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Sisters, Servants of the
Immaculate Heart of Mary
Malvern, Pennsylvania
Mission Advancement
where Mission Matters
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"For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope."
— Jeremiah 29:11
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Catherine Balzarett has been a generous donor to IHM since 2018, a commitment rooted in her long-standing friendship with Sister Patricia McDermott. The two first met in 2010, when Sister Patricia was serving as retreat director at Loyola Retreat House in Maryland. Catherine, who was raised Catholic but had become distanced from the Church, attended a weeklong silent retreat—an experience she says proved transformative.
“I just bonded with her,” Catherine said. “She led me through the Ignatian exercises, and she was very kind to me. She has such an accepting spiritual presence, and she just pulled me in.”
That initial connection grew into a lasting relationship, sustained over the years through phone calls and Zoom meetings, even after Sister Patricia relocated to Pennsylvania. During that time, Catherine worked for many years in the counseling profession, sharing her talents in service to others. Though now retired, she continues to reach out to people in need. Catherine and her husband, Joe, have been loyal supporters of the IHM Mission Advancement Fund, a commitment she traces directly to her relationship with Sister Patricia. “I came from a place of defiance to becoming deeply reliant on her spiritual guidance,” she said. “She helped me understand that God lives within me. She taught me how to do that.”
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The Annual Sippin' for the Sisters Fundraiser is March 15, 2026!
Mark your calendars for the 2026 Sippin' for the Sisters Tea Fundraiser to benefit Camilla Hall on Sunday, March 15, 2026 from 1:00 p.m. - 3:30 p.m. This year, we have a new venue! Join us in the Dining Room at Villa Maria House of Studies (the IHM Motherhouse at 1 Our Lady Circle, Malvern). As always, there will be specialty teas, a variety of tea sandwiches, delectable desserts, and raffles. This year we are raising money for electrical beds and recliners for our sisters' at Camilla Hall nursing home.
| St. Patrick's Day Concert Celebration |
Also on March 15, from 4:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m. in the Sacred Heart Chapel at the Motherhouse, an Irish concert featuring world-renowned Irish tenor Mark Forrest will be held. Mark has captivated audiences worldwide, performing in prestigious venues such as the White House and Carnegie Hall, as well as cathedrals and concert halls across the globe, performing inspirational hymns for notable figures such as St. Pope John Paull II, St. Mother Teresa, and Charlton Heston. So come prepared wearing your best Irish green and to feel the power of song!
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Both events are great ways to support our sisters!
Tickets are available now and can be purchased here.
Do you have a business or work for a company who wants to support this event through a sponsorship?
If so, please call Maureen Cislo at 610-647-2160 x 1926 or
maureen.cislo@ihmimm.org.
| | FESTIVE FUN AT CAMILLA HALL | | | | December was truly a season of joy at Camilla Hall, beginning with the beloved annual Christmas party. Sisters and staff gathered to share sweet treats, enjoy festive raffle prizes, and delight in a surprise visit from Santa Claus himself. The celebration brought so much happiness to the sisters, filling the hall with laughter and warmth during the holiday season. | | | The sisters also enjoyed an outpouring of hospitality and festive cheer from our ever-loving community. They were serenaded by the seminarians of St. Charles Borromeo Seminary, delighted by a Christmas pageant from St. Charles Borromeo School, and uplifted by carols sung by the Bishop Shanahan School choir. With so much joy surrounding them this holiday season, the sisters feel deeply blessed and remain forever grateful to all who visit and share their time with them. | | | A SPECIAL THANK YOU TO SOAR! | | |
On behalf of the IHM congregation, we would like to send a special thank you to SOAR! who just awarded $50k to Camilla Hall. Their generous gift will directly support our elevator project, which is so important to the daily comfort and safety of our sisters. Because of their kindness, our elevators will be repaired, allowing for smooth, quiet, and reliable rides between floors.
"The Sisters and staff are deeply grateful for their support and thoughtfulness. Their generosity truly makes a meaningful difference in their quality of life and they cannot be thanked enough," says Julie Kozak, Administrator of Camilla Hall.
Click here to read more about SOAR!
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Bring Comfort to our Sisters
at Camilla Hall
Camilla Hall is in need of new electrical hospital beds and recliner chairs for the sisters' rooms. These items offer our sisters comfort and support.
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If you would like to make a donation to go towards the purchase of these items, scan the QR code or click here to make a donation online.
Every donation — large or small — brings us closer to meeting this important need for the resident sisters at Camilla Hall. Thank you for your kindness and compassion!
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IHM Spiritual Treasury
Cards are available for all occasions!
Click here for card designs and hours of operation.
email: sptreasury@camillahall.org
Phone: 484-321-5625
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Melanie Menkevich, the literacy center's director, has joined the Board of Penn TESOL East, which organizes and hosts local conferences and professional development events related to the field of Teaching English as a Second or Other Language. Joining the board helps bring visibility to the literacy center as a professional learning and teaching space. We are so grateful for all the hard work she and the Literacy Center are doing!
| REFLECT AT AN IHM RETREAT | | Looking to draw closer to the Lord in the new year? Check out our listing of retreat offerings from January through May of 2026. There's a variety available at the IHM Conference Center in Bryn Mawr, the IHM Spirituality Center in Malvern, and Villa Maria by the Sea Retreat Center in Stone Harbor, NJ. Click on the brochure below to see which retreat speaks to you the most! There is truly something for everyone! | |
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In the January IHM Presence reflection, Sister John Evelyn DiTrolio reflects on cherished IHM traditions to help us grow in faith and openness to God’s grace in the new year. Enjoy this special reflection here.
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Poverty Awareness Month
January is Poverty Awareness Month. People are struggling on every level in our country today. Our faith calls us to share what we have with those in need. Sharing God’s love includes offering spiritual care, providing help to meet immediate needs, and working together to eliminate the causes of poverty. Click here to read on how you can help.
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Sister Andrew Marie Cavanaugh, IHM
1.8.2026
Sister M. Cheryl Ann Murphy, IHM
1.10.2026
Sister Angelica Marie Rockwell, IHM
1.23.2026
Click here to view obituaries
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Our Mission: to radiate joyful service and promote Gospel values, offering compassion to all God's people through our mission to evangelize, to catechize, and to teach.
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Office of IHM Mission Advancement
230 IHM Drive
Malvern, PA 19355
missionadv@ihmimm.org
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