OSPIHM Website Link -- (Takes time to load) Oblate/Tri-IHM Conference - OSP IHMThe original Tri-IHM Educational Conference began as a seedling idea to bring the congregations together to share educational ideas. Throughout the years, the Conference has developed into many meaningful exchanges of people, programs, and a deepening of the pioneer spirit that enlivens the congregations regardless of the continent where they serve. From the common roots planted in Monroe, Michigan, in 1845, to the present day, the evidence of the hope of the original members and their reliance on divine providence has permeated all the efforts of IHMs wherever they serve.
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The
Tri-IHM Educational Conferences, begun in 1965 at Marywood, Scranton,
Pennsylvania, were held periodically in subsequent years (1967,
1970, 1976, 1980, 1985, 1987) at Monroe, Scranton, and Immaculata.
The Sesquicentennial Celebration, held at Monroe in 1995, signaled
new aspect of IHM collaborative efforts for it was this year that
the Oblate Sisters of Providence (Mother Theresa Maxis' original
congregation) attended the event. The idea was discussed for a more
formal structure that eventually became the Board of Governors and
Executive Council of the Oblate/Tri-IHM Conference. Sister Claudina
Sanz, OSP, Superior General at the time, attended the board meeting
in January 1997 with the representatives of the three IHM Congregations.
Looking
back at the evolution of this body, Sister Marie Angela Natoli,
IHM (General Superior, 1994-2000), offered her insights on the significance
of this collaboration. She stated, "Among the sisters has evolved
an appreciation for the diversity demonstrated by the Congregations.
The Oblate/Tri-IHM Conference should continue for God has called
us together from our beginnings as one and the meetings provide
a centrifugal and centering force for unity. There has resulted
from our sharing a kind of refounding of the original spirit of
our Congregation." When asked whether there was a tangible outcome
of so many "conversations," Sister cited her letter in the Angelus
of October 1, 1999: " Was there an outcome? At the very outset we
agreed there would be no 'product' only a tilling of the soil to
lead us into the spirit of the Jubilee; the establishment of right
relationships, reconciliation. We ended, or so it seemed to me,
with a certain peace with what we have come to know and value in
each other. There grew among us a comfortable sense of feeling at
home with one another. Is this a sign of the spirit, a shared charism?
It seemed so."