IHM's

Monsignor Kelly's dream of providing Catholic education for all the children of Immaculate Conception Parish led him to the Motherhouse of the Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary in search of a teaching order to staff the parish school. There he placed his request before Mother Maria Pacis, Mother General at the time, on December 8th, patronal feast of the Congregation and of Mother Pacis herself. As Mother told the story, she believed the visit was providential. Mother's devotion to Mary convinced her that Our Lady brought Monsignor on that specific day. How could her answer be anything but "Yes"? Thus, the IHM Sisters ventured to Central New Jersey to staff first, Immaculate Conception School, and later, Immaculata High School. The first Sisters, as well as those who followed, discovered that there was a "perfect fit" between the parish's embodiment of the concept of stewardship and the spirit of the IHM sisters centered in the charism of the Congregation.

The Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary (IHM) were founded for the sole purpose of education. Reverend Louis Florent Gillet, a Redemptorist missionary, founded the order after his search for religious to teach his people proved fruitless. "Father Gillet envisioned an educational apostolate conducted by religious women who would give witness to prayerfulness, humility, simplicity, forgetfulness of self, and a deep love and respect for each individual soul."

Over the past five decades, these Sisters have been the cornerstone of education at Immaculata. They have helped demystify equations, create publications, showed us the wonders of biology, launched us on our business careers, made us stronger individuals and strengthened our relationships with God. These Sisters shaped our school, developed our students' minds, promoted our faith and contributed to the formation of our strong moral values.

Currently, Immaculata has 7 IHMs on staff. They, along with a dedicated and faith-filled lay staff, have been a blessing to this school.

"Sister Dolores inspired me to continue to pursue music. Her genuine love of the students, teaching, and music has shown me a way to teach as I move into the future."
TJ Brungard Class of 2008

"These Sisters are the heart of ICS and IHS as well as a blessing to the community. They have brought many things to our schools, but the most dominant are their dedication to their jobs, willingness to help, academic discipline, leadership, and of course, faith."
Pierce Frauenheim Sr.
Assistant Principal