Mercy College launches into new era as Mount Mercy University
CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa --Aug. 25, 2010--Mount Mercy College officially re-designated as Mount Mercy University during a press conference on Aug. 23. President Christopher Blake and Chair of the Board of Trustees Charlie Rohde signed the University Charter, establishing Mount Mercy’s transition to Iowa’s newest university, and the state’s only Mercy university.
Cedar Rapids Mayor Ron Corbett proclaimed Aug. 23 Mount Mercy University Day in Cedar Rapids, and called on all citizens to mark the historic occasion as a local institution of higher education reached a milestone. Sr. Kathy Thornton, from the Sisters of Mercy West/Midwest Region, offered a special prayer and blessing on the University and all the students, faculty, staff and community members it will continue to reach.
A new logo was revealed for the University, and a groundbreaking for the new University Center took place. A Mass with the Most Rev. Jerome Hanus, O.S.F., S.T.L., Archbishop of Dubuque followed on Aug. 24. To read more http://www.mtmercy.edu/index.php?id=391&newsitem=250
Labyrinth Dedicated at Mercy Center, Auburn, Calif.
Staff members (l to r): Lindy Virgil, Jackie Coffer , Joe Venancio, Colleen Gregg, Joseph Oliveira pause after the last brick has been laid at Mercy Center in Auburn, Calif.
On August 7, Mercy sisters, staff and associates attended the blessing of the labyrinth at the Auburn campus. It is tucked away in Mary Grove and protected by a number of oak trees, which provide welcome shade from the summer sun. The development of the labyrinth was facilitated by a number of staff, sisters and guests of Mercy Center under the guidance of Joe Venancio, maintenance manager, who established each step with precision and care. Sister Anne Sekul, Richard Spring and Tracy Kerth designed the center using the Celtic Trinity motif. As Deacon Charles Cheever sprinkled the participants and the labyrinth with holy water, the attendees chanted: “God to guide me, God to teach me. God to protect me by night and by day! God, Holy Trinity, in love unending, glory to you forever, we pray.” Afterwards a number of participants walked the path for the first time.
Sister Maryellen Callahan Honored
Sister Maryellen Callahan was honored June 29 at the Austin Voice 25th Anniversary Luncheon in the Austin area of Chicago. Maryellen received the Excellence in Education Award, in recognition of her 30 years of service to the Austin Community. Her journey in education has taken her through numerous schools in the Austin area that include St. Thomas Aquinas, St. Catherine and St. Angela School.
"We at St. Angela know how blessed we are to have Sr. Maryellen on our staff, but it was wonderful to see her all of her hard work and dedication honored," says Geralyn O'Rourke Lawler, director of development, St. Angela School in Chicago.
L-R: Sister Taryn Stark, WMW President Sister Norita Cooney, and Candidate Angelica Reyes-Adame at the joint ceremony June 18.
Two young women celebrated in Burlingame
6.25.10—Two young women moved closer to becoming members of the Sisters of Mercy West Midwest Community on June 18. In one ceremony, Taryn Stark entered the Sisters of Mercy as a novice, followed by Angelica Reyes-Adame who was received as a candidate. The joint event, attended by over 100 sisters, associates, family and friends, was held at the Mercy Chapel at Mercy Center in Burlingame, Calif.
“I give thanks to God for enclosing me in your lives,” said Taryn in her message to the sisters. After a summer of working in Mercy ministries, Taryn, now “Sister Taryn,” will be in residence at the Institute of the Sisters of Mercy Novitiate in Laredo, Texas. Taryn was an internal auditor with Catholic Relief Services in South Africa and later a CPA (certified public accountant) in Rockville, Md.. After attending a Mercy Challenge, a week-long experience of prayer, community and service, Taryn began her formal discernment with the sisters in Burlingame. She became a candidate in religious life in 2008.
Angelica Reyes-Adame begins two years as a candidate in the Community, a period of exploration and preparation for living life as a sister. Angelica, who grew up in Mexico, worked in bi-lingual reservations at Amtrak in Southern California. She was impressed by the Irish Sisters of Mercy who worked in her parish. “Years ago I felt how people were touched by mercy,” said Angelica. “Mercy meant being loved and taken care of and the presence of God. The sisters brought it to flesh, brought it together for me.”
West Midwest Sisters of Mercy Community President Sister Norita Cooney welcomed Angelica and formally received Taryn into the Community at the ceremony. Both young women expressed gratitude to those who had brought them to this moment. “I thank especially my vocation director, Sister Cindy Kaye, who has walked spiritually with me for the past five years,” said Angelica.
Taryn was the second young woman to enter the Sisters of Mercy West Midwest Community this summer. Angie Dixon, entered the Community in Omaha on June 4 as a novice. After two years as novices, she and Taryn each may make their first profession, entering fully into life as a Sister of Mercy.
Sisters of Mercy Receive Angie Dixon as Novice
OMAHA, Nebraska, June 8, 2010 – Angie Dixon was received as a Novice into the Sisters of Mercy West Midwest Community on Friday, June 4. Sisters of Mercy, Mercy Associates, family and friends gathered in Our Lady of Mercy Chapel at College of Saint Mary in Omaha to witness the Rite of Reception and to celebrate Angie’s desire to further her discernment of religious life.
Angie has spent the past two years as a candidate learning and experiencing the Mercy lifestyle and ministry while deepening her relationship with God. On Friday she was named Sister Angie and presented the Mercy Cross which identifies her as a member of the Sisters of Mercy of the West Midwest Community. She will now enter the Novitiate of the Institute of the Sisters of Mercy of the Americas located in Laredo, Texas.
Sister Norita Cooney, RSM, president of the Sisters of Mercy West Midwest Community, headquartered in Omaha, Neb., said: “It is with immense joy that I, on behalf of the Sisters of Mercy, welcome Angie Dixon into the Novitiate. This is the day the Lord has made!”
Sister Angie is the daughter of Duane and Dennise Dixon of Falls City, Neb. She attended St. Peter & Paul Elementary School and graduated from Sacred Heart High School, both in Falls City. She holds a bachelor of art degree in social science from College of Saint Mary (CSM) in Omaha, as well as an associate degree in computer programming and architectural drafting from Metropolitan Community College in Omaha. She is currently an application specialist in information technology systems at CSM
With a doctorate in music from the University of Michigan, Sister Michon Rozmajzl is a published author and music educator. She has recently returned to Omaha from Twin Falls, Idaho, and is occupied in music ministry and in assisting Sister Kathleen (Kay) O’Brien in publishing the sequel to Kay’s first book: JOURNEYS: A Pre-Amalgamation History of the Sisters of Mercy Omaha Province. In Twin Falls, Michon served as assistant to the executive director of La Posada Ministry and was the primary grant writer for the agency. Prior, Michon served the Community for eight years as the vice president of the Omaha Regional Community Leadership Team. Before serving in leadership, she had spent 12 years in Boise, Idaho, where she was professor of music education and associate dean of the College of Arts and Sciences at Boise State University.