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Educational Ministries in North America
The
Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary have been involved
in the education of young persons and adults since the foundation
of the Congregation in 1845. From a humble beginning in a log cabin,
and reaching unimagined proportions over the years, God continues
to shape the size and scope of the IHM mission according to the
resources of the Congregation.
For more than a century and a half, the IHMs have blazed a pioneer
trail in the education of youth and adults from pre-school grades
to post-doctoral education. They have created an outstanding legacy
of service to parishes and diocesan systems, as well in IHM-sponsored
institutions.
Elementary Schools
Because of the special dedication of the Congregation to the preparation
of young persons for the reception of the Sacraments, elementary
education has always claimed a privileged place in IHM ministry.
The Congregation is dedicated to the education of youth and adults
and provides special services for the preparation of teachers. One
of these services is a publication series called, Apostolic
Briefings and Communications --ABC Notes.
Click here to read ABC Notes
Those who instruct others. . .shall shine as stars for all eternity.
--Daniel 12:3
Click on the links to see listings of the Elementary
Education Facilities and Catholic Secondary Schools staffed
by IHMs in North America.
Immaculata's origins date from 1906 when the Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary purchased the present site in Frazer, Chester County. Ground was broken for Villa Maria Hall (the central campus building) in 1908, and two years later, the massive stonewalls were complete. The growth of Immaculata University over the past eight decades has been gradual, yet consistent. The initial 198 campus acres have grown to approximately 373, while the two original dormitory-classroom structures are now part of a twelve-principal-building complex, representing a multi-million dollar investment.
Immaculata University continues to profess its tradition as a Catholic liberal arts institution of higher education with the primary mission of teaching. Founded originally as Villa Maria College, the institution was granted a college charter in 1920, making it the first Catholic college for women in the Philadelphia area. In 1929, the name was formally changed to Immaculata College to accommodate government regulations for the naming of the post office. On June 10, 2002, Immaculata University received approval from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania to “operate as a university” and to assume the name Immaculata University.
The faculty consists of approximately 100 full-time priests, sisters,
and laypersons; these educators uphold and enliven a tradition of
educational excellence sustained within an environment of concern
for and interest in each individual. The genuine personal concern
shown each student in an atmosphere of respect, vitality, and warmth
is one of the distinct characteristics of Immaculata. The university
has been recognized as an outstanding institution representing the
highest quality in offering individualized preparation for careers
and service.
To read more about Immaculata, please click here.
To learn more about Immaculata University, visit the web site at
www.immaculata.edu.
Other IHM Educational Ministries
In keeping with the Alphonsian preference for "the poor," the Sisters
have dedicated their personnel and their resources to founding and
staffing educational centers for those "in need" of special consideration.
Saint
Lucy Day School was founded in 1955 at the request of parents who
wanted their children to receive the special education services
they needed in a spiritually enriching environment. Administered
by the Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, this school
revolutionized the idea of providing education for children who
are blind or partially sighted without isolating them from family
and the regular school system. St. Lucy Day School is one of the
five Special Education schools in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia,
and serves Visually Impaired students from a five county area. In
April 1997, Saint Lucy Day School was chosen as one of the 25 most
innovative Catholic schools in the nation. www.slds.org
Founded in 1912, the Archbishop Ryan School is a special facility
for children with hearing disabilities. In this atmosphere of faith
centered on language, the children learn in an environment that
fosters the development of a relationship with God as well as the
maximizing of the personal gifts of each one. Archbishop Ryan School
is a part of the Special Education Division of the Office of Catholic
Education within the Archdiocese of Philadelphia. It is staffed
by three congregations of religious women. IHMs have been involved
in the program since 1998.
The
IHM Center for Literacy and GED Programs, with its two urban sites in
North and Southwest Philadelphia, was founded by the Sisters, Servants
of the Immaculate Heart of Mary to meet the ever-burgeoning multi-ethnic,
mainly non-English-speaking communities of the city. The first site
at Incarnation parish was opened in 1989; the second, at St. Francis
de Sales began in 1991.
The
Literacy Center offers instruction in English as a second language
and high school equivalency (GED) programs. Learners of all faiths
and nationalities, at all stages of English acquisition, are welcome
at the center. Sisters and lay volunteers serve a diverse community
of adult immigrant learners from dozens of countries in small classes
that fit the learners' abilities, from beginning to advanced levels.
Web Site:
http://mysite.verizon.net/ihmesl/
- Sister Mary Regina Schuyler, IHM,
Director
425 Lindley Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19120
(215)457-2232 Fax (215)457-1611
E-mail: ihmesl@verizon.net
- Sister Janice Owen, IHM,
Site Coordinator
929 S. Farragut Street, Philadelphia, PA 19143
(215) 382-0292 FAX (215) 382-4662
E-mail: ihmesldesales@verizon.net
IHM Educational Centers
The Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary offer individualized
educational programs at the IHM Educational Center. Respecting the
dignity and uniqueness of each person as a child of God, the Sisters
strive to provide learning support that will empower those students
with learning differences to reach their highest potential.
Support is offered in writing, mathematics, spelling, organizational
and study skills. The Center also offers informal assessment and
consultation without charge. Building their self-esteem will enable
them to encounter challenges with confidence in their abilities
while recognizing and accepting their differences as gifts.
The Fast Forward Program is an intense computer program designed
to increase a child's reading attention and skills. The eight-week
program is offered five days a week (90 minutes a day).
Contact Sister James Anne Feerick at the IHM Educational Center,
401 South Bryn Mawr Avenue, Bryn Mawr, PA 19010, (610) 527-1466.
The
IHM Educational Center, The
Bridge to Learning, located within St. Martin of Tours School,
was established in 2003. The center assists children in grades one
to eight who are in need of learning support or reinforcement. Individualized
instruction is offered in all the major areas of the curricuoum
as well as in organiuzation and study skills. Instruction consists
of direct interaction in a skill area or in techniques to master
what the student is currently learning inthe general education classroom.
Informal assessment and consultation are included in the program.
Sessions are usually held one hour a week, after school and/or
in the early evenings Monday through Thursday..
Educational Center Staff:
Sister John Christi, IHM |
Sister Thomasine Marie, IHM |
Sister Anne Pierre, IHM
|
Sister Marian Leo Morris, IHM |
For information contact:
Sister John Christi, IHM, Director
IHM Educational Center
999 East Sanger Street, Philadelphia, PA 19124
Phone: 215-535-5388
The IHM Family Literacy Program, an educational ministry of the Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, is committed to developing strong healthy family units and to breaking the cycle of illiteracy that exists within many families, particularly migrant families, by enhancing the quality of communication among family members and promoting harmony within family structures by empowering parents and children to read and to grow together.
Sister Bernadette Mary Hiester, IHM – Director
The IHM Family Literacy Center
406 Charles Street
Coatesville, PA 19320
484-288-8780
Email: ihmfamilyliteracy@yahoo.com
Web address: http://www.ihmfamlit.org
IHM Formative Parenting
"To find our calling is to find the intersection between our own deep gladness and the world's deep hunger.” Frederick Buechner
Whole-person education is vital in the life of a child for soulful reasons and for the good of society. Because child-rearing also impacts the mission of the Catholic School, the Church now calls Catholic Schools to be agencies of formative education for parents as well as students. Therefore, teachers require formative support for their own professional development and to be prepared to offer practical resources to parents. Formative education supports whole-person development, that is, education that fosters spiritual, social, psychological, emotional, and moral maturity.
Through publication, program development, and public speaking the IHM Office of Formative Support focuses on issues of positive identity (self-esteem), character development, self-discipline, morality, discipleship, and spiritual growth.
For more information, please follow the references below. Dr. Patricia M. McCormack, IHM
IHM Office of FORMATIVE SUPPORT for Parents & Teachers
6600 Little Falls Road
Arlington, VA 22213-1211
Phone & Fax: (703) 237-2891
Visit our web site at http://ParentTeacherSupport.org
Other Educational Outreach Programs
The Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary are involved
in many state- and federally-funded outreach programs. Some examples
are the READS program, Chapter I, CORA, Rainbows, and other literacy
programs in the Philadelphia area.
Educational
Ministries | Evangelization
Ministries
Camilla Hall | Companions
in Prayer and Ministry
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