A Letter from Our Director
"I have seen the Lord!"
Dear Friends,
In recent years, especially since I have been ministering at the IHM Conference Center, I have met wonderful, faith-filled people. In our conversations, I often have a feeling that God is present to us in a special way. I can feel God’s presence! Perhaps it is because I am more conscious and open to God’s presence at this time. Or maybe it is that the discussion touched my heart because it is relatable or because I am hearing a new message, something that challenges me to think differently. Whenever this happens, I come away with a sense of excitement and great joy. I know that we are sharing something on a very deep level. These are experiences that I like to hold on to and ponder for a while, lest I lose the moment and the message.
During this Easter season, we hear the beautiful story of Jesus’ resurrection appearance to Mary Magdalen in the garden. Jesus had certainly touched her life and her heart deeply. And now all of that seemed to be gone forever. Her grief was almost unbearable. Suddenly, Jesus appeared to her, and in her overwhelming joy, she wanted that moment to last forever. She wanted to cling to Jesus as if she could bask in the glow of that experience in that space and time, always. The spiritual life doesn’t work that way, and it didn’t for Mary Magdalen.
Instead, Jesus gave Mary a command, one that still echoes down the years to each one of us: Go and tell everyone about this. Tell people that I am alive, that I live among you. Can you imagine Mary’s joy? Is it something you can feel? Is it something you yourself have ever experienced?
You and I are blessed to have had experiences of God’s presence in ways that are almost unexplainable. Like Mary Magdalen, we want to shout, “I have seen the Lord!” Indeed, we have seen the Lord! We see and experience Jesus’ presence everywhere—in family, friends, strangers, in nature, sacraments, conversations, scripture, art and music, acts of mercy and justice, silence, laughter, words of sympathy, helping hands, and healing touches. But most especially, we know in the love we share with one another. As Victor Hugo wrote, “To love another person is to see the face of God.” In all of this, Jesus’ presence fills the world, and we sing, “Alleluia!” We tell everyone by the way we live, “I have seen the Lord!”
Recognition of Christ’s presence in our world is not always easy. War, hatred, bigotry, exclusion, poverty, etc. tear at our hearts, and like Mary, our grief and worry cause us to be unaware that Jesus is, as he said he would be, “With you (us) always.” It was only after Jesus called Mary by name that she was certain it was he. How do you hear Jesus call you by name? What do you do so that you can hear him call you by name?
Easter joy is only fleeting if we allow it to be. It must live in our consciousness, in our mindfulness, in our constant awareness (that’s the key) of the goodness and beauty that exists in the world. Today, we must do our part to share the Good News of Jesus’ presence among us. We must arise from the grip of fear and uncertainty that is so prevalent in our world and allow Resurrection news to deepen our faith and reawaken our hope. As Christians, let this Easter season stir our hearts once again to echo Mary’s words of utter delight, “I have seen the Lord!”
Wishes for a
happy, blessed Easter to you and your families from
Sisters Marie, Beth, Rita, and Rose
In recent years, especially since I have been ministering at the IHM Conference Center, I have met wonderful, faith-filled people. In our conversations, I often have a feeling that God is present to us in a special way. I can feel God’s presence! Perhaps it is because I am more conscious and open to God’s presence at this time. Or maybe it is that the discussion touched my heart because it is relatable or because I am hearing a new message, something that challenges me to think differently. Whenever this happens, I come away with a sense of excitement and great joy. I know that we are sharing something on a very deep level. These are experiences that I like to hold on to and ponder for a while, lest I lose the moment and the message.
During this Easter season, we hear the beautiful story of Jesus’ resurrection appearance to Mary Magdalen in the garden. Jesus had certainly touched her life and her heart deeply. And now all of that seemed to be gone forever. Her grief was almost unbearable. Suddenly, Jesus appeared to her, and in her overwhelming joy, she wanted that moment to last forever. She wanted to cling to Jesus as if she could bask in the glow of that experience in that space and time, always. The spiritual life doesn’t work that way, and it didn’t for Mary Magdalen.
Instead, Jesus gave Mary a command, one that still echoes down the years to each one of us: Go and tell everyone about this. Tell people that I am alive, that I live among you. Can you imagine Mary’s joy? Is it something you can feel? Is it something you yourself have ever experienced?
You and I are blessed to have had experiences of God’s presence in ways that are almost unexplainable. Like Mary Magdalen, we want to shout, “I have seen the Lord!” Indeed, we have seen the Lord! We see and experience Jesus’ presence everywhere—in family, friends, strangers, in nature, sacraments, conversations, scripture, art and music, acts of mercy and justice, silence, laughter, words of sympathy, helping hands, and healing touches. But most especially, we know in the love we share with one another. As Victor Hugo wrote, “To love another person is to see the face of God.” In all of this, Jesus’ presence fills the world, and we sing, “Alleluia!” We tell everyone by the way we live, “I have seen the Lord!”
Recognition of Christ’s presence in our world is not always easy. War, hatred, bigotry, exclusion, poverty, etc. tear at our hearts, and like Mary, our grief and worry cause us to be unaware that Jesus is, as he said he would be, “With you (us) always.” It was only after Jesus called Mary by name that she was certain it was he. How do you hear Jesus call you by name? What do you do so that you can hear him call you by name?
Easter joy is only fleeting if we allow it to be. It must live in our consciousness, in our mindfulness, in our constant awareness (that’s the key) of the goodness and beauty that exists in the world. Today, we must do our part to share the Good News of Jesus’ presence among us. We must arise from the grip of fear and uncertainty that is so prevalent in our world and allow Resurrection news to deepen our faith and reawaken our hope. As Christians, let this Easter season stir our hearts once again to echo Mary’s words of utter delight, “I have seen the Lord!”
Wishes for a
happy, blessed Easter to you and your families from
Sisters Marie, Beth, Rita, and Rose
A very sincere THANK YOU to all who attended our annual Irish Afternoon Tea in March.
The Sisters at Camilla Hall are very grateful for your generous donations.
May God bless you for your kindness and goodness to the Sisters!
The Sisters at Camilla Hall are very grateful for your generous donations.
May God bless you for your kindness and goodness to the Sisters!
Spiritual Treasury Cards
If you were wondering how to obtain more of the Annual or Perpetual Enrollment cards for many various occasions...look no further! Simply click the link below, which may also be found with more information on how to order on the same page where you may leave Prayer Requests, right here on our website! The link will provide you with a peek at the many cards available at Camilla Hall, the Convent Home for our retired/infirm Sisters. All enrolled in the Spiritual Treasury as well as those who support the enrollment program are remembered in the daily prayers and works of the Sisters!
Check it out now: www.camillahall.org/spiritual-treasury
If you were wondering how to obtain more of the Annual or Perpetual Enrollment cards for many various occasions...look no further! Simply click the link below, which may also be found with more information on how to order on the same page where you may leave Prayer Requests, right here on our website! The link will provide you with a peek at the many cards available at Camilla Hall, the Convent Home for our retired/infirm Sisters. All enrolled in the Spiritual Treasury as well as those who support the enrollment program are remembered in the daily prayers and works of the Sisters!
Check it out now: www.camillahall.org/spiritual-treasury
WE OFFER OUR GRATITUDE!
We often have folks contact us by phone or email asking how they can be a help to us...as a way of showing their gratitude for just being a part of our Conference Center "Family!" First of all, we are always so very grateful for a remembrance in your prayers as that is the best support to us in our ministry. Each day at our Morning Prayer, which we pray in common, we specifically ask God's blessings on our "Benefactors"...those who have gifted us with their presence, their time, their prayers and their treasure. If you would like to become one of our monetary Benefactors, we will gratefully accept a donation in any amount toward our ministry. Checks should be made to IHM Conference Center and sent to Sister Marie Gipprich at the Center. We are most grateful for all that you do for us and continue to ask God's blessings on each one and your special intentions! Thank you!
We often have folks contact us by phone or email asking how they can be a help to us...as a way of showing their gratitude for just being a part of our Conference Center "Family!" First of all, we are always so very grateful for a remembrance in your prayers as that is the best support to us in our ministry. Each day at our Morning Prayer, which we pray in common, we specifically ask God's blessings on our "Benefactors"...those who have gifted us with their presence, their time, their prayers and their treasure. If you would like to become one of our monetary Benefactors, we will gratefully accept a donation in any amount toward our ministry. Checks should be made to IHM Conference Center and sent to Sister Marie Gipprich at the Center. We are most grateful for all that you do for us and continue to ask God's blessings on each one and your special intentions! Thank you!
Please be sure to look for us on Facebook: IHM Conference/Retreat Center in Bryn Mawr, PA...if you like and share our posts, you will be helping to spread the ministry of the Center to others! Thank you!
Also, be sure to check out our new Photo Gallery Pages by clicking here! We are posting, in slideshow format, all the photos we have taken at any event or program hosted here at the Center.
Hopefully, you have seen the news on our Home Page about the available Reflections we offered during the pandemic, via YouTube. Please see our new page, Zoom and YouTube Library, to access these. Simply click the link to view them!
Please remember that you are always in our prayers and we ask a remembrance in yours, as well. Don't forget that you are always welcome to call or email us with any special intentions you wish us to put in our Convent Book of Prayer Intentions! The email address is [email protected] and our office phone is 610-581-0120.
Hopefully, you have seen the news on our Home Page about the available Reflections we offered during the pandemic, via YouTube. Please see our new page, Zoom and YouTube Library, to access these. Simply click the link to view them!
Please remember that you are always in our prayers and we ask a remembrance in yours, as well. Don't forget that you are always welcome to call or email us with any special intentions you wish us to put in our Convent Book of Prayer Intentions! The email address is [email protected] and our office phone is 610-581-0120.