IHMs Observe Centennial of Diocese of Raleigh

Centennial Sunday, which was held November 17, was organized to unite the faithful through a common prayer of thanksgiving and common intercessions for 100 years of
the Diocese of Raleigh. The celebration stretched across the diocese, through every parish and mission, and all the way to IHM Scranton, Pennsylvania.

Sister Carol Loughney, a former pastoral administrator in the Diocese of Raleigh, who helped organize the Centennial Sunday Mass at OLP, quoted William J. Hafey, Bishop of
Raleigh, who wrote on May 1, 1928: “Taking this opportunity to assure you that the coming of your sisters has been for this Diocese perhaps the outstanding blessing from God, and trusting that it will also be a source of great blessing to your Congregation.” It was evident on this past Sunday, November 17th that the words of Bishop Hafey were confirmed as we gathered to celebrate the Centennial of the Raleigh Diocese that
we IHMs served for 95 years. The weeks and days leading up to the celebration brought smiles, cooperation and assistance in planning and the offering of pictures and items reminiscent of that holy place. The liturgy and dinner were well planned and folks enjoyed eating some foods that spoke of our lived culinary experience.

Our two-hour storytelling was certainly a sign that this was an opportunity for the sisters to share special moments of their time in NC. We heard of the heartbreaking and difficult times before integration, when our sisters lived in separate houses depending on the population they taught, or declined invitations that did not include all of our children. Also shared were the days when sisters heard, just days before school was opening for a new year, that they were integrating their student bodies. It was inspiring to hear Sisters who came to NC as novices. These experiences were formational for them that set them on a wonderful path which confirmed their vocations and lead them to love community

Each Sister affirmed the wonderfully happy times we had at the beach and the bus that brought Sisters from many missions to Salter Path and points along the coast or the ferry that took them island hopping or to an overnight stay at Cape Lookout Lighthouse.

Whether it was teaching, school administration or pastoral administration our experiences of serving the needs of children, parents, parishioners, priests, deacons, the ecumenical community and neighbors, we loved and were loved by the people we served.

Bishop Hafey hoped we too were blessed and indeed we were.