A Letter from Our Director
Dear Friends,
A few years ago, I was with a group of people who were discussing saints. Someone asked us which saint was our favorite. I listened to the others discuss the reasons why they prayed to a particular saint or was drawn to that saint in time of need. There are a few saints whom I admire and whose lives inspire me. But when it gets right down to it, my “go to” saint is the Blessed Mother.
Over the years I have come to know Mary as my advisor, my comforter, and my intercessor. She guides me when the path before me is unclear; she comforts me when I experience doubt or anxiety; she intercedes for me to God when I know I have no other recourse. In all of this, Mary also is my friend!
Mary is the perfect role model, not just for mothers, but for all women. Mary’s commitment took her “from Nazareth to the upper room, as an apostle among the apostles waiting for Jesus to lead them on.” (Joan Chittister, The Monastic Heart.) It was her life-long task--as it is ours--to discern what that meant at any given moment in her life. And that life was wrapped up in and connected with the life of Jesus. I believe that if we keep our eyes fixed on Mary, she will lead us to Jesus. In all the joys and sorrows of her life, she who was “full of grace” was grounded in responding to that grace. You might say it was her whole life! And it is ours as well. So, to Mary, our Mother and Model, we can confidently pray:
“Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners now and at the hour of our death.”
Happy Mother’s Day to our Moms and Grandmoms!
A few years ago, I was with a group of people who were discussing saints. Someone asked us which saint was our favorite. I listened to the others discuss the reasons why they prayed to a particular saint or was drawn to that saint in time of need. There are a few saints whom I admire and whose lives inspire me. But when it gets right down to it, my “go to” saint is the Blessed Mother.
Over the years I have come to know Mary as my advisor, my comforter, and my intercessor. She guides me when the path before me is unclear; she comforts me when I experience doubt or anxiety; she intercedes for me to God when I know I have no other recourse. In all of this, Mary also is my friend!
Mary is the perfect role model, not just for mothers, but for all women. Mary’s commitment took her “from Nazareth to the upper room, as an apostle among the apostles waiting for Jesus to lead them on.” (Joan Chittister, The Monastic Heart.) It was her life-long task--as it is ours--to discern what that meant at any given moment in her life. And that life was wrapped up in and connected with the life of Jesus. I believe that if we keep our eyes fixed on Mary, she will lead us to Jesus. In all the joys and sorrows of her life, she who was “full of grace” was grounded in responding to that grace. You might say it was her whole life! And it is ours as well. So, to Mary, our Mother and Model, we can confidently pray:
“Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners now and at the hour of our death.”
Happy Mother’s Day to our Moms and Grandmoms!
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 ihmconferencecenter@gmail.com 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 ihmconferencecenter@gmail.com and our office phone is 610-581-0120.