MERCY VOLUME 5 I Number 6

Mercy Northeast is a bimonthly publication for , Companions in Mercy and Mercy Associates of the Northeast Northeast Community. Send comments to: The Institute of the Sisters of Mercy of the Americas [email protected]. Albany I Connecticut I New Hampshire I Portland I Providence I Vermont

Catherine’s Facebook friends number 3,100+ Facebook is a phenomenon. This internet tool is credited with more than 300 million active users. Today, social networking sites like Facebook and Twitter are invaluable forms of communication – it’s fast, it’s easy, it’s free and the audience is huge. About a year ago, Northeast Community Mercy Associate Erin Saiz Hanna created a Facebook page for Catherine McAuley. It was done on a whim to entice her friend, Sister Marianna Sylvester, to join Facebook. The Mercy Associate morning after Catherine’s page went live, however, Erin was shocked to Erin Saiz Hanna find Catherine had 200 Facebook friend requests from around the world. To date, Catherine’s Facebook friends number over 3,100, and this number Facebook Statistics continues to grow daily. (Marianna joined many months later.) • Average users have 130 Erin spends approximately 15-30 minutes each day maintaining the site – friends on the site accepting friend requests, answering messages, posting ways to get involved • The fastest growing with Mercy ministries, and sharing Mercy news coverage received through demographic is individuals Google RSS feeds. Catherine belongs to 66 group pages and is a fan of 22 who are 35 years old and older pages, all of which are directly connected to Mercy ministries or schools. • More than 2 billion “Most of Catherine’s friends are students or former students of Mercy- photos are uploaded to sponsored schools and there is a sense of nostalgia and sisterhood for the the site monthly Mercy alum. The Sisters of Mercy have really incorporated the Mercy • Approximately 70 per - charism into their schools,” says Erin. cent of the users are A native of Rhode Island, she serves as the executive director of the outside the U.S. • More than 65 million Women’s Ordination Conference in Washington, DC, where she lives with users currently access her husband, Khushal Safi. Erin is a graduate of St. Mary Academy - Bay Facebook through their View and Salve Regina University in Rhode Island, and admits that she is mobile devices constantly inspired by the Sisters of Mercy and Catherine McAuley. In • More than 10 million 2000, she was blessed with an opportunity to volunteer for a couple of users become fans of weeks at Mercy International Centre, and in 2004 she became a Mercy pages each day Associate. Erin feels a special kinship with Catherine and says,“Whether theVatican declares it or not, she’s my .” To join Facebook, visit www.facebook.com. The membership is free. You Visit our can add Catherine by visiting http://facebook.com/Sisters.Of.Mercy. If you web site at have something for Catherine to share on Facebook, e-mail it to Erin at www.mercyne.org. [email protected]. By Chloe Van Aken

MERCY Northeast I page 1 I November 2009 Capital campaign manager hired for Leadership Team Message

Mercy Center, Madison Isn’t it exhilarating to live in the brilliance of autumn in the Northeast? Sarah Nikkel Many of you have been busy during this month participating in Mercy has been select - Circles meetings and attending Mercy conferences – Mercy Network on ed as the capital Aging, Mercy Elementary Education Network (MEEN), Mercy Secondary campaign man - Education Association (MSEA), and Water for the World. In all of these ager for Mercy meetings, we share the richness of the Northeast Community and the Center in Institute. The Community Leadership Team has also been busy attending Madison, annual meetings and Mercy Circles, as well as preparing our Accountability Connecticut. Report. She sees development as a ministry, We are grateful for your prayers as we participated in the pilgrimage to and will release plans for the fund- Catherine’s house. It was indeed a time of inspiration and connection with raising campaign in the near future. Catherine. The pilgrimage was led by Sister Mary Reynolds, the new direc - Since Sarah was hired in tor of Mercy International Centre. The pilgrimage had a daily theme – September, many people have wel - Catherine’s journey into the charism of Mercy, Catherine’s relationship with the comed her in the spirit of Catherine Church, Mercy gift and shadow, Being leaders in reframing crisis, and Integrating McAuley. “They are eager to share Catherine’s leadership with our own. Each session seemed to evoke more their love of and hopes for Mercy questions, some of which we pose for you: If this is the end time of religious Center,” she says. Their spirit life as we know it, what is the new life that we are called to? Are we willing to inspires her and fuels her enthusi - receive God’s Mercy so that we can be the compassionate face of God for each asm as she prepares to invite others other and our world? As women of Mercy, how do we hold to the charism of to enter into a partnership to Catherine to work for equality of women in Church and society? There was also strengthen and secure the future of time for reflecting, sharing, and visiting Coolock House, George’s Hill and Mercy Center. St. Theresa Church. You may wish to visit the Institute web site to read Sarah comes to the Northeast other reflections. Community from Yale University’s Listening to the words of past and current Irish leaders about the Ryan Office of Development, where she Report, Sisters Briege O’Neill and Coirle McCarthy brought us to tears as we was responsible for building and listened to their long, painful journey from 1996 to 2009. The Report gave strengthening relationships with the untold accounts of cruelty and abuse by the sisters, stories which have been university’s top donors. She has also told by the victims on public media. Coirle spoke of their sisters as being worked in educational marketing as “faithful and flawed.” Through this public crisis, conversion is taking place. a writer, editor and project manager. “Did it take something outside of ourselves to truly refound?” Coirle asked. Sarah is originally from Ohio, If we ponder together how we are faithful and how we are flawed, we can where she earned her bachelor’s find the truth. Perhaps the ApostolicVisitation is a source for our refound - degree in English and master’s ing. degree in education. She lives in We also reflected on how Catherine’s leadership was relational and trust - New Haven, Connecticut, with her ing. All members of the six Community Leadership Teams mentioned how husband, James, and their four-year- challenging it is to be relational with members in the new configurations. old daughter, Anja. There is much more to be pondered and to be said about the pilgrimage. Sarah’s office is located at Mercy You will read more in Mercy Now and ¡Viva Mercy!, and hear more from the Center, where she can be contacted team as we visit. at [email protected], or (203) We hope that you reflect on the questions above. We are on this Mercy 245-0401, Ext. 300. By Chloe Van Aken journey together. Let us live Catherine’s legacy of union and charity (love), as we greet each day. Know that you are in our prayers.

Ellen, Eileen, Marie, Maureen, Michele and Kathleen

MERCY Northeast I page 2 I November 2009 Bridging the Gap through Mercy Global Concern

Under the empowering leadership visited Mercy Sister Karen Schneider, M.D. of Sister Deirdre Mullan (Ireland), Center in the (Mid-Atlantic), via PowerPoint, Mercy Global Concern provided an Bronx, where brought participants to Haiti, Peru opportunity for Sisters of Mercy miracles have and Guyana. Karen, a doctor of worldwide to gather in New York to been worked pediatric emergency medicine at participate in a week-long experi - in a violent, The Johns Hopkins Hospital in ence at the UN – Bridging the Gap – drug-infested Baltimore, takes medical students October 16-23. Partici pants were Sister Deirdre Mullan corner of New to Mercy health ministries outside Sisters of Mercy from around the York City. Rich persons have come the United States four times a year. globe: South Africa; England; Ire- to work with those who are poor, Karen gave startling statistics: 13 land, the Northern Province and the and in turn, those who are poor million children live in poverty, a Republic; ; the Philip pines have enlightened them. The cen - figure elevated by 1.3 million since and the United States. Each partici - ter exudes Catherine’s spirit. 2000; 9 million children die annu - pant brought a unique ministry ex- Sister Eileen Hogan (Northeast) ally because of the effects of being perience as well as her own culture. explained the work that she and poor; and 16,000 children die daily Sister Christine Jacobs from Sister Margaret Farley (West from malnutrition. Where would South Africa manages two HIV- Midwest) do with their All Africa Catherine want us? AIDS centers. She oversees med - Conference: Sister to Sister A gap is a break, a separation, a ical care of nearly 1,000 patients. (AACSS) project, a grassroots problem caused by some disparity. Sister Lynda Dearlove, who is from effort to stop the spread of HIV “Mercy is ‘Bridging the Gap’ all over London, runs a center for women AIDS in Africa and to provide the world,” said Sister Kathleen involved in street prostitution. compassionate care for those who Pritty, “and, as a participant at this Sister Mary Kate Hagan from are suffering. The AACSS focuses year’s program, I came to see Mercy Donegal, Ireland, runs an ecology on women because they are more as a verb, fulfilled in the doing of center by the sea. Sister Margaret readily stigmatized than men and justice.” By Sister Kathleen Pritty is on staff at Catherine’s bear a disproportionate share of House, a facility in Adelaide, the burden of the pandemic – both Australia, where housing and sup - as vulnerable to infection and as port is provided for people who primary caregivers to those who suffer from mental illness. are infected. To date, over 500 Sister Carol Rittner (Mid- native sisters have been trained. Atlantic) asked participants to Catherine would surely be here. change their mind-set and ask, Sister Lynda Dearlove (UK) said What would Catherine do? that her ministry focuses on women Carol presented stories, statis - caught in the web of street prostitu - At Bridging the Gap, Sisters Eileen Hogan, left, tics and information about struc - tion in London. The Women at the and Kathleen Pritty tures that oppress individuals who Well Center pro - are poor, most of whom are vides layers of serv - women and children. She shared ices for vulnerable horrendous stories of how rape is women ensnared used as a weapon of war and how in the cycle of keeping women uneducated and abuse, drug use dominated perpetuates violence and social exclu - against them. What would sion. Catherine is Catherine do? more than a picture The Bridging the Gap group on a wall there.

MERCY Northeast I page 3 I November 2009 Saint ’s Mercy Elementary Education Network meets College dedicates Sisters of Mercy and their colleagues in Mercy schools gathered in Providence, “green” building Rhode Island, October 9-11, for their The dedication of the two million annual Mercy Elementary Education dollar Pomerleau Alumni Center Network (MEEN) conference. There was took place October 3. The multi- representation from 16 states. use building is the first deliberately The theme, On Fire with Mercy , comple - environmentally friendly structure mented the City of Providence’s annual on the Saint Michael’s College display of bonfires on the waters of its campus in Colchester, Vermont. converging three rivers. The display and The structure was made possi - accompanying music and poetry culminat - ble through the generosity of The ed with 20,000 people gathering around Tony B. and Rita M. Pomerleau the state’s Capitol building. Foundation and over 1,000 alumni The conference opened with welcomes from Sister Laura Della Santa, president of contributions. The center houses Dr. Sarah Wannemuehler, RSM alumni and development offices MEEN, and Sister Ellen Kurtz, president of and public meeting spaces. the Northeast Community. The main presenter, Dr. Sarah Wanne- A reception room devoted to muehler, spoke about educational law, and she somehow managed to the former Trinity College, which make her lecture not only informative, but amusing. was founded by the Sisters of Mealtimes provided opportunities to share, and one, in particular, Mercy, will symbolize the historic was made especially delightful with Rhode Island student violinists connection between the two col - from Mercymount Country Day School in Cumberland, and Saint Mary leges and provide a meeting space Academy - Bay View in Riverside, who performed for over an hour. for alumnae of Trinity. At the Eucharistic Liturgy, students from Our Lady of Mercy School President John J. Neuhauser in Providence read and provided music. determined that the center would The conference ended with reports from MEEN board members. be as advanced as technology Everyone who had applied was awarded grant money, and two new would allow and certified as a members were welcomed to the board. To the delight of everyone Leadership in Energy and present, it was announced that next year’s conference will take place in Environmental Design (LEED) Chicago, Illinois, with the board and Sister Corinne Raven (West building. The plan incorporates Midwest) as planners and presenters. recycled lumber, water conserva - More information about next year’s conference will be available later. tion structures, and use of regional For now, all have returned to their schools where they are busy convey - materials. ing the message that knowledge of educational law is essential even when it is dispensed with “a spoonful of honey.” By Sister Joanne LaFreniere

MERCY Northeast is a bimonthly publication for Sisters of Mercy, Anne Vaccarest, RSM, Editorial Assistant Companions in Mercy and Mercy Associates of the Chloe Van Aken, Sisters of Mercy of the Americas, Northeast Community. Director of Communications Pomerleau Alumni Center at Saint Michael’s 310 South Manning Blvd. Submissions for the next issue are due the 15th of the College, Colchester, Vermont (Photo: Brian Albany, NY 12208-1770 month after the month of this publication. (518) 437-3015 • Fax (518) 437-3030 MacDonald) www.mercyne.org Send comments to: [email protected].

MERCY Northeast I page 4 I November 2009 M. Leon Pennell, RSM Carol Ann Aldrich, RSM, retires, receives honored at NH parish Pro Ecclesia et Pontifice medal On Saturday, September 12, Sister Carol Ann Aldrich has retired St. Chris to pher from her position as parish adminis - Parish in trator of St. Church in Nashua, New Homer, Alaska, after close to 20 years Hampshire, of service in the state. She is remain - rededicated its ing in Homer, however, where she religious educa - plans to continue to minister as a vol - tion center in unteer in a number of areas, such as honor of Sister hospice, a food pantry, and ministry to M. Leon homebound persons. Pennell, recognizing her nearly 40 Carol Ann first went to Alaska in years of service to the parish and the Sister Carol Ann Aldrich 1983. After many years of teaching school. Sister Leon went to St. and running a daycare center in Rhode Island, she responded to a Christopher’s in 1971 as principal of call from Alaska’s archbishop for sisters to help teach faith forma - the school. In 1977, she became a tion classes in the state. She was joined by Sister Dianne Carlson. pastoral minister in the parish and Carol Ann became parish administrator in Valdez, where she served in that position until her remained for nine years. During that time she performed numer - retirement in 2006. ous tasks in the parish, including baptism and marriage prepara - The building that now houses tion. She drove wintry roads to visit the many small towns in the the center was originally a farm - parish. After Dianne returned to Rhode Island, Carol Ann contin - house that was converted to a ued her ministry in Alaska. convent when St. Christopher’s In 1992, she went to St. John the Baptist in Homer as parish School opened in 1952. When the administrator. The parish had no resident pastor and was visited sisters no longer resided there, the by a priest twice a month. Carol Ann and her team of volunteers religious education program start - carried on the everyday work of the parish. She conducted com - ed to use the building. Many munion services not only in Homer but also in other remote parish groups have met there, towns, regardless of travel conditions. including the RCIA and Parish In 1995, Carol Ann returned to Rhode Island to care for her Nurse programs. After recent sig - mother. She came back to Homer in 2004, and continued her nificant renovations to the first parish ministry until her recent retirement. floor meeting rooms, the building On August 23, 2009, the parish held a special celebration to was rededicated and named the honor Carol Ann on her retirement. At the same ceremony, Sister Mary Leon Pennell Center. Archbishop Roger Schwietz of the Archdiocese of Anchorage pre - At the rededication ceremony, sented her with the Pro Ecclesia et Pontifice medal, the highest Father Richard Kelly, pastor of St. honor that can be awarded to lay persons by the . It is given Christopher’s, said, “I pray that the for distinguished service to the church. In presenting the medal, dedication and zeal of Sister Mary Archbishop Schweitz said that Carol Ann “personalizes the model Leon Pennell will be felt in the of many of the pioneer sisters who came to Alaska 100 years ago minds and hearts of all the people to bring a ministry to people, whether they were Catholic or not. who will continue to use this They were women of great courage and strength. This is what I building.” By Sister Anne Vaccarest see also in Sister Carol Ann.”

MERCY Northeast I page 5 I November 2009 Successful auction held at Motherhouse in Portland, ME

St. ’s Convent and Hospital, out of closets and large storage A 17th century painting by a little- referred to as the Motherhouse, was areas. It was a massive undertaking known Italian artist was found built for the Sisters of Mercy 100 that took about eight weeks. All tucked in a corner of the basement. years ago this year, and since the items were numbered, tagged and It sold for $20,000. A small 4" by 3" doors opened, nearly 1,000 sisters in listed. Once the appraisers came Dutch painting on ivory was found the Portland area called it home. through and gave values, everything in the basement behind a shelf Future plans for the Motherhouse, had to be organized into categories, where it had fallen. It sold for hun - however, necessitated the liquida - e.g., furniture, glassware. dreds of dollars. tion of its contents at an auction the Carole took jewelry to Springer’s All religious items were handled weekend of June 26-27. Jewelers for a separate and written separately and were not auctioned. The building has 70 bedrooms, valuation. Buyers interested in religious several sitting rooms, and three “Sisters Rachel Cushman and restoration and repair came from kitchens – the largest able to serve Thaddene Barnes were just amazing. Georgia, New York and Massachu - over 100, two music rooms, an audi - They worked daily for weeks setts. torium, a short-wave radio station, unpacking and cleaning boxes and The new hospital facility in infirmary, operating room and boxes of dishes and glassware that Portland – Mercy Fore River – bene - chapel. The basement, where the had not been unpacked for decades. fited from the stained glass windows laundry room was located, has They did so much to make the event from the chapel at Mercy Hospital numerous storage areas. successful,” said Carole. that were stored in the Motherhouse If it takes a village to raise a child, Two weeks before the auction was for 20 years. you can imagine how many people open to the public, an open house Maureen fielded questions and it takes to organize a successful auc - was held for one week for interested concerns daily and gave tours of the tion. The event could not have buyers. At the open house, invento - building. “No day was ever the same, taken place without the commit - ry was arranged in the basement and and the pace was hectic,” she said. ment of Sister Michele Aronica, CLT; on the first two floors. After the auction, a great deal of Gerry Sullivan, COO; Sister Following the open house, securi - time and energy was expended Maureen Wallace, life and ministry ty guards were hired for 24-hour packing and shipping sold items. administrator; Associate Carole protection. Proceeds from the event Luce, coordinator; Emile and Joe The auctioneers and their staff amounted to several hundred Voisine, facilities maintenance; a were exceptional when dealing with thousand dollars. By Chloe Van Aken reputable auction company; and the sisters and the merchandise. Well many, many volunteers. over 500 pictures were taken of cost - Carole proposed that the Folsom ly items, and 1,700 pieces were Auction Company from Gardiner, inventoried and listed in a catalog Maine, would handle the auction that was available in time for the with “the grace and dignity it open house. demanded.” Before signing the con - The pictures were also posted on tract, there were four 2 1/2 hour a “live auction” web site with inter - walk-arounds from attic to base - national coverage. There were bids ment with the auctioneers. “I think I from France, Germany, England and wore out one pair of sneakers,” said numerous other countries, and from Carole. many U.S. states. The auctioneers sent appraisers A concert grand piano was sold to with different backgrounds to value a man in California, and after paying Our Lady of Mercy statue now the inventory, but before that could thousands of dollars for the piano, resides in the new Mercy Fore happen everything had to be taken he paid to ship it across the country. River facility

MERCY Northeast I page 6 I November 2009 Meet the Northeast Community’s development staff

Robin Cabral, CFRE Trish Sweeney Irene Nerney, RSM Sarah Nikkel Doreen Tucker Robin was hired as the Trish, as director of the As the director of spe - As the capital campaign Doreen is the special director of develop - annual appeal, is respon - cial events and major manager for the North - events and database ment in April of 2009 sible for the planning, gifts, Sister Irene is east Community, Sarah manager for the North - to plan, design and design and implementa - responsible for planning, is responsible for a east Community. She is implement a compre - tion of a comprehensive designing and imple - comprehensive capital responsible for the hensive fundraising pro - Annual Appeals pro - menting a comprehen - campaign for improve - maintenance and admin - gram in support of the gram in support of the sive special event and ments at Mercy Center istration of the fundrais - Community’s vision, Northeast Community. major gift strategy. in Madison, Connecticut. ing database and for mission and goals. Trish has been on Irene is a long-time Sarah’s work began processing and tracking She is currently staff since the transition development profes - in September 2009 to all gifts. She also assists developing a plan that to the Northeast in sional who oversees the plan and launch a capital with the management will assist the Commu - 2006. She is responsi - highly successful special project for Mercy of special events for the nity to raise money to ble for the newsletter, event, Celebration of Center, Madison. Community. support the care and Mercy Works, the Mission Mercy, held in Provi - Sarah’s office is locat - Contact Doreen with ministries of the sisters Partnership Report and dence, Rhode Island, ed at Mercy Center. address changes, ques - throughout the appeals to donors in each year, as well as an Contact her at tions about a gift to the Northeast. support of philanthropic annual benefactor [email protected]; Community, or dates for Robin’s office is in work Community-wide. recognition event. (203) 245-0401, development events. Cumberland, Rhode Trish’s office is in Irene’s office is in Ext. 300. Doreen’s office is in Island. Contact her at Burlington, Vermont. Cumberland, Rhode Cumberland, Rhode [email protected]; Contact her at Island. Contact her at Island. Contact her at (401) 333-6333, [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; Ext. 116. (802) 863-6835. (401) 333-6333, (401) 333-6333, Ext. 142. Ext. 115.

What is philanthropy and fund development? Philanthropy is voluntary action for the common good. People give time and money to enhance and strengthen their communities. How Can You Fund development is an essential piece of philanthropy. Help? Fund development unites people who are willing to invest time and/or money in a par - ticular cause. The goal—achieved through the process of relationship building—is to Keep the establish a base of supporters who stay with the organization. With the donor at the Community’s development center of every interaction, fund development nurtures loyalty to and lifetime value of staff and their the organization, thus facilitating philanthropy. ministry in your prayers Our Mission Driven by the Mercy mission, we aim to provide the resources that will continue the ministries of the Sisters of Mercy. As a bridge between the Northeast and the external community, we will nurture a culture of philanthropy in order to build relationships and achieve our goals.

MERCY Northeast I page 7 I November 2009 Community Celebrations PORTLAND – The Mercy Day Mass NEW HAMPSHIRE – Sisters, associates and companions gath - included a covenant ceremony for asso - ered in Windham, on September 20 to celebrate Mercy Day ciates and the presentation of the and the jubilees of 23 sisters who were observing 75, 70, 65, 60, Frances Warde Award. and 50 years as Sisters of Mercy. Three women made their first At a special liturgy in the Windham chapel, Sister Kathleen covenant – Lorae Boisvert, Hope Turley (CLT) welcomed those who had come to celebrate. Liming, Joanne Martin – and 11 associ - Golden jubilarian Sister Gloria Morin, in her reflection during ates renewed their covenant. Rev. liturgy, noted that Sisters of Mercy are jubilee people and have Donald McAllister, also an associate, cel - worked for justice and peace in their ministries since their ebrated the Mass. founding in 1831. “As we have stood on the shoulders and The Frances Warde Award was pre - walked in the footsteps of Jesus, Catherine McAuley, Frances sented to Portland’s associate co-chair, Warde, and others who went before us,” she said, “we can only Carole Luce. She was surprised and hope and pray that others will stand on our shoulders, walk in humbled to be selected for this honor. our footsteps and carry on the legacy.” After a catered dinner, Sister Anastasia Smith shared some thoughts on the Mercy Day/Jubilee occasion. “Let’s take this moment as a jubilee opportunity in Mercy to be grateful for the gift of call, the courage and grace to continue to respond,” she said.

From right, Mercy Associate Rev. Donald McAllister, Awardee Carole Luce; Sister Elizabeth Kilbride, Carole’s sponsor; Sister Mary George O’Toole, co- chair of Mercy Association in Portland On August 22, a Jubilee Mass and lunch - eon were celebrated in Portland, Maine, at the Motherhouse chapel and the Italian Heritage Center, respectively. Jubilarians are Sisters Anne Fitzpatrick, Phyllis Doyle, Celebrating 50 years, from left, seated: Sisters Antoinetta Sinibaldi, Regina Fahy, Mary Flatley, Ellen Kurtz; standing: Sisters Gloria Morin, Josette Parisi, Gloria Fatima St. Germain, and Mary Louise Boisclair, Barbara McLean, Felicia McKone, Patricia Sullivan, Bernadetta Marcotte Landry. See photo below.

From left, seated: Sisters Judith Mountain (75), Helen McCue (65), Marion Feeney (60), Angeline Whidden (65), Donovan (60), Regina Howard From left, back:, Sisters Phyllis Doyle (60), Fatima (70), George Guertin (70), Madeline Erwin (65); standing: Sisters Thomas Norris St. Germain (60); seated, Sisters Anne Fitzpatrick (65), Rosanna Descoteaux (70), Eugene Fortado (65), Miriam McCooey (65) (50), and Mary Louise Landry (80)

MERCY Northeast I page 8 I November 2009 Three new associates welcomed at Rally in Maine Vermont Covenant Ceremony A 350 carbon rally was held in Portland, Maine, on October 24, Family, friends, sisters and associates gathered in Sacred Heart Chapel the International Day of Climate at Mount St. Mary’s Convent in Burlington, Vermont, October 18 to Action. welcome three new associates to the Northeast Community’s circle of The world’s leaders will meet in Mercy. Eight months of preparation and discernment for these three Copenhagen in December to reach women culminated in the Rite of Covenant ritual, led by Sister agreement on a new climate treaty. Kathleen Turley (CLT). The message of 350 will be sent to Those welcomed into the Northeast Community were Johanna them from all over the world. It is Howley Page, Valerie Carpenter Parzyck and Margaret Mary (Maggie) time to take action, to make Rowlands. In welcoming them, the Northeast Community, and the changes in lifestyle, to recognize Vermont area in particular, have been blessed abundantly. Each new that coastal/island habitats are associate brings an energy and enthusiasm for her faith, wishes to being flooded more frequently, deepen her prayer and spiritual life, and commits to living the mission resulting in lost homes, lives and of Mercy by assisting those in need. crops. Individuals who are poor are Johanna Howley Page was educated in Burlington by the Vermont most vulnerable. Sisters of Mercy and is a graduate of Trinity College. She currently Some actions that might be works with children with special needs. taken include the following: reduce Valerie Carpenter Parzyck is the mother of a four-year-old and an individual carbon footprints; eight-year-old. She volunteers as a catechist for religious education at decrease dependence on oil and St. Joseph’s Parish in Burlington. coal; live more locally, buying from Margaret Mary (Maggie) Rowlands is a recent graduate of St. nearby farmers; travel less, using Michael’s College. Maggie did an internship at Joseph’s House while conference calls and webcasts. at St. Michael’s. She is continuing graduate studies in pastoral ministry Some hardy souls, including through an online course at St. Joseph’s College in Maine. Mercys, gathered in the pouring In addition to receiving these three associates, 20 current associates rain for Portland’s 350 carbon rally. renewed their covenants for a period of one, two or five years. Five Sister Kathleen Smith, a former associates, unable to attend the ceremony, will renew their covenants at board member of Maine Interfaith a later date in small community rituals with their contact sisters and Power and Light, was one of the other associates. speakers urging listeners to take Vermont welcomes this new group of women to the Northeast steps now to care for people and Community. We expect each one of them will keep us attentive to the environment. “It is no longer Catherine McAuley’s gift of Mercy. By Debby Patterson, co-director of Mercy enough to buy compact fluorescent Associates in Vermont bulbs or fuel efficient cars. We must do more,” she said. It is important to keep calling New associates, congresspersons to support legisla - from left, tion that will help increase produc - Margaret Mary Rowlands, Valerie tion of cleaner fuels and develop Carpenter new technologies. The call for the Parzyck and Northeast Community is to support Johanna Howley conservation and the building of Page quality items that can be reused, not sent to a landfill. By Sister Dale Jarvis

MERCY Northeast I page 9 I November 2009 Rwandan genocide survivor speaks Women journeying toward Mercy about faith/survival The beginning stage of vocation exploration for the Sisters of Mercy is called the discernment phase. During this time, the Mercy On September 10, in Portland, Community provides experiences and programs to the woman as Maine, Catherine McAuley High she discerns the authenticity of her call to religious life. School and St. Joseph’s College This year, there are two women in discernment in the Northeast sponsored guest speaker Community. They are Amanda Carrier (Mandy) and Angela Immaculée Ilibagiza, New York McCormick (Angie). Both of these women experienced Mercy Times best-selling author of Left to Challenge this past May in California, and are now walking with Tell: Discovering God Amidst the Sister Dale Jarvis as their vocation director. Rwandan Holocaust. Between her During their year of discernment, both Mandy and Angie are morning and evening talk, asked to become familiar with the Northeast Community, the Mercy Immaculée addressed close to 800 charism and the lives of Catherine McAuley and Frances Warde. The students, parents, faculty and women are also asked engage with sisters at ministry sites, and to administration from both institu - spend some time with sisters at jubilee and Mercy Day celebrations. tions, as well as members of the Pictured at right is a photo Northeast Community and general of Mandy with Sister Janice public. Her message encouraged Murphy at the Pleasant Point everyone to spread kindness, Indian Reservation. Mandy peace, faith and forgiveness to spent some time with Sister everyone, everywhere. Janice at the Reservation this Immaculée is a survivor of the summer. Mandy has a bache - 1994 Rwandan genocide. She and lor’s degree in religious studies seven other women spent 91 days from the University of Dayton, huddled silently together in a Ohio, and is currently studying cramped bathroom, where she for a degree in culinary arts. miraculously escaped the savage Angie is pictured below with killings around her. She credits Sisters Dale Jarvis, left, and her salvation mostly to prayer and Rayleen Giannotti. The picture was taken at a dinner given for Angie to rosary beads given to her by her by the sisters in Omaha, Nebraska, where Angie is studying for her devout Catholic father. With the Ph.D in Psychology. The West Mid west Comm unity is the Mercy con - exception of her brother, who was nection for Angie while she is there. studying outside the country dur - Please keep ing the genocide, Immaculée lost Mandy and Angie in her entire family. prayer as they con - For the student body at tinue to discern Catherine McAuley High School, God’s call to reli - Immaculée’s appearance was part gious life, and Mercy of the school’s Common Read pro - in particular. gram. Over the summer, students, By Sister Dale Jarvis faculty and administration read her book. Immaculée’s appearance provided everyone an opportunity to further experience core Mercy values in a real world context. By Bridget Chase

MERCY Northeast I page 10 I November 2009 Mater Christi School holds science donor reception A bright new science area greeted students at Mater Christi School as they returned for the 2009-2010 school year. To thank individuals and groups responsible for this sci - Ms. Michelle Donlon, ence initiative, an evening recep - science teacher, cuts tion was held at the school on ribbon to new science October 27. area during reception The three rooms that make up at Mater Christi School the science area now have new flooring, new ceilings, shelving, work stations and Smart Boards. The Science Lab room received a new mechanical fresh air system, and the electrical and plumbing systems were completely upgrad - ed. For a time this summer, the area was an eerie landscape of sand dunes and pits. Architectural services for the project were donated by the firm Donlon, grades 6, 7, and 8 science The Sisters of Mercy, who spon - of Richard Henry Behr Architect teacher. Ms. Kelly Alper, grade 5 sor Mater Christi School, members P.C. of Shelburne, Vermont. The science teacher, is working toward of the board of trustees, and a construction manager was DEW a three-year Master of Arts in number of the school’s faculty and Corporation of Williston, Vermont. Science Education, and nine teach - staff were also present. Work progressed rapidly thanks to ers are taking a graduate level sci - After the ceremonial cutting of a multitude of volunteer workers ence course by Amy Demarest. the ribbon by Ms. Donlon, a tour and efficient paid workers. These teacher-focused educational of the new facility took place. Teachers and students of all experiences and the renovations A plaque engraved with the grades are now using the area with were made possible by a generous names of the many donors is on guidance from Ms. Michelle matching grant opportunity from permanent display in the science The Richard E. and Deborah L. area. Tarrant Foundation, plus contribu - Mrs. Beverly Broomhall, princi - tions from individuals and groups. pal, said it took “a leap of faith” to Ms. Lauren Curry, the executive embark on a project of this magni - director of The Richard E. and tude, trusting that it would be Deborah L. Tarrant Foundation, ready in time for school. attended the reception. Also Both Mrs. Broomhall and Mrs. attending the reception from the Jenn Behr, director of advance - DEW Construction Corporation ment, had looked forward to this were Ms. Mary Linter mann, vice opportunity to express their grati - president of business development, tude to the many people who so and Jeff Davis, executive vice presi - generously embarked on this sig - dent. Other guests had helped with nificant educational project and Sister Ruth Ravey, left, chairperson of the the project either financially or by saw it through to its amazing con - Mater Christi School board of trustees and Ms. Lauren Curry, executive director of The giving of their time, talent or energy. clusion. By Sister Ruth Ravey Richard E. and Deborah L. Tarrant Foundation

MERCY Northeast I page 11 I November 2009 NyPPaW pilgrims visit Frances Warde’s grave in New Hampshire

On Saturday, October 10, a group of 49 associates, sisters, and family members from the NyPPaW Community visited Frances Warde’s grave in Manchester, and the Northeast Archives in Windham, New Hampshire. The trip was a combined pilgrim - age and fall foliage trip, and was organized by the NyPPaW Associates Office. The pilgrims, who came from Buffalo, Pitts burgh, and Rochester, traveled to Man - chester by bus from Rochester. Their first stop was at the original moth - erhouse of the Sisters of Mercy in NyPPaW group prays at Frances Warde's grave in Manchester, NH Manchester, where Frances Warde and her companions had come in ing of Frances Warde, done by Heritage Room of the archives. 1858. The building now houses Associate Anne-Marie Brogan, as After enjoying lunch and typical low-income senior citizens and is well as a prayer written for Frances’ Mercy hospitality, they boarded the called, appropriately, Frances Warde Golden Jubilee by the sisters of St. bus once again for New York, where House. Xavier’s Convent in Chicago in 1883. they planned to visit the shrines of The travelers then proceeded to The group then went on to Wind - Blessed in Fonda, the old St. Joseph Cemetery where ham, where they were met by Sister New York, and the North American Frances Warde and many of the Eleanor Little, Northeast Commu - martyrs in Auriesville, before return - early Sisters of Mercy are buried. nity archivist, who gave a brief pres - ing to Rochester. There they held a prayer service entation and led them through the By Sister Anne Vaccarest during which they remembered those who had gone before, espe - cially the sisters buried in the ceme - Going, going, green — You can improve your gas mileage approximately tery and deceased sisters and asso - 3.3 percent by keeping your tires inflated to the proper pressure. Under- inflated tires can lower gas mileage by 0.3 percent for every one psi drop in ciates of the NyPPaW Community. pressure of all four tires. Properly inflated tires are safer and last longer. They also brought the intentions of those who could not be there. The proper tire pressure for your vehicle is usually found on a sticker in the Each person received a special driver's side door jamb or the glove box, and in your owner's manual. Do prayer card designed by Sister Barb not use the maximum pressure printed on the tire's sidewall. Stinard. The card included a draw -

Sisters of Mercy of the Americas – Northeast Community 15 Highland View Road Cumberland, RI 02864-1124