By CatholicPhilly Staff • Posted August 13, 2024

On Aug. 4, Sister M. Elizabeth Anne Bartholomew, IHM, made her perpetual profession of vows in the Congregation of the Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary during the Rite of Perpetual Profession of Vows within a Mass.

Auxiliary Bishop Bruce A. Lewandowski, C.Ss.R. of Baltimore, presided at the liturgy and delivered the homily. Sister Mary Ellen Tennity, IHM, General Superior, received the vows in the name of the Church for the Congregation.

During the Rite of Perpetual Profession, Sister Elizabeth Anne Bartholomew publicly professed vows of chastity, poverty, and obedience to God in the service of the Catholic Church. Afterwards, Sister Elizabeth Anne signed a vow card and received a newly engraved ring signifying her vowed commitment.

As part of initial formation in becoming a perpetually professed sister, a young woman enters into a process that spans eight to 10 years. Sister Elizabeth Anne entered the IHM Congregation in Sept. 2016 and professed her first vows in Aug. 2019.

After first vows, Sister Elizabeth taught sixth and eighth grade at St. Cecilia School in Philadelphia. This year, she will continue to participate in the life and mission of the IHM Congregation as she serves as Assistant Principal at St. Francis de Sales Elementary School in Philadelphia.

Sister Elizabeth Anne is the daughter of Bob and Jenny Bartholomew of Savannah, GA, parishioners of St. James the Less Parish in Savannah, GA. She is a graduate of St. Vincent’s Academy High School and Armstrong State University. She received her MA in Educational Leadership from the University of Notre Dame in 2024.

The Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary of the Malvern branch of the Congregation comprise of 533 Sisters who currently staff Catholic schools, parishes and outreach programs in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Virginia, Florida and in the South American country of Peru.