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People & Placesb In October 2010, Sister Janet Jeffers was namedexecutive director of Catholic Social Services ofLackawanna and Wayne counties in Pennsylvania. As alicensed nursing home administrator, Sister Janet holdsmaster’s degrees in both business administration andhospital and healthcare administration. In the past, SisterJanet was administrator of planning and developmentat Saint Joseph’s Hospital in Carbondale, a member ofthe congregation’s administration, and administrator fornursing operations at Our Lady of Consolation in WestIslip, NY.b Recognized for outstanding leadership and hercommitment to creating successful learning communities,Sister Rosemaron Rynn, principal of Little FlowerSchool in Bethesda, Maryland was named a 2010 NationalDistinguished Principal by the National Associationof Elementary School Principals (NAESP). Under herleadership, Little Flower School, which has 279 studentsin pre-kindergarten through eighth grade, received theUnited States Department of Education’s Blue RibbonAward for Excellence in 2008. In October 2010, SisterRosemaron joined other honorees for two days of activitiesand an awards dinner.b Sister Catherine Sitja y Balbastro became a UScitizen during a ceremony held at Federal Plaza inManhattan on September 3, 2010. She was among 150people representing 28 countries who took this solemnoath to our country. As a new citizen, Sister Katiereceived a congratulatory letter from President Obamaalong with copies of the US Constitution and Declarationof Independence.b Sisters Annmarie Sanders and Chris Koellhofferattended the opening reception for the Women and SpiritCatholic Sisters in America exhibit on Ellis Island onSeptember 22, 2010. Sister Annmarie was a member ofthe Women & Spirit History Committee and Sister Chrisserved on the Public Relations Committee. In October2010, IHM Sisters and friends from Scranton traveled toNew York where they were joined by IHM sisters frommissions in New York to experience the display. Theexhibit was on display from September 24, 2010, throughJanuary 22, 2011b The leadership teams of the Sisters of IHM, Sistersof St. Casimir, and Sisters of SS Cyril and Methodiusmet in November at the SSCM motherhouse in Danville,Pennsylvania. The joint meeting included prayer, updateson each congregation’s activities, and discussion aboutfuture collaborative efforts on a tri-community level.Lent begins March 9Order your ReflectionBooks Today!Fourteen IHM Sisters and friends share their reflectionsfor each week of Lent, the Triduum, and the Easter Season.The photography of Sister Jan Marie Kalyan is featured throughoutthe book.For Orders:570-346-5404 orcommunications@sistersofihm.org$7.00 per bookIHMs Honored for Serviceat St. John the EvangelistIHM Sisters who served at St. John the Evangelist Parish in SilverSpring, Maryland, were honored at a parish picnic on September 19,2010, marking the school’s sixtieth (diamond) anniversary. bPictured with Bishop Barry C. Knestout, Auxiliary Bishop of Washingtonare: front row L-R Sisters Mary Ellen Malloy, Roberta Harding,Kathleen Lannak, Mercille Schneider, Rosemary Goulet, and MaryLambert Rossi. Second row are Sisters Mary Mercy Gilbart, DoreenWillis, Ellen Maroney, Daniel Mary Heisey, and Lisa Perkowski.In the back row are Sister Theresa McElroy, Bishop Barry Knestout,Sisters Lois Buckley, and Maureen Schrimpe, and the pastor,Msgr. John Pennington.2 Spring 2011

WishingSister M. FrancisGabriel Lenihana veryHappyBirthday as shecelebrates her100th Birthdayon March 1, 2011!6 Spring 2011The IHMAir Conditioning ProjectThe summer of 2010 brought record-high temperatures to the residents ofScranton, causing great concern, especially for our sisters who reside in the IHMCenter, which is without an adequate cooling system. As you can imagine, manyof our sisters found it difficult to be in these rooms on the second and third floorsduring the sweltering heat. Although there have been renovations to this fifty-yearoldbuilding through the years, the heating/cooling system has not been included inthose updates, and as a result of the past summer’s experiences, it becomes apparentthat the system requires immediate attention. The year 2011 marks the launch ofthe IHM Center Air Conditioning Project which will include updating the currentHeating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning (HVAC) system to accommodate thesefloors so that our sisters will have a comfortable and safe environment in whichto live. As summer will quickly be upon us, your financial support, at a levelcomfortable to you, will ensure that this critical need is addressed appropriately.We are most thankful to our friends who give of themselves in every way possible.Your prayers, your time as volunteers, along with your financial support, assistus in our mission of “proclaiming the Good News of God’s unconditional lovefor all people”. We would be most grateful to you for your financial support withthis project. bPictured above are (L-R) Sisters M. Gracette Baker, Patricia Woll, Mary Martha Gardiner,and Jean Conaty, who reside at the IHM Center.Planned GivingYou make a charitable contribution to what matters most to you in life. Youraffinity to a cause or organization shows a connection between your beliefsand the charity’s mission. Those who support the IHM Sisters are most gratefulfor an education they received, guidance that was given, or a mission to whichthe sisters have shown a lasting commitment. Gifts made to the congregation arededicated to help educate younger sisters, to support work among disadvantagedpersons, to support foreign ministries as well as to ensure that the sisters arecared for during their later years. Whatever the reason, your generosity willimpact the good work of our sisters.Perhaps, today you are in a position to make an annual gift, and with that gift,we hope that a seed has been planted to consider a planned gift for tomorrow.Bequests, retirement plans, real estate, personal property, or gifts of securitiesor stocks can all serve as a means for the future of our sisters. Follow us in ourdirection as we continue “to stand in solidarity with the people of our world”with your gift today. We would be most grateful to you for your kindness. b

Pray for theBeatificationof MotherMary LangeAlmighty and Eternal God, Yougranted Mother Mary Langeextraordinary trust in Your providence.You endowed her withhumility, courage, holiness and anextraordinary sense of service to thepoor and sick. You enabled her tofound the Oblate Sisters of Providenceand provide educational,social and spiritual ministry especiallyto the African Americancommunity. Mother Lange’s lovefor all enabled her to see Christ ineach person, and the pain ofprejudice and racial hatred neverblurred that vision.Deign to raise her to the highesthonors of the altar in order that,through her intercession, moresouls may come to a deeperunderstandingand more ferventlove of You.Heavenly Father, glorify Your heartby granting also this favour (heremention your request) which we askthrough the intercession of Yourfaithful servant,Mother Mary Lange.AmenIHM Associate SpotlightGrowing in the Sunshine StateCurrently there are twenty-one IHMAssociates in Florida, from PalmCoast and Gainesville on the East Coast toSt. Petersburg on the West Coast. The sistersin these areas have generously respondedto enter into the joys and hopes of thesewomen who are yearning for a deeperspirituality. Within their circles theycreate a unique community experiencefor the sake of the mission of Jesus. Outof these Circles of Grace, nine associateshave already been commissioned andcontinue to gather, while the other twelvemeet in preparation to commit formallyEmerging from study, prayer, andsharing in their Circle of Grace, theassociates in Vestal, NewYork, felt moved“to do something.” They were not sure whatthat would be. Following a presentation onto living the mission of Jesus through theIHM Charism. The Circle of Grace inSt. Petersburg is one such group movingthrough orientation. Sister Flo Marino,with the assistance of IHM AssociateJeannine Storer organizes the time andplace for the gathering. bPictured L-R front: Jeannine Storer,Sister Florence Ann Marino, Beverly Capanna. L-R back: Grace Harding, Joan Miller,Joan Morey, and Linda Spears.Support Sicuani SchoolIHM ministry in Peru given to Our Lady ofSorrows Parish by Sister Robert MaryMurphy, the two Circles of Gracedecided to make Peru “their mission.”In conjunction with Sister Eileen Eganand the IHM Associates in Sicuani,the associates in Vestal will supportthe school by funding the purchase ofbooks for the library— IHM Associatesworking together across the continents. bPictured L-R front: Yvonne Kay, Sister RobertMary Murphy, Marcia Eckerson, Terry Schlitz.Back L-R: Lilly Pedroza, Pat O’Connor-Allen,Else-Marie Griffin, Diane Rigotti, Betty Becker,and Jude Byrne (Jackie Adams is not pictured).IHM Leadership attended LCWR AssemblyAt a time when Vatican officials areconducting two investigations into thelives of Catholic sisters, approximately 750members of the Leadership Conferenceof Women Religious (LCWR) met inassembly where discussion of their identityand role in the Catholic Church headedthe agenda. Gathered from August 10 to13 under the theme, “Hope in the Midstof Darkness,” the leaders of United Statesorders of Catholic sisters drew on theexpertise of two theologians as they spokeabout Catholic identity and the uniquefunction of religious life in the churchtoday. Richard R. Gaillardetz, PhD of theUniversity of Toledo, spoke on the fidelity ofCatholic sisters to the vision of the SecondVatican Council. M. Shawn Copeland,PhD of Boston College emphasized thatthe prophetic ministry of Catholic sistersis critical for the future of the Church.The IHM Leadership Team members andSister Annmarie Sanders stand with SisterMargaret Brennan, IHM (Monroe) who wasthe recipient of LCWR’s OutstandingLeadership Award. bL-R Sisters Ellen Maroney, Chris Koellhoffer,Therese O’Rourke (President), Ellen Carney,Margaret Brennan, Rosemary Goulet, andAnnmarie Sanders.7 Spring 2011

CONNECTIONSisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of MaryIHM Center, Development Office2300 Adams AvenueScranton, PA 18509Non-Profit Org.U.S. PostagePAIDPermit No. 39Scranton, PAPay tribute to our sisters through your estate plans!#Yes! I would like to include the IHM Sistersin my estate plans.q Please send me information!NameAddressCityStatePhoneE-mailZip CodeIHM Development Office • IHM Center2300 Adams Avenue, Scranton, PA 18509www.sistersofihm.orgPictured (L-R) Sisters M.Chrysta Lerhinan,M. St. Monica Costelloand M. RedemptaSweeney share sometime together at theIHM Center.IHM Connection is published by the Development Office of the Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, IHM Center, 2300Adams Avenue, Scranton, PA 18509. The purpose of this newsletter is to communicate the works and needs of the IHM Congregation.President: Sister Therese O’Rourke; Director of Development: Sister Ann Monica Bubser.