This year, 2023, marks the centennial of the Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary (IHM) at Saint James Catholic School. On September 17, 1923, under the leadership of Mother Josepha Clarke, the IHM Sisters began teaching 92 students at Saint James Catholic School.
In addition to running our parish school, the IHM Sisters also spread the Catholic faith by teaching catechism at other parishes in our area as well as running our Parish Religious Education Program (PREP) here at Saint James.
To commemorate this historic event, Saint James held a special celebration on Sunday, September 17, 2023 – 100 years to the day from when our IHM Sisters began teaching and educating our students. We held a noon Mass followed by a reception to celebrate this important milestone. Bishop Michael Burbidge celebrated the Noon Mass for the intentions of the IHM Sisters. Scroll down to view the video.
- Click here to view pictures from the Mass and reception. Some of the photos inside the church are courtesy of the Arlington Catholic Herald.
- Click here to view the coverage by the Arlington Catholic Herald.
If you have stories and/or pictures to share, we will be collecting them all year long and you can do so one of two ways:
- Contact Kathleen Anderson, Development Director, at [email protected] or 703-532-8815 x223
- Complete the “IHM Centennial Celebration” online form below.
- If you cannot upload the pictures or documents to the form, you can bring them into the parish to Kathleen Anderson.
Read our bulletin historical pieces on the IHM Sisters
“Share A Memory”
Watch the Mass below celebrated by Bishop Burbidge.
Parish Bulletin Historical Stories
- June 18, 2023 – The IHM Sisters come to Saint James School
- June 25, 2023 – The Depression Years
- July 2, 2023 – Sister Callista
- July 9, 2023 – Twenty Years of IHM Principals
- July 16, 2023-Father Mullarkey and the School Expansion
- July 23, 2023-Sisters Celebrate Their Jubilee Celebration
- July 30, 2023-A New Kindergarten Is Established
- August 6, 2023-Farewell to Sister Mary Sue (Current Principal)
- August 13 & 20, 2023 – IHM Centennial Celebration Invitation
- August 27, 2023 – Share a Memory from John Maier
- September 10, 2023 – Share a Memory from Jeanne Trott Part I
- September 17, 2023 – Share a Memory from Jeanne Trott Part II
IHM Centennial Share a Memory
Please complete the form below if you have a special memory/pictures of the IHMs to share. If you can identify the name of the Sister(s) in any photos submitted, that would be helpful to our History Committee.