ONNECTION CA publication for the family and friends of the Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary Fall 2010 Volume 18. No. 3 Scranton, Pennsylvania “The Heritage Display is better than I imagined it would be. Leave it to the IHM Sisters if you want it done right.” - Michael C. Pascucci path at times leads to a jour- ney, and, as with any jour- A ney, once you embark, you are meant to follow. IHM Foundress, Mother Theresa Maxis Duch- emin, gladly accepted an oppor- tunity to leave Monroe, Michigan and travel to Pennsylvania never quite knowing what her journey would bring and how many were to eventually “come and walk with her.” us reminds us each day of the breadth, Pictured above, Sister Eileen depth, and diversity of our ministries.” Palma pointing to her class One hundred and sixty-fi ve years later, her and appearing below are vision of hope continues to be the integral The Heritage Display was unveiled on June participants during the blessing piece of the missions and ministries of the 27, 2010, following the installation of the which took place in July. IHM Sisters of today. This story can now new IHM Leadership Team. Many others be best understood in Scranton through the have strolled the halls admiring, learning, new IHM Heritage Display, featured beau- and remembering. Sister Eileen Palma tifully in the IHM Center. When improve- made a visit as part of a special activities ments were needed for the original Heri- program from Our Lady of Peace Center tage Room those discussions introduced and was amazed to fi nd her Marywood this novel idea. graduating class depicted in the display. Sister Margaret Gannon, who was re- Both Sister Anitra Nemotko and Sis- sponsible for most of the text included ter Kathleen McNulty, members of the in the display, remarks that, “Sisters are Heritage Display Committee, marvel at thrilled when they recognize sisters, friends Congregation of the Sisters, the fi nal outcome, noting that Interpre- and even themselves in photographs…this Servants of the tive Solutions and Lynch Designs were project displays beautifully our past, pres- Immaculate Heart of Mary responsible for the fi nal production. After ent, and future and the IHM connections many hours of tedious review of the infor- with other congregations and associates.” IHM Center mation that would be included in the fi nal 2300 Adams Avenue representation, they could not be happier. The sisters invite all friends and supporters Scranton, PA 18509 “This was a great experience, as well as to visit this extrordinary gift made possible a great opportunity for me to learn much through the generosity of Michael C. Pas- Development Offi ce more than I had ever imagined about the cucci, and other gifts made in memory of 570-346-5431 congregation”, says Sister Anitra. Sister Mary Keenan Hecht, the sister of Sister M. E-mail: Kathleen agrees, stating that “understand- Michel Keenan and Sarah Drake Cryan, the b donate@sistersofi hm.org ing our heritage and now seeing it before mother of Sister Maureen Cryan. www.SistersofIHM.org Mother Maria People & Places Declared Venerable Mother Maria Kaupas, a Lithuanian- b In July 2010, Sister Maryalice Jacquinot assumed the born nun who came to the United States role of president of St. Joseph Center in Scranton. Sister and established the Sisters of St. Casimir Ann Walsh became the chief executive offi cer of Friends Congregation in 1907 in Scranton, was of the Poor in Scranton. Sister Ann also was honored at a recognized by Pope Benedict the XVI for reunion held for participants of the Saint Joseph’s Center her virtues. The Vatican announced on Mother Infant Program, where she is director, on June 22, July 1 the fi rst major step toward saint- 2010, for her work over the past eight years. Those pres- hood by declaring her Venerable, bringing ent included mothers and children who participated in the her closer to Beatifi cation. Casimira Kaupas was born in Ra- program along with sisters, volunteers and staff. mygala, Lithuania in 1880. She traveled to Scranton to work b Sister Margaret Gallagher retired after forty-two as a housekeeper for her brother who was serving as a parish years of service in the Diocese of Raleigh. Her work in priest there. She soon became attracted to the religious life North Carolina began in 1964 as a teacher at St. Monica and sought to participate in it. She was asked to form an order Catholic School in Raleigh. She also served at Our Lady to sustain Catholic education among Lithuanian immigrants, of Perpetual Help in Rocky Mount, Mother of Mercy in and the Sisters of St. Casimir was established with the help of Washington, and St. Francis De Sales in Lumberton. In Mother Cyril Conway and the IHM Congregation. She took 1990 she was appointed full-time pastoral administrator of the name of Sister Maria. In 1911 the congregation moved St. Joan of Arc in Plymouth and in 1999 was transferred their headquarters to Chicago, where there was a large Lithu- to St. Joseph the Worker. Sister Margaret has returned to anian population, and where they established schools and hos- Scranton where she continues her pastoral work. pitals over the years. The holiness she exuded throughout her life and deep faith and love for God, along with the years of b During the week of June 7, 2010, Sisters Mary service her Congregation has provided, all testify to Mother Schoberg, Ann Parker, Catherine Luxner, Beatrice Maria’s life of virtue, which continues to be an inspiration Caulson and Nancy Elder joined teachers of Queen of to many. As a result of Pope Benedict’s recognition she will Peace Catholic Academy in Gainesville, Florida to pres- now be known as Venerable Servant of God Maria Kaupas. ent a series of interactive presentations centered upon “A Look at the Actions of the Spirit within the Church and IHM Charism.” Topics included Pre- and Post- Vatican II, Saints and Holy People, Traditions and Symbols, Culture and Charism, Liturgy and Prayer. Presenters and partici- Something Beautiful from God pants alike noted that the foundation of Catholic Identity at A 2010 Daily Queen of Peace Academy has continued to grow stronger Refl ection Guide and the IHM story is still much alive. Advent and Christmas Seasons b The North American Conference of Associates and Religious hosted their biennial convention in St. Louis, Missouri, in June, 2010. A membership organization, NA- More than 40 CAR acts as a catalyst to serve, empower, and promote IHM Sisters and the associate-religious relationship. Multiple congrega- friends share their tions of both women and men from Canada and the Unit- refl ections on the ed States participated. Pat Baker, IHM Associate, and scripture readings Sister Jean Louise Bachetti attended the sessions where for each day of they happened to connect with Monroe IHMs and associ- these seasons. ates. The keynote speaker, Michael Crosby, OFM Cap., addressed “Jesus’ Understanding of Leaven: Transforming the Power Dynamic of Charism,” which supports that The To reserve your gift of charism has the power to build up the body of Christ copy or for more information Cover art by: Donna Korba, IHM through mutuality and equality. contact Sister Fran Fasolka at (570) 346-5404 or at communications@sistersofi hm.org 2 Fall 2010 Wishing Sister K athleen From The Director’s Desk Much Success! “We, the Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, rooted Our own, Sister Kathleen in God and in the Gospel, stand together and courageously commit Lunsmann, has been appointed ourselves to enter into the joys, hopes, griefs and anxieties of the people of president of SOAR, the this world.” - from the IHM Direction Statement, 2010. Washington-based organization which supports aging It is a great honor for me to serve the IHM way to celebrate the 200th Anniversary of religious. The Sisters in the area of development and to the birth of our Foundress, Mother There- organization carry forward the tremendous efforts of Sr. sa Maxis, IHM! Our display continues, in was founded in Kathleen Lunsmann, IHM and those who beautiful pictorial images, to document the 1986 to provide came before her. Sr. Kathleen and her pre- ministry of our sisters, our religious life to- for the needs decessors have set a course for us to follow gether and our commitment to social justice of elderly men as we “walk with” those whom we serve. through the years. and women With great pleasure, I thank our dedicated You will also enjoy an article religious across friends, donors, and supporters who about Sr. M. Michel Keenan, the United have shared the journey with us. In Come Walk IHM, a former congregation States. As indicated in Catholic the months to come, I hope to thank administrator, who shares News, Patricia Gorman, chair many of you personally for your with Us, much of her interesting life of SOAR’s board of directors commitment to our IHM mission. Dear concludes that “under Sister story as an IHM Sister, com- Kathleen’s leadership, we Our 2010 IHM Direction Statement Friends! mitted to answering the call anticipate a bright future for calls our sisters to stand in solidarity of God in so many diverse SOAR.” with the people of our world. We have been ways. You will read the story of Alejandra, Sister Kathleen has served the called to enter into the joys and struggles who is preparing to become an IHM Associ- IHM Congregation for 15 years of God’s people and to examine how this ate, as she too walks with the IHM Sisters to in the area of development and challenge infl uences our choices to affect share in our prayer and our mission.