"...the joy and peace of realizing
that the 60 years of service rendered by the sisters to countless
thousands of boys was a history which could not be stamped out
and which would live on forever...”
Reverend Kelly |
The Sisters of the I.H.M.
Early on the morning of October 27, 1916, Bishop M.J. Hoban
delivered the first mass at St. Michael's School. As described
by Mother M. Germain O'Neill of Mount St. Mary's College and
Seminary, "The memory of this first Mass at St. Michael's
will long live in the hearts of those who were privileged to
be present. The quiet morning hour, the sunshine stealing across
the Chapel and Altar, the glow of devotion on the faces of the
worshippers, all combined to kindle the joy and enthusiasm of
the soul. And the knowledge that another altar had been built
upon the hills to the living God enlivened the Faith and gladdened
and rejoiced the spirit."
Among those in celebration were eight sisters of the Immaculate
Heart of Mary; Sisters Inviolata Durkin, Bernard Logan, Walburga
McCaffrey, Ferdinand O'Connell, Cosmas McNamara and Lillian
Atkinson. And so began an 89 year odyssey for the Sisters of
the Immaculate Heart of Mary and their relationship with the
children of St. Michael's School.
It's been told that for many years, the responsibility for
this massive campus (which included a working dairy farm boasting
4,000 chickens, 170 cattle, 250 hogs and 120 sheep, from 1948
until its destruction by fire in 1970) and its young occupants,
as well as all educational components, spiritual guidance, a
full working bakery and commercial kitchen and myriad other
aspects involved in the upkeep of a 400 acre campus- fell to
one priest, 12 sisters and several lay people. The scope of
this forces one to realize the extent of the work and toil these
dedicated ladies of God endured year after year in honor of
the pledge to "meet the needs of orphaned boys.",
as enunciated by the school's founder, Bishop Michael J. Hoban.
For the next 50 years, the sisters of the I.H.M dedicated their
lives to rearing and educating the children of St. Michael's.
They were teacher, mother, disciplinarian, confidante and spiritual
advisor. All things a parent would be. As the 1960's approached,
however, the needs of the children changed. By 1966, the school
offered an entire social service wing complete with professional
personnel specializing in social work, clinical psychology and
child psychiatry, along with a newly developed utilization of
the Psycho-Education clinic at Marywood University. Additionally,
the implementation of house parents, counselors and housekeeping
staff took away most of the responsibilities of the sisters.
They remained in the classrooms.
The trend toward social services continued into the mid 1970's.
No longer orphans needing some structure, love and affection,
discipline and parameters in order to stay on the straight and
narrow, the boys of the 1970's evidenced behavioral problems
due to dysfunctional family lives, abusive parents, poverty
and neglect. Their needs began to exceed the abilities of the
sisters. In 1975, Sister Ann Fulwiler, Superior General, wrote
in a letter to Reverend Joseph Kelly, then administrator of
St. Michael's, "...the main problem is the abnormal behavior
of the boys which is a constant threat to the Sisters teaching
them in the classroom." She further felt that specialized
preparation would be required for teachers to be effective in
that setting. She felt the time had come for the Sisters to
withdraw from this ministry.
While upset at losing the Sisters presence at St. Michael's
after 60 years, Reverend Kelly, in his address to the Sisters
stated, "I told them that while the sisters would be leaving,
the more important emphasis should be the joy and peace of realizing
that the 60 years of service rendered by the sisters to countless
thousands of boys was a history which could not be stamped out
and which would live on forever..." On December 31, 1975,
the Sisters of the I.H.M. departed St. Michael's campus for
what most believed to be, ever.
Little did anyone know that another 26 years would pass until
the IHM Congregation would send our spiritual touchstone, Sister
Mary Talbot Keliher, who serves as a counseling psychologist,
on campus. You see, Sister Ann was correct when she predicted
the needs of the boys were such that professionally trained
staff was necessary. If only she had known that the times would
demand a change in the training of the Sisters as well, and
the eventual marriage of St. Michael's and the IHM Congregation
would again take place. And ironically, the return of Monsignor
Joseph Kelly, as Diocesan Secretary of Human Services, completes
the connection.
While not on campus daily, Monsignor Kelly is directly in charge
of overseeing St. Michael's, as well as other Social and Human
Service agencies, in the Diocese. We humbly welcome him back
to our fold.
Today, the staff and administration of St. Michael's keep the
words of Reverend Kelly alive as they continue the good work
started here almost 90 years ago by six humble nuns. A staff
of 250 professionals now counsel, teach, nurse, discipline,
educate and guide the close to 200 boys who pass through our
doors, at St. Michael's, yearly. Still, it is our most fervent
wish that the dearly dedicated IHM Sisters will always have
a presence on campus and in our lives.
To the many Sisters of God who graced our campus with their
empathy, compassion, spirit and grace, and from the close to
15,000 children whose lives were touched, we say thank you,
thank you, thank you and God Bless you always.
Article featured in the St.Michael's School
newsletter, Vol. 5 Issue 1, Winter/Spring 2005 |
