Professions

 

Sister Lisa Perkowski, IHM

March 12, 2016

Sister Lisa Perkowski Professes Perpetual Vows

Sister Lisa Perkowski, IHM, professed perpetual vows as a Sister, Servant of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, Scranton, during the Eucharistic Liturgy at the IHM Center on March 12, 2016.

Sister Lisa articulated her experience of life in the IHM Congregation, her willingness to live the vowed life, and her affirmation that she will live according to gospel principles, and the spirit of the IHM Congregation:

The following words from Pope Francis speak to the commitment I make today: "Mission is never the fruit of a perfectly planned program or a well-organized manual. Mission is always the fruit of a life which knows what it is to be found and healed, encountered and forgiven. Mission is born of a constant experience of God’s merciful anointing."

My own experience of God’s tender love and mercy impels my own compassion and joy for loving the world, a world desiring right-relationship and wholeness—the same world in which I have learned to forgive and be forgiven, to love and be loved, and to heal and become whole. It is my prayer life and my experience of community, that in turn, prepares me to give my self joyfully to God’s work for his people.

Since my first vows, I have been blessed living and praying with my IHM sisters and working with other religious and laity, as disciples working toward a common mission. I have been touched by their commitment to their faith, to the people they serve, and to one another. These intergenerational relationships have formed me in my discipleship. And now, the image of discipleship is coming full circle, as I walk with a younger generation of women finding their way in the faith and learning how to live it.

These young women also have recognized the strength, support, and joy they receive from one another, which in turn, kept them motivated to serve tirelessly throughout this week. It is not unlike the strength and joy I receive from my community of IHM Sisters. I know I could not be the disciple I am without the spiritual bond, friendship and support of my community.

With continued trust in God I choose to follow Christ in living the Gospel, and in manifesting the Spirit of the Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary for the rest of my days. I hope to continue to live out my commitment in a spirit of creativity and joy, to transform and awaken others to the presence of God in and among them.

There are no written plans for this future, only to live out God’s unconditional love in the most intimate way possible: by giving of one’s self, carrying on the faith, and embodying the love lived out by Christ and our ancestors.

Pictured L-R: Sister Jean Louise Bachetti, Councilor for Spiritual Development, Sister Florence Marino, witness, Sister Lisa Perkowski, Sister Cor Immaculatum Heffernan, witness, and Sister Ellen Maroney, IHM Congregation President.