A Letter from Our Director
The Assumption of Our Lady
IHM Conference/Retreat Center
IHM Conference/Retreat Center
Dear Friends,
When people center the IHM Conference/Retreat Center and walk into the Great Hall, usually the first thing they see is the huge painting of the Assumption of Mary which hangs above the great fireplace. It is breathtakingly beautiful, and certainly commands our attention. Often a conversation arises about the painting and about the doctrine of the Assumption.
In the Jubilee Year of 1950, Pope Pius XII released an apostolic constitution entitled Munificentissimus Deus”. This constitution defined and declared the dogma of Our Lady’s Assumption. The word “assumption” is taken from the Latin word assumptio which means “taking up”. We celebrate the feast of the Assumption, Mary’s being “taken up” into heaven, on August 15 each year.
One of the beautiful aspects of this feast is the affirmation that ordinary people of flesh and blood are created with the capacity to share divine life. Because Mary is one of us, what was promised to her is promised to us as well. Her assumption into glory honors her and reminds us that she is a role model for each one of us. She gave birth to Jesus, shared him with the world, listened to his teachings, and witnessed his sufferings. But she also rejoiced in his resurrection and was present when the Holy Spirit poured upon her and the disciples the graces needed to BE the church in history. We, too, bring Christ to others as Mary did. We, too, share his teaching and belief in the equality of all human beings. We, too, witness the suffering in the world and recognize it as the same suffering Christ endured. We, too, have received the Holy Spirit and the mandate to BE church in the 21st century.
But Mary’s assumption does not mean that she has left us. Quite the opposite! Latin American theologians Maria Clara Bingewer and Ivone Gemara have stated it is through her assumption that “Mary herself remains in the world and within the church as someone who is living and intensely present, a living being with whom communication is possible, not only through remembrance”. Scripture scholar Mary McGlone states that “Mary’s assumption does not mean that she is absent. Her oneness with Jesus is intimately a part of the Church” and, therefore, a part of each one of us.
On the feast of the Assumption, we will hear Mary’s Magnificat proclaimed at Mass. In that creed, Mary declares that the lowly are cherished and exalted, and the hungry are filled. This feast day urges us to appreciate and respect all humanity. Following in the footsteps of Mary, may we recognize everyone as souls upon whom God has looked with favor, including ourselves! Let us sing with Mary, “My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord!”
Some news . . .
We have been working hard to prepare our programs for next year. Hopefully, you will find some events that speak to your heart. The September events are listed at the bottom of the Home Page.
The brochure for all events from September until January will be mailed out in early August. Please look for it. If we have your name and address on our mailing list and you don’t receive one, please let us know. We will continue to send the monthly e-newsletters as well. The new brochure may also be found on this website so you can plan ahead: https://www.ihmconferencecenter.com/program-brochure.html
Did you know?
We have Gift Cards that may be used for our events. If you wish to give someone a “gift” of participating in anything here, you can purchase them from Sister Rita.
We will continue to sell IHM Spiritual Treasury cards that benefit Camilla Hall, our Retirement Home/Infirmary. They include cards for Birthdays, the Deceased, Sympathy, Thank You, Thinking of You. We also have the ever-popular Rosary Cards.
Sisters Marie, Beth, Rita and Rose send their love and prayers to all of you
and hope that you are enjoying these summer months. As the song says,
“See You in September!”
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.