Enjoy a snapshot of the many memorable moments that occurred on the Monroe campus over the past year. This in no way encapsulates the worldwide work in which the IHM Sisters remain involved.
January
The year 2022 began with the 100th birthday celebration of Jean Ann (Viviana) Gorman, IHM. The celebration included Eucharist with Monroe Mayor Robert Clark in attendance to offer a proclamation from the city along with letters from past and current presidents and the papal blessing. Martin Luther King Jr. was remembered Jan. 15 with a prayer service in the Motherhouse Chapel. Visitors were limited because of the COVID virus and those who did enter the Motherhouse remained masked. Several Sisters volunteered in housekeeping assistance at the Motherhouse. Ann Wisda, IHM, articulates, “Being part of the two-day IHM working teams in the dining rooms was a wonderful experience of community as well as our special Christmas gift to the Motherhouse sisters.”
February
Candlemas was observed Feb. 2, and our candles were blessed at a celebratory Eucharist. Everyone gathered in the Maxis Community Room to celebrate Mardi Gras. On Feb. 18, the River Raisin overflowed its heavily iced banks and flooded nearby streets, stranding cars and passengers in the frigid water and ice. It was days before the river receded and longer before Monroe residents could clean their flooded basements and get their autos running again.
March
There was plenty of good news in March as we celebrated our second Sister reaching the age of 100 this year. Lurana Sankovic, IHM, celebrated her birthday with the congregation on March 10 at a Eucharist. The Mayor was again in attendance, and we learned that both he and Sister Lurana were voracious Tiger Baseball fans. The state made its annual round of inspections of our IHM Health Care Center, and all were proud to learn we achieved the state’s highest ranking of five stars. Kudos to our excellent staff for maintaining excellent care of our residents.
April
April began with a Detroit Tigers opening day watch party for the residents and employees. Everyone enjoyed treats and a rousing rendition of “Take me out to the Ballgame.” We were graced with a gallery show at the beginning of spring. IHM Sisters and Associates created all the art and the show’s theme, “My Favorite Things,” encapsulated the eclectic collection of objects displayed. David Broneman, LLC conducted a prescribed burn for the prairie areas on campus, which helped enrich the soil, encourage new growth of native plants and help to reduce the abundance of invasive species. Because of inclement Michigan weather, we celebrated Earth Day indoors with an Indigenous water blessing by Panoka Walker. Brian Egen shared information about the successful river restoration efforts of the River Raisin. The community observed Holy Thursday with a liturgy and dinner following. IHM SLC welcomed a new food provider, Forefront. As one resident expressed, “Our tastebuds are dancing!”
May
May presented the annual River Raisin Institute Water Festival with the arriving school buses of children. Tents were erected on the campus with demonstrations of a scientific principle and teachable moments at each station. The children went from station to station learning about water ecology, preserving the Earth, and limiting their carbon footprints. The Health Care Department had a week of daily thank-you activities for all the arduous work health care staff did during the roughest part of the pandemic. There were treats each day and a raffle at the week’s end.
The “Prayer of the Heart” retreat facilitated by Rose Ange Leddy, IHM and Gail Addis, IHM, was held for residents of McGivney Way, a residence of caring companionship for our sisters facing memory-challenges. The three-day retreat included time in the Chapel, Maxis Community Room and a visit to the cemetery. A front lawn display was erected as another sign of the IHM’s commitment to cultivating non-violence within our communities and promoting the gift of human life. The large banner illustrated the words of Cardinal Blasé Cupich, “The right to bear arms will never be more important than human life.” Surrounding the sign were 21 chairs with the names of each of the Uvalde victims and 10 shopping carts where the names of the Buffalo victims were displayed.
June
On Friday, June 10, the IHM Gallery celebrated the opening of an art show titled, “2020s Vision.” The show was a diverse collection of media and imagery of two and three-dimensional work created by Monroe County Community College Art Club members. June took us outside to our annual Royal Blue Classic for the 26th year. Held at the Fox Hills Golf and Banquet Center in Plymouth, Michigan, the yearly golf fundraiser has challenges like the longest putt, closest to the pin, straightest drive skill holes and the ever-popular PLINKO game hole. All enjoyed the 50/50 balloon raffle, continental breakfast, grilled lunch and dinner.
July
July is always a busy month at the Motherhouse. We marked the Jubilee of Sisters who celebrated milestone years as IHM Sisters. Many out-of-town sisters came for the annual assembly this year titled “Journey of the Heart.” The Sisters began a new shared project. On July 10, the first three IHM Sisters crossed the threshold into the new home of the OSP/IHM collaborative community in McAllen, Texas. The core community members of this new endeavor ministering to the refugees on both sides of the border are Sisters Mary Elaine Anderson and Elvia Mata from Scranton, Rose Patrice Kuhn from Immaculata and Carmen Armenta Lara from Monroe. The home was in need of furniture and beds. With the help of a local moving company, we donated stored furniture to the house in Texas.
Journey of the Heart Assembly
This year’s annual picnic for staff was indoors due to a rainy July day, uncharacteristically cool but very muggy. Nevertheless, it was still tasty and appreciated by all staff.
The IHM SLC apartment residents were finally able to host a ribbon-cutting ceremony in conjunction with the Monroe Chamber of Commerce. The ceremony had been postponed for eight months due to the pandemic.
August
Muscle and classic cars invaded the Motherhouse and the IHM Senior Living Community parking lots August 20. The weather was perfect, cloudless, sunny and mild in temperature. Many came out to look and enjoy the brightly colored restored vehicles from yesteryear. There was a food truck, face painting for the children and a DJ to provide a soundtrack as visitors appreciated the classic cars and toured the apartments. Margaret Chapman, IHM, surprised Sister Lurana Sankovic by taking her to a Tigers game. The LCWR Assembly, held August 9-12 in St. Louis, was attended by IHM leadership and those connected with various agencies. Jane Herb, IHM, gave the LCWR presidential address. Ann Oestreich, IHM, represented US Catholic Sisters Against Human Trafficking and Joan Mumaw, IHM, Friends in Solidarity. Nancy Sylvester, IHM, executive director of Network from 1982-1992, was recognized during the celebration of the 50th Anniversary of Network. On August 17, The IHM Peacemakers and the Justice, Peace and Sustainability Office gathered for a public witness in support of the Poor People’s Campaign. The event, held on the Motherhouse front lawn, featured speakers, pastor Heather Boone Boone from Oak’s of Righteousness and Sarah Nash, IHM Associate.
September
On Tuesday, Sept. 20, a mostly sunny afternoon and National Voter Registration Day, the IHM Peacemakers and friends gathered on the front lawn of the Motherhouse to Promote the Vote. Voter Not Politicians Field Coordinator Rita Turner- Sheerin and Voter Not Politicians Team Leader Sharon McNeil, IHM Associate, were the featured speakers. The hourlong event included prayer, reflection and song. The lawn was adorned with many Promote the Vote signs and banners. Sister Nancy Lee Smith, an iconographer, had the latest in her series of Sacred Symbols art shows in the IHM gallery.
October
Our third centenarian of this year turned 100. Sister Eileen (Mary Gael) Houlihan, IHM, and sisters in community enjoyed a liturgy and reception. On Oct. 4, sisters met in the Maxis Community room to celebrate their ministry opportunities within the IHM SLC Community. They shared songs, reflections and the blessing of hands as they received their ministries for the year. The Development Office had a busy month. Donors were invited to a Eucharist in the Motherhouse Chapel and brunch following in appreciation of their support. The Theresa Maxis Award was presented to Tom and Yvonne Larabell at the Detroit Athletic Club on Oct. 13 for their service and dedication to the health, wellness and education of adults and children. For the first time in two years, the Motherhouse Chapel reopened to the public for liturgy.
November
Nov. brought Thanksgiving and the approaching winter. The inaugural “Dancing with Walkers” event was held. The event, a creation of Sister Jannita Complo, IHM, is a costume, music and dance contest for those aided by walkers. The spectators, contestants and judges all enjoyed the fun! On Nov. 8, there was an art opening in the IHM Gallery titled, “Heritage: The Fire that Lights the Way” with imagery celebrating Founders Day. The walls were adorned with unique and interesting artifacts of congregational life. Our archive unit, the keeper of all IHM history, presented the show. Everyone enjoyed apple cider, donuts and friendship in the Maxis Community Room in recognition of Founders’ Day.
December
Charlotte Walby, IHM, turned 106. Five generations of her family came to celebrate with her. The community observed the Feast of the Immaculate Conception with a Eucharist and dinner. The employee Christmas party was held in the Maxis Dec. 15. Food, raffles, games, entertainment and a pinning ceremony were the highlights of the gathering. We had our annual Christmas Tree Tribute event on December 22 in the Motherhouse foyer. We remembered the generosity of our donors and friends and lit and blessed the tree. Everyone enjoyed the fully decorated tree, songs and refreshments.