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JULY 2020

On Memorial Day weekend, the United States and the world were rocked by the horrific

video footage of white Minneapolis Police Officer Derek Chauvin killing George Floyd, a

Black man, by kneeling on his neck for eight minutes and 46 seconds. This sparked a

powerful and inspiring new wave of mass protest (led by youth) against racism and

ongoing police brutality.

On June 1, the IHM Leadership Council issued a statement speaking out against the

murders of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery and countless other Black

Americans who have been killed by systemic racism and police violence. It reads, in part:

“The Leadership Council of the Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary of

Monroe, Mich., joins in solidarity with those across the United States and around the world

who are crying out in grief and in nonviolent protest against the continued killing of our Black

brothers and sisters. While acknowledging both our privilege and complicity in structural

racism, we stand by our sisters and brothers of color and recommit ourselves to raising our voices and working for

systemic change in order to build the Beloved Community.”

Since then, IHM Sisters, Associates and staff have joined in “Black Lives Matter” marches, vigils and prayers

services in Detroit, Monroe, Washington, D.C.,

IHMs march in the movement for Black lives By Sarah Nash, IHM Associate Coordinator of the IHM Justice, Peace and Sustainability Office

Marygrove Minute

Over the past month, as part of the meetings of the Marygrove Alumni Board, we have discussed our deep concerns

over the many incidents of racial injustice across this nation. Although this is making the news now, we know that these

problems stem from hundreds of years of oppression. Standing up for justice and equality are at the core of who we are

as Marygrove Alumni. That being said, we want to formally announce that we stand in solidarity with the "IHM Sisters'

Call for Racial Justice" statement. We have a profound sadness over the unjustified loss of Black lives. We condemn

acts of cruelty and injustice from law enforcement. We stand with all those who work to expose systemic racism and

white supremacy and we pledge to not just let these be words, but impactful action in our day-to-day lives as we live out

the legacy of Marygrove College. On the wall of the formal dining room in the Madame Cadillac Building on Marygrove's

campus, it states, "We opened a school for girls when there was no such thing as a woman's right to education. We

enrolled African Americans when it was fiercely controversial. We stayed in Detroit when it was suggested we relocate.

And today we open minds and hearts on a daily basis." This is who we are and who we will continue to be.

Marygrove Alumni Association Board, francessimmons@prodigy.net

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Then and Now

“Earth, Our Home” winners announced

Reflection Canada geese are beautiful birds despite their reputation as intruding, dirty pests. We

humans often resent their presence and droppings in our parks, beaches, yards, golf

courses, farmers’ fields. For the geese, however, these places are restaurants serving

their favorite foods. Learning to live together is an ongoing challenging. Read more.

Sister Frances Mlocek grew up in River Rouge, Mich., the youngest of

six. Her father and mother passed away when she was young, so she

went to live with her eldest sister and brother-in-law. While she was

sitting in her classroom during the fifth grade, she had a deep sense

that she wanted to be like the sister who was teaching her. She was

drawn to her teacher’s kindness and manner.

During high school, Sister Fran participated in a work-study program,

interning with a bookkeeper at Allen Park Furniture Store. She went

on to learn how to manage a business and later interned with a CPA during the day while attending the University of

Detroit business college. Read more.

Although the pandemic caused quite a delay, we are pleased to finally announce the ribbon placement winners for

Earth, Our Home 2020 high school art exhibit. Rose DeSloover, former Dean of Fine Arts at Marygrove College,

served as judge.

First Place: “The Real Cost” – watercolor and colored pencil by Detroit Cristo Rey

senior Jose Carreon-Barbosa. Juror’s Comments: “Good control of medium. High

level of detail and engagement. Power of emotion. Power of composition.” The

woman in the drawing is Jose’s mother when she was 15 years old; he 15 years old

when he drew it. He then expanded the portrait for the Earth Our Home exhibit to

include the “Real Cost.” Jose is going on to pursue art in college. The “real cost” is

the cost we as Earth’s children have on Earth, our mother.

Second Place: “Disintegrating Shorelines” – spray paint marbling and magazine collage by Marian High School

senior Kenzie Lewis. Juror’s Comments: “Wonderful! Engaging. Imaginative. Great detail. Good use of color.”

Third Place: “Everything Is Coming Up Roses” – ceramic by St. Mary Catholic Central sophomore Eliza Pizzo.

Juror’s Comments: “Beautiful. Well-crafted covering every detail. Feel the energy of engagement!”

Honorable Mention: “Glitched Reality” – acrylic and marker by Marian High School senior Gigi Kalabat. Juror’s

Comments: “Concept of the painting is engaging. Details of engagement. Strong composition.”

Congratulations to the winners and to all the artists who submitted work for Earth, Our Home 2020!

Enjoy a virtual tour of the exhibit here.

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Masked wonder!

Gretchen Webb, IHM, and her certified therapy dog, Gretel, were set to begin a new

job together in March. The coronavirus pandemic derailed that plan; Gretchen

received a call that the start date had been postponed indefinitely.

That evening on the news, she saw a report regarding the burgeoning need for face

masks. Although this was not something Gretchen had ever made, she had sewing

experience and her own sewing machine and figured it was something she could

learn. She had material on-hand; bought a supply of elastic and turned to the

internet for patterns and a tutorial.

“The first one took me more than two hours to make,” she recalls. “I got faster and

finished 45 masks over the weekend, which I dropped off at IHM Senior Living Community (IHM SLC). Things kind

of snowballed from there.”

People who heard about her effort began donating material. When a friend’s aunt died, the family

donated bags of sewing supplies, including yards and yards of seam binding and hard-to-come-

by elastic. Sister Gretchen has made masks for friends and family throughout the continental

United States and Puerto Rico – almost 800 and counting. She now makes masks in bulk,

working on 35-40 at one time. Supplying IHM SLC has been a priority; she’s delivered

approximately 350 for use by residents and employees and plans to continue making masks in

anticipation of volunteers returning.

“Orders keep coming in,” she laughs, “so I keep sewing. Gretel likes to hang out and watch in the

evening – but she understands if I tell her I can’t stop for a while and will take herself off to bed.

“It’s been nice to do something during this pandemic that’s helpful,” she continues. “Making the

masks is an act of love that takes away some of the fear and uncertainty. We’re responsible for one another.”

Before their season came to an early close this year, our Marian-Rice robotics

team (Mech Warriors, Team 573) had the opportunity to compete at the

FIRST in Michigan Southfield District Event. They were one of the first teams

in the world to achieve the task of lifting not only themselves, but also another

150-lb robot onto a bar. They made it to the semifinals, earned Rank 13 with a

record of 9-8-0 and also earned the Imagery Award in Honor of Jack Kamen.

Although they did not get the chance to compete further due to the pandemic, the team kept busy by putting their

skills to use making PPE for our frontline workers. To date, the Mech Warriors have made more than 1,600 face

shields and more than 1,300 face masks and ear savers!

The team’s year was made possible by generous sponsors who provided mentorship, space, machine time,

materials, and more than $40,000 in grants.

Mech Warriors shine By Rachel Smith Communications Coordinator, Marian High School

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Phone: 734-241-3660

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ihmpact is published quarterly, highlighting news and events of

the IHM Sisters as well as offering articles for reflection and

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Deep Faith. Courageous Spirit. Action for Justice.

Photos around the Motherhouse Raffle Update

Were you a winner in April,

May or June’s drawings?

See if you’ve won! A new

raffle begins later this

summer! Stay tuned for

more information.

2019-2020 Michigan State Raffle License No. C-28948

On the IHM website

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“Being deeply loved by someone gives you

strength, while loving someone deeply gives

you courage.”

- Lao Tzu