Fifty-two weeks a year women religious stand with the poor and immigrants, teach children, fight injustice, heal the sick, share spirituality, empower women, defend the planet, promote peace, create community, offer hope … But for one week, the spotlight will shine on women religious. Catholic Sisters Week (CSW) is an annual celebration that takes place from March 8–14. It was created to honor women religious and bring greater focus to the lives of these incredible women.
For this year’s celebration, we asked various community leaders to share how the Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary have influenced them and their organizations.
Linda Campbell, Senior Director at Detroit People’s Platform
The Detroit People’s Platform organizes Detroit residents to WIN important public policies to advance affordable housing, transit justice and equitable development for majority-Black Detroit. Here Linda Campbell, Senior Director at Detroit People’s Platform, shares how Sisters Gloria Rivera and Paula Cathcart have been two warriors in the City of Detroit.
“Through their efforts, broader vision and work of sustainability, both locally and nationally, they have supported our various campaigns around social justice to lift up the common wealth that we all inherit.
Linda Campbell
Michelle LaVoy, Monroe City Clerk/Treasurer
On the January day of her swearing-in, Michelle Lavoy, Monroe City Clerk/Treasurer, thanked the IHM Sisters for reinforcing what she learned at home and the foundation of love and support for all St. Mary Academy Alumni and the community.
Sean Jorgenson, St. Mary Catholic Central High School President
We are the proud bearers of your legacy and tradition here at SMCC. Thank you for the gifts you have given us and that we carry on in your name.
Sean Jorgenson
Dora Lezovich, volunteer and former member
Dora Lezovich was a member of the IHM community for several years and has always stayed in touch with them. She volunteers with Sister Nancy Sylvester’s organization, Institute for Communal Contemplation and Sister Katie Peirce’s organization, Intercultural Consultation Services as well as the Bioneers with Sister Gloria Rivera and Sister Paula Cathcart. She has worked side by side with Sisters in El Paso and El Centro to work with migrants seeking asylum in the US.
I was challenged academically, socially, and spiritually by so many Sisters. My association with the IHMs has been and continues to be one of the greatest gifts of my life.
Dora Lezovich
Mark Cochran, Economic & Community
Development Director at the City of Monroe, MI
The Sisters’ advocacy for issues of social justice, whether it be related to ecological integrity, voting rights, global economic justice, gun violence, worker justice or any other concern of human dignity is admirable. They model what civic engagement and advocacy should look like at any level of government.
Mark Cochran, IHM SLC Board Member
Renée Ahee, owner of In Other Words, LLC
In the classroom or working alongside them, I thank the IHM Sisters for the memories and the lessons.
Renée Ahee, proud graduate
of Marygrove College, an IHM institution
Mary Rouleau, Mercy Education Project
Mary Rouleau speaks of her life being enriched by the IHMs. She felt privileged to have several IHM Sisters teach her a progressive education and expanded her worldview.
Mary is an educator and advocate who has held a variety of leadership positions as an employee and volunteer. She gained expertise in housing and community development issues while serving as Executive Director of The Alliance for Housing Solutions in Arlington, Virginia. She taught in the social justice program of Marygrove College and currently teaches the Social Studies GED curriculum at the Mercy Education Project in Detroit.
If you would like to join the celebration, please send a card or video to ihmcommunications@ihmsisters.org or 610 West Elam Avenue, Monroe, MI 48162.