A Letter from Our Director
“Prayer is not just spending time with God. . . If it ends there, it is fruitless.
No, prayer is dynamic. Authentic. Prayer changes us—unmasks us.” (St. Teresa of Avila)
Dear Friends,
When St. Teresa said that prayer changes us, did she mean that we would become someone different, someone new? I don’t think so. To pray and be changed by that prayer doesn’t mean that we cease to be ourselves. It means, I think, that prayer helps us to see ourselves more clearly, to understand the person God means us to be. In the words of Joan Chittister, “Prayer . . . measures the distance between who and what we are and who and what Jesus is.” If we are to become like Jesus, prayer is necessary for that transformation to occur. It is a response to the call of Christ, “Come, follow me.” This is a 24/7 command and response. If we are serious about doing just that, it will mean speaking and acting like Christ. And how can we know how to do that unless we pray for the guidance and insight we need? This doesn’t require piety as much as courage and patience. When Jesus tells us to follow him, he doesn’t add “Whenever you feel like it”! He asks that we follow him among the poor, the suffering, the lonely, the sick and into the workplace, the voting place, the supermarket, the family party, the seashore, the city - every day, all day. What an invitation! Easy? No! Wonderful? Yes! The only question we need to answer is “Do I have the courage to pray?” If your answer is “yes,” be careful! It will change you!!
Our Fall/early Winter Brochure can be found here...please take a moment to click on the link to see the offerings that are coming up over the next several months. We hope you consider attending one or more...because we are always happy to welcome friends, new and "old" to our Retreat/Conference Center!
No, prayer is dynamic. Authentic. Prayer changes us—unmasks us.” (St. Teresa of Avila)
Dear Friends,
When St. Teresa said that prayer changes us, did she mean that we would become someone different, someone new? I don’t think so. To pray and be changed by that prayer doesn’t mean that we cease to be ourselves. It means, I think, that prayer helps us to see ourselves more clearly, to understand the person God means us to be. In the words of Joan Chittister, “Prayer . . . measures the distance between who and what we are and who and what Jesus is.” If we are to become like Jesus, prayer is necessary for that transformation to occur. It is a response to the call of Christ, “Come, follow me.” This is a 24/7 command and response. If we are serious about doing just that, it will mean speaking and acting like Christ. And how can we know how to do that unless we pray for the guidance and insight we need? This doesn’t require piety as much as courage and patience. When Jesus tells us to follow him, he doesn’t add “Whenever you feel like it”! He asks that we follow him among the poor, the suffering, the lonely, the sick and into the workplace, the voting place, the supermarket, the family party, the seashore, the city - every day, all day. What an invitation! Easy? No! Wonderful? Yes! The only question we need to answer is “Do I have the courage to pray?” If your answer is “yes,” be careful! It will change you!!
Our Fall/early Winter Brochure can be found here...please take a moment to click on the link to see the offerings that are coming up over the next several months. We hope you consider attending one or more...because we are always happy to welcome friends, new and "old" to our Retreat/Conference Center!
IHM Conference Center
401 South Bryn Mawr Avenue
Bryn Mawr, PA 19010
ihmconferencecenter.com
610-581-0120
mdgipprich@gmail.com