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Sisters, Servants of the
Immaculate Heart of Mary
Malvern, Pennsylvania
Mission Advancement
where Mission Matters
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"Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me."
— Psalm 51:10
| | Hazley Builders: Building Community, Supporting the IHM's | |
For Hazley Builders, 1st time sponsors of "Sippin for the Sisters", supporting the Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary (IHM) is more than philanthropy - it's a reflection of family history, shared values, and a longstanding connection to the community. As a multi-generational, family-owned design-build firm based in West Chester, Hazley Builders has spent more than 25 years investing in the people and places that make Chester County a special place to live and work.
That commitment is deeply personal for Erinn Hazley (pictured above), sales team leader for Hazley. Along with her sister, Jaime, Erinn is a proud alumna of Villa Maria Academy, where the IHM Sisters helped shape not only her education but also her understanding of leadership, service, and community. "Villa Maria was never just a school to us," Erinn recalls. "The IHM Sisters created an environment where young women were encouraged to grow academically, spiritually, and personally. Those lessons stay with you long after graduation."
Today, the connection continues through the next generation of the Hazley family. One niece currently attends Villa Maria Academy, another will begin this fall, and a third was introduced to the Villa Maria community through swimming lessons on campus. Watching her nieces follow a similar path has reinforced Erinn's appreciation for the impact of the IHM mission. "When you've walked those halls yourself and now you're watching your nieces create their own memories there, you realize just how lasting the influence of the IHM Sisters can be," she says. "Supporting their work feels like a way of saying thank you for everything they've given our family."
Founded in 1999 by Michael J. Hazley, Sr., Hazley Builders has grown into a family-run company with multiple Hazley siblings involved in the business. Throughout its growth, the firm's mission has remained rooted in craftsmanship, integrity, relationships, and community involvement. Those values are part of what makes the partnership with IHM so meaningful.
"As a family-owned business, we try to support organizations that genuinely make a difference in people's lives," Erinn explains. "The IHM Sisters have spent generations educating, mentoring, and caring for others. Their impact reaches far beyond a classroom, and that's something worth investing in."
Supporting the IHM is also a natural extension of Hazley Builders' commitment to the local community. Headquartered in West Chester, the company has built deep roots throughout the region and remains dedicated to strengthening the organizations that enrich community life. "West Chester and the surrounding area have given so much to our family and our business," says Erinn. "Many of our most important relationships started here. Supporting the IHM Sisters is one way we can help preserve an institution that has contributed so much to this community for generations."
Whether through sponsorships, community involvement, or simply sharing their story, the Hazley family sees its support of IHM as both a celebration of the past and an investment in the future. "Building has always been our business," Erinn says. "But building isn't just about homes and buildings. It's about creating strong communities and supporting the people and institutions that make those communities thrive. The IHM Sisters have been doing that for generations, and we're honored to play a small part in supporting their mission."
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Jeanne Rafter
Jeanne Rafter’s relationship with the IHM's began in childhood, first at Villa Marie Lower School and later at Villa Maria High School, where the IHM sisters’ guidance shaped her understanding of service and purpose. Those early experiences sparked her appreciation for the people who carry a mission forward.
As she grew, Jeanne discovered her talent for office work and technology, as well as her joy in helping others thrive. For the past fifteen years, she has brought those strengths to the IHM community, most recently in Mission Advancement as a Gift Entry Assistant. Each day, she supports the sisters and her fellow staff with the same gratitude, humor, and affection rooted in her school years. For Jeanne, serving the IHM community feels like returning to the place that formed her. "Serving the sisters has been near and dear to my heart," she says.
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Planning for the 2026 Camilla Hall Oktoberfest and Craft Fair is well underway. Mark your calendars for Saturday, October 10 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on the grounds of Camilla Hall. We look forward to seeing you there!
Sponsorships are also available! Support this fundraiser for our dear sisters at Camilla Hall. For more information contact Dan O'Neill @ 610-647-2160 ext. 1923 or by email at dan.oneill@ihm.imm.org.
| | Built Towards a Greener Future | | |
Pictured: David Santoleri, CEO and President of TerraSol Energies (left);
George “Butch” Schaab, Director of Commercial Operations (right)
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Construction is complete on the new solar farm behind Camilla Hall - a project inspired by the IHM Sisters’ mission of reverence for creation and their commitment to sustainability. Thanks to TerraSol Energies and CEO/President David Santoleri, the system will power more than 90% of Camilla Hall, generating over 990 MWh of clean energy each year, which is the environmental equivalent of planting 3,000–5,000 trees. The project was funded through a tax credit program and demonstrates that the IHM Congregation are excellent stewards of the environment.
For Santoleri, this project is far more than a professional milestone. It is a homecoming. Growing up at Our Lady of the Assumption Parish in Strafford, David was taught by the IHM Sisters, who shaped his early education and introduced him to the devotional life of the Church. He still carries vivid memories of Sister Mary Dennis, the firm but beloved principal who remained close to his family, and Sister Shawn Ellen, the young, kind teacher who left a lasting impression on her students. “The IHM Sisters formed my faith, my discipline, and my sense of purpose," he said. "Supporting them now feels like giving back to the women who gave so much to me and to thousands of children across our region.”
TerraSol’s Director of Commercial Operations, George “Butch” Schaab, shares that same deep connection. His eight years at St. Eugene School were shaped by a remarkable group of IHM Sisters - from Sister Joan Maureen, who managed nearly 100 first‑graders with grace and authority, to Sister Catherine Danielle, who encouraged him to take on the role of John the Baptist in the school production of Godspell. That moment, he says, remains one of the most nerve‑wracking, as well as formative experiences of his life. A recent visit to Camilla Hall allowed Butch to reconnect with Sister Joan Maureen after nearly six decades. “Seeing her again reminded me just how much the Sisters poured into us. Their influence didn’t end when we graduated - it stayed with us our whole lives.”
The legacy of the IHM Sisters extends through their families as well. Butch’s niece, Kiera Russo, remembers Sister Regina Havens fondly, and his wife Jeanne was taught by the Sisters at St. Joseph School in Collingdale. For TerraSol, this solar farm is a tribute and a way to honor the women who shaped their childhoods, strengthened their faith, and guided their families. For the IHM Sisters, it is a powerful step toward a sustainable future rooted in their mission in truly caring about the environment for future generations.
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Visit from SOAR!
The IHM community was grateful to welcome SOAR! (Support Our Aging Religious), which has been providing grants to Camilla Hall since 1999. SOAR! President, Sister Kathleen Lunsmann, IHM, along with Kristen Wise, Director of Grantmaking, and SOAR! Board members Dr. Mary Etta Mills and Deborah Dunham visited Camilla Hall in June.
Camilla Hall’s Director of Facilities, Tom Hartney, and Administrator, Julie Kozak, guided the group (which included President Sister Kathleen Lunsmann, IHM, pictured top right) through the hallways, highlighting the many projects SOAR! has funded over the years. From wheelchair‑washing machines and bathing spas to critical technology upgrades and lifesaving medical equipment, SOAR! has been a steady and generous supporter of our sisters.
Just a few months ago, SOAR! awarded $50,000 for essential elevator repairs, ensuring our sisters can move safely and comfortably throughout the building. Their continued generosity remains a true blessing to us.
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Standing from left to right: Julie Kozak, Administrator, Camilla Hall with SOAR! Development Associate, Sister M. Joan Rychalsky, SOAR! Development Associate, Camilla Hall Superior, Sister Eileen Buchanan and SOAR! Board members, Deborah Dunhan and Dr. Mary Etta Mills.
| | Standing from left to right: Kristin Wise, SOAR! Director of Grantmaking, SOAR! board member Dr. Mary Etta Mills, Camilla Hall's Director of Facilities, Tom Hartney, SOAR! Board member, Deborah Dunhan. | |
Celebrating 250 with the Mummers!
As part of our nation's 250th anniversary celebration, Camilla Hall was filled with music, laughter, and plenty of Philadelphia pride as The Mummers paid a special visit to our residents. Their colorful costumes, lively performances, and familiar tunes brought smiles to faces throughout the room, creating a memorable afternoon for everyone in attendance. A heartfelt thank you to The Mummers for brightening our day and creating memories that our sisters at Camilla Hall will treasure for years to come!
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Cards are available for all occasions!
Click here for card designs and hours of operation.
For just $3.00 you can remember a loved one's birthday, Holy Sacrament celebrations, offer your condolences or get well wishes.
email: sptreasury@camillahall.org
or call 484-321-5625
| | FOX 29's Bob Kelly stands outside Villa Maria by the Sea with Sister Maureen Ann Donati; Sister M. Emily Vincent Rebalsky; Sister Tracey Catherine Uphoff; Sister Melissa Mastrangelo; and Sister Monica Sicilia. |
Bob Kelly Floats By
Earlier this month, Bob Kelly of FOX 29 Philadelphia visited the IHM Sisters at Villa Maria By the Sea in Stone Harbor, New Jersey. During his visit, Bob spoke with sisters who were on retreat and joined them in exploring the facility, learning about their mission, and highlighting the importance of providing a peaceful environment for prayer, reflection, renewal, and fellowship. We are grateful to Bob Kelly and the FOX 29 team for showcasing the ministry of the IHM sisters and helping to share the spirit of hospitality, community, and faith that makes Villa Maria By the Sea such a special place for all who visit.
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Introduce People to Jesus,
Not Just His Rules
I recently opened Facebook and immediately cringed. There was a meme from a Catholic group warning people of eternal damnation. The message didn’t even name a particular sin, but it strongly suggested that very few people are saved.
As a religious sister who strives to live daily for Christ and who regularly avails myself of confession, I felt that there was no hope of salvation for me after reading that message. If I felt that way, how do others who are insecure in their relationship with God feel when they read those messages?
As Christians, we have to remember that Jesus called us to spread the Gospel – that is the Good News – but sometimes we make it sound like bad news. Is there a time and a place for warning others of the eternal consequences of their sins? Yes! However, there is a way to do it. As Saint Francis de Sales said, “More flies are caught with a drop of honey than with a whole barrel of vinegar; so too, more souls are won by one word of kindness, than by a hundred sharp reproofs.”
Read the full article here
| | Deepen Your Prayer Journey This Fall | |
The IHM Spirituality Center invites you to Lectio Divina: Praying with the Sunday Scriptures, offered Wednesdays from September - December 2026, 8:30 - 9:30 a.m. Join us each week for prayerful reflection on the upcoming Sunday Gospel.
If you're also looking for new ways to enrich your prayer life, you can join Sister Kathryn Benham, IHM, for a four-part evening series entitled "Series on Prayer". Each session includes teaching, guided practice, exploring contemplative prayer traditions, and a time for reflection.
Wednesdays, 7:00 - 8:30 p.m.
- September 23 – Invitation to Prayer: An Introduction to Contemplative Prayer and Images of God
- September 30 – Lectio Divina
- October 21 – Ignatian Contemplation
- October 28 – Visio Divina
Cost:
- $15 per individual session
- $45 for the complete four-session series
Come discover meaningful prayer practices that can deepen your relationship with God and enrich your spiritual life. For questions or to register, contact Sister Anne Marie Steigmaier, IHM at ihmspcenter@gmail.com.
| During June, Sister Laura Teresa Downing and three discerners traveled to Peru with Sister Annette Pelletier and a group of students from Immaculata University. The group stayed at Villa Maria La Planicie and participated in a variety of service opportunities throughout the surrounding area. It was a wonderful chance for our discerners to immerse themselves in the mission, prayer, and community life of our IHM Sisters. | | |
The Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary (IHM), have long demonstrated a commitment to the full integration and inclusion of persons with disabilities through our schools and advocacy efforts. Throughout our history, IHM sisters have served in ministries supporting individuals who are blind, deaf, have intellectual disabilities, learning disabilities, and other diverse needs. Today, we continue to foster welcoming and inclusive environments in our Catholic schools and ministries.
July is Disability Pride Month, a time to celebrate disability identity, culture, and community, while commemorating the anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act. Disability Pride Month also serves as a reminder of the ongoing call to ensure full participation, accessibility, and inclusion in all aspects of society. The 2026 theme, “The World Works Better With Us,” recognizes the valuable gifts, perspectives, and contributions of persons with disabilities.
The IHM's recognize with compassion and respect the dignity of every person and affirm the right of individuals with disabilities to full participation in Catholic education and the life of the Church. Inspired by the Gospel and our charism, we remain committed to promoting belonging, accessibility, and inclusion so that all may flourish as valued members of our faith communities.
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Sister M. Geraldine G. O'Donnell
(Sister M. Thomas Martin)
6.25.2026
Sister M. Margaret Gradl
(Sister M. Anne Bernard)
7.12.2026
Sister Marie McDonnell
(Sister Mary Suzanne)
7.18.2026
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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