We have one solid comfort amidst this little tripping about, our hearts can always be in the same place, centered in God, for whom alone we go forward or stay back.
Sisters of Mercy West Midwest held an estate planning seminar for friends of Mercy on Aug. 18 on the Burlingame, Calif., campus. As seminar host, Sister Pat Ryan welcomed the guests and spoke about past and present ministries of the Sisters of Mercy. With humor and expertise, two speakers discussed the basics of taking care of one’s family and one’s special causes in the future.
Estate planner Robert Gottschalk (above), an attorney with over 30 years in the field, gave tips and suggestions on protecting the family with an estate plan. Tony Morin (below), insurance expert, brought people up to date on long term health care options. He pointed out that 70% of Americans need long term care and that such care, with its profound effects on families, should be planned for.
Jean Hastie, campus executive director who participated in the morning, observed, “It was very well done, especially in terms of the amount of usable information presented and the way in which the information was given.”
The seminar is available as an MP3 file in four parts here:
Sisters JoAnn Persch and Pat Murphy Work for Immigrant Detainee Rights at Broadview Detention Center in Illinois
Two Special Women come to Mercy Community
L-R Sister Taryn Stark, WMW Sisters of Mercy President Norita Cooney, Candidate Angelica Reyes-Adame at June 18 ceremony in Burlingame, Calif.
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, Angelica Reyes-Adame was received as a Mercy candidate, and Taryn Stark entered the Sisters of Mercy as a novice. The joint ceremony 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 at the ceremony. After a summer of working in Mercy ministries, 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 as a CPA (certified public accountant) in Rockville, Md. She began her formal discernment with the sisters in Burlingame and became a candidate in religious life in 2008.
Sister Sheila Megley was awarded an honorary degree at the 75th commencement of Rivier College in Nashua, New Hampshire. She is shown above with Board President Dr. Jamison Hoff. In her May 15th commencement speech, she commended the students for their hard work during their years at Rivier. According to the Nashua Telegraph, Sister Sheila urged them to remember who they were when they began and realize who they’d become.
“I truly hope your memories of your experience at Rivier will fill your hearts all the days of your life,” she said. Sister Sheila, formerly president of Regis College, was on the board of Rivier. The college awarded her the degree recognizing her contributions to Catholic education and higher education throughout her career. She held a variety of administrative positions at Saint Xavier University in Chicago and Salve Regina University. For more on the commencement click here: http://www.nashuatelegraph.com/news/740076-196/rivier-holds-75th-commencement.html
Angie Dixon Received 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!” According to the Institute of the Sisters of Mercy Constitutions (#36), “The Novitiate program provides the opportunity for a Novice to intensify her commitment to prayer, community living and service; deepen her understanding of the charism of mercy within the church; and discern the authenticity of her call to the profession of vows.”
The Diocese of San Jose held an evening prayer service titled “Called, Chosen, Sent,” honoring the 80 communities of women religious in the diocese. Sisters Pat Galli, Cindy Kaye and Maria Juanita von Bommel attended the May 2 ceremony at Mission Santa Clara. Each community processed up the aisle with a copy of their constitutions. The service, led by Bishop Patrick McGrath, with the reflection by Sister Miriam Malone, SNJM, focused on thanksgiving for the women’s tireless work in the diocese. Each community received a Benedictus Award from the Liturgical Commission of the Diocese. A social followed.
CHICAGO, IL – For the last 38 years, June Anselme, RSM, has been caring for the sick, elderly and poor and there's no place else she'd rather be. "More than one half of my years as a Sister of Mercy have been at Mercy Hospital. [Foundress] Catherine [McAuley] believed that the Works of Mercy were ‘the very business of our lives’, and I have had the privilege to be about that business for 38 years” said Sister Anselme. Anselme, was honored on April 18, 2010 by Mercy Hospital and Medical Center in Chicago as the 2010 Sr. Huberta McCarthy Woman of Mercy.
‘Busy Person’s Retreat’ Offers Spiritual Growth on Your Schedule
CHICAGO, IL – The student’s life is a busy one; classes, studying, extra-curricular activities, family, friends, and all that college life has to offer. So where does one find the time to go on a spiritual retreat? The Busy Person’s Retreat, offered by the Sisters of Mercy, gives participants a chance to explore their spirituality on a schedule that fits with theirs.
“The idea is that we bring the retreat to them, as much as we can”, said Sister Kathleen McClelland, RSM, retreat leader and a vocation minister for the Sisters of Mercy West Midwest Community. “We work around their schedules, and meet with them where it is convenient for them.”
The Sisters of Mercy at Provena Fox Knoll celebrate the Olympics
AURORA, IL. – On Wednesday, February 24th, the residents and staff at Provena Fox Knoll senior living community in Aurora, Illinois got into the Winter Olympic Spirit with games of their own. Events included a hockey shoot out and bobsled races, with the residents ranking each athlete's performance.
Native Americans Benefit from Pioneer Sister
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American Indians Continue to Benefit as University Upholds Intent of Pioneer Sister
OMAHA, NE – American Indians getting free college tuition is an urban myth.Contrary to popular belief, American Indians do not receive a free college education from the government.According to American Indian College Fund website, “This is a myth that is widely believed. There are a very limited number of schools that provide tuition waivers for the American Indian. Collectively, these institutions represent less than 1% of all institutions of higher education in the U.S.”
Therefore, the program created by Sister of Mercy Mary Joseph Lynch (1827-1898), is even more rare and triumphant. Because of her program, which was started in the 1880’s, American Indian students attending the University of Minnesota at Morris (http://www.morris.umn.edu/) can do so tuition-free -- a policy that continues today.
Sister Brigid O'Connell was recently in the Cedar Rapids area to visit family, friends and sisters during her winter break from her ministry. Brigid travels a distance for a visit as one of four sisters from the West Midwest Community who serve in a ministry overseas.
A Montessori teacher and teacher educator, Brigid lives in Lima, Peru and ministers at the McAuley Montessori Center. She has served in Peru for over 20 years, helping to establish the McAuley Montessori Center in response to an educational need for children in orphanages and poor families. The hands-on teaching approach at the Center encourages children to develop their observation and concentration skills, responsibility, order, independence, coordination and self-confidence.
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Sister Brigid O'Connell was recently in the Cedar Rapids area to visit family, friends and sisters during her winter break from her ministry. Brigid travels a distance for a visit as one of four sisters from the West Midwest Community who serve in a ministry overseas.