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HM History & Heritage
HM Sisters Elect New Leadership,
Establish Focus for the Next Four Years
The Sisters of the Humility of Mary elected new leadership for a term of four years during their Chapter of Elections held in May. The leadership team includes Sr. Carol Anne
Smith ’66L, Pastoral Leader; Sr. Margaret Marszal; Sr. Annette
Solma ’69, and Sr. Anne Victory ’62. We are grateful for the insights and reflections each of them shared to the questions that follow.
As you begin your term of leadership, what is one hope you have for the HM community?
One hope and confidence I have is that the Sisters of the Humility of Mary will continue faithfully fulfilling Jesus’ mission and our own of “bringing more abundant life to God’s people, especially those who are poor.” We will do this, as we have from our earliest history, in collaboration with others to meet the needs of our times. Sr. Carol Anne Smith, HM
Our Litany of Hope and Promise is our guide this Leadership term—how to involve all Sisters, Associates, Covenant Companions and Partners in Ministry in living out this Chapter call … My hope is that together we can explore and live these words to be a light to God’s people. My second hope is that we begin to recognize the future and impact of consecrated life in this time in history. Though we are getting smaller, we are collaborating with more and more people. Our charism and the call of the Gospel is expanding outwardly to others. How this is expressed in the future will be the work of the Spirit. Sr. Margaret Marzal, HM It is my hope that our "Joy-filled" Spirit & HM Mission based in Jn. 10:10 of Jesus' own Mission of "bringing about more abundant life for all people" (paraphrased) will continue into the future through the lives of all those in their connectedness with us in various ways and who will respond to the urgent needs of the time in the service of advancing the "common good." Sr. Ann Solma, HM As a member of the new Leadership Team of the Sisters of the Humility of Mary, I begin this ministry of service at a most challenging moment in history! In the midst of the many global crises facing all of us, we continue to be grounded in the mission of Jesus … that impels us to bring more abundant life to God’s people, especially people who are poor. So many millions are desperate for hope, for some sign that God has not abandoned them. One hope that I have for the HM Community is that we continue … to witness as Mary did to God’s presence among us all as the One who holds new life
The HM Leadership Team – Sr. Maragaret Marszal, Sr. Ann Solma ’69, Sr. Carol Anne Smith ’66L, Sr. Anne Victory ’62.
for each one, especially those who are most marginalized and vulnerable, and for Earth herself. Sr. Anne Victory, HM
What is one hope you have for the Magnificat community this school year?
Given the bitterness and acrimony of so much of public discourse and debate, given the seeming and growing inability in our culture to recognize or agree upon reality and fact, I hope Magnificat will continue to inspire and educate young women to think critically and discern their positions, actions, and contributions based on the Gospel and moral values. Sr. Carol Anne Smith, HM
My hope is that you continue [to help] young women become a model for transforming the world in the Spirit of Mary’s Magnificat. Educating young women holistically to learn, lead, and serve in compassion, confidence, and courage gives hope for the future of this world. I am always inspired when I come to Magnificat not just by the excellence in programming but by the values that are expressed in the culture of the school. Care for Earth, broader global experiences, and service to others are just some of these. We need leaders that will continue to bring the Gospel message to others now and into the future. As a former teacher at Magnificat, I am edified that the Mission of the school is both continuing and expanding. Sr. Margaret Marzal, HM It is my hope that every graduate this year and beyond will have cultivated an "attitude of gratitude" as expressed
by Mary in the Magnificat. This is a "hallmark" of the HM Community … through the generations. In addition, I do hope that each graduate will have developed her God-given gifts and will use them to be the confident leader needed for the transformation of our world wherever she finds herself. Sr. Ann Solma, HM
As an alumna of Magnificat, I hope that the Magnificat Community will continue to inspire, uphold, and challenge the young women you serve to courageously respond to their own call to serve God’s people as Mary did through their words, actions, and leadership in whatever profession they choose. Our troubled, suffering planet is counting on them and on all of us! Sr. Anne Victory, HM
What does the HM Litany of Hope and Promise mean to you and/or the community?
The Litany is the overall direction the HM Congregation has discerned and chosen to guide our lives and ministries for the next four years. This Litany emerged from prayer, reflection and consideration of the needs of our times, all in the context of our mission. We view faithfulness to the promises of the Litany as a solemn commitment, what God is calling us to at this time in our history. Sr. Carol Anne Smith, HM Though the whole Litany encompasses our call as Sisters of the Humility of Mary, the one that personally challenges me is that “We will honor diversity among ourselves and in the world.” I have set up a practice to listen to points of view different than my own. Rather than judging those opinions as “not like mine,” I am consciously trying to observe the gifts and graces that come from other perspectives. This provides me with a broader outlook to respond to challenges or situations that I encounter. Sr. Margaret Marzal, HM My heart resides with those who are victims of poverty, with those who are struggling and essentially vulnerable. I am blessed that I am able to continue ministering to support "housing stability" for families in Slavic Village while serving on leadership. I will do everything I can to support such efforts of those who minister with and serve those who are vulnerable. I also find it important to be "contemplative" in my disposition prior to decision-making for it allows God's grace the greatest opportunity to become part of the conversation. Sr. Ann Solma, HM
On a daily basis, I find myself called to different elements of the HM Litany of Hope and Promise based on the circumstances and challenges before us. I continue to “connect the dots” of these various elements of the Litany, aware that addressing one of them impacts other aspects as well, since all call us to fidelity in living Jesus’ mission to bring more abundant life to God’s people more fully each day. Sr. Anne Victory, HM
LITANY OF HOPE AND PROMISE
The Litany of Hope and Promise is the direction that emerged from the 2021 Chapter of the Sisters of the Humility of Mary. The Litany articulates the Congregation’s focus for the next four years. As an HM sponsored school, Magnificat treasures our connection to the Sisters and will strive to support the Sisters as partners in fulfilling the call of this Litany.
In response to your call, O God, and with joy and gratitude, we promise…
✜ We will remain faithful to the message and mission of the Gospel, the words of Jesus and the spirit of the HM charism. ✜ We will embrace the central place of contemplative prayer in our lives. ✜ We will treasure the power of gentle presence with each other and with all we meet. ✜ We will honor diversity among ourselves and in the world. ✜ We will work to life the strength, dignity, spirits, and voices of women. ✜ We will use our voice for peace and justice and work to eradicate all traces of racism. ✜ We will continue to open our hearts to people who are poor and marginalized and use our resources to alleviate suffering. ✜ We will partner with people and organizations committed to the message of the Gospel. ✜ We will use our energy to work toward the sustainability of creation. ✜ We will realize as the people of God the need to use the power within us to awaken new life in the Church. ✜ We will be courageous and bold as we grow in wisdom and grace and age. ✜ We will recognize ourselves as a community of Sisters,
Associates and Covenant Companions and move forward in a more integrated and participatory way. ✜ We will cherish and respect each other all the days of our lives.
