Incorporation/Formation directors (L-R) Rosemarie Mozzachio (S), Jane Mary Carr (I), Evelyn Craig (M), Mary Stephen Beauford, OSP

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Sacred Soil
On June 27, 2003, we began our second annual formation weekend gathering. This year the Scranton IHM Congregation hosted.

The weekend included a presentation on Haiti, the ancestral home of Theresa Maxis Duchemin, foundress of the Sisters of IHM and Mother Mary Lange, foundress of the Oblate Sisters of Providence. We visited the site of the original Motherhouse of the Scranton IHMs in Susquehanna, Pa, as well as the first foundation at old St. Joseph's. Some of our early sisters are buried in the cemeteries at St. Joseph and Susquehanna. We took time exploring the history and artifacts in the archives at the IHM Center in Scranton.

The soil each congregation brought from our respective Motherhouses was mingled together as a symbol for the various paths and holy ground upon which Theresa placed her feet and which we continue, to this day, to walk in her steps.

St. Alphonsus statue at site of Scranton IHM Motherhouse.

Sr. Kathleen McNulty, Scranton IHM archivist, and Sr. Mary Stephen, OSP

Church at St. Joseph, Pa, where Theresa Maxis worshipped upon her arrival from Monroe in 1858.

Church at St. Joseph, Pa.

Enjoying lunch in Vestal, NY, prepared by Scranton IHM Prayer Associates.

Sr. Cor Immaculatum Heffernan gives a tour of the rotunda at Marywood University in Scranton.

Site of Scranton IHM Motherhouse (1900-1971).

Scranton IHM archives tour.