Tag Archives: IHM sisters

Our IHM Sisters in Mexico

Posted on August 30, 2011 by | 2 Comments

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.

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Jubilee reflection

Posted on August 5, 2011 by | Leave a comment

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

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Faces of IHM Jubilee

Posted on August 3, 2011 by | 1 Comment
Miss Jubilee? Oh no! Our Jubilee always falls on the last Saturday of July and all IHMs make a priority to arrange our calendars accordingly.  It’s difficult to describe what it means for us. First of all we celebrate the lives of consecration of our Diamond, Golden and Siver Jubilarians.  It is so touching to see the faces of the Diamond Jubilarians particularly, either walking proudly, or more often being wheeled down the aisle.  This year I particularly noticed three of those sisters  showing brilliant smiles while tears brimmed in their eyes. Let me tell you their eyes weren’t the only ones brimming!
 
However,  Jubilee means much more than a number of years. We all experience overflowing  joy and gratitude for our IHM vocation.  No one actually sits on the sidelines. One of the discerners who shared Jubilee with us picked it up right away. She said, “I could feel the excitement in the air as soon as I came in.”   I hope the pictures express the spirit of the day!

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

Sign of Peace with more sisters in the aisle hugging each other than in the pews
 

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.

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Faces of IHM

Posted on July 26, 2011 by | 2 Comments
Trusting that one picture is worth a thousand words, today’s post will be primarily images of the first day of our Assembly.  You might wonder, so what is that? In simple terms  when the community comes together for Assembly we have conversations around our most deeply held values, exchange views, share experiences, celebrate our corporateness, and set directions for our future.  We began with Mass and then spent the day in creative tasks to help us get down to the core of our life together.
I hope these pictures say a lot about IHM spirit.

Sr. Michele Denton carrying the Assembly logo banner in the Entrance Procession

 

Sr. Joan Mumaw, our acting president, having a good time during the sprinkling rite

Our choir (l to r S. Anita Pfeiffer, S. Gloria Rivera, Mary Ellen Hochkins, S. Fran Chirco, S. Marianna Riley, S. Sharon Holland, S. Eva Schoell, S. Marian Duggan

Sr. Gloria Rivera singing the Responsorial Psalm in English and Spanish

Srs. Marie Gabriel Hungerman and Candy Rekart carrying the cloth to dress the altar

Srs. Paula Cooney, Alice Baker, Elizabeth Chmielewski, Marguerite Gibbs and Janet Hill singing lustily

Srs. Maria Antonia Aranda Diaz and Sandrita Poupart Valentin praying the Assembly prayer in Spanish and English

Sisters Carmen Armenta-Lara and Juanita Bernard enjoying another table's report

 
Srs. Joan Kusak, Camille Brouillard and Maryfran Barber sharing ideas

Sr. Pat Rourke reporting on her table group's insights (with a twinkle)

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They Came and Saw!

Posted on May 24, 2011 by | Leave a comment

We had a Great Come and See weekend! Four women came, two of whom had never been here before. River House, where we hung out for much of the weekend was a big hit. One woman kept saying again and again, “Oh this is so peaceful. It’s beautiful!” River House is our IHM spiritual center with lovely rooms overlooking the River Raisin. The discerners spent a considerable amount of time at the Motherhouse as well, giving them a chance to be with the sisters and learn a little more about what the IHM community tick. Sr. Mary Jo Maher treated them to stories from IHM History. Srs. Bernie Booms and Rose Bernadette VanOoteghem shared their ministry of Armchair Activism and Srs. Kate Pierce, Pam Kobasic and Camille Brouillard had a lively conversation with the women about their vocation stories and passion for ministry. All this was followed by a progressive dinner in different sisters’ living space. We started at the apartment shared by Srs. Agnes Anderson and Mary Bea Keeley. Srs. Nancy Lee Smith and Marguerite Gibbs served the main course and the last stop was the ever popular Motherhouse Ice Cream Room.  A very full day!

It was very interesting to me that among other things every woman mentioned in her evaluation how much she appreciated the unstructured discussions they had together in the evenings.  As one of the women said, “We really really understand what each other is going through,” and another, “Thank you. I’ve come to a whole new place in my discernment process.”

River House IHM spirituality Center

As the hostess I feel so privileged to have walked with these women for a part of their journey. One woman said to me a couple of days after the weekend, “You’re really lucky.  You have a great job!” I say, “Amen!”

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