Congregation of the Humility of Mary › News & Announcements

"Listen Up!’ Sisters of the Upper Mississippi River Valley say

March 7, 2019 | Anne Marie Amacher

That got her to thinking about the possibility of collaboration between women religious and Azubuike African American Council for the Arts. Could they work together for the celebration of National Sisters Week — March 8-14? The answer to her question ultimately led to the campaign “Listen Up,” sponsored by Catholic Sisters of the Upper Mississippi River Valley. The campaign features three, 60-second videos directed and produced by Azubuike using local teenage and adult actors. Sister Johanna Rickl, vice president of the Congregation of the Humility of Mary, said the message is meaningfully communicated through the creative assistance of Azubuike. “We found a voice to help deliver the message of unity,” Sr. Rickl said. “Azubuike’s mission is to reconcile racial divides and to spark a much larger conversation about race relations in the Quad Cities through the arts. We are grateful to them and their actors and crew, many of whom are at-risk youth, for their help.”

Journalist to Bishops: We will be 'worst enemies' if you cover up abuse

February 27, 2019 | Valentina Alazraki

I would like that on this occasion the Church play offense and not defense, as has happened in the case of the abuse of minors. It could be a great opportunity for the Church to take the initiative and be on the forefront of denouncing these abuses, which are not only sexual but also abuses of power.

Q-C nonprofits attack human trafficking

February 8, 2019 | Jonathan Turner

“One of the things we hear most often when we go and speak in the community is that people don't believe human trafficking exists here in the Quad-Cities,” Ann Mohr, president of the 10-year-old organization, said. It does and must be addressed, she noted.

ICE-impacted families will open presents sealed with love

December 20, 2018 | Barb Arland-Fye

Sister Mary Bea Snyder, CHM, one of Monday’s gift-bearers, displays cookies and other edible creations — melting snowmen, reindeer cupcakes, Rice Krispies wreaths – that she and her friends prepared and packaged — 32 plastic containers in all. Sr. Bea also purchased 45 gifts for the immigrants’ children, with donations from the Humility of Mary Sisters of Davenport, associates, friends and others.

Shelter for Homeless Will Remain

December 6, 2018 | Alma Gaul

After some scrambling, the groups came up with a solution to carry through this winter: The King's Harvest emergency shelter will remain open...

Irene Munoz: Amazing Labor Activist

November 1, 2018 | Lisa Martin

“Amazing Iowa Women”‒an A-Z illustrated guide to some of Iowa’s most extraordinary women. The book features one of our own,Sr. Irene Muñoz, CHM, an amazing labor activist.

Humility Homes and Services 10th Anniversary

October 8, 2018 | Barb Arland-Fye

But the Congregation of the Humility of Mary's faith in God, coupled with a collaborative effort that bordered on the miraculous, gave the shelter and its guests a new lease on life. On Sept. 21, Humility Homes and Services celebrated the 10th anniversary at the shelter previously known as Humility of Mary Shelter before its merger with Humility of Mary Housing this year.

Spirit of the Prairie Fundraiser

August 23, 2018 | Lisa Martin

Spirit of the Prairie will feature locally raised and prepared food, local wine and beer, live music by the Barley House Band, and a silent auction. Walking and golf cart tours of the retreat center and grounds will also be available. You will visit the “Cosmic Walk,” labyrinth, Way of the Cross, prairie trails, nature pond and gardens.

Agencies merge to create Humility Homes and Services Inc.

July 15, 2018 | Jennifer DeWitt

As of July 1, Humility of Mary Housing Inc. and its sister organization Humility of Mary Shelter Inc. have merged into Humility Homes & Services Inc. The combined organization retains all its transitional and supportive housing services, homelessness prevention programs, and an emergency shelter in Davenport.

CHMs Adopt Immigration Action

July 5, 2018 | Lisa Martin

Sister Mary Ann Vogel, CHM president, said, “The CHM mission is to work for justice within the human family. It was only right that at this moment in time, at the CHM Assembly, we should adopt the ‘CHM Action Statement on Comprehensive Immigration Reform’ which calls for a halt to immoral policies and practices. What does love your neighbor as yourself mean? Certainly not separating parents and their children.”

2018 CHM Jubilee

July 2, 2018 | Times Staff

Sisters of Humility celebrate Jubilee 2018

Sister Cecelia Celebrates 100 Years

June 11, 2018 | Times Staff

Sr. Cecelia Vandeberg celebrates 100 years - The Congregation of the Humility of Mary will celebrate the 100th birthday of Sr. Cecelia Vandeberg, CHM, on June 26.

Housing and Shelter Programs to Merge

May 10, 2018 | Barb Arland-Fye

The Humility Sisters “will continue to enlighten our work with their call for us to be a community, ‘working within the human family and caring for earth itself,’” wrote Sr. Rickl and Harvey. “Based on that calling, our Housing First philosophy is grounded in the ‘radical acceptance’ of the inherent worth of every person. Our vision for community will be fulfilled when every person in the Quad Cities has a place to call home.”

Our Lady of the Prairie Retreat Tool Drive

February 21, 2018 | Sister Marcia Eckerman, CHM

Ready for Spring Cleaning? Our Lady of the Prairie Retreat (OLPR) is starting a “tool drive” to supply our maintenance workshop. Todd Seifert, the Property Manager at OLPR states “I am making a plea for tools as a first step in building a solid, functioning maintenance shop.”

Iowa faith leaders speak out against calls to enact death penalty

January 31, 2018 | Connie Ryan, Iowa View contributor

At its core, our opposition to the death penalty is based in our faith traditions that inform our beliefs on what is right and wrong and what we must stand against on behalf of our faith and human rights. Our collective faiths compel us to use our voices to declare the death penalty wrong and immoral. The government should not kill a human being as retribution or punishment, regardless of the person’s actions.