During the week of November 9-14 Marywood will celebrate IHM Founders’ Week, a time to honor the history and heritage of the University which traces its roots to the founding of the Congregation of the Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary (IHM) on November 10, 1845 in Monroe, Michigan.
The IHM Sisters first came to Pennsylvania in 1858, led by Mother Theresa Maxis Duchemin, who co-founded the Congregation in Michigan with Father Louis Florent Gillet, a Redemptorist missionary.
Dramatic growth and many changes have marked Marywood University’s nearly 93 years, but the influence of the mission of the IHM Sisters has been constant. Marywood’s mission statement proclaims that we are “A Catholic university, sponsored by the Congregation of the Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary ….” These words articulate the continuing IHM connection with the University. Because Marywood is a ministry of the IHM Sisters, their mission and charism (spirit) are reflected in the mission, values, and Catholic identity of Marywood University.
This connection will be particularly evidenced as Marywood students, faculty, and staff join together for Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week, a University-wide week of service, to act on what it means to “live responsibly in a diverse and interdependent world” (MU Mission Statement) and to proclaim “the Good News of God’s unconditional love for all” (IHM Charism Statement).
In addition to the many service activities that will occur during this week, our celebration of this 163rd anniversary of the founding of the IHM Sisters will include:
Friday-Sunday, November 7-9
- “Connecting with God?” a weekend retreat for young women at the IHM Spiritual Renewal Center in Cresco, PA
- New Student Retreat, Fatima Center, November 7-9
Sunday, November 9
- Celebrating our spiritual legacy at Sunday Masses in the Marian Chapel
- Founders’ Day Prayer Service at the IHM Center, 4 p.m. All are welcome!
- Dinner following prayer service RSVP to [email protected].
Monday, November 10
- “163rd Anniversary of the Founding of the Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary”
- Celebration of Eucharist, 12:05 p.m., Marian Chapel
- Holy Hour and Night Prayer, 9 p.m., Marian Chapel
Wednesday, November 12, Noon, IHM Center
- Join a group of IHM Sisters to prepare bagged lunches for St. Francis Kitchen.
Throughout the week
- “Celebrating Our Founders” display near Room 317, LRC;
- “Celebrate Service,” a DVD presentation of the history of service at Marywood, Nazareth Student Center
- Display illustrating the IHM charism, mission, and ministry, Fireplace Lounge
For more information about any of these activities, please contact Campus Ministry (Swartz Center for Spiritual Life, 961-4723) or visit the Campus Ministry website at www.marywood.edu/campmin.