Meet Sister Emily Vincent, IHM

Name: Sister Emily Vincent, IHM

Current Ministry: Program Director at Villa Maria by the Sea Retreat House

Hometown: Wayne, PA

Profession Year: 2011

Previous Ministries: Director of Evangelization and Religious Education, Director of Religious Education, Advancement Director 

Question #1 - When did you first begin to think that God might be calling you to religious life? 

A woman suggested that I ask God to reveal His will for me in my life. When I started praying this, I began to run into sisters wherever I went! One of the places was at a bar! I went to a Theology on Tap event and met four young sisters who were preparing to make their final vows. They were glowing and their joy was palpable! 

Question #2 - What attracted you to the IHM Sisters? 

I visited various religious orders and thought that these are nice women and they do good work, but I don't belong here. I went to a Sisters' Night with the IHM Sisters and when I entered the room, I had an overwhelming sense that I had come home. The sisters' joy made me want to spend more time with them. 

Question #3 - How do you live the IHM charism of love, creative hope, and fidelity in your ministry? 

It is a blessing and a challenge to know that God is in everyone we meet--and that we can be the face, the hands, the feet, and the heart of God to everyone we meet. It is a tall order, but as Christians, we are all called to this. As IHM Sisters, we are a visible witness, so we have more opportunities, and also more responsibility to live this out. Part of the call of love, creative hope, and fidelity is to forgive others--and to know and trust that God is forgiving of us when we do not love perfectly! Thank God! 

Question #4 - Complete this sentence: "Being an IHM Sister has taught me that..."   

I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me!