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HM History & Heritage
Prayers and Blessings on the Newly Elected HM Leadership Team
Magnificat congratulates and extends our prayers to the newly elected Leadership Team of the Sisters of the Humility of Mary: Sister Carol Anne Smith ’66L, Pastoral Leader (and past President of Magnificat High School); Sister Margaret Marszal, Councilor; Sister Anne Victory ’62, Councilor; and Sister Annie Solma ’69, Councilor. The HM Sisters elected new leadership for a term of four years during their Chapter of Elections held in May 2021. The new Leadership Team will be installed on August 7, 2021, when the Sisters, Associates, Covenant Companions, and Partners in Mission gather for their annual Community Days and Missioning. We give thanks for the leadership of the current team, consisting of councilors Sister Karen Bernhardt, Sister Carol Anne Smith ’66L, Sister Margaret Marszal, Sister Barbara Wincik, and Sister Toby Lardie, Pastoral Leader. Sister Mary Ann Spangler, HM, met virtually with the Class of 2021 to share suggestions for sustaining, strengthening, and sharing their faith as they prepare to transition to college life. Bringing many years of experience in education, retreats, and spiritual direction, Sister Mary Ann currently serves as a Spiritual Companion to young adults on college campuses and beyond, while also facilitating retreats at Villa Maria Education and Spirituality Center and the Jesuit Retreat Center.
Recognizing the challenges and adjustments students face in navigating the transition to college, Sister Mary Ann affirmed the importance of bringing with them their faith and values nurtured at Magnificat, developing affirming support systems, finding a faith community, making time for daily spiritual practices, and continuing to look to Mary as a courageous model of faith-filled life. “It was a privilege to share some of my experience with the seniors as they transition from the known into the unknown and to assure them that they do take their faith with them,” noted Sister Mary Ann. “Finding supportive mentors, organizations such as a Catholic Student Association, and creating times and places to connect one’s inner self with God are not only possible but essential.”
Clockwise: Sister Carol Anne Smith, Sister Margaret Marszal, Sister Anne Victory and Sister Annie Solma
Sophomore Retreats Rooted in HM Values of Service & Care for Creation
Throughout the month of April, the sophomore class participated in mini retreats inspired by our theme for the school year—We Belong to Each Other. Accompanied by Campus Ministers, faculty, and staff, the students cycled through three rotations: We Belong to the Earth, We Belong to Each Other, and We Belong to God. Each group traveled to stations throughout campus, including the Hoop House in Magnificat’s backyard, where they learned more about the HM Sisters’ commitment to caring for God's creation, a value that drives Magnificat’s horticultural program. In addition to planting sunflower seeds at the Hoop House, students participated in community-building activities and a prayer service where each sophomore received her Serve pendant to add to the Learn pendant she received during her freshman year. For a class whose first year of in-person learning at Magnificat was cut short by the coronavirus pandemic, these mini retreats created an important space to bond with one another. “The Sophomore retreat really helped me connect with myself and students in my Advisory. It gave me much needed time to take a step back and reflect on my year, and I am so proud to be able to have a tangible effect on the school through planting sunflowers,” says Eliza Farrall ’23. Planting sunflowers around campus was also meaningful for Emma Latchford ’23 who said “knowing that the sunflowers will be planted in the courtyard will be a symbol of the love and sisterhood found within my class. I cannot wait to see the beautiful sunflowers in the fall!" The Magnificat Lenten Project is an annual school-wide effort to reflect on Christ’s suffering, death, and resurrection in the context of the global community. Throughout Lent, students, families, faculty, and staff are invited to fast, pray, and give, while learning more about Magnificat’s partner ministries in Haiti, Ecuador, and Mexico. This year, over $6,000 was collected to support Sr. Judy Dohner, HM and the Ministry of the Sisters of the Humility of Mary in Haiti; Rostro de Cristo; and Damien House in Ecuador; and Frontera de Cristo in Mexico.
Sr. Judy Dohner, HM has been living in Haiti for 17 years where she works alongside Haitian religious communities to provide medical care, housing, and education to those in need, a ministry that has become even more critical since the earthquake that took place in 2010. Since 2001, Magnificat Campus Ministry has partnered with Rostro de Cristo for the immersion retreat to Ecuador that typically takes place each summer. During the retreat, students and faculty/staff spend a day visiting with residents of Damien House, a residential hospital for people living with Hansen’s Disease (formerly known as leprosy). Frontera de Cristo is an organization in Tucson, Arizona that hosts Magnificat students for the U.S./Mexico border immersion retreat that started in 2016. The organization sponsors a variety of initiatives to support migrants fleeing their homeland in search of a better life. Thank you to all who helped make this year’s Lenten Project such a success!
