The richness of the 2005 Tri-IHM/Oblate Gathering was for me rooted in the June 2003 Oblate/Tri-IHM Retreat in Baltimore. The deeper understanding of our intertwined roots and coming to know Theresa Maxis in the context of the forces in her life before she came to Monroe brought new light to who we are together and a sense of the right relationships we desire among us now.

A distinct impression of this year’s gathering at Immaculata was that there was more one on one interpersonal sharing among individuals and small groups. In previous gatherings, I was more conscious of the various “groups” that we are. The Baltimore experience enabled more of us to spend quality time interacting together and able to discover how truly related we are to one another. Beyond intellectually knowing common roots, we were able to recognize at a deeper level the common charism in each other and to more purposefully walk together in overcoming what might separate us.

The rich dance rituals of the weekend spoke loudly of our bonds, our desire to come together as four congregations. Looking across the auditorium where we gathered, one could feel the strength, vision and energy of this group to attend to the crying needs of our world. It was truly uplifting. The aching awareness of aging and closing long-time ministries subdued in the impact of dynamic women gathered to reinvigorate who we are together, called to be “Religious being on the margins” as Sr Mary Persico developed in the opening address.

The dialogue between Theresa Maxis and Mother Mary Lang highlighted the possibility of redeeming and reconciling the events of our history. Our connections are dynamic, not just historical. Surrounding Theresa’s grave on Saturday evening reminded us that it was through Theresa, in her weakness and faithfulness, that God could bring about a fruitful and abundant vineyard.

Sr. Ann Marie Harrison, IHM (I)

OSP/Tri-IHM “Many Stories, One Heart”

Our Congregations
Cross-constructed origins: 1829, 1845, and beyond

Graced growth of community and ministry

Realizations
Immersion in Trinity Love purifies past, present, and prepares the future

Mary-hearted determination

Fresh Eyes
Four streams of Trinity Love united by vowed consecration

Enfleshing the vision of Trinity Love toward all peoples, Christian and non-Christian

Desired Future
Responsibility for works of human unity

Receptiveness tothe Divine Inflow: the foundationof community and ministry

River of Trinity Love

Obstacles met,
vision obscured, bitterness tasted-
Such events seeped into our pathway stories of origin,
truly hindrances strewn by flawed use of human will.
Preserved unhindered though was God’s purpose:
grace-watered growth spread in wide range.
This treasured evidence of Provident care carries always
promise of life and healing of wounds
borne for and with Christ.

Wounds lived in Christ
never go unwashed by Glory.
Drawn from times not our own,
and from times of our own,
we confidently release all clouded waters for immersion
in the one deep cleansing river of Trinity Love for all.
With Mary-mirrored wills, we find determination to consent
that congregational futures are called to make embracing decisions
favoring the Light that rests on the river; it neither fades,
nor hides, nor clouds, but unifies.

Our past decades of limiting apartness
mixed among magnificent growth-bearing deeds
now pour as prelude to new tasks for our communicating streams. For future years, with memories of tear-moistened Fresh Eyes,
we will walk encouragingly together in vowed consecration,
merging diverse, swelling streams of ministries
into a strong sounding of the river’s song for everyone:
“Belov’d of the Trinity is your name.”

For this human identity lived well, we thirst.
We pledge to actualize mutual cooperation,
allowing no blockage to the reception of the Trinity Love
that waters all peoples. We will permit no lessening
of the very sweet taste of our refreshing unity, as we give
overflowing response to the joy of living together
Jesus’ oneness with the Father in the Spirit,
as we each become a radiance of the Indwelling Trinity,
pondering with Mary the graced life of serving
her Son’s mission, together.

Whether the Oblate Tri/IHM gathering was simply a single, grand “happening,” a “faith fest” or “whatever,” few could doubt, after all was said, sung, done; acted, enacted, entoned; drummed, strummed, and danced that Providence was behind it all, through it all, and in it all. Yes, after the dances were danced, songs were sung, prayers prayed, food feasted, and farewells finished, Providence glued our never-ending stories together.

In the fictional dialogue, “Fresh Eyes,” the wise and sorely-tried Mother Lange sanguinely reminded the ever-restless Theresa Maxis that both congregations were founded on that very risky business of blind reliance on Providence. Whether the injustices of blatant, racial prejudice or the aches and ouches of ecclesiastical intrigues --- Providence provided despite our blind sight. Decades later, one thing is sure: our legacy of providential trips, stumblings, and falls remains intact. Do we have the “fresh” vision to see, despite our blind sight, that providential paths still unfold before us? Or, are our eyes wide shut to the providential plan that anchors us in who we are? Have we the courage to imagine that we are on the brink of seeing the signs unseen that will sustain the Providential promise?

Ours is an age that glorifies the individual, as well as difference, yet aches over homelessness and disconnection. Our inter-congregational hindsight offers fresh sight that our differences need not divide or our corporate individualities detach. Rather, “eye has not seen nor ear heard what God has ready” for those bound by the trust that Providence provides for a communion that sustains distinction with honest pride. For those with “fresh eyes” to see our origins are painted on a palette of providential color! The recovery of our past initiates the recovery from our past linking our lived present to our longed for future. Our origins need not be illustrious! Our differences need not divide, distort or fragment! For those with “Fresh Eyes” to see, Providence can be counted on to provide the plot for our story!

Somewhere in my life, I absorbed the message that I was responsible for what I have learned. Trying to put a finger on the feelings I experienced at our Immaculata gathering has been somewhat challenging. I have had the privilege of being part of the Oblate/IHM Anti-Racism Committee and part of the first “Reconnecting the Journey” retreat. What I have learned, what I have seen and experienced, have dramatically influenced the lens through which I experienced the weekend. I sensed we were getting closer to “making the possible real,” as Mary Persico said.

Our common Oblate and IHM history is steeped in both persistent determination and inexorable pain. Our common birth pangs have forged a fierce bond we are only beginning to grasp. We heard, “Do not lose heart. We are made for these times.” But what is the challenge of these times that our foremothers are urging us to undertake? What do we have the courage to become together?

I was literally overwhelmed with our enthusiasm, our joy, our interconnectedness. On Friday night, I had a clear sense of how great our common burden is and will be until we can shoulder the responsibility to “be a crossroads.” In our shared struggle against the sin of racism, our call is to go beyond the streets and citizens of Detroit, Baltimore, Philadelphia and Scranton. The deeper call, the deeper responsibility, is to go into the back alleys of our own hearts and spirits to name our personal racisms and prejudices that hold us in bondage. We are responsible for what we know.

One day, (I hope soon), we IHMs will be able to stand together with our Oblate sisters to publicly renounce the sin of racism and to clearly commit ourselves to the eradication of this sin in ourselves, in our congregations and in our world. There is an awesome power we hold in common that will not be denied. Together, we can make a difference as no other group of women on earth can. Imagine the “brave reckless souls” others will see running “down our city streets, driven by passion that leaves us gasping in wonderment.”