A Letter from Our Director
Dear Friends,
Last week, on Ash Wednesday, I felt (as I always do on that day) that my head was spinning. So much to ponder, to read, to decide! I sat for a long while considering, “Where is God calling me?” Then I heard the words of the prophet Joel, “Return to me with all your heart.” I understood: God is calling me back to right relationship with God, myself and others.
So, how does one “return” or go back to God? Actually, going back to God requires that we move forward toward God. A great philosopher, Winnie the Pooh, once said, “I find that if I want to go some place new, I have to leave where I’ve been.” Wise words, indeed! Following Pooh’s lead, it might be a good idea to take an honest look at where I am before moving forward. Some things to consider: What am I doing in my daily life? How have I been less than a true disciple of Jesus? What bad habits have I gotten into? How have I wasted precious time on less-than- productive pastimes (internet, TV, etc.)?
Lent also is a time to listen to God’s call to return, to go back, to the life I was called to at my Baptism. It might seem daunting, but it isn’t really anything dramatic. It is a matter of getting my priorities in order, determining what is really important in my life as a follower of Jesus. If I am honest, I will see where I’ve failed—am failing—in certain patterns of my day-to-day living. This is where God speaks to our hearts!
The journey of Lent began with the ritual of ashes, and I can almost hear the prophets of old pleading with us, God’s people, to turn back from sin and toward God. We do this because we NEED to do it. We need to be reminded that our deepest hunger is for God. Always has been; always will be!
May Lent be a journey of blessings received through our practices of prayer, fasting and charitable works. Remember: turning back to God is also turning toward God. Happy Lenten travels!
Last week, on Ash Wednesday, I felt (as I always do on that day) that my head was spinning. So much to ponder, to read, to decide! I sat for a long while considering, “Where is God calling me?” Then I heard the words of the prophet Joel, “Return to me with all your heart.” I understood: God is calling me back to right relationship with God, myself and others.
So, how does one “return” or go back to God? Actually, going back to God requires that we move forward toward God. A great philosopher, Winnie the Pooh, once said, “I find that if I want to go some place new, I have to leave where I’ve been.” Wise words, indeed! Following Pooh’s lead, it might be a good idea to take an honest look at where I am before moving forward. Some things to consider: What am I doing in my daily life? How have I been less than a true disciple of Jesus? What bad habits have I gotten into? How have I wasted precious time on less-than- productive pastimes (internet, TV, etc.)?
Lent also is a time to listen to God’s call to return, to go back, to the life I was called to at my Baptism. It might seem daunting, but it isn’t really anything dramatic. It is a matter of getting my priorities in order, determining what is really important in my life as a follower of Jesus. If I am honest, I will see where I’ve failed—am failing—in certain patterns of my day-to-day living. This is where God speaks to our hearts!
The journey of Lent began with the ritual of ashes, and I can almost hear the prophets of old pleading with us, God’s people, to turn back from sin and toward God. We do this because we NEED to do it. We need to be reminded that our deepest hunger is for God. Always has been; always will be!
May Lent be a journey of blessings received through our practices of prayer, fasting and charitable works. Remember: turning back to God is also turning toward God. Happy Lenten travels!
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 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.