Leadership Taking Action

Below are the most recent endorsements by the IHM Leadership Council of organizational sign-on letters and position statements on important issues to the congregation.

4/24/25: IHM Sisters join the world in mourning the passing of Pope Francis

he IHM Community mourns the passing of Pope Francis, a great man whose compassion, humility and dedication to social justice and care for our Common Home have left an indelible mark on the world. His leadership reflected a deep commitment to the marginalized and provided a vision for inclusiveness and peace. We are deeply grateful for his tireless advocacy for the dignity of all people.

As a pope who embodied mercy, compassion and hope of the resurrection, his death on Easter Monday feels especially poignant, marking the end of a humble life devoted to leading others toward the Risen Christ.

Let us all, inspired by his example, honor his legacy with our work in service to others.

The IHM Leadership Council
Maxine Kollasch, IHM, President
Lisandra Pedraza Burgos, IHM – Mission Councilor
Kathy Onderbeke, IHM – Treasurer and Mission Councilor
Ann Oestreich, IHM – Vice President and Mission Councilor

11/12/24: IHM Sisters join leaders of Michigan congregations of Catholic Sisters in calling for drive safe bills

Catholic Sisters leading Michigan congregations that have collectively served the people of Michigan for more than 700 years are joining with other organizations and municipalities across the state in calling on state lawmakers to pass the Drive SAFE (Safety, Access, Freedom, and Economy) legislation pending in the legislature.

The Drive SAFE bill package would make non-commercial Michigan driver’s licenses and state identification cards available to applicants who do not have proof of U.S. citizenship or immigration status. The bill would allow undocumented immigrants to have driver’s licenses and reinstate the right to drive in Michigan, a right that was revoked in 2008 and that currently exists in 18 other states and Washington, D.C. The Drive SAFE bill package is supported by Strangers No Longer of Southeast Michigan, an immigrant advocacy organization.

“As women of faith we support this legislation because it honors the inherent dignity of all persons and supports the safety and welfare of all Michigan residents. We also support it as practical Michiganders because it makes common sense and is cost-effective,” the leaders stated.

Providing access to driver’s licenses and state IDs for all residents of Michigan – regardless of their documentation – gives residents the ability to care for their families and get to and from work and/or school without fear of being arrested, detained, and deported. It also enables residents to participate in daily activities in their communities that require identification.

“These bills would benefit all Michiganders, making our roads and communities safer and improve our economy by adding to the state’s revenue,” the Sisters said. 

The legislation provides that all drivers be trained, screened, and tested and required to have auto insurance. In case of emergencies, officials would be able to efficiently identify all individuals. The legislation is estimated to increase revenues in the State of Michigan by up to $13.5 million within the first three years of its passage.

“We strongly urge our legislators to pass Drive SAFE legislation for the common good of all residents of Michigan,” the Sisters stated.

The Michigan congregations whose leaders have issued this statement include Dominican Sisters of Adrian; Dominican Sisters of Grand Rapids; Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, Monroe; Congregation of St. Joseph, Detroit; Sisters, Home Visitors of Mary of Detroit; Servants of Jesus, Detroit. The leaders of these congregations are members of the U.S. Leadership Conference of Women Religious (LCWR) and part of its geographic Region VII.

9/9/24: The IHM Leadership Council stands in solidarity with the families, students, and educators impacted by the gun violence at Apalachee High School

In the wake of the tragic shooting at Apalachee High School in Winder, Georgia, where four lives were lost and several others injured, the IHM Sisters of Monroe, MI, stand in deep solidarity with the families, students and educators impacted by this senseless violence. The loss of students Mason Schermerhorn and Christian Angulo, along with beloved teachers Richard Aspinwall and Christina Irimie, leaves a profound void in the community and in the hearts of all who grieve with them.

We believe love and peace must prevail, even in the face of such hatred and violence. This horrific event serves as a painful reminder of the epidemic of gun violence that continues to afflict our nation. We echo the words of President Biden, who called for the urgent need to pass common-sense gun safety legislation. We cannot stand idly by as more lives are shattered by preventable violence.

We call on our elected officials to take decisive action. We urge the banning of assault weapons, the implementation of universal background checks, and stronger laws for the safe storage of firearms. These measures can help prevent more tragic incidents like this one from devastating other families and communities.

In this moment of grief, let us also take action. We ask all people of goodwill to contact their legislators and demand that they support comprehensive gun reform. Additionally, we encourage you to reach out to organizations working to end gun violence, like “Moms Demand Action” or “Everytown for Gun Safety,” to see how you can make a difference.

Let us continue to pray for healing for the victims and their families and let the courageous pursuit of justice and peace accompany our prayers.

The IHM Leadership Council
Maxine Kollasch, IHM, President
Lisandra Pedraza Burgos, IHM – Mission CouncilorKathy Onderbeke, IHM – Treasurer and Mission Councilor
Ann Oestreich, IHM – Vice President and Mission Councilor

7/16/24: The IHM Leadership Council condemns assassination attempt and calls to end political violence in America

As the assassination attempt on July 13^th unfolded in what seemed like hours, we witnessed some of the finest qualities of humanity. While keeping a watchful eye on former President Donald Trump, a few rally attendees risked their own lives to call out to nearby authorities. Bystanders tried to help a person who had been shot in the crossfire. Others concentrated on protecting family, friends and strangers. The Secret Service protected the former president by placing themselves between him and the shooter.

We thank God that former President Trump is safe and experiencing a rapid recovery. With deep sympathy, we remember Corey Comperatore, who died while shielding his daughters and his wife. We pray for his beloved family. We also remember in prayer the two other rally attendees who were critically injured, David Dutch and James Copenhaver. With heavy hearts and sadness, we remember the accused shooter: a young man who graduated from high school last year, killed by authorities at the scene.

We hope and pray that this tragic event in our history will inspire citizens across the United States to find pathways to peace. The time has come to end polarities and seek unity. Violence in politics must be eradicated, and as a nation, we must come together to ensure that such acts never happen again. Let us strive for a future where political differences are resolved through dialogue and understanding, not violence and hatred.

It begins with us.

The IHM Leadership Council
Margaret Chapman, IHM – Treasurer and Mission Councilor
Marianne Gaynor, IHM – Vice President and Mission Councilor
Mary Jane Herb, IHM, President
Patricia McCluskey, IHM – Mission Councilor
Ellen Rinke, IHM – Mission Councilor

4/4/24: The IHM Leadership Council calls for a peaceful paradigm

The IHM Leadership Council recently wrote and sent a letter to Representative Tim Walberg to express our profound disappointment and concern regarding his recent remarks suggesting that Gaza should be treated akin to Nagasaki and Hiroshima. Such a comparison is deeply troubling and displays a lack of understanding of the complexities and human suffering involved in conflicts like the one in Gaza.

As individuals committed to the principles of peace, justice and human rights, we find such statements to be irresponsible and inflammatory. To draw parallels between the tragic events of World War II and the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza is not only historically inaccurate but also disregards the lives and dignity of countless innocent civilians caught amid this conflict.

We believe that diplomatic dialogue, empathy, and a genuine commitment to understanding the root causes of conflicts are essential in fostering lasting peace and reconciliation. Violence and destruction, as witnessed in Nagasaki and Hiroshima, should never be glorified or used as a model for resolving contemporary conflicts.

We urge him to reconsider his words and approach to this issue and instead advocate for policies that promote dialogue, humanitarian assistance and respect for international law. Our collective responsibility is to work toward a world where everyone can live in peace and security, free from fear and violence.

We hope that he will take our concerns to heart and use his platform to promote reconciliation, understanding, and peaceful resolution to conflict around the world.

The IHM Leadership Council
Margaret Chapman, IHM – Treasurer and Mission Councilor
Marianne Gaynor, IHM – Vice President and Mission Councilor
Mary Jane Herb, IHM, President
Patricia McCluskey, IHM – Mission Councilor
Ellen Rinke, IHM – Mission Councilor