IHM: News Briefs

News Briefs

The IHM Sisters combine their dedication, education and talent, and many earn special recognition for their hard work and effort. We'd like to share some of those achievements with you.

If you'd like to stay up to date on what's new at the IHM, you can subscribe to the Sister's E-News or IHM Quarterly. Or go to Publications to read the latest edition.

M. Therese Oldani, IHM Associate, has received a grant from the Obama "No Worker Left Behind" program to pursue a master's degree in teaching with learning disabilities endorsement through Madonna University.

Kay Sheskaitis, IHM, will receive the Outstanding Colleague Award from the National Association of Catholic Chaplains (NACC) at their March 2010 conference in St. Paul, Minn. Kay is the executive director of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops Commission on Certification and Accreditation.

Mary Anne Huddleston, IHM, had her poem, "By Beauty Tethered," published in the quarterly Review for Religious, issue 68.4, 2009. A copy of the periodical is available in the Congregational Library.

Beth Wood, IHM, recently competed in the Detroit Free Press Flagstar Marathon. She won in her age division for the half-marathon, beating her time from last year. Her achievement was featured in the Detroit News and Free Press. The story was also picked up by the USA Today and several Catholic Web sites.

Sharon Holland, IHM, received four awards in 2009!

She was named as a "Distinguished Alumni" of Marygrove College at an awards celebration in September. The Marygrove College Distinguished Alumni Awards were established in 2002 to recognize and honor alumni of distinction. These awards celebrate Marygrove's ideals of competence, commitment and compassion.

Sister Sharon also received the Outstanding Leadership Award from the Leadership Conference of Women Religious in August 2009. The award, which was presented during LCWR's conference in New Orleans, recognizes and honors persons and groups who have significantly contributed to the ministry of leadership and who reflect the LCWR mission.

In June, she was awarded the Pro Ecclesia et Pontifice medal from Cardinal Franc Rode at the Vatican. She retired from her 21-year ministry at the Vatican and returned to Monroe June 26. She had served as bureau chief at the Congregation for Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life. The medal, cast in gold and tucked into a red leather case along with matching lapel pin, translates as "For the Church and the Pontiff" and is presented for outstanding service to the Roman Catholic Church. In addition, she received a certificate on parchment lauding her significant work and outstanding study.

And on April 23 Sister Sharon received an award from the Catholic Health Association. The CHA Board of Trustees passed a resolution honoring Sharon and proclaiming her "a champion of American religious congregations and their ministries" throughout her time in Rome.

Rita Wheelock, IHM Associate, received a "Good Samaritan 2009" award from Cheboygan Memorial Hospital, Cheboygan, Mich. The award is given to individuals for their contributions to health care and to the Cheboygan community. Rita began volunteering for the hospital in 1991 and currently volunteers in its Cardiac Wellness Center and Community Outreach Department.

Beverly Hindson, IHM, was named Employee of the Month for July at Children's Hospital of Michigan. She was nominated by her department coordinator and received an engraved plaque, a gift certificate, lunch with the hospital's president, her picture on display in the hospital and a reserved parking space for a month.

Betty Leon, IHM, was honored as one of the "Women Who Can" by the Grosse Ile, Mich., Women's History Project. The project recognizes "women harnessing their dreams and using their knowledge, ideas and expertise to make a difference in the world around them." Betty ministers as a pastoral associate at Sacred Heart Church, Grosse Ile, and is interning to become a spiritual director.

Amata Miller, IHM, was one of two economists leading a discussion at the Partnership for Global Justice three-day workshop in New York in October. The workshop, "Global Economics/Local Realities," addressed the current economic crisis through the lens of Christian ethics and principles. Amata specializes in the economics of development and the problems of economically disadvantaged people.

Sister Amata was also recently named to the board of the Partnership for Global Justice (formerly called the Religious Orders Partnership). The Partnership for Global Justice, a network of religious congregations and individuals, is committee to bringing about a new way of thinking and being amonth Earth's people. It is accredited as a non-governmental organization at the United Nations. Amata is a regular presenter on the topic of global economics for the organization.

Kathy Onderbeke, IHM, designed the window photo display in D Corridor of the Motherhouse as a first major installation using her degree in graphic design. Congratulations - you make us look good!

Therese LeBlanc, IHM, recently attended a reunion of those with whom she worked in "Operation Babylift," the evacuation of Vietnamese children at the time of the fall of Saigon. The reunion was held in Washington, D.C.

Barbara Johns, IHM, has two awards created in her honor. The Matrix Theatre Company, Detroit, announced "The Barbara Johns, IHM Promising Writer Award," a merit scholarship for a young person whose writing shows the wit, precision and promise appropriate to receiving a year's free tuition at Matrix Theatre Company. Barbara served for seven years on the Theatre's board of directors.

Marygrove College Department of English and Modern Languages has established the "Dr. Barbara Johns, IHM Award," given annually to recognize students whose work demonstrates the highest standards of scholarly excellence and appreciation of the powers of language. The award was created in recognition of Barbara's 28 years of service to Marygrove College as an associate professor of English.

Christine Gellings, IHM, has been elected to the Council of Women Religious in the Diocese of Raleigh, N.C. Her term begins July 1 and lasts for one year. A letter confirming her election noted that in this role she will advise the bishop of Raleigh on matters pertaining to those in consecrated life and on the pastoral welfare of the people of God in Raleigh.

Theresa Koernke, IHM, has been appointed to the leadership team of the National Council of Churches-USA Faith and Order Commission (FOC). Theresa is co-convener of the FOC study group, "Justification and Justice," and coordinator of Worship for the Faith and Order Commission meetings. Her term will expire in 2011.

John Cavanagh, IHM Associate, wrote an essay that was accepted by National Public Radio's "This I Believe" segment. John read his essay, which focused on giving and receiving graciously. It aired on Feb. 11.