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A Letter from Our Director
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Dear Friends,
When I read the above words, I wonder if our Founding Fathers really knew what they were saying. We know that it took several weeks for Thomas Jefferson to write the words to the Declaration of Independence, and when he presented the first draft to Congress, they verbally tore it apart! After much arguing and no little compromise, the final draft was completed. I can only imagine the emotions of the men in that room in Philadelphia who heard it and, subsequently, those of the people who gathered to hear its proclamation some days later. The words grab at my own heart even now.
Do we, who have been so blessed in this country, take these blessings of “life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness” for granted? Do we, as Christians, recognize in those words an echo of the words of Christ, “I have come to set your free” and “I have come that you may have life”?
But what does freedom mean to me, to you? I recently read an article in which the author stated that for the Founding Fathers, individual independence (freedom) was connected to the moral order. It isn’t the type of freedom that means I can say or do whatever I want, that I am entitled to everything I want, that I do not have to live by the laws set down by church or state, that I can be a total individual seeking my own destiny. In this same article it states that Jefferson meant that individuals are obliged to aim towards virtue: care for one another, selflessness, compassion, acceptance, forgiveness, etc. (and for ourselves as well!)
It seems to me that our greatest freedom comes from dying to self. It isn’t a masochistic, maudlin dying. Jesus’ comment that he came to make us free infers that we are to let go of anything that binds us, that keeps us from greater freedom, from those emotions, attitudes, actions that keep us enslaved. Paradoxically, by dying to self, we expereince new life. “Unless a grain of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains just a grain of wheat; but if it dies, it produces much fruit.” (John 12: 20ff)
Dying, of course, entails sacrifice. That’s not a word or concept we like to think about. Sacrifice hurts. But if it didn’t hurt (even a little), it wouldn’t be a sacrifice! Our country was built on and continues to thrive through the sacrifices of men and women who believe and live this. Christ’s sacrifice enabled each of us to yearn for that freedom that he experienced in his resurrection. Letting go, falling to the ground and dying, is painful and often wrenching. But the final word is not the suffering, the sacrifice, but the resurrection. Once that seed dies, there is always new life!
In 1776 a seed fell to the ground and a new nation came forth based on the unforgetable words of the Declaration of Independence: “We hold these truths to be self-evident . . .” May we as Christians and Americans hold dear the truth of freedom and what it takes to make the dream of our Founding Fathers a reality.
The staff as the IHM Conference/Retreat Center—Sisters Marie, Beth,
Rita and Rose - wish all of our friends a happy and memorable Fourth of July
with celebrations commemorating the birth of our nation
and remembrances of those who have fought and worked for our freedom.
God bless you and God bless America!
When I read the above words, I wonder if our Founding Fathers really knew what they were saying. We know that it took several weeks for Thomas Jefferson to write the words to the Declaration of Independence, and when he presented the first draft to Congress, they verbally tore it apart! After much arguing and no little compromise, the final draft was completed. I can only imagine the emotions of the men in that room in Philadelphia who heard it and, subsequently, those of the people who gathered to hear its proclamation some days later. The words grab at my own heart even now.
Do we, who have been so blessed in this country, take these blessings of “life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness” for granted? Do we, as Christians, recognize in those words an echo of the words of Christ, “I have come to set your free” and “I have come that you may have life”?
But what does freedom mean to me, to you? I recently read an article in which the author stated that for the Founding Fathers, individual independence (freedom) was connected to the moral order. It isn’t the type of freedom that means I can say or do whatever I want, that I am entitled to everything I want, that I do not have to live by the laws set down by church or state, that I can be a total individual seeking my own destiny. In this same article it states that Jefferson meant that individuals are obliged to aim towards virtue: care for one another, selflessness, compassion, acceptance, forgiveness, etc. (and for ourselves as well!)
It seems to me that our greatest freedom comes from dying to self. It isn’t a masochistic, maudlin dying. Jesus’ comment that he came to make us free infers that we are to let go of anything that binds us, that keeps us from greater freedom, from those emotions, attitudes, actions that keep us enslaved. Paradoxically, by dying to self, we expereince new life. “Unless a grain of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains just a grain of wheat; but if it dies, it produces much fruit.” (John 12: 20ff)
Dying, of course, entails sacrifice. That’s not a word or concept we like to think about. Sacrifice hurts. But if it didn’t hurt (even a little), it wouldn’t be a sacrifice! Our country was built on and continues to thrive through the sacrifices of men and women who believe and live this. Christ’s sacrifice enabled each of us to yearn for that freedom that he experienced in his resurrection. Letting go, falling to the ground and dying, is painful and often wrenching. But the final word is not the suffering, the sacrifice, but the resurrection. Once that seed dies, there is always new life!
In 1776 a seed fell to the ground and a new nation came forth based on the unforgetable words of the Declaration of Independence: “We hold these truths to be self-evident . . .” May we as Christians and Americans hold dear the truth of freedom and what it takes to make the dream of our Founding Fathers a reality.
The staff as the IHM Conference/Retreat Center—Sisters Marie, Beth,
Rita and Rose - wish all of our friends a happy and memorable Fourth of July
with celebrations commemorating the birth of our nation
and remembrances of those who have fought and worked for our freedom.
God bless you and God bless America!
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.