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Sisters, Servants of the
Immaculate Heart of Mary
Malvern, Pennsylvania
Mission Advancement
where Mission Matters
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"So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand."
— Isaiah 41:10
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This season of gratitude reminds us of the words of Scripture:
“Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”
(1 Thessalonians 5:18)
As we gather with loved ones, may we pause to recognize the countless blessings the Lord has poured into our lives. His provision, His mercy, and His unfailing love. Thanksgiving is not only a day of feasting, but a holy opportunity to lift our hearts in praise to the One who is the giver of every good gift. May your home be filled with peace, your table with abundance, and your spirit with joy. Let us carry this spirit of gratitude beyond the holiday, living each day with thankful hearts and sharing God’s love with others.
Wishing you and your family a blessed and joyful Thanksgiving!
| NEW CHANGES IN MISSION ADVANCEMENT | |
Please join us in welcoming Dan O'Neill, who has taken on the role of Mission Advancement Coordinator. Dan is eager to coordinate new fundraising strategies, continue building strong relationships with new and existing donors, and seek additional funding that help us share the IHM story. Dan has a bachelor's degree from Temple University and a master's degree from Neumann University. In his previous roles, he worked as a journalist and in mission advancement for Drexel Neumann Academy. We are excited to have Dan join our team and we pray for nothing but the best! Dan can be reached by email at Dan.ONeill@ihmimm.org and by phone at 610-647-2160 ext.1923.
| | There's still time to donate to the 2025 Annual Appeal. Click here to make a donation online. Thank you once again for your generosity! | | |
GivingTuesday - December 2, 2025
December 2, 2025 is GivingTuesday, a National Day of Giving! All proceeds made to the IHM Congregation on GivingTuesday benefit the award-winning IHM Center for Literacy in Philadelphia. Our sisters who minister at the Literacy Center help adults build educational and workplace skills, empowering them to contribute to society and prepare for U.S. citizenship. Look for the GivingTuesday postcard coming to you soon! Thank you.
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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. Our new venue provides guests with the opportunity to visit Sacred Heart Chapel and tour our Heritage Room highlighting the IHM Congregation's rich history. This year we are raising money for electrical beds and recliners for our Camilla sisters' comfort.
| St. Patrick's Day Concert Celebration |
Also on March 15, from 4:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m. in the 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!
Ticket sales begin in January.
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 email: Maureen.Cislo@ihmimm.org.
| | ANNUAL IHM AWARDS CEREMONY | | |
Fideli Corde Award
("Faithful Heart”)
Congratulations to the
FIdeli Corde award recipients
On November 9, 2025, the Congregation recognized four outstanding individuals who live out the IHM charism of love, creative hope, and fidelity in their everyday lives. Over 70 people gathered in Sacred Heart Chapel for a special Mass, followed by a luncheon in the Motherhouse dining room. We celebrated their gift of embodying the spirit of a "faithful heart" in their service of others.
| | Pictured left to right: Dr. Bonnie Ashby, Pamela Heid, Eileen Rocks, Alexis Connors, and Elen Polselli | | |
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Servientes Corde Award
("Serving with Love, Care,
and Compassion")
Congratulations to the
Servientes Corde award recipient:
East Whiteland Township
Last year, the IHM Congregation instituted a new award called the Servientes Corde Award ("Serving with Love, Care, and Compassion")
to recognize compassionate care from a group or organization. We were pleased to present the second Servientes Corde Award to the Administration Office, Police Department, and Fire and Emergency Services Department of East Whiteland Township! They are dedicated to public safety, providing 24/7, year-round emergency services. Many IHM sisters have been recipients of their tender and compassionate care in times of greatest need. The respect, care, and compassion these brave men and women provide offer comfort, confidence, and hope to the people for whom they care.
| | Our sisters waiting in line for their delicious treats from the Federal Donuts food truck. | | |
Earlier this month, our sisters at Camilla Hall were paid a lovely visit by a Federal Donuts food truck! The sisters were able to snack on chicken sandwiches, their infamous donuts, and hot or iced coffee. We are so grateful to our generous benefactors who make these exciting activities for our sisters a reality!
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Everyone had a wonderful time at the Camilla Hall Oktoberfest and Craft Fair held on October 4th. We were lucky to be blessed with sunny skies and even sunnier smiles. Best of all, the proceeds benefit our sisters in Camilla Hall. Thanks to all of your support, we raised over $152,346! We look forward to seeing you next year! Special thanks to all the volunteers and sponsors who made this special day possible.
| | Our sisters enjoying this special day of delicious food, live music, and unique crafts. | | |
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
| | Congratulations to Melanie Menkevich, Executive Director of the IHM Center for Literacy in Philadelphia, who attended the "Refugees and Migrants in Our Common Home" conference in Rome, October 1-3. Melanie presented a talk and served as a Co-Facilitator of the Service with Immigrants Working Group. She represented the literacy center as a community partner in this work of service and also met Pope XIV in Clementine Hall. Please consider donating to the Literacy Center for all the good work that they do! Your patronage is appreciated! | | Article by Sister Emily Rebalsky |
Treat those with food and housing insecurities with empathy and kindness!
"Did you know that Nov. 16-22, 2025, is Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week?
Read Matthew 25:31-46. Then read it again. Jesus is telling us that whatever we do (or don’t do) to others, we do it to Him. He also tells us that we will be judged according to how we treat others. I don’t know about you, but that gets my attention.
When we encounter someone on the street looking for food, what is our reaction? Our response should first be to recognize that this individual has been created and is loved by God — no matter what. There is no room for judgment for a person living on the street. We have never walked in their shoes and don’t know their story of how they became homeless. Consider:
• Perhaps they have been homeless their entire life.
• They may have been a victim of abuse and had to run away.
• Maybe they lost their job and could not find a new one. For those who think to themselves “Why don’t they get a job?” — have you ever offered them one?
• They may suffer from mental illness. It may seem logical to us to do certain things to help ourselves, but their mental illness likely causes them to lose capacity for such logic. Medications, too, can cause other problems. If we don’t know what it’s like to be mentally ill, then we just don’t know what it is like to be mentally ill.
| REFLECT AT AN IHM RETREAT | | Before 2025 comes to a close, follow Jesus' advice to "Come away by yourself . . . and rest a while" (Mark 6:31). Click on the retreat brochure below to see the remaining retreat offerings for 2025. Stay tuned for our Winter/Spring 2026 offerings. | |
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In the November IHM Presence reflection, Sister Rita Murphy writes about Founder's Day and the history of the IHMs. Enjoy this special reflection here.
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Respect Life Month
November is the Month of Holy Souls. Every November, we offer a time of deep reflection, prayer and remembrance for the faithful. It is a period when we can come together to honor and pray for the souls of the departed, particularly those who may still be in purgatory, awaiting their entry into the eternal glory of heaven.
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When it comes to giving, generosity should never put you at risk. Scammers often take advantage of goodwill, especially during crises or holidays, so it’s important to pause and make sure your donation is going to the right place. By following a few simple precautions, you can protect yourself while ensuring your support truly reaches the people and causes you care about:
1. Research the Organization
- Look up the charity’s official website.
- Check if the organization is registered as a nonprofit (e.g., 501(c)(3) in the U.S.).
2. Use Secure Payment Methods
- Use a preferred credit card or trusted online platform (i.e. PayPal, official donation portals).
- Avoid sending cash, wiring money, or using gift cards.
- Never share sensitive personal information beyond what’s required.
3. Watch for Red Flags
- Pressure tactics (“donate now or lose your chance”).
- Vague mission statements or lack of transparency about how funds are used.
- Suspicious links or emails that don’t match the charity’s domain.
4. Confirm Tax-Deductibility
- If you want a tax deduction, ensure the organization qualifies.
- Keep receipts and confirmation emails for your records.
5. Protect Your Data
- Donate only through secure websites (look for https:// and a padlock icon).
- Avoid clicking donation links in unsolicited emails or social media posts.
- Consider setting up recurring donations only with trusted organizations.
6. Stay Alert to Scams
- Fake charities often appear after disasters or holidays.
- Cross-check names carefully (scammers may use lookalike names).
- Report suspicious solicitations to consumer protection agencies.
For further information on how to donate safely please use this website as a resource. (information courtesy of Fidelity Investments)
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Sister Jude Mary O'Donnell, IHM
11.02.25
For the past 14 years, Sister Jude Mary O’Donnell was the warm and welcoming presence in the IHM Office of Mission Advancement at Villa Maria House of Studies (the IHM Motherhouse). As part of a dedicated team, Sister Jude worked tirelessly in the busy development office, providing administrative support for donor relations and fundraising efforts. Sister Jude was also one of the “faces” of the Congregation as she served on portress greeting visitors with her warm smile and answering the phone with her joyful, positive attitude. This past summer, Sister Jude began a new chapter as a resident of the IHM’s “Powerhouse of Prayer” – Camilla Hall. Although her ministry took a new direction, her lively spirit, ‘can do’ attitude, and steadfast faith continued to inspire everyone who knew her. Mission Advancement now has a special angel watching over our office. Sister Jude was called home to the Lord on November 2, 2025, All Souls Day, trusting in eternal peace and boundless love of the God she served so faithfully.
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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