Carrie Flood

Rachel Terry

Carrie resided at Shalom House in Scranton. (L-R Back) Margaret Gannon, Carrie Flood, John Michele Southwick. (L-R Front) Fran Fasolka, Michaeline Macedonio, Dorothy Haney and Moss Patrick Haney (dog).

Rachel resided at Our Lady of Perpetual Help in Scranton. L-R) Damian Marie Dlugos, Rachel Terry, Joan Marie Thompson and Marie Moore.

A Day in the Life of an
IHM Candidate

On September 2, 2004 during a ceremony at the IHM Center we welcomed Carrie Flood and Rachel Terry into our candidacy program. Carrie, the youngest of seven children, came to us from Mesa, Arizona, and Rachel, the oldest of four children, from Millville, New Jersey.

Areas of Study
In many ways the life of a candidate in our congregation today is different from what most of us have experienced. It does, however, have many of the same elements. Over the course of this period of incorporation our program includes theological education and scripture studies, studies in spirituality, human growth and development, as well as the history of the congregation, our core values, constitutions, and IHM charism.

Community Life
A more realistic approach to learning the ins and outs of religious life as lived in our congregation is to give our women a firsthand experience of community. Each of our women lives in a separate local community in the Scranton area. Carrie is a member of Shalom Community on Marywood’s campus and Rachel lives with Mother of Perpetual Help Community in South Scranton. Both communities are a source of encouragement and support in helping Rachel and Carrie search out God’s will “in response to the divine call to discipleship and apostolic service”. The experience of living in a welcoming, mentoring community has enriched the lives of all involved. “I think the best way to learn about religious life is to live it. The experience of living in a local community, augmented by insights and knowledge gained through the intercommunity Candidate program, has been invaluable as I continue to discern my vocation to religious life.” (Carrie Flood)

Ministry
The primary focus of candidacy is to learn what community life is like as an IHM and to continue to develop a life of prayer. We also hope to give our women an experience in ministry. Three days a week Carrie and Rachel are engaged in ministry in places where our sisters minister. Rachel with her music degree ministers at Holy Rosary School in Scranton. Because of the nature of a teaching position in a school Rachel’s ministry extends from September to June. Carrie, on the other hand, has the opportunity to be engaged in two different ministry sites. Since September Carrie has been employed in the business office at the Marian Community Hospital. In January Carrie will have another experience at St. Joseph’s Center. Through these ministries our young women are extending and strengthening their vision and understanding of our IHM charism. In reaching out to other IHM’s and engaging in ministry with them they are also widening their circle of connections with IHM sisters.

Interacting with Our Wisdom Figures
Every Thursday Carrie and Rachel volunteer at the Marian Convent in various capacities. As our candidates interact with the sisters either ministering to those who are bedridden or engaging them through music therapy each of them can begin to develop their own IHM history as they listen to the stories of our wisdom figures. It is wonderful to see our women develop warm and loving relationships with our elder sisters. At the same time they are able to share their own beautiful inner selves with our sisters.

Integration Day
On Wednesday Carrie and Rachel join a Scripture based prayer group at the IHM Center. The rest of the day is given to the process of integration. It is a day of prayer, class with Sr. Rose Marie, Director of Incorporation, reading, reflection and discussion on the elements of our program. Also built into the day is time for an individual review with Sr. Rose Marie concerning how their life in our congregation is progressing.

Theological Study
In an effort to develop and enhance their theological background both young women take one theology class each semester at Marywood University and attend workshops and lectures

Intercommunity Program
One weekend a month Rachel, Carrie and Rose Marie travel to Xavier Center in Convent Station, NJ. A program based on an adult educational model provides conferences and discussion on important elements of religious life. The program is meant to serve as a resource for formative conversations between the newer members and directors. Included in the program is the opportunity for interaction with peers who are also journeying in the beginning stages of religious life. Prayer and sharing enrich the benefit of the material presented. This year we are fortunate to have five other religious congregations of men and women taking part in the program. Through the monthly interactions wonderful relationships are formed and nurtured.

Through the experiences of living in community, sharing in the prayer life of the sisters, ministering and volunteering with IHM sisters our two women are learning the many challenges and blessings that come to us daily in religious life. “I feel supported, challenged and loved into growth, and am so thankful that I am here!”. (Rachel Terry)

As we continue on our paths of falling deeply in love with the God of our hearts we pray for openness to growth and a deepening of our relationship with God. We pray with and for Carrie and Rachel.