ll be posting those later.
Posted in IHM, Meet IHMs, religious life, spirituality, vocation
Tagged call, IHM sisters, Juarez, Mexico, Sr. Maria Antonia Aranda Diaz, Sr. Maureen Kelly, vocation, vocation story in Spanish
Sr. Sandra Schneiders, IHM and our Jubilee guests
On the day after Jubilee, July 31, Sr. Sandra Schneiders, IHM spoke with a few of our guests about the development of religious life from its beginnings. As you probably know, Sr. Sandra, a Biblical Scholar teaching at Berkley, has written extensively on the topic, including her two books of a trilogy Finding the Treasure and Selling All, the last of which will come out this fall, and her recent book, Prophets in Their Own Country.
Sr. Sandra began with an overview and explanation of major shifts that have occurred in religious life over the centuries, particularly after Vatican II, putting the error of “It has always been this way” to rest. She calls the current form of religious life lived by 90% of U.S. religious women including the IHMs, ”Ministerial,” and during the Q&A session explained how ministerial religious more and more feel a call to reflect on God’s call to us in the needy, the poor and the voiceless. Of course Sandra couldn’t resist calling on her own long experience as an IHM to share some insight. One of the guests shared afterwards that she was blown away by one of Sandra’s suggestions to include in discernment, “As you are considering various different congregations ask yourself, “Will this community help me to grow?” Quite a question.
‘Sorry you couldn’t be here, but if you’d like to read some of Sandra’s recent material on ministerial religious life today I suggest getting her recent book pictured below from Amazon. ‘Sorry you can’t just click here to look inside.
Srs. Margaret Brennan and Joan Mumaw in the Jubilee entrance procession
One of the Jubilee gifts that I didn’t mention before was the reflection Sr. Margaret Brennan gave after the Gospel at Mass. I promised a copy to our Jubilee guests, but why not share it with all of you as well? Just click on the link below. Sr. Joan Mumaw, acting president, introduced the Jubilarians by name and invited their renewal of vows. I’m sure it was a bittersweet experience for her as we continue to grieve the loss of Sr. Mary Fran Gilleran.
http://www.ihmsisters.org/www/media/about_us_autogen/BrennanReflectionJUBILEE11.pdf
Pictured at the pre Jubilee reception are Sr. Barbara Stanbridge, Jeanne Salerno, Sandra Hagen, Sr. Carmen Armenta-Lara, Sr. Maria Antonia Aranda Diaz and Marcia Edge
Entrance procession: Srs. Anne Crimmins, Kathy Onderbeke, Margaret Brennan, Joan Mumaw (hidden), Frs. Babcock and Singelyn, surrounded by enthusiastic, clapping IHMs
A joyous Diamond Jubilarian, Sr. Lucille Smalley, escorted by her friend, Sr. Margaret VanVelzen
Golden Jubilarians Srs. Mary Ann Mehling, Mary King, Rose Ange Leddy and Angela Hibbard
Jubilee closes with a festive dinner. Obviously Sandra Hagen, Joyce Elaine Cutliff, Marcia Edge, Sr. Maxine Kollasch, Sue Palmer and Sr. Julie Vieira enjoyed it.
Posted in IHM, religious life, spirituality
Tagged IHM sisters, religious consecration, vocation
