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535 Sacremento Street Auburn, CA 95603-5699 Address Service Requested S i s t e r s of Mercy • we s t m i d w e s t C o mm unity • Auburn • f A l l 2 0 1 0

Three Women Continue the Journeyto Become Sisters of Mercy

In June ceremonies, three women continued their journey to be Sisters of Mercy. Angelica Reyes-Adame entered as a candidate. Taryn Stark and Angie Dixon were received Women & Spirit as novices after completing two years as candidates.

Exhibit Travels Candidate Angelica Reyes-Adame Sisters affirm Angelica and Sister Taryn during the welcoming Throughout the U.S. “Years ago, I felt how people were touched by Mercy,” said ceremony in Burlingame. Angelica Reyes-Adame, who was welcomed on June 18 as a time, Angelica applied to candidate in the West Midwest Community in the chapel in “Being in places Women & Spirit: Catholic Sisters become a Sister of Mercy Burlingame, Calif. “Mercy meant being loved and taken care where people have in America is a traveling exhibit and was accepted this April of and it meant the presence of God. The sisters brought it to no shoes and live in sponsored by the Leadership 2010. She will now spend flesh for me.” Conference of Women Religious. desperate poverty two years in the candidacy Angelica, who worked in bi-lingual reservations at Amtrak in changes the way phase. In her first year, Southern California, first met the Sisters of Mercy when she Angelica will focus on the February 18, 2011 - May 22, 2011 you think about The National Mississippi River became deeply involved in the life of her parish and worked what’s important.” transition to community life. with the Sisters who ministered there. She was particularly During her second year, she Museum & Aquarium, The exhibit reveals the mystery behind innovative American women Sister Taryn Stark Dubuque, Iowa who helped shape the nation’s social and cultural landscape. The inspired by Sister Noreen O’Connor who at the time was the will focus on engagement stories of sisters’ who corresponded with President Thomas Jefferson, director of religious education at the parish. “I noticed how in ministry and preparation for the novitiate. she lived out the charism with gentleness and compassion,” talked down bandits and roughnecks, lugged pianos into the wilderness, After a successful candidacy, the next step is to enter the June 17, 2011 - August 14, 2011 Angelica said. and provided the nation’s first health insurance to Midwestern loggers novitiate. Women spend two years in the novitiate, which Mount St. Mary's College, are portrayed in the exhibit. Discover sisters’ courage during the Los Angeles, Calif. Her experience inspired her to explore Mercy further by includes an intense period of discernment as they engage in Civil War, the Gold Rush, the San Francisco Earthquake, the Influenza attending two Mercy Challenge sessions. Mercy Challenge prayer, study vows, minister with other novices and live in Epidemic, the Civil Rights Movement, and Hurricane Katrina. is a week-long service and prayer experience for young community. After traveling throughout the West Midwest September 2, 2011 - December 31, The Women & Spirit exhibit opened at the Cincinnati Museum Center women who wish to live in a local Sisters of Mercy Community, Sisters Taryn Stark and Angie Dixon will spend 2011 in May 2009 and has since been featured at such national museums community and learn more about the Mercy mission and 18 months at the novitiate of the Institute of the Sisters of Center for History in association as The Women’s Museum in Dallas, Texas and the Smithsonian in ministries. After attending Mercy Challenge for a second Mercy in Laredo, Tex. (continued on page 4) with the University of Notre Dame Washington, D.C. After a stop at the Statue of Liberty National and Saint Mary's College, Monument / Ellis Island Immigration Museum in New York this South Bend, Ind. fall the exhibit’s tour will move west to Dubuque, Iowa, South Bend, Ind. and Los Angeles, Calif. Sister Stella is first Director Jack Grandsaert speaks Ministry grants spread of Development Page 3 "From the Heart" Page 4 Mercy charism Page 6 We are launching this newsletter, “Living Mercy” to keep you Dear of Mercy informed about Mercy ministries, projects and concerns Friends made possible by your involvement and support. Development Ensuring Our Mission of Mercy Continues

Welcome to Living Mercy Sister Stella Neill Brings We are launching this newsletter, “Living Mercy,” to keep you informed about Mercy ministries, Passion, Experience to New projects and concerns made possible by your involvement and support. As you know, the six regional communities of Mercy came together and formed the West Midwest Mercy Community Development Role which extends from California to Michigan. Sisters, associates, companions, staff, co-ministers, and volunteers in the West Midwest now share their strengths in a wide range of ministries. Today, we hope sharing this news about some of these Mercy ministries will be uplifting, especially When Sister Stella Neill, RSM, announced her decision to in these troubling times. In this recession, we are even more acutely aware that Mercy is a crucial step down after 22 years as executive director of Anawim resource for many of those in need. And, the needs are legion. Women need a safe place to recover Housing in Des Moines, she said: “I’m going to spend from domestic abuse in Milwaukee. Homeless individuals need shelter and support in Sacramento. some time with myself and my God and figure out what Uninsured people in Cedar Rapids need medical care available in the Community Free Clinic. I’m being called to do.” These are but a few of our “Works of Mercy.” It is only with Fortunately, her period of discernment coincided with the And, as a supporter of the Mercy community and ministries, you make and have made many good West Midwest Community’s search for a person with skills your prayers, works possible. You join with sisters, associates, companions, staff, and co-ministers to effectively and experience to lead the new integrated fund development 221 units by 2010. She also developed within Anawim address needs in a society marked by increasing unemployment, violence and loneliness. function for the Community. Sister Stella assumed the commitment Housing the Shelter Plus Care program, a HUD funded development leadership role on July 6. Her office will be at and continuous Ensuring that the mission of Mercy continues is more important today than ever before. To guide rental subsidy program through the City of Des Moines the Central Administrative Site in Omaha, Neb., and she plans us in that effort into the future, we are pleased to welcome Sister Stella Neill, RSM, as our first Housing Services. support that Director of Development for the West Midwest Community. We are planning opportunities for to move there this fall. Her work included fund development and her expertise in individual lives you to meet her in person, but until then, you can read more about her on the next page. “We know that a number of organizations were pursuing this area helped Anawim Housing flourish. In addition to Sister Stella, and we are thrilled that she has chosen to be the will be mercifully For over 175 years, Mercy has made a difference because of the care, concern and investment of these responsibilities, she also served on the Omaha Regional guiding force in shaping this important function for the touched. others in the “Works of Mercy.” It is only with your prayers, commitment and continuous support Leadership Team from 1998 to 2008. that individual lives will be mercifully touched. West Midwest Community,” said Kim Kinsel, Community Operating Officer. Prior to Anawim, she spent six years with the Catholic Diocese Our gratitude is expressed in our prayers for you and remains in the memory of our hearts and minds. of Des Moines as director of Planning and Pastoral Councils, “As the executive director of “As a community, a year as a consultant for Bishop Drumm Retirement Center In Mercy, Anawim Housing, Sister Stella we have a in Johnston, Iowa, and six years as director of McAuley Bergan articulated a vision for the Center in Omaha. organization and was successful in commitment to engaging the Community in that care for one As she begins her leadership of fund development efforts for the Sister Sheila Megley, RSM vision,” said Sister Sheila Megley, West Midwest, Sister Stella is spending her first few months For the West Midwest Community Leadership Team RSM, West Midwest Community another and to traveling to West Midwest sites, meeting with staff, sisters and Leadership Team. “Her ability extend that care donors and attending events to gain an understanding of the to build a program and engage current status of development across the community. others in a vision is what is to the many needs Sister Stella’s vision for development is to create an integrated Living Mercy is published by the Sisters of Mercy West Midwest Community Development Office needed for the West Midwest of our world.” fund development program that helps ensure that the mission 7262 Mercy Road • Omaha, NE 68124 • (402) 393-8225 • www.mercywestmidwest.org development program.” Living Mercy of Mercy continues. To do that, she believes it is important Director of Development Contributing Writers Copyright 2010 Sisters of Mercy West Development team members, Melissa Pence and David Hohl, to have the resources to care for Sisters, as well as support Fall 2010 Sister Stella Neill, RSM Courtney Kinsel, Ashlee Schuette Midwest Community • Living Mercy important ministry work. articles may be reproduced with written join in the enthusiasm for Sister Stella’s arrival. “She brings West Midwest Development Team Sister Deborah Watson, RSM Sisters of Mercy permission from the Sisters of Mercy not only her vast leadership experience to this role, but also a David Hohl • Melissa Pence, CFRE Graphic Design “As a community, we have a commitment to care for one West Midwest Community Development West Midwest Pat Osborne tremendous passion for this work. We feel fortunate to have her.” West Midwest Communications Team Office. Direct reprint requests to: another and to extend that care to the many needs of our Community Sandy Goetzinger-Comer, Director Photography [email protected] As executive director for Anawim Housing, Sister Stella world,” Sister Stella said. “As we secure funds for the care of Elizabeth Dossa • Patti Kantor Sister Genemarie Beegan, RSM our own members, we will continue to seek funds for our Lisa Maxson managed a staff of 17 and an operating budget of over $1 million. She grew the organization from renovation of a mission to the world. Our goal is to increase the resources single duplex in 1989 to the development and management of both for our community and for our mission of Mercy.”

2 Living Mercy • Fall 2010 Living Mercy • Fall 2010 3 “It's a glorious thing to be a Sister of Mercy." Catherine McAuley Cover Story “The basis of my contributions is Aunt Mary and the wonderful sisters I met through her. I know the money is well spent. What Mercy is doing (Continued from page 1) here and around the world is impressive.” Jack Grandsaert Novices Sister Taryn Stark and Sister Angie Dixon “The Sisters have always been a presence in my life,” said Sister Taryn Stark who was received as a novice at the Burlingame chapel on June 18 in a joint ceremony with from the Angelica Reyes-Adame. Her mother, Ruth, was a single mom when she met the Burlingame sisters. They were quick to eart embrace both she and her daughter. As a result, Sister Taryn H spent a lot of time at the Burlingame convent and, following her mother’s conversion to Catholicism, was even baptized in Mercy Chapel. Her mother was one of the first Burlingame Mercy Associates when the group formed in 1984. Sister Julie Brown consults with Sister Angie Dixon at her reception. Sister Taryn was inspired by her mother who spent her life Jack Grandsaert ministry to the sick and elderly of St. Gregory’s serving the poor both in the United States and abroad. Sister Angie Dixon was received as remembers the days parish in San Mateo. She coordinated volunteers “I was attracted to visit the elderly, brought them Eucharist and She accompanied her mother as she ministered in Peru, a novice on June 4 in the chapel at when his family would to the Mercy provided a luncheon for them along with other Botswana, Fiji, New Guinea and South Africa. She attended College of Saint Mary in Omaha. A drive up the Peninsula services. She was inducted into the San Mateo County charism. I felt to see his Aunt Mary, an international high school in Botswana. “Being with her in native of Falls City, Neb., Sister Angie Women’s Hall of Fame in 1992 and received the Sister Mary Sylvia places where people have no shoes and live in desperate poverty immediately at attended Catholic grade school Ozanam Medal for service from St. Vincent DePaul changes the way you think about what’s important,” Sister home. It has and high school, but her calling to Grandsaert. At the time, Society that year. Taryn said. religious life didn’t come until after she lived cloistered in been a great she graduated from college. the convent at St. Mary’s Jack attended Our Lady of Mt. Carmel grammar It wasn’t until Sister Taryn was in her thirties, however, that fit ever since.” Hospital in San Francisco. school and then Bellarmine High School, graduating she realized she was being called to religious life. A graduate of “First and foremost, I was drawn to Sister Angie Dixon Jack made his first from the University of San Francisco. There he met Whittier College in California with a degree in math and later God who became the center of my “When we visited, Aunt his wife. At one point, he was interested in the from Keller Graduate School of Management with a master’s life and my strength,” she said. “As I prayed and drew closer communion in 1960 at Mary would take my Our Lady of Mount seminary, but decided to pursue law. He attended degree in accounting and financial management, Sister Taryn to God, I began to want to seek out people who felt the same brother and me to the Carmel, Redwood City. of Law and used his law degree for learned that corporate life was not for her. She felt most at desires. I searched the Internet for religious communities and hospital cafeteria,” Jack public service. He was deputy district attorney for home working for non-profits. Still, she had no thought of discovered that this feeling wasn’t crazy. Instead, I realized that I recalled. “Practically from when we were born to age San Mateo County for 17 years before being religious life. might actually be called to enter religious life.” 12, she would let us order whatever dessert we wanted.” appointed to the Superior Court.

“Someone was knocking, but I couldn’t hear it,” she said. She A 1990 graduate of College of Saint Mary who later worked at the Jack savors those memories, but also said he was most Jack continues to stay connected with the Sisters of knew she wanted to work with the poor, but thought she would college as an application specialist in information technology impressed with his Aunt Mary’s competence, her Mercy. For years, he has been a monthly donor in do it alone. She was delighted one day when, in her thirties, she systems, Sister Angie said she chose the Sisters of Mercy because deep faith and her sense of call. “She told her mother support of the Mercy community. googled the Sisters of Mercy and realized she wasn’t too old. of her experiences with the sisters she met there. “I was attracted before she was 16 that she was going to become a to the Mercy charism,” she said. In 2008, she made the decision sister,” he said. “It broke her mother’s heart.” However, “The basis of my contributions is Aunt Mary and the She began her formal discernment with the sisters in Burlingame to enter the Sisters of Mercy as a candidate. “I felt immediately he said his aunt insisted, “I don’t have any choice. It is wonderful sisters I me through her – high powered after attending the 2007 Mercy Challenge in Cincinnati. She at home. It has been a great fit ever since.” my calling. I have to do it.” women who gave up their lives for their ministries. entered as a candidate in 2008. “No question that my mother’s I know the money is well spent. What Mercy is doing life inspired me,” she said. Her mother was surprised, but pleased Following the novitiate, Sisters are temporarily professed for He admired his aunt’s energy and focus. After her here and around the world is impressive.” with her decision. “I see how happy she is and how natural this three to six years before making perpetual or final profession. retirement from nursing in 1967, she began a 14-year all is,” Ruth said. “From the day she told me that she wanted to These three women now join another candidate and three become a nun, there was never any doubt that it was right.” temporary professed Sisters in the West Midwest Community.

4 Living Mercy • Fall 2010 Living Mercy • Fall 2010 5 Illinois (cont.) Wisdom of Women, Grayling • Sr. Jean Umlor, RSM Oregon WMW Ministry Grants St. Malachy School, Chicago • Sr. Jayne Daly, RSM Funding to support spiritual direction and retreats for Cobb Children’s Learning Center, Roseburg WM W Ministry Grants Grant to fund the salary of full-time director of women in rural Michigan. Sr. Jeanita Richter, RSM • Grant for child care subsidies spread Mercy Charism development to assist in marketing the school and for low-income and for support of elementary school increasing enrollment. Minnesota serving kindergarten through eighth grade. The following is a listing by state of the far and wide Music Therapy Services of Winona, Winona • Sr. Mary Coos Elderly Services, Inc., North Bend • Carole Haug ministries that received a grant: In the spirit of Catherine McAuley, the West Iowa Jo Baldus, RSM • Program provides music therapy services Program provides financial guardianship and Anawim Housing, Des Moines • Sr. Stella Neill, RSM for children with developmental delays and who attend Midwest Community (WMW) is ensuring that conservatorship services to vulnerable adults – both California Grant to provide resources to families through Family Home and Community Options agency. seniors and those with diminished capacity. Art for Healing, Bakersfield • Sr. Sherry Dolan, RSM its ministries continue to touch the lives of Wellness program, rental housing for chronically homeless New program to bring art-making activities to bedside of thousands of individuals and families in need and Family Services program. Missouri West Virginia Amethyst Place, Kansas City hospital patients to assist with healing. this year. The 2010-11 West Midwest Mercy Sister Paulita Walters works with children Birthright of Cedar Rapids • Sr. Lucy Frein, RSM • Sr. Jeanne Christensen, RSM Susan Dew Hoff Memorial Clniic, West Milford Program provides supportive housing to recovering Bishop Conaty – Our Lady of Loretto High School, who come to the Readiness Center in Benton Grant to provide financial support for expectant mothers Sr. Mary Rebecca Fidler, RSM • Health and dental Ministry Grants have been awarded to 66 families and promotes sobriety, positive parenting, and Los Angles • Sr. Kathleen Kinney, RSM • Grant to provide Harbor, Mich. in need of clothing and layettes. promotion and prevention clinic for uninsured or Mercy ministries that provide critical programs skills to transition to independent housing. scholarships to economically disadvantaged and under- Catherine McAuley Center, Cedar Rapids • Sr. Mary Lou under-insured working poor and elderly. and services that help all ages: improve their quality of life, escape violence, deepen Joplin Area Catholic Schools, Joplin served young women in central and south Los Angeles. Podzimek, RSM • Funding for salaries and materials for • Gene Koester Funding for Virtual Prescriptive Learning program to Care Through Touch Institute, San Francisco spiritually, get healthy, find housing, gain skills, become educated and understand others. transitional housing and support services program for Wisconsin assist students who need credit, credit recovery, flexible Daystar, Inc., Milwaukee Sr. Karen Kielb, RSM • Funding to provide massage homeless women and basic education program for adults. • Sr. Sheila Megley, RSM “We received 80 applications which underwent rigorous review by our grants committee scheduling or remedial learning. Grant for partial salary for case manager/assistant director therapy and holistic health instruction to the general Community Health Free Clinic, Cedar Rapids members,” said Cheri Cody, Ministry Support Manager. “We looked at the need expressed, Refugee & Immigration Services, Diocese of Jefferson for agency serving homeless domestic violence survivors homeless population and homeless senior women. Darlene Schmidt • Program provides free medication and City, Jefferson City • Sr. Camilla Verret, RSM • Grant for with long term support. Caminos Pathways Learning Center, San Francisco the population served and previous success as we evaluated the applications. The request supplies to clinic patients. staff salary and services for refugee resettlement and Sr. Petra Chávez, RSM • Grant will support digital literacy had to be submitted by a Sister of Mercy, Mercy Associate, or Mercy Companion.” House of Compassion, Marshalltown • Shiela Kielly provision of initial services. SET Ministry, Inc., Milwaukee • Sr. Corinne Kabara, RSM and broadband availability to parent groups, patient Grant to provide emergency prescription vouchers Support for the Family Empowerment program which The Sisters of Mercy have a rich tradition of supporting the ministries of its individual sisters St. Ann’s Catholic Church & St. Ann’s School, Carthage groups, small business, & instructors via mobile labs. for those without insurance coverage and who are not assists families to develop and fulfill goals for health, and associates. Each of the former regional communities that came together to form the Sr. Mary Norbert Flesch, RSM • Funding for tuition Families in Self Help Inc. (F.I.S.H.), West Sacramento eligible for Medicaid. housing, education, jobs and relationships. West Midwest Community had a process in place for providing that assistance. The vision assistance for low-income families with special outreach Sr. Cora Salazar, RSM • Program to assist refugee/immigrant Inter-Faith Response, Inc., Council Bluffs • Sr. Claudia to Hispanic families. St. Catherine Residence, Milwaukee • Sr. Marcian families in language and vocational training as well as of the West Midwest Leadership Team was to develop a single grant program to serve the Robinson, RSM • Emergency assistance to poor families The Center for Spirit at Work, Kansas City Deisenroth, RSM • Grant will subsidize rents for women make the transition from assistance to self-reliance. entire community. Cheri was asked to form and lead a committee that would determine and prevent homelessness by negotiating with creditors • Sr. Donna Ryan, RSM • Project to promote spirituality and ethics in living in the supportive housing program and enhance Loaves & Fishes, Sacramento • Sr. Libby Fernandez, RSM and helping with funding for rent, medicine, utilities. what the process would be for the West Midwest. The West Midwest Mercy Ministry Grants the workplace, and career transition support and coaching services in several areas. Grant for Sr. Nora's Place, an overnight shelter for 13 program emerged from those discussions. Mount Mercy College, Cedar Rapids • Sr. Shari Sutherland, to unemployed persons. chronically homeless, mentally ill women with goal of RSM • Funding to support activities for students that The Justice Project, Kansas City transitioning into permanent housing. increase awareness and provide opportunities for direct • Sr. Donna Ryan, RSM Program to assist women who are survivors of abuse and/ Meal Program for Poor and Homeless, Sacramento involvement in under-developed areas. or prostitution to navigate the justice system and access Sr. M. Redempta Scannell, RSM • Ministry to provide $5 Colorado Dominican Literacy Center, Aurora • Sr. Lucia Lietsch, needed resources. gift cards to local restaurants for use by economically poor Mountain Park Environmental Center, Beulah RSM • Grant for salaries of two immigrant women who Michigan and homeless. Sr. Elaine Pacheco, RSM • Program that provides earth are bilingual and provide secretarial help and facilitate Detroit Cristo Rey High School, Detroit • Sr. Canice Johnson, RSM • Grant for operating support for the Mercy Beyond Borders, Santa Clara • Sr. Marilyn Lacey, studies learning for all 5th graders in school district plus access to resources for adult students. Interfaith Health Service, Omaha high school. • Suzanne Myers RSM • Scholarship program to educate young girls and other nature-related programs for teens and adults. Harmony, Hope and Healing, Chicago • Sr. Cathleen Grant to initiate a micro-business program by leveraging women in the Sudan. SLV Immigrant Resource Center, Alamosa • Noel Dunne Cahill, RSM • Grant to provide creative art and music Mercy Education Project (MEP), Detroit • Sr. Maureen the donation of wedding dresses into a seamstress business Mercy Center/Chinese Outreach Program, Burlingame Low cost or free immigration legal assistance, citizenship therapy to women, men and children in multiple shelters Mulcrone, RSM • Funding for women's education services for Latina women. which includes literacy, adult basic education, GED prep, Sr. Janet Chau, RSM • Provide opportunity in the Catholic classes, immigration trainings for law enforcement and and community centers. College of Saint Mary, Omaha • Dr. Maryanne Stevens, social services, ESL classes. career exploration and workforce development. community for Chinese immigrants to deepen their faith Institute of Women Today, Chicago • Angela Hicks RSM • Grant to provide scholarships to undocumented Sister M. Clare Manhart visits with Cristina & spiritual life by training 2 Chinese spiritual directors. Operating support for homeless shelter (women and Northwest Detroit Youth Coalition, Detroit • Sr. Stephanie Latina students who would not otherwise be able to attend Idaho Ortega Rangel in Rosarito, Mexico. Mercy Education Resource Center, Sacramento children) and a senior center. Integrates traditional care Holub, RSM • Program is collaboration of youth-serving college because of financial constraints. La Posada, Inc., Twin Falls • Sr. RoseMary Boessen, RSM agencies with goal of providing opportunity to children to Sr. Rosemarie Carvalho, RSM • Provides financial aid to with art and music therapy. R.E.S.P.E.C.T.2, Omaha Program to provide immigration services, food and participate in organized sports and programs. • Sr. Marie Micheletto, RSM International immigrants/economically deprived for counseling, ed clothing, low-income taxpayer clinic, emergency Mother McAuley Liberal Arts High School, Chicago Funding to present anti-bullying and domestic violence Soweto Feeding Scheme, Lipttown 1812 South Africa assessment and instructional services. Also ESL classes. assistance and referral services. Sr. Ellen Marie Ryan, RSM • Grant to enhance services of Readiness Center, Benton Harbor • Sr. Paulita Walters, awareness programs in Catholic schools - elementary Sr. Maria Ann Yeck, RSM • Funding to provide food for Mercy Housing California, San Francisco • Sr. Patsy student counseling assistance initiative, ACT advantage RSM • Educational programs for children – ages preschool through high school. over 550 households on monthly basis. Mercy Housing Idaho, Eagle • Sr. Maura Clark, RSM through age 5 – of low-income families. Also offer adult Harney, RSM • Funding for after-school programs at two program, and the social work initiative. Sudanese Outreach Project, Omaha Grant to support rental housing programs, resident classes on parenting, homework assistance. • Sr. Rosemary St. Francis Family Helper Programme, Mbarara Uganda properties in Visitacion Valley. services programs, and home ownership programs. Mutual Ground, Inc., Aurora • Sr. Marcian Deisenroth, Floersch, RSM • Grant to provide direct service to 40 Sr. Frances Walshe, RSM • Grant to train counselors to RSM • Provides healthcare, including prescription drugs, River House, Inc., Grayling • Mary Beth Wakulat Sudanese families including food, supplies, transportation, Mercy Retirement and Care Center/Mercy Brown Bag SANE Solutions/Terry Reilly Health Services, Nampa consult on family relationships, economic growth, health Program, Oakland • Sr. Patty Creedon, RSM • Grant to for victims of domestic violence and sexual assault. Grant to support increase in outreach to non- residential access to legal and immigration assistance. care and addiction treatment. Sr. Maura Clark, RSM • Program to provide outpatient clients to protect and educate about domestic and sexual provide groceries twice monthly for low income senior St. Angela School, Chicago treatment for juvenile and adult sexual offenders. • Sr. Maryellen Callahan, violence. Mercy Project: Love, Hope, Trust, Rosarito, Mexico households. Enables socialization as people come to pick RSM • Funding for part-time reading specialists to provide Pennsylvania Sr. M. Clare Manhart, RSM • Funding for school up groceries from sites. Illinois an early reading and intervention program to prepare St. Frances Cabrini Clinic, Detroit • Sr. Mary Ellen , Cresson • Sr. Helen Marie Burns, uniforms and supplies for elementary and secondary St. Peter’s Parish Elementary School, San Francisco Br. David Darst Center for Justice & Peace, Spirituality students for grade-level work. Howard, RSM • Grant for operating support for free RSM • Expand Mercy Mission: Alive in Action program children and tuition assistance for high school. Assist primary care clinic for poor, uninsured patients. Sr. Marian Rose Power, RSM • Funding to provide tuition & Education, Chicago • Sr. Joy Clough, RSM • Grant to St. Catherine of Siena- St. Lucy School, Oak Park to include multicultural immersion experiences, with emergency needs. assistance to low-income inner city students. build capacity for Urban Immersion Retreats which Sr. Marion Cypser, RSM • Grant to fund salaries of Student Mentor Partners, St. Clair Shores • Sr. Canice UN trip, speakers/films, and empowering women. St. Vincent de Paul’s Catherine’s Center, San Mateo educate youth & young adults on social justice issues. computer teacher and computer assistant so technology Johnson, RSM • Funding for program that combines Special Training Fund Funds to assist with tuition for grant writing training, Sr. Marguerite Buchanan, RSM • Funding for operating Chicago Bilingual Nurse Consortium, Chicago programs are competitive with other schools. tuition assistance with one-to-one mentoring to improve one-on-one consulting, board development, fundraising costs for program offering transitional housing and Sr. Sheila Lyne, RSM • Program to assist resident student's chances of being successful in school. training for grantees. support for women leaving incarceration. immigrant nurses to become licensed in United States.

6 Living Mercy • Fall 2010 Living Mercy • Fall 2010 7 Visit the Sisters of Mercy West Midwest Community website to view obituaries in their entirety, as well as remembrances about sisters who passed away prior to Jan. 1, 2010. Catherine McAuley “I am yours for time and eternity." http://www.mercywestmidwest.org/media & resources/remembrances

Sisters called to eternity between in Marshalltown and Iowa City and as the head of the Sister Mary Joan Francis Kaminski Lindenhurst, Illinois January 1, 2010 and July 31, 2010. department of nursing and a college professor at St. Ambrose May 2, 1917 – Jul. 23, 2010 College and Marycrest College in the Quad-Cities. She was A native of Michigan and daughter of Sister Mary Frederic Hartmann vice president of the Iowa Hospital Association for seven years Polish immigrants, Sister Mary Joan Mar. 16, 1926 –Jul. 12, 2010 and was appointed by the governor to the Iowa Board of Francis Kaminski entered the Sisters of Sister Mary Frederic Hartmann was born Aurora, Illinois Nursing and the Physicians Assistants Board. Sister Mary Mercy in Dubuque, Iowa, in 1938. She in Milwaukee, Wis., and entered the Brigid also served as a consultant to all of the hospitals in the began her ministry as an elementary Sisters of Mercy in Des Plaines, Ill., in Sister Agneda Lamb, RSM state of Iowa, spoke at medical seminars nationally and abroad, school teacher, but later moved to 1952 after the death of her parents. She Mar. 9, 1927 – Feb. 24, 2010 wrote numerous journal articles and published four books on religious education where she spent most of her years as the taught science in Milwaukee, Chicago A native of Chicago, Sister Agneda Lamb entered the Sisters of the history of the Sisters of Mercy. She received many awards religious education program coordinator at St. Joseph Parish and Ottawa and from 1975 to 1980 served as administrator Mercy in 1945. She taught for 50 years in schools throughout for her achievements in nursing education and health-related in Howell, Mich. In 1985, she retired from religious education of St. Catherine’s Residence in Milwaukee. After her ministry the Archdiocese of Chicago and in Seneca in the Peoria Diocese. endeavors. At age 70, Sister Mary Brigid became the founder and and volunteered at Samaritan Health Center in Detroit and at St. Catherine’s Residence she returned to teaching chemistry In a final act of demonstrating her generosity of spirit and executive director of a home for single mothers and children served on the board of St. Rose Senior Center. She moved to commitment to helping others, Sister Agneda donated her lab at Marquette University. During Sister Mary Frederic’s known as Clark Street House of Mercy, located in Des Moines, McAuley Center in 1995 and participated in the ministry of body to science. years in Milwaukee she was also alumnae moderator for her Iowa, before retiring to Aurora. prayer until her death. alma mater, Mercy High, where she was responsible for Sister Rosalie Steinmiller, RSM alumnae events. Sister Mary Frederic passed away at the Sept. 2, 1912 – Mar. 7, 2010 Chicago, Illinois Johnston, Iowa Village at Victory Lake in Lindenhurst. Sister Rosalie Steinmiller entered the Sister Norella Hartnett Sister Beatrice Marie Costello, RSM Sisters of Mercy in 1936 in Des Plaines, June 6, 1915 – May 30, 2010 Sept. 19, 1914 - Feb. 1, 2010 Omaha, NebrASKA Ill., at age 24. Sister Rosalie loved music Sister Norella Hartnett was a native of Sister Beatrice Marie Costello always and taught it to children her entire life, Sister Mary Julia McKee, RSM Chicago and a Sister of Mercy for 76 proudly claimed to be an Iowa girl. She teaching piano lessons all over Chicago Dec. 16, 1915 - Feb. 18, 2010 years. She served in the Chicagoland entered the Sisters of Mercy Novitiate and the suburbs until she was almost 85. Sister Mary Julia McKee was a Sister of area ministering in education, religious in Omaha in 1932 and began a career of In addition, Sister Rosalie taught in several schools in the Mercy for 72 years entering at the Mount formation and pastoral services. Sister Norella began her teaching that spanned more than 25 years. Chicagoland area and at Immaculate Conception in Milwaukee. Loretto Novitiate in Council Bluffs, Iowa. ministry as an educator, teaching in several Catholic schools In 1959, she was appointed Secretary to the Mother General She spent almost 40 years serving as a Sister Eva Dohman, RSM in Chicago and in Skokie for 27 years before serving her in the Washington, D.C. area for 11 years. In the mid-1970s, bookkeeper; 24 years for hospitals and Feb. 6, 1915 – Apr. 15, 2010 community in religious formation for 11 years. Sister Sister Beatrice embarked on her third ministry of working with 15 years for nursing homes in Nebraska, Oregon and Sister Eva Dohman was born in Chicago, Norella’s remaining 27 years of active ministry led her to her the elderly as administrator of Bishop Drumm Retirement Colorado. In 1995, Sister Mary Julia moved to Omaha to Ill. and spent six years of her life in Ireland third area of service in social work and parish ministry. She Center and as resident manager of McAuley Terrace Apartments before entering the Sisters of Mercy at the retired in 1990 to Mercy Convent in Chicago. in Johnston. She retired to Bishop Drumm Retirement Center. spend her retirement years at Mercy Villa. age of 18. Sister Eva was known in her Sister Mary Kilian Clinton Sister Mary Kateri Vojir, RSM community as a dedicated teacher who Farmington Hills, Michigan Dec. 28, 1919 – Jun. 13, 2010 July 30, 1922 – Mar. 9, 2010 loved children and went out of her way Sister Marie Therese Poulin, RSM Born and raised in Ireland, Sister Mary Sister Mary Kateri Vojir entered the to help others, however she could. She spent the majority of Feb. 5, 1926 – May 15, 2010 Kilian Clinton traveled to America to Sisters of Mercy at Mount Loretto in her 45-year ministry teaching in the Chicago Archdiocese, but Sister Marie Therese Poulin was a Sister join her sister as a Sister of Mercy in Council Bluffs, Iowa in 1941. Her also taught in Streator, Ill., in the Peoria Diocese and in Beloit, of Mercy for 62 years. She taught at a Council Bluffs, Iowa. Hospitals in ministry was in education; serving as a Wis., in the Madison Diocese. number of Michigan’s Catholic schools, Denver, Council Bluffs, Omaha and teacher of English, Latin and music and Sister Mary Brigid Condon, RSM became a patient representative at Des Moines benefited from her nursing in some cases, as principal in elementary, Sept. 14, 1916 – Jul. 22, 2010 Mercywood Hospital in Ann Arbor and care. Most of her 73 years as a Sister of Mercy were spent in secondary and college in the Omaha/Council Bluffs metro A Sister of Mercy for 78 years, Sister her gift as a seamstress benefited her the Des Moines area serving at Mercy Hospital Medical Center area. After over 50 years, Sister Mary Kateri retired as a Mary Brigid Condon spent 50 years as Mercy community in its sewing center. She also served for 25 years in several areas, including pediatrics; pastoral care full-time educator, but continued to work at Mercy High a nursing educator in Iowa. She served as receptionist and assisted wherever she was needed at and public, patient and visitor relations. In 1996, Sister Mary School as a library volunteer. as director of nursing and the director of McAuley Center in Farmington Hills up until two weeks Kilian retired but lived an active life of prayer ministry at the school of nursing at Mercy Hospitals before her death. Mercy Court in Des Moines until moving to Bishop Drumm Care Center in Johnston, Iowa, last year.

8 Living Mercy • Fall 2010 Living Mercy • Fall 2010 9 Cristo Rey Grads Mercy Matters Are College Bound Labyrinth at Mercy Center As 53 seniors from Mercy Center in Auburn Cristo Rey High School welcomed over 50 people in Sacramento crossed to the official blessing and dedication ceremony of the stage in May, they the center’s new labyrinth not only received their on Saturday, Aug. 7. Deacon Charles Cheever presided over the blessing of the labyrinth. After the blessing, a number of diplomas, but a place participants walked the spiritual path for the first time. of honor as the school’s The labyrinth at Mercy Center Auburn is the culmination of first graduating class. a year of planning and preparation. The development of the Sisters Maria Campos, left, and Diana Francis Metzler, right, celebrate with seniors. labyrinth was facilitated by a number of staff, sisters and guests of Mercy Center under the guidance of Joe Venancio, This fall, as they head off for college, the school and fundraiser was held on May 6 Each student works Sixty-year jubilarians are, from left: Sisters Mary Raphael Doyle, maintenance manager, who established each step with precision Anne McCrohan, Mary Martin Mulroy, Mary Michael Murphy and the community revel in their success. and had an “Inaugural Ball” five days a month, and care. Sister Anne Sekul, Richard Spring and Tracy Kerth Ellen Philbin. theme. The event included a These seniors deserve their star status. They worked at designed the labyrinth’s center using the Celtic Trinity motif. dinner and a silent auction earning wages to internship jobs five days a month to help pay for their Celebrating a Journey of 60 years featuring various pieces of schooling. They gained skills that will help them succeed help offset their student artwork. Participants Loaves and Fishes welcomes Mercy On November 15, 2009, Sisters Mary Martin Mulroy, Anne in the workplace. They studied hard and endured long also heard from seniors Tasvir tuition, while also McCrohan, Ellen Philbin, Mary Michael Murphy and Mary school days. All of them were accepted at four-year Corps volunteers Singh and Nick Ramirez who gaining valuable Raphael Doyle gathered with sisters and friends to celebrate 60 colleges. Many are the first in their families to graduate gave memorable and heartfelt Two women will volunteer a year of service at Loaves and Fishes years in Mercy that began in the port of Cobh in Ireland. from high school and the first to go on to college. skills and job Center in Sacramento as part of their one-year commitment in speeches about their time at On November 19, 1949, the group of five left family, friends and experience. Mercy Volunteer Corps. Their hard-earned victory is shared by parents, teachers, the school. homeland and set sail on board the Majestic Britannica for a administrators, businesses and the community members Tasvir, class valedictorian, is starting at the University Mercy Corps volunteers Brynn Walzer from New Jersey and nine-day journey across the Atlantic Ocean. While on board who supported the students and the school in various ways. of the Pacific with a focus on pre-pharmacy. During Kimberly Utz from Connecticut were warmly welcomed to they experienced their first American Thanksgiving; a storm at Cristo Rey is distinctive in Catholic education because it her senior year, she worked at Sutter General Hospital. their new home in Sacramento on Sunday, Aug. 15, by a support sea with its accompanying sea sickness; and a combination of serves the underprivileged in the community through a Nick is headed to Loyola University in Chicago on a community of sisters, associates, co-workers, and former excitement, loneliness and trepidation, before reaching New York program that combines college preparatory curriculum full scholarship. As a senior, he worked at Personal volunteers. Kim will serve at Maryhouse Women’s Shelter and harbor and their first view of the Statue of Liberty. There the five with a unique work-study experience. Students are placed Insurance Federation of California. Brynn will work with the Clean and Sober program at Quinn women met relatives, previous immigrants, who showed them in entry-level professional jobs at area businesses and Cottages. Prior to their arrival in Sacramento the two women the sights of New York for a few days before boarding a train to Cristo Rey Sacramento is sponsored by three religious organizations. Each student works five days a month, spent a week of orientation in Farmington Hills, Mich. with Sacramento. The women arrived in Sacramento on Dec. 4, 1949 congregations: The Sisters of Mercy, Sisters of Notre earning wages to help offset their tuition, while also Mercy Associate, Patricia Nelson, who will serve as their contact to begin a combined 300 years of ministry in the Sacramento Dame da Namur and the Jesuits. Sisters of Mercy on gaining valuable skills and job experience. The Cristo and mentor for the coming year. Diocese and the Mercy Community. It is remarkable that all five the faculty are: Sisters Maria Campos, Rita Esparza and brave young women who set out together 60 years ago are still Rey High School in Sacramento opened in fall 2006. In partnership with the Sisters of Mercy of the Americas, Mercy Diana Francis Metzler. active and vital members of the Sisters of Mercy Community. More than 70 Sacramento-area employers hire Cristo Volunteer Corps is a full-time lay volunteer program offering Rey students. In addition to Cristo Rey in Sacramento, The Sisters of placements in education, healthcare and social services in the The five women shared in celebrating their jubilee year in Auburn Mercy also sponsor Cristo Rey High School in Detroit, The remainder of the cost of educating the students – continental United States and Guyana, South America. Mercy with golden jubilarians Sisters Mary Consilia Lynskey, Mary Mich., which was founded in 2008. estimated at $13,000 – is paid by parents and raised Volunteers commit equally to service for one or two years, a Alice Spohn and Sally Torres; 70 year jubilarians Sisters Mary through school fundraising. This year, the school’s key simple lifestyle in community, and personal and communal Christopher Brannigan and Mary Eileen Brannigan and Sister spiritual growth. Marita Cunningham with 75 years as a Sister of Mercy. 10 Living Mercy • Fall 2010 Living Mercy • Fall 2010 11