A Letter from Our Director
“We were therefore buried with Christ through baptism into death
in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead, we too may live a new life.”
(Romans 6:4)
in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead, we too may live a new life.”
(Romans 6:4)
Dear Friends,
In our culture, it is appropriate (and often expected) to celebrate significant events in our lives: birthdays, anniversaries, babies’ baptisms, First Holy Communions, Confirmations, weddings, graduations, etc. We send cards and even plan parties for such occasions. They are events worthy of our congratulations and deserve to be marked by some sort of recognition.
There is a day in the life of each of us that usually doesn’t get such recognition: our baptism day! With the eyes of faith, what happened to us on that day is much more important than any birthday, graduation, or anniversary. I learned the date of my baptism day when I was very young, November 6. It was the day I became a child of God, a member of the Catholic Church, and when I received the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. WOW! Now that is something to celebrate!
Lent is the Church’s way of nudging us to remember our baptism. Lent is connected to baptism, a season of prayer, fasting, and charitable works—all leading us to the celebration of Easter. But Lent is a journey, one that we take as we prepare for the renewal of our Baptismal promises at Easter, where we will once again renounce Satan and pledge our belief in the Trinity, hold a lighted candle, and be sprinkled with holy water—reminiscent of our baptism.
During Lent we are in solidarity with our catechumens who are preparing for their baptism at the Easter Vigil. When we renew our baptismal promises, we are united with them as members of the Church.
So, it seems to me that our baptismal day is an important day and worthy of our remembrance and celebration. I doubt that anyone will throw us a party, send cards, or give presents. Maybe it isn’t THAT kind of a day to mark in such ways. But I challenge you…if you don’t know the date of your baptismal day, try to find out. And then, if you can, “celebrate” it in any way you choose.
May the remainder of this Lenten season bring you closer to Christ, who died so that we might live through the waters of baptism and God’s continued gift of grace!
During these remaining days of Lent,
why not consider participating in one or more of
the events scheduled at the Center?
You will find them at the bottom of the Home Page.
We hope to see you soon!
In our culture, it is appropriate (and often expected) to celebrate significant events in our lives: birthdays, anniversaries, babies’ baptisms, First Holy Communions, Confirmations, weddings, graduations, etc. We send cards and even plan parties for such occasions. They are events worthy of our congratulations and deserve to be marked by some sort of recognition.
There is a day in the life of each of us that usually doesn’t get such recognition: our baptism day! With the eyes of faith, what happened to us on that day is much more important than any birthday, graduation, or anniversary. I learned the date of my baptism day when I was very young, November 6. It was the day I became a child of God, a member of the Catholic Church, and when I received the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. WOW! Now that is something to celebrate!
Lent is the Church’s way of nudging us to remember our baptism. Lent is connected to baptism, a season of prayer, fasting, and charitable works—all leading us to the celebration of Easter. But Lent is a journey, one that we take as we prepare for the renewal of our Baptismal promises at Easter, where we will once again renounce Satan and pledge our belief in the Trinity, hold a lighted candle, and be sprinkled with holy water—reminiscent of our baptism.
During Lent we are in solidarity with our catechumens who are preparing for their baptism at the Easter Vigil. When we renew our baptismal promises, we are united with them as members of the Church.
So, it seems to me that our baptismal day is an important day and worthy of our remembrance and celebration. I doubt that anyone will throw us a party, send cards, or give presents. Maybe it isn’t THAT kind of a day to mark in such ways. But I challenge you…if you don’t know the date of your baptismal day, try to find out. And then, if you can, “celebrate” it in any way you choose.
May the remainder of this Lenten season bring you closer to Christ, who died so that we might live through the waters of baptism and God’s continued gift of grace!
During these remaining days of Lent,
why not consider participating in one or more of
the events scheduled at the Center?
You will find them at the bottom of the Home Page.
We hope to see you soon!
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.