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Why Do Our Schools Celebrate Mercy Day?

byRoz Parr

By Sister Regina Ward, Associate Director for Mission Integration, Mercy Education — Mercy Day is the anniversary of the opening of the first House of Mercy by Catherine McAuley and her two companions, Anna Maria Doyle and Catherine Byrn, on September 24, 1827. Many sisters who attended Mercy schools remember having a day off on September 24, most likely because the sisters who worked in the school considered it a feast day and would take the day to celebrate Catherine and her legacy.

Celebrate Mercy in Ministry

byRoz Parr

By Sister Mary Waskowiak — We celebrate our call to ministry, and we say AMEN! So, what called each of us —sister, associates or companion—to Mercy? Who and what continues to call us, individually and as a community? To what does our fourth vow of service call us at this time in our individual and Institute lives?

Dancing, Singing, Circling

byRoz Parr

We celebrate Mercy in music with “Dancing, Singing, Circling.” Composed by Sister Claudette Schiratti, the song rejoices in Mercy and the ways joy can ease life’s burdens.

A Works of Mercy Cross

byRoz Parr

By Sister Celeste Marie Nuttman — It was a joy and challenge when a Mercy sister asked me to make a cross for Taizé prayer. When many more such requests came from Mercy and from others, each was a call to prayer, conversation with those commissioning it, research and design. I chose to use the San Damiano cross as my “jumping off point” for design and as I moved along to 10 more crosses, I had the opportunity to develop my own visual theology of the resurrection and of our vow of service.

Attention and Encouragement, an Informal Education

byRoz Parr

By Sister Anna Regina Gakuhi — In my ministry at St. Joseph Mercy Hospital in Jamaica, I work with a group of men and women in the dietary and housekeeping departments. Most of these staff members have not completed their formal education. I engage with them to help them improve their skills, which helps improve their performance. Not only does this result in quality service and products, but it also boosts self-esteem and creates a joy in work as they each serve to their best capacity.

Celebrating Mercy in Poetry

byRoz Parr

As we continue to “Celebrate Mercy” in a wide variety of ways, today Sister Mary Bilderback shares her gift of poetry and reflection!

What Shall We Wear and Celebrate on September 24, 2022?

byRoz Parr

By Sister Mary C. Sullivan
— What gift did God give the Mercy family on September 24, 1827, and what does God ask of us on that day? I often ponder these questions—especially when the ancient feast of Our Lady of Mercy approaches each year.

Frances Warde: The Great Mother

byRoz Parr

By Sister Julia Upton — “You never knew her. I knew her better than I have known anybody in my life. She was a woman of God, and God made her a woman of vision. She showed me what it meant to be a Sister of Mercy, to see the world and its people in terms of God’s love; to love everyone who needed love; to care for everyone who needed care. Now her vision is driving me on. It is a glorious thing to be a Sister of Mercy!”

Engaging in Midterms Elections to Protect Our Democracy

byRoz Parr

By Sister Rose Marie Tresp, Institute Justice Team — Why should we vote? How can we strengthen the power of voting in our local, state and national elections? John Lewis, late civil-rights activist and member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Georgia, stated: “The vote is precious. It is the most powerful non-violent tool we have in a democratic society, and we must use it.” Although national elections often receive the most attention, the outcome of elections at the state level may determine a significant number of decisions about laws and regulations related to our Critical Concerns.

Take Me With You

byRoz Parr

By Sister Cynthia Serjak — “Take me with you, Hyacinth, I will make the burden light.” The year was 1241 and the city of Kyiv was under siege. Hyacinth, a local monk, ran to the sanctuary to take the Blessed Sacrament to a safe place. As he turned to leave, he heard a pleading voice: “Take me with you, Hyacinth.” He realized it was the image of Our Lady of Kyiv, begging to be rescued.