Delegates and Observers to Gather for First Pre-Chapter ...ihmdonate.org/dotAsset/315606.pdfOne hundred and fifty-two delegates and dozens of observers will gather in the Theresa Maxis

IHM Newsletter - March 2009page 1 March 2009

Three New IHM Associates CommissionedOn February 8, 2009, in the chapel of the Pascucci Family Our Lady of Peace

Residence, Sister Mary Persico commissioned three IHM Associates. During thecommissioning ceremony, Joanne Ligorio, Mary Louise Searing, and Francis X.Walsh inscribed in their covenants a desire to live the IHM Core Values and tocontinue to commit their lives to the mission of Jesus. Both Mary Lou and Frankwork for LIFE Geisinger, and Joanne serves as a part-time receptionist for OurLady of Peace Residence.

Pictured L-R: Sr. Jean Louise Bachetti, IHM, Francis X. Walsh, Sr. MaryPersico, IHM, Mary Louise Searing, Joanne Ligorio and Sr. Linda AnneGreenberg, IHM.

One hundred and fifty-two delegates and dozens of observers will gather in the Theresa Maxis Conference Centerfor the first 2010 Pre-Chapter meeting, February 28 and March 1. Both meeting days will begin with registration and acontinental breakfast at 8:30 a.m. In addition to discussing the type of Chapter experience the congregation memberswill choose, the group will consider the trends and current realities that were surfaced throughout the 2008 RegionalMeetings. The business of the meeting will include an affirmation of the dates selected for Pre-Chapter and Chaptermeetings, the decision to position the Chapter of Elections before or after the Chapter of Affairs, the election of aChapter Planning Committee, and serveral other business items.

Sister Mary Mollison, CSA, from Fond du Lac, Wisconsin, will facilitate the Pre-Chapter and Chapter meetings.All members of the congregation are encouraged to participate in Pre-Chapter and Chapter meetings by their presence,prayer, and support.

Delegates and Observers to Gather for First Pre-Chapter Meeting

CommunalReconciliationService March 11On Wednesday, March 11 at7:00 p.m., there will be aLenten CommunalReconciliation Service at theIHM Center. Several priestswill be present to participate inthe prayer and in theSacrament of Reconciliation.Sister Dolores Banick, IHM,

will givethereflection.All IHMSisters andIHMAssociatesare invited,as well ascolleagues,friends, andfamily.

IHM Newsletter - March 2009 page 2

In an announcement made by the ElmsCollege Board of Trustees on February 6,Sr. Mary Reap, IHM, Ph.D., was namedthe 10th president of Elms College,Chicopee, Massachusetts. Elms College isthe only comprehensive four-year co-educational Catholic College in WesternMassachusetts.

“We are pleased to bring someone withSr. Mary’s depth of experience to Elms atthis point in our history,” said Linda K. C.Mansfield, a 1977 alumna and chair of theElms College Board of Trustees. “Thesearch committee sought a campus andcommunity leader with expertise instrategic planning, fund raising, andfinancial management who could embracethe specialness of the college’s mission. Sr.Mary brings all these qualities to us.”

“For more than 80 years the Sisters ofSaint Joseph and the faculty and staff ofElms College have been leaders inproviding Catholic higher education in thisregion,” said Sr. Mary Reap. “It is anhonor to be appointed as the 10th presidentand to become a part of this great legacy,where the teaching of values and theachievement of high standards ofeducational quality are so clearly lived out.I look forward with great joy to theopportunity to join the Elms community inthis important work.”

Sister Mary will begin serving as ElmsCollege President on July 1, 2009.

Turning unwanted pregnancies intovery-much-wanted adoptions

First-grader Amy Bull doesn’t know it,but she’s the reason many unwanted babieshave been placed in loving, adopted homes.Amy has Down Syndrome as well as heartproblems that often accompany the geneticcondition. At age 7, she’s already had threeopen-heart surgeries.

After she was born, her father,Savannah attorney Birney O’Brian Bull, knew he needed a job withmore flexible hours so he and his wife, Deborah First, a SavannahCollege of Art & Design professor, could care for their specialneeds child.

They also have a healthy teenage daughter, Betsy.So Bull quit his job as staff attorney for a local judge and

opened his own practice specializing in adoption law.Five years later, Bull has made promoting the choice of adop-

tion - over the choice of abortion - more than just a law career.Adoption has become his ministry. As a result, he’s helped hun-dreds of babies and children get legally adopted into loving homes -children who may have been aborted otherwise.

Like all ministries, Bull’s isn’t without some spiritual help. Hisassistant for the past year is a nun, Sr. Mary Ann Lang. She handlespublic relations and calls from birth mothers who contact thepractice seeking information on finding an adoptive family for theirbaby. Bull advertises his practice in the Yellow Pages under abortionalternatives.

Theirs is a practical form of anti-abortion activism that signifiesmore than holding up placards at rallies or protesting abortionclinics. It’s about decreasing the demand for abortion, rather thanfocusing on the legislation.

Their goal is for birth mothers facing an unwanted pregnancyto make an informed decision, to know they have more choicesthan abortion. They can, instead, give their child and another familythe gift of adoption.

Nationally, only one percent of unwed mothers choose adop-tion, Bull said. “Ninety-nine out of 100 unwed mothers rejectadoption,” Bull said. It’s a mindset Bull, who converted to Catholi-cism in law school, and Sr. Lang hope to change through theirministry. A ministry that wouldn’t have happened, chances are, hadAmy not come into the world with special needs.

Excerpted from the Savannah Morning News,December 14, 2008, by Anne Hart

Named President ofElms College

Named Trustee to Friendship HouseSr. Therese O’Rourke was named as a trustee to Friendship

House at the 137th annual meeting of the board of directors.Sr. Therese is a member of the National Catholic Health East

Sponsors Council and a member of the board of the PennsylvaniaAssociation of Resources for People with Mental Retardation.

IHM Newsletter - March 2009page 3

Students from Catholic Schools in the Diocese of Scranton visited the IHM Sisters at Our Lady of Peace Resi-dence on February 5 as part of their Catholic Schools Week events. Representatives from 10 schools attended liturgywith the Sisters after which they presented Sr. Mary Persico with a plaque to honor the sisters for their commitmentand service to Catholic education. Following lunch, the students visited the sisters in the dining room and those in eachhousehold and presented them with small gifts and greeting cards made by students in their schools.

Another project undertaken by grade schools in the diocese during Catholic Schools Week was the collection ofbath towels for distrubution to the needy through agencies such as Friends of the Poor. Sr. Maryalice Jacquinotcoordinated the collection with the help of Kathy Hanlon, System Director for the Holy Cross Regional School System.

A new St. Joseph’s Center communityhome on Olyphant Avenue in Scranton openedDecember 16, becoming home to four residentsof St. Joseph’s Center.

The Olyphant Avenue home is the eleventhcommunity home for St. Joseph’s inLackawanna County. It is the fourth home to bebuilt by St. Joseph’s and features an “open floorplan” to accomodate free movement ofwheelchairs in spacious common areas as wellas private bedrooms.

An open house for the new communityhome was held for neighbors and friendsFebruary 3, 5, and 6 from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00p.m.

Pictured are L-R standing ThereseChamberlain, LPN and Ann Rink, administratorof Community Programs. Seated are Felicia“Fe” and Sr. Therese O’Rourke, IHM.

St. Joseph’s Center OpensNew Community Home

Students Thank IHMs for Years of Service

Sr. Joanella Ryanreads one of themany cards thestudents made forthe sisters. This onereads,

Notebook - $2.50Pencil - .30¢Tuition - $2,000Markers - $1.00Having a nun tomake your dayhappier -priceless.

- Jack Conway St. Clare/ St. Paul School

Sr. Lucy McGrath shares a chat with ayoung student.


Laura Bush Visits Little Flower School in Bethesda, Md.Excerpted from the January 14 issue of the Catholic Standard by Meredith Black

In her last school visit as the First Lady of the United States, FirstLady Laura Bush visited Little Flower School in Bethesda on January13, which this past fall received the U.S. Department of Education’sBlue Ribbon Schools Award in recognition of its academic achievementas one of America’s most successful schools.

”This is a wonderful day for Little Flower...This is really a BlueRibbon event and a wonderful looking forward” to the celebration ofCatholic Schools Week, said Sister Rosemaron Rynn, the principal ofthe school, after the First Lady had arrived and students were gatheredin the school hall. Catholic Schools Week is celebrated nationally the lastweek in January.

Speaking to the Little Flower students, First Lady Laura Bush saidfor the last eight years, one of the things she has been most interestedin is education, and she mentioned that she was once a teacher and alibrarian. The First Lady said during her time in the White House, shehas visited schools in the United States and foreign countries, but shesaid, “Today is my very last school visit while my husband is presi-dent.” The First Lady said, “...I wanted to end my school visit with a terrific school like Little Flower.”

The First Lady said Catholic Schools Week is a time to talk to leaders about the importance of Catholic educa-tion. She noted that many of the first schools in the United States were Catholic schools. The First Lady said theother reason she was visiting Little Flower was because it was chosen as a Blue Ribbon School.

The First Lady brought the students children’s books. “These were all in my office, and now they’re going to bein your library,” she told them. The First Lady was then ushered to the music room, where the kindergarten, first,and second grade students sang her a song they had prepared for their Christmas concert.

New Circle of Grace is FormedIn the middle of a cotton field in rural North Carolina a Circle ofGrace gathers at Holy Trinity Parish Home. As “friends on thejourney” Sisters Mary Hugh Placilla and Kieran Williams (seated)share their faith stories and those of the congregation with (leftto right) Jennifer Neilson, Phyllis Hummel and Debra Hardison,who in turn reveal the face of God through their own sacredstories.

Anniversary CelebrationRemembers IHM Sisters

Our Lady of MountCarmel School in AsburyPark, NJ, celebrated its85th anniversary onNovember 29, 2008. Twohundred twenty-five guests,current and former studentsand teachers enjoyed thecelebration that began withliturgy. Following was afestive dinner in the school cafeteria. Displays ofmemorabilia and photographs decorated theroom, many of them of IHM Sisters who servedat the school from 1934 to 1990.

Sr. Christina Aldarelli, a graduate of theschool, who now serves as DRE at Our Lady ofMount Carmel Parish, attended the celebration.She spoke of the many former students whovoiced their gratitude for their IHM teachers andthe fine education they received at Our Lady ofMount Carmel School.


Interview for Women & Spirit Exhibit Sr. Maryalice Jacquinot will be one of thewomen religious speaking in a video that will beused in the Women & Spirit: Catholic Sisters inAmerica exhibit. Although the exhibit focuses onthe contributions of women religious to the historyand culture of the United States, the video willallow visitors to the exhibit to hear sisters talkabout prayer, spirituality, community and otherelements of religious life today. Sr. Maryalice wasfilmed in Philadelphia for the video. The exhibit debuts at the Cincinnati MuseumCenter in May 2009. It will travel to museumsthroughout the country, including the Smithsonianwhere it will be from January to April 2010. Visit www.womenandspirit.org

Book Review

Rex: A Mother, Her Autistic Child, and theMusic That Transformed Their Lives

by Cathleen LewisReviewed by Sr. Mary Joan Kelleher, IHM

This is the story of a mother, her autistic child, and themusic that transformed their lives. Rex is a blind, autistic childwho couldn’t walk or talk. On his second birthday, he wasgiven a piano key board that changed his life and his mother’s.He displayed a musical gift that was beyond comprehension.

At a Halloween party, Rex dressed as Paul McCartney andplayed “Let It Be” on his keyboard. Richard Norton, a neigh-bor, heard him and invited him to his home to play on a realpiano.

Meeting Richard brought a big change into Rex’s life. Rexmastered the piano immediately, creating his own melodies.Richard played and Rex repeated what he heard. Then, atRichard’s request, Rex rendered songs in different styles. Hewent from Mozart to Chopin to a Russian dance. All Richardcould say was, “He is a savant! A prodigious musical savant!”

Rex’s mother, Cathleen, is a remarkable woman. Shesays, “I was living a very busy life, not knowing I was in thedark until I had Rex. But living with Rex and listening to hismusic brought me to a realization that God was present in ourlives. When God gave me Rex, he showed me that by livingmy life with Rex that joy was inside.” She finishes, “Rex ismy joy and I wanted what he had.”

Cathleen struggled to improve life for Rex, both educa-tionally and socially. Her struggle to improve his life made herrealize others needed help also. Therefore, she went back toschool and became an education specialist in visual impair-ments. She says, “Rex’s birth gave me purpose and now thathas led me to a new life purpose - bringing the miracle of howI’ve lived with Rex to help others in the same way.

Christian Communities GatheringHeld at IHM Center

The Christian Communities Gathering ofNortheast Pennsylvania (Diocesan Commission onEcumanism/Interfaith) was held at the IHM Centeron February 19. Ministers and representatives ofregional Christian churches were present for prayerin chapel beginning at 10:30 a.m. followed by ameeting and concluded with lunch in the TheresaMaxis Conference Center. Sr. Maryla Farfourhosted the event and has been a member of thegroup since 1999.

Sr. Nancy Hawkins Presents at IHM Center Sister Nancy Hawkins offered a presentation of the paperthat she gave at the Eckhart Conference in St. Albans, Englandin October. The title of Nancy’s paper is “Dorothee Soelleand Meister Eckhart: An Invitation to Live Without a Why.”Nancy’s dissertation and subsequent publications havefocused on Soelle in conversation with Meister Eckhart.Nancy gave a one-hour talk followed by opportunity forquestions at the Theresa Maxis Conference Center at the IHMCenter on February 14. Nancy’s talk is available on the SistersPage under Documents on the IHM website.


Dear Friends in Christ,On Wednesday, February 11,

the Church celebrates the WorldDay of the Sick. This special dayreminds us to pray for all those whoare sick and recognize all those whominister to the sick as pastoralcaregivers, healthcare workers, andcaregivers.

One of the tragedies of aging,illness, and loss is a sense ofisolation. This may be due tochanges caused by the illness orloss, to living in a more institutionalsetting, moving away from afamiliar home or parish to live withfamily members, or to being unableto participate actively in church orcommunity events. Maintainingconnections with family, friends,and the faith community or recon-necting with them is a very impor-tant part of who we are all throughlife’s journey.

Our responsibilities as a Catho-lic community to care for the sickand homebound are reflected in St.Peter’s mission statement. All of usshare this responsibility to care forour brothers and sisters in need andto connect them to this churchcommunity. Last year expansion ofthis ministry was one of our parishgoals. We trained additional extraor-dinary ministers of Holy Commun-ion and had four training sessionsfor parishioners to become pastoralvolunteers.

The visits we made and thesmall, ordinary things we do have asignificant impact on others’ liveswhen they are in the midst oftremendous transition and challengeto their bodies, minds, and spirits.Our lives have also been profoundlyinfluenced by those to whom wehave ministered. I have often beentouched by their faith and endur-ance, the depth of their sharing, andtheir deep gratitude for the simpleblessings of each day and ourministry of compassion and con-nection.

Henri Nouwen reflects on thisin Aging: the Fulfillment of Life:“Our ministry to others is not somuch what we do for them buthow we allow the elderly to enterinto the center of our lives.... Inorder to care for another who isaging, we must first of all enter intoclose contact with our own agingself.”

As we celebrate World Day ofthe Sick on February 11 andcelebrate the expansion of thisministry in our parish, I invite eachof you to reflect on these questions:

- How do I look at the agingprocess? What issues, stereotypes,positive images affect how I carefor myself? how I care for others?

- How do I view suffering inthe context of my faith? Whatspiritual resources do I draw on intimes of suffering and loss?

- What kind of visitor orcaregiver would I want if I were ill,older, homebound, dying?

- How do I deal with the issuesof loss and mortality in my ownlife? How does this impact how Iinteract with others?

- How have my life experiencesshaped my ability to listen to,affirm, and compassionately journeywith others?

- How can I be a bridgebetween St. Peter’s faith commu-nity and those who are sick, elderly,and homebound?

Books for reading and reflec-tion:The Four Things That Matter Most:A Book about Living (Ira Byock,M.D.)An Uncertain Inheritance: Writerson Caring for Family (Nell Casey)Winter Grace: Spirituality andAging (Kathleen Fischer)Harvest Us Home: Good News asWe Age (Rea McDonnell, SSND andRachel Callahan, CSC)Aging: the Fulfillment of Life(Henri Nouwen and Walter J.Gaffney)The Art of Growing Old: A Guideto Faithful Aging (Carroll Saussy)My Stroke of Insight (Jill BolteTaylor, Ph.D.)

World Day of the Sick by Sr. Theresa Frere, Coordinator of Ministry to the Sick andHomebound, to the parishioners at St. Peter’s Church, Waldorf, Md.

As our IHM “story” continuesto increase in significance the IHMArchives is still accepting 2007-2008 annals. Annals may be sentelectronically [email protected] or inhard copy form to:

Congregation ArchivistIHM Center

2300 Adams AvenueScranton, PA 18509

Some find it advantageous tocompile annals as they occur. Also,eighty-seven percent of MissionGroup minutes were received in theArchives for the fall 2008 meetings.The goal for the spring 2009meetings is 100%. - Sr. Anitra Nemotko

Annals Important toIHM History


Please send a copy of your spring2009 Mission Group Meetingselectronically via e-mail to both yourcouncilor and to the Archives. If theminutes are not submitted, there isno record of the meeting. We areaiming for 100% return for spring‘09. Thank you for your coopera-tion as we try to revitalize theMission Groups.

[email protected]

Sr. Kathryn [email protected]

Sr. Mary Jo [email protected]

Sr. Susan [email protected]

Sr. Amy [email protected]

Mission GroupMeeting Minutes

Moving with the SpiritMoving with the Spirit is the

theme for the gathering of membersof three congregations – Sisters ofSt. Casimir, Sisters of Cyril andMethodius, and Sisters of IHM,Scranton - on October 10 and 11,2009, at the IHM Center. Tracingthe Spirit was a theme fromprevious gatherings: October, 2003at the IHM Center in Scranton andat the motherhouse of the Sisters ofCyril and Methodius in Danville. Inthe summer of 2005, the threecongregations met again, this timein Chicago at the motherhouse ofthe Sisters of St. Casimir.

All are invited to participate inthe events of October 10-11, 2009,at the IHM Center, Scranton.

From the Development OfficeRecent DeathsTwo generous benefactors recently passed away. Helen B. Milo fromGreensboro, North Carolina, died on December 16, 2008. Helen served thecongregation for many years as a member of the Advisory Council forDevelopment. Gloria Vacca Mahoney, formerly Sister Danielle, died onNovember 26, 2008, in Pompano Beach, Florida. Gloria’s generosity andconcern for the IHM Sisters extend beyond her death. Gloria named thecongregation as a beneficiary of her estate. We are grateful to Gloria andHelen for their financial support throughout their lives. Please remember theMilo and Mahoney families in your prayers.

Grant ReceivedThe Congregation recently received a grant for $2,700 from the FSCFoundation. The grant was requested for supplies and materials for the newESL program directed by Sister Joan Thompson. The FSC Foundation issponsored by the De La Salle Christian Brothers. The purpose of thefoundation is “to expand the three-hundred-year old Lasallian tradition ofserving the poor through education.”

Christmas AppealThe Christmas direct mail appeal sent to family and friends in November hasgenerated donations of more than $126,000 for the retirement fund. Theappeal featured Sister Lucy McGrath and included a specially designedprayer card with Sister Lucy’s original artwork. Many donors responded tothe appeal with generous donations, requests for prayers and, most of all,heartfelt appreciation for the IHM Sisters who have touched their lives.Please remember to pray for the special intentions of our benefactors.

NY AreaIHM Peace andJustice Group

MeetingsMarch 8April 5May 31

All meetings will be held at Christthe King Church, Springfield

Gardens, NY, at 2:00 p.m., exceptthe May 31 meeting when we goout to dinner. The group does notmeet during the summer months.

Peace & Justice

An invitation from

HeartworksFor those with steady hands

and discerning eyesembossing can be a satisfying

and enriching diversion.Curious? Contact Sr. Isabel

at 570-330-8602and make arrangements for an

embossing experience.


New Life Seedsfrom Sr. Ruth Harkins, IHM

Did You Know?The Washington Theological Union was awarded a two million dollar grant from theLilly Endowment “Making Connections” initiative for its project entitled Eye OnThe Horizon. The project was designed “to foster programs that energize andexpand existing efforts to call a new generation of young people to the Christianministry, educate them well, and nurture excellence among practicing clergy.”The “Eye on the Horizon” project is composed of five separate, yet interrelatedinitiatives:

1. “Not for the Faint of Heart” — Identifying New Models of Leadership2. “Come and See” — Interactive Web Portal for Discernment Process3. “Faith Happens” — Calling Forth Volunteers4. “Leave a Legacy” – Making Connections Parish to Campus to Parish5. “Unleashing the Spirit” – Educating and Sustaining Leaders

Upcoming Events

Come to the Water - April 18 at the IHM CenterIHM Summer Service Trip: Mother Seton Academy, Baltimore, July 13-19

Our call as religious is precisely to bean awakening voice for ourselves andfor our Church. What are we to do?First, we grasp as deeply and firmly aspossible the prophetic character andpurpose of our life or, like the proph-ets, we must be grasped by it. Our life,our identity is of the Spirit; it is rootedin our experience of the Risen Lord.The empowering gifts we need – trust,freedom, availability – are already andalways ours. Second, we renew ourfaith that communion is the propheticheart of our life. Our trust, ourfreedom, our common availability isnow the gift of the community.(Fintan Sheeran SSCC PropheticReligious Life, Communion andMission 2008)

Vocation PrayerLoving God, you plant the seeds ofvocation deep in our being. Help usgive proper attention and care to ourcall so our true vocation will bear fruitin the Church and in the world. Weask this in the name of Jesus, yourSon. Amen.

Our Vocation:A Gift from God, A Gift for Others

Br. Paul Bednarczyk, CSCSt. John’s University

Bent Hall

Saturday, March 71:00 - 4:30 p.m.

To register: 516-678-5800

IHM ForwardSave the Date

Weekend Gathering of IHMSisters Age 59 and Younger

March 27-29, 2009

(as of February 23, 2009)

Final Profession - 463Temporary Profession - 5

Transition Program - 1Novices - 1

IHM CongregationVitae

New on the IHM Webpage ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○

Chapter 2010 Webpage: http://ihmnew.marywood.edu/9.SistersPage/Chapter2010.htmNancy Hawkins’ presentation on Soelle and Eckhart: http://ihmnew.marywood.edu/9.SistersPage/IHMDocuments.htmlLent and Easter Reflections: http://ihmnew.marywood.edu/LentReflections2009/LentTitlePage2009.htmFalling in Love (Journey): http://ihmnew.marywood.edu/1.WhoWeAre/1IHMJourney.htmlMotherhouse Fire: http://ihmnew.marywood.edu/2.OurHistory/IHMMissionStoriesKeenan/Motherhousefire.htm

Call to Wellness - 9:15 a.m.Theresa Maxis Conference Center

Friday, March 6Weight Maintenance

Lynn Bertsche

DVDs of Wellness presentationsare available for loan.Contact: [email protected]

Flea MarketMake your contributions to Marywood’s Flea Market to be held at

Marywood, Latour Conference Room in Nazareth Hall (formerly the CrystalRoom) Friday, March 13 from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and Sunday, March15 from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. All proceeds will benefit the Service Tripto Guatemala. Sr. Donna Korba is coordinating the trip along with CampusMinistry. Donated items for the flea market may be dropped off at Campus

Ministry in the Swartz Center (former Marian Convent) or at the IHM Centerin the stairway near the back elevator.


Sr. Mary Elaine AndersonHermanas de ICMOficina MolicentroApartado 12-039Lima 12, [email protected]

Sr. Gilmary [email protected]

Sr. Greta CollinsOur Lady of Peace Residence2300 Adams AvenueScranton, PA 18509-1598570-330-8569

Sr. Vincentia DorseySt. Joseph Center2010 Adams AvenueScranton, PA 18509570-961-1071

Sr. Nancy HawkinsSSJ Motherhouse150 French RoadRochester, NY 14618585-641-8182

Sr. Immaculata NortonOur Lady of Peace Residence2300 Adams AvenueScranton, PA [email protected]

Sr. Mary Hugh [email protected]

Sr. Mary [email protected]

Sr. Maria Goretti Timperio(W) 386-789-9990

IHMDirectoryUpdate

Online searchabledirectory

www.sistersofihm.orgUpdated weekly!

Jubilarians Celebratedin Scranton Diocese At a Pontifical mass held at St.Peter’s Cathedral on February 8, allwomen and men religious jubilarianswho live and serve in the diocese werecelebrated for their dedication andservice. The following IHM jubilarianswere celebrated:

Sr. St. Monica CostelloSr. Helene FeeSr. Carole GriffinSr. Sarah Ann HolmesSr. Margaret Mary KaneSr. Ann McLaughlinSr. Joan Marie ThompsonSr. Virginia WatersSr. Adrian BarrettSr. Lucille BohnSr. Casimir BougherSr. Noralene CalpinSr. Mary Barbara CampbellSr. Mary Louise ConlonSr. Helen HemmerSr. Michaeline MacedonioSr. St. Rita O’BoyleSr. Ann Marie O’BrienSr. Eamon O’NeillSr. Electa SchmidtSr. Isabel SchratwieserSr. Marianne AddySr. deRicci BakerSr. Francine ConnollySr. Maurice HartnettSr. Melissa HesterSr. Gabriel KaneSr. Coleman NeeSr. Venard RyanSr. Carol BadenSr. Greta CollinsSr. Elizabeth GraceSr. Eunice CorcoranSr. Lucy McGrathSr. Emerita GasperSr. Maria Magdala O’Boyle

IHM CenterHospitality Requests

Must be made withSr. St. Mel Wright

Call in advance: 570-330-0210E-mail: [email protected]

From the Finance Committee Some Suggestions for Savings

1. Carpool whenever possible2. Never go to a car dealership for

ordinary car maintenance3. Order bank checks from Sunday paper

advertisements, not from CBIS4. Disconnect a second phone line if not

used frequently5. Consider disconnecting land line if you

have a cell phone6. Disconnect Caller ID or other costly

services7. Make it a goal to decrease the electric

bill by 2%; try to cut back on allutilities where possible.

8. Review cable contracts for savings9. Prepare nutritious vegetarian meals

from time to time10. Shop for bargains and look for specials

when food shopping11. Go paperless, if possible, receiving

Congregation communication on line.Archive files and only print whatabsolutely necessary

12. Borrow DVDs from local libraries FREEof charge instead of paying at vendors

13. Consider creative low-cost annualretreats

Jim O’Neill, the nephew of Sr. Elise Frank,wishes to thank all the sisters for all theMasses and expressions of sympathyreceived by the family.

Sister Dolorosa Loughney expresses herheartfelt thanks to all who offeredsympathy on the death of her sister, MaryDooley. Sister is most grateful for theMasses, prayers, condolences and phonecalls.

Sister Nancy Elder, the Elder and Maddoxfamilies extend our deepest gratitude forthe overwhelming prayers and support onthe death of Alma Maddox. Alma will longbe missed but we hold onto the wonderfulmemories and stories of her time with us.Your generous prayer offerings aregratefully appreciated.

Notes of Gratitude


God’s covenanthas been fulfilled with ourSr. Maureen Therese Harun, IHM

this day, February 6, 2009in the 58th year

of her religious profession

Sr. M. Ivan Pollock, IHM

this day, February 17, 2009in the 71st year

of her religious profession

Dental Plan UpdateThe congregation’s self funded dental plan administered by Delta Dental is a“Delta Dental PPO/Premier” plan. IHM Sisters who are enrolled in thecongregation’s dental plan can see this caption on their Delta Dental ID cards.The congregation’s plan is a comprehensive plan designed to allow sisters thefreedom to access the dentist of their choice, but at the same time, allow thecongregation to benefit from the discounts realized when sisters choose an in-network provider.

It may be helpful for sisters to picture the congregation plan in three tiers.Regardless of which “tier” of the congregation’s plan a sister chooses toparticipate in, at no time should a dental provider require payment up-front. Allclaims should be submitted to Delta first.

Tier I-Non-Participating Providers. (Out-of-Network) Non-participatingproviders have the ability to file a claim with Delta Dental. In this scenario,it is Delta’s policy to reimburse the member (sister) at the rate of the premierplan (see Tier II). Delta will not send the payment directly to the provider.Non-participating providers do not have to accept the Delta Dental rate andmay “balance bill “ the member (sister) for the portion of the bill thatDelta did not cover.Tier II-Premier Providers. (In-Network) Premier providers are under contractwith Delta to accept a discounted rate established by Delta. Premierproviders will file claims directly with Delta and Delta will pay the claims infull directly to the dentist. Sisters using the Premier portion of the plan willnot be responsible for a “balance bill” as described in Tier I.Tier III-PPO Providers. (In-Network) PPO Providers are also under contractwith Delta to accept a discounted rate established by Delta. The discountrate under the PPO plan is even greater than the discount realized underthe Premier plan. PPO Providers will file claims with Delta and Delta willpay the claims in full directly to the dentist. Sisters using the PPO portionof the plan will not be responsible for a “balance bill” as described in Tier I.

The provider directory that was included with your dental card was not an all-inclusive list but rather a random sampling of the providers in your area in thePPO plan, the plan that offers the greatest discount. If a sister has a question onwhether her dental provider is currently in the plan, she can simply ask the

dentist, contact Delta Customer Service at 800-932-0783 oruse the search tools at www.deltadental.org

It is very important that each sister present her Deltacard to her dental provider so that the dentist’s officecan file her claim!

Wednesdaysat 7:00 p.m.

March 11April 22May 13

All are welcome!

EveningsPrayer

of

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[email protected]

Welcome to the IHM SpiritualRenewal Center

March 4-7 Federation of ChristianResources Group

March 28 & 29 Companions on theJourney Mission Group

Praying the Signs in theGospel of JohnTuesday, February 1010:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.Spend time in prayer and reflectionusing the Gospel of John. Come forthis day and let the Gospel opendoors to wonderful insights into thedivinity of Jesus. There will be time tohear about the signs of Jesus and timefor personal prayer.Lunch will be provided.

Lenten Series: Can You Watch OneHour with Me?Tuesdays: March 3, 10, 17, 24, 319:00 - 10:00 a.m. at the SpiritualRenewal Center, Cresco

1:00 - 2:00 p.m. at the IHM Center(Heritage Room)

This hour will be a sacred time forreflection. The hour will be comprisedof a presentation, time for quiet andgroup prayer.

Dealing with AdversityFollowing the Way of the CrossFriday, March 20 - Saturday, March 21Arrive: 7:00 p.m.Depart: 2:00 p.m.Spend this Lenten overnight reflectingand journaling about your relationshipwith Christ and his teachings. In his

Desert DaysSilent time for prayerMarch 3, 16, 30Call for information: 516-627-9255

Lenten Days of PrayerMarch 5, 12, 26Call for information: 516-627-9255

A Day of Spiritual RenewalMarch 8, 9:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.Sr. Maurice Doody

Lenten Retreat WeekendMarch 21 and 22Rev. Frank DeSiano, CSPThe Structure of Discipleship

This Too Shall PassA Survival Guide to AdolescenceMarch 25Sr. Peggy McVetty, OP7:30 - 9:00 p.m.

Our Lady of GraceManhasset, NY

[email protected]

St. Cyril Spiritual CenterDanville, PA

www.sscm.org570-275-3581

March 13-15Directed Prayer Weekend

Judith Bayer & Sr. Jean Marie, SSCM

April 3-5Directed Prayer Weekend

Sr. Jean Marie, SSCM

May 1-8Directed Retreat for Sisters

Carol Marozzi, SSJ

Maris Stella Retreat CenterHarvey Cedars, NJ

609-494-1152

passion, Jesus showed us the way todeal with our everyday lives. We areto live out his example as the fruit ofour contemplation. Sister Gloria willlead a contemplative process on theStations of the Cross.

Holy Week RetreatApril 5-12Arrive: Palm Sunday 4:00 p.m.Depart: Easter Sunday 10:00 a.m.Spending time in quiet and prayer isan excellent way to prepare for thePaschal Mysteries that will becelebrated at the end of the week.

Triduum RetreatApril 9-12Father Richard Loch will be thecelebrant for the liturgies as wecommemorate the Last Supper, GoodFriday, Holy Saturday and theResurrection.

Earth Day of PrayerTuesday, April 2110:00 a.m.- 3:00 p.m.How often do we view the Earth asone of God’s precious creations?Nature is one of the many ways thatGod is revealed to us. Come andexperience through music, image andword the various ways that naturedraws us to reconnect to God.Lunch will be provided.

Grief Support GroupMonday Evenings: April 20, 27; May4, 11, 18, 25 from 6:30 - 8:00 p.m.This six week course is designed tomeet the needs of those who aregrieving, no matter when the lossoccurred. The course will provide anunderstanding of the grieving processtogether with techniques, activitiesand strategies to assist theparticipants.Deadline for registration is April 13.

Journey to the Cross with MaryApril 3 – 5

Rediscover Sabbath TimeMarch 27 – 29


THINK SUMMER VACATIONIt is time again to plan ahead for summer vacation. Three (3) vacation spots are available for the use of

the IHM Sisters for the Summer of 2009.Calls for reservations may be made beginning Monday, March 30, 2009 at 9:30 a.m. to Anne Marie Wheeler

at 570-342-6850.Callers are asked to give their FIRST, SECOND and THIRD CHOICES using the codes provided.

N - Cottage at Newton Lake, Pennsylvania

FI - House at Fenwick Island, Delaware

C - House at Lake Carey, PennsylvaniaSisters whose request can be accommodated will receive information about arrival times, departure times,

keys and other information by the 4th of May. Sisters whose requests cannot be honored,will be notified andoffered an alternative if available.

Current Cost for Fenwick Island is $225.00 per week

1 N May 24 May 28 1 FI June 13 June 202 N May 28 May 31 2 FI June 20 June 273 N May 31 June 4 3 FI June 27 July 44 N June 4 June 7 4 FI July 4 July 115 N June 7 June 11 5 FI July 11 July 186 N June 11 June 14 6 FI July 18 July 257 N June 14 June 18 7 FI July 25 August 18 N June 18 June 21 8 FI August 1 August 89 N June 21 June 25 9 FI August 8 August 1510 N June 25 June 28 10 FI August 15 August 2211 N June 28 July 212 N C July 2 July 513 N C July 5 July 914 N C July 9 July 1215 N C July 12 July 1616 N C July 16 July 1917 N C July 19 July 2318 N C July 23 July 2619 N C July 26 July 3020 N July 30 August 221 N August 2 August 622 N August 6 August 923 N August 9 August 1324 N August 13 August 1625 N August 16 August 2026 N August 20 August 2327 N August 23 August 2728 N August 27 August 3029 N August 30 September 330 N September 3 September 631 N September 6 September 10


Sr. Adrian Barrett, “Sister Sneakers,” was featured on WVIA’s State ofPennsylvania program in an hour-long interview with a live audience ofnearly 100 people. The show aired on Thursday, February 19, in celebrationof Sister Adrian’s 80th birthday and her more than thirty years of service tothe people of Lackawanna County through Friends of the Poor. Bill Kelly,the host of the show, said in his introductory remarks that “Sister AdrianBarrett is a legendary and tiny lady who for a lifetime has lived and lovedserving the poor. There’s really only one Sister Adrian Barrett; you shouldmeet her. She’s retiring at 80 and we’ll celebrate her remarkable life.”Pictured above are some of the sisters who joined many others in theWVIA studio audience who have been touched by the love and life ofSister Adrian.

In a special liturgy held on Febraury 8 in celebration of World Day forConsecrated Life, IHM Jubilarians Sister Mary Dawson, Sister JacquelynDonohue, and Sister Mary Mercy Gilbart were honored for their years ofservice at the 10:00 a.m. mass at the Cathedral of St. Matthew the Apostlein Washington, DC.

Jubilarians Celebrated in Archdiocese ofWashington

Jubilee Celebration in Raleigh, NCA Mass of Thanksgiving was celebrated Saturday, February 7, at SacredHeart Cathedral in Raleigh, NC, in recognition of the Jubilee Anniversariesof five women religious serving in the Diocese of Raleigh. The MostReverend Michael F. Burbidge was the celebrant with Bishop Emeritus F.Joseph Gossman concelebrating. Sister Carol Loughney, celebrating her 50th

anniversary, offered a reflection on behalf of the five Jubilarians, noting thather life is sustained by prayer and the love of friends, family and community.Read Sr. Carol’s reflection at:http://www.dioceseofraleigh.org/news/reflection_religiousjubilarians09.aspx

Pre-ChapterFirst Official Meeting of

DelegatesFebruary 28 - March 1, 2009

Snow date: March 14-15, 2009

Mission Board MeetingWeekend of May 1-3, 2009

Time TBAPre-Chapter Meeting

May 2 & 3, 2009

IHM AssemblyPre-Chapter Meeting

July 9-11, 2009

Gathering of Tracing the SpiritOctober 10 & 11, 2009

Mission Board MeetingWeekend of November 6-8, 2009

Time TBAPre-Chapter MeetingNovember 7 & 8, 2009

Chapter Meeting(Affairs or Elections)

March 18-21, 2010Snow date: April 8-11, 2010

Chapter Meeting(Affairs or Elections)

April 23-25, 2010

IHM Calendar WVIA Features Sr. Adrian Barrett

Call in orders to Heartworks:570-330-8645

[email protected]

CDs $5.00