A Letter from Our Director
Dear Friends,
The Advent season comes very soon. It is a time of waiting, of anticipation, of expectation. We await the coming of our Savior in our lives; we anticipate his coming in future times, and we expect that joy and hope will fill our hearts once gain. Emmanuel was born in Bethlehem during very frightening and uncertain times. The hearts of people were heavy with burdens almost impossible to carry and sadness almost impossible to bear. These people, our ancestors in faith, were being persecuted by powers beyond their ability to overcome. I’m sure, at times, they felt helpless in the face of the realities that existed.
We too are living in frightening and uncertain times. We are facing a “power” that sometimes seems impossible to overcome. The coronavirus has indeed overwhelmed us! But just as the message of the angels brought great joy to shepherds and wise men, we crave it even more today. “Do not be afraid! I bring you good news of great joy!” Who wouldn’t pay attention to such a proclamation? Who wouldn’t want to experience great joy?
Friends, the message of the Messiah’s coming still echoes down the years and runs smack into us in the year 2020. Can you hear it? Are you paying attention to it? It is a message of Christ’s presence among us then, now and forever. Don’t be afraid to feel and even express your sadness, anger, frustration, fear and anxiety about the unknowns this pandemic brings with it. BUT…allow Christ to come into the very center of it all. That is where he wants to be! Emmanuel, God-with-us!
Emmanuel continues to come, entering our worlds in the most surprising ways: a note or a call from a friend, an anonymous good deed, a smile (behind a mask!), a listening ear and heart, a grandchild’s laughter heard and seen during FaceTime, a sense of gratitude, plans for future days when we can all be together. Christ is in the midst of it all! “I bring you good news of great joy! Today is born our Savior, Christ the Lord!”
Happy Advent and Christmas, Everyone!
Sisters Marie, Beth, Cathy, Rita and Janice
Hopefully, you have seen the news on our Home Page about the upcoming Reflections we will be offering during the coming months, via YouTube! We miss you and wish to keep connected with you in any way possible during this pandemic, so we have chosen this format to try to "keep in touch." 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.
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.