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IHM Associate Reflects on "Living the IHM Charism"
By Therese Terns, IHM Associate
 The word "connections" immediately comes to my mind when I think about what gives meaning to my relationship with IHM. The IHM community has become my web of life in a very strong way since I made my associate commitment 18 years ago. Prayer, community and ministry have an IHM flavor because I have a real sense of belonging to the community. On a personal level, a deep sense of peace and hunger for justice was planted when Mary Fran Uicker, IHM, my sponsor and spiritual director, connected me with the IHM Peacemakers. I can remember my first meeting at Margrove and how I sensed the commitment to follow through on all the issues we talked about. We have been a faithful presence at the School of the Americas, Oak Ridge Nuclear Arms plant and recently at the United States Social Forum. Our meetings begin with prayer, followed by sharing information and education on a particular subject, and then a plan for contemplative action. I knew then that I had found my niche with the community and what has happened since then is truly all about "connections."
I was once told, by a very dear relative, that my life would be changed if I had an experience of traveling to a Third World country, or I should say "developing country." My IHM connection was Sue Sattler, IHM, who had been to El Salvador more times than my fingers can count and then some. Sue introduced me to the Detroit SHARE Sister Community and off I went to El Salvador in 1995! Yes, my life was truly changed by the spirituality and love of the Salvadorans. It was from that first experience that I began a relationship with the people and I have returned for nine more trips to work with Salvadorans building houses and a playground. Most of our SHARE delegations simply go to listen and support the projects they have planned. My travels have also taken me to Haiti, Palestine, Nicaragua and Iraq all with an IHM "connection."
I am also aware of the IHM history and commitment to the City of Detroit. Sue connected me to New Steps, a facility for addicted mothers, once located at the former St. Leo rectory in Detroit simply by asking me to do some yard work there. Every time I pull a weed in that garden, I think to myself, "I want to be everywhere  when I see so many weeds and needs!" It was from that IHM connection that I have made more connections with the Detroit peace community, Pax Christi, Michigan Peace Team, Call To Action, Bioneers, Peace Action and many more social and environmentally conscious groups.
Another significant aspect of IHM "connections" has been my awareness of how we are all connected to all of God's creation through the Universe Story, The Christian Story, and the IHM story. I have learned about sustainability and the importance of being a vigilant steward of the Earth. As a teacher, what I absorb from these learnings is passed on to my students and the community where I teach, my family and friends. It is systemic and contagious. CSA gardening, Dances For Universal Peace, Firekeepers, Hearts Afire, Royal Blue Classic and the list of connections goes on and on.
My IHM web of life continues to connect me to opportunities to live out the redeeming mission that all of us are called to do. This has been my "call."
"We choose to enflesh this call by working with others to build a culture of peace and right relationship among ourselves, with the Church and with our whole earth community."
Read More Associate Highlights.
For more information about IHM Associate membership, contact:
Kathleen Russeau, IHM Associate Coordinator or
Anne Mamienski, IHM, IHM Associate Mentor
IHM Associate Office
610 W. Elm Ave.
Monroe, MI 48162-7909
Phone 734-240-9821
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