Our students, faculty and staff came together as a community today to celebrate Mass on the Feast of the Immaculate Conception. It was also an opportunity to honor the Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary (I.H.M.) who serve the Church around the country, around the world, and fortunately and particularly, at Bishop O'Connell, where they have been since the school's founding in 1957.
In his homily, Father Thompson, our school Chaplain, expressed personal thanks to the Sisters, who were a part of his early formation. Father Thompson is a graduate of St. Ephrem Catholic School in Bensalem, Pa., which was also served by I.H.M. Sisters.
At the conclusion of the service, Sister Regina, the local superior of the convent at Bishop O'Connell and a teacher in our mathematics department, spoke on behalf of all the Sisters present. She expressed gratitude to the school community, and especially to the students who bring them much joy each day. She reminded those gathered that they are in the daily prayers of the I.H.M. community, too.
Each year Bishop O'Connell honors the Sisters and takes inspiration from their renewal of their vows. Head of School, Dr. Joseph Vorbach, credits the charism of this community of Sisters for giving our school its own distinguishing spirituality. “The joyful service and creative hope of our Sisters have inspired generations of Bishop O'Connell graduates and we are blessed that today's students are receiving that same gift."
“We are truly grateful for their presence and their continuing contribution to the spiritual and academic traditions of Bishop O’Connell High School,” he said.