JANUARY | FEBRUARY 2019 Bimonthly publication for sisters, associates and companions of the Sisters of Mercy of the Americas

Formation Through a Global Lens Preparing for Religious Life in the Twenty-first Century also in this issue: Martyrs of El Salvador: Telling the Story of Romero and Grande Why We Need Nonviolence and Empathy More Than Ever Table of Contents JANUARY | FEBRUARY 2019

page 4 page 8 page 14

The Intercommunity Collaborative Novitiate program has a long, rich history of forming novices from many religious congregations. Image: Cosmic Dance, by Sister Mary Southard, CSJ. Read more on page 4.

FEATURES 4 Formation Through a Global Lens: Preparing for Religious Life in the Twenty-first Century By Sister Katherine Doyle

BIMONTHLY PUBLICATION FOR SISTERS, ASSOCIATES AND COMPANIONS OF THE INSTITUTE OF THE SISTERS OF MERCY OF THE AMERICAS 8 Publisher Martyrs of El Salvador: Telling the Story of Institute of the Sisters of Mercy of the Americas Romero and Grande 8380 Colesville Road, #300 By Sister Ana María Pineda, Sandy Goetzinger and Sue Carroll Silver Spring, Maryland 20910-6264 tel 301.587.0423 [email protected] Editor 14 Julie Bourbon Why We Need Nonviolence and Empathy More Than Ever [email protected] By Sister Janet Ruffing Design and Production RoundPeg Translation COLUMN Many thanks to our translators!

Advisory Board Sisters Anne Curtis, Kathleen Erickson, Judith Frikker, 13 Justice | Stories from the Border Delegation Diane Guerin, Patricia Kenny and Pat Talone. Anne Boyle, Sue Carroll, Elizabeth MacNeal, Beth Thompson and By Mercy Delegates to the U.S-Mexico Border Cathy Walsh.

Articles or portions thereof are protected by copyright laws and therefore cannot be reproduced or reprinted without the permission of{9LYD0HUF\and/or the author. DEPARTMENTS Visit www.sistersofmercy.org for highlighted articles from this publication. ¡Viva! Mercy is printed on acid free, elemental chlorine-free 2 Community Update paper containing 50 percent recycled content including 15 percent post consumer waste. Compiled by Mercy Communicators

17 Reflection | Separation By Amy Westphal, Mercy Candidate From the Institute Leadership Team

Dear Sisters, Associates, Companions and Mercy Volunteers, We arrive to a new year, not of our own accord, but blessed by the presence of our life-giving Spirit who constantly brings forward newness, possibility and invitation. What is the “tenor” that this new year of possibility holds? We begin this new year as our suffering world reveals deeper hardships, especially for women and children globally, and our Earth is gasping for breath as political, ecological and economic decisions burden Her. As our Catholic Church seeks ways to assume responsibility for its abuse of children, the Church also finds itself embroiled in a struggle for authenticity. In all matters, we must return to two significant sections of our recent Chapter documents: We mourn the continued oppression of women in Church and society, unjust immigration laws and the lack of solidarity THE INSTITUTE LEADERSHIP TEAM among peoples and nations. Even as we acknowledge our complicity, we contemplate the gift (FROM LEFT) SISTERS ÁINE O'CONNOR, ANNE of God’s mercy … Chapter Declaration, 2011. MARIE MILLER, PATRICIA MCDERMOTT, JUDITH FRIKKER AND PATRICIA FLYNN Our contemplating the gift of God’s mercy inspired the 2017 Institute Chapter to call for a new consciousness, and we committed to speak and act with integrity and clear intention. With a deep sense of humility and a recognition of our interdependence with all creation, we can arrive in this new year at an honest embracing of our complicity in small and large matters ... in global and spiritual matters ... in matters of will, attitude and heart. The “call for new consciousness” is growing among us as Sisters of Mercy and a Mercy Community, as well as with many women and men we accompany and with whom we partner—people of hope and integrity. Vaclav Havel, Czech statesman, writer and former dissident, who served as the first president of the Czech Republic, from 1993 to 2003, wrote: “Without a global revolution in the sphere of human consciousness, nothing will change for the better … and the catastrophe toward which this world is headed—be it ecological, social, demographic or a general breakdown of civilization—will be unavoidable.” Let us embrace our call to new consciousness this year. Let us read the words of our sisters in this issue with a lens of new consciousness and invite ourselves to see the possibility and hope in their perspectives. May the welcoming of this new year be a joy-filled one in which we soberly claim the hope that calls us as Mercy women and men! May our continued reflection and contemplative dialogue invite ever-deeper responses from us to our global world and church, responses marked by compassion, integrity and clear intention. In Mercy,

JANUARY | FEBRUARY 2019 ¡Viva! Mercy 1 Community Update COMPILED BY MERCY COMMUNICATORS

CARIBBEAN, CENTRAL AMERICA, SOUTH AMERICA WEST MIDWEST

AS FOLLOW-UP TO the Chapter 2017 Recommitment Statement, a SISTER SUSAN M. SANDERS (pictured below), president of group of CCASA Sisters met in November in Lima with members the West Midwest Community, was a panelist for the Lilly of the Institute Leadership Team (ILT), the Community Leadership Fellows Program in Humanities and the Team (CLT), Mercy Investment Services and justice staff to Arts Workshop for Senior Administrators, share experiences with regard to the exploitation of persons held October 11-12 at Hope College, and resources caused by extractive industries in our CCASA Holland, Michigan. The topic was hiring countries. Maryknoll Sister Pat Ryan, director of the Office of for mission. As one of four workshop Human Rights and Environment in Puno, Peru, was the facilitators, Susan took part in a panel keynote speaker and participated in all subsequent conversations. presentation and discussion designed to Barbara Fraser, an environmental journalist based in Lima, and engage college and university senior Sisters Ana Siufi, Edia (Tita) Lopez, Masbely Del Cid and Lilian academic officers from Christian higher Silva also made presentations. They shared stories of damage to education in ideas/best practices for earth, water and persons; the irresponsibility of countries and hiring faculty who embrace and advance governments; and the gross flight out of the country of material the mission of their institutions. She and economic resources. Similar gatherings in the future will focus previously served on the board of the on extractive industries in the United States and in the Philippines. Lilly Fellows Program. Sister Peg Maloney, Community Leadership Team, attended Regis University’s inaugural University Mission Symposium in SOUTH CENTRAL Denver, Colorado. Created to “discuss and ponder the vision SISTERS AND STAFF AT THE ARISE MINISTRY in south Texas of Pope Francis for our world and for the Catholic Church in organized volunteers for McAllen Respite Center to help these difficult and confusing times,” the symposium featured immigrants at the U.S.-Mexico border. Volunteers sort clothing, nationally and internationally renowned speakers who addressed prepare lunches and snack bags and offer other assistance. many aspects of the Pope’s vision. ARISE also helps provide funding for food and transportation for immigrants at Casa del Immigrante in Reynosa, Mexico, NORTHEAST across the border from McAllen. SISTER BETH FISCHER received the Sister Patricia McKeon During Hurricane Florence, Holy Angels in Belmont, North Compassion and Dignity Award from Mercy Housing and Shelter Carolina, hosted a special group of evacuees. Forty residents Corporation, a former sponsored ministry, at the organization’s and staff members from Carobell—like Holy Angels, a home for 24th annual “Homecoming” gala in Hartford, Connecticut, on medically fragile patients with intellectual and developmental November 1. Beth, the first Sister of Mercy to be given this disabilities—were there for 10 days in September after making award, was honored for her dedication to ending homelessness. the 260-mile trip from Hubert, North Carolina. In her ministry as the University of Saint Joseph’s assistant dean of student affairs/community engagement, Beth facilitates community service work for students among Hartford’s under- served population. “My association with Mercy Housing and Shelter through the years is a blessing in my life and provides our students countless opportunities to put our mission into action,” she said. The award is named for Sister Sisters in Guam gathered in August to view the presentation, “Emerging (From left) Sisters Beth Fischer Patricia “Pat” McKeon, one of Apostolic Women’s Religious Life” by Sister of Saint Joseph Carol Zinn. DQG3DW0F.HRQDQG-XGLWK Mercy Housing and Shelter 7KH\KRVWHGÀYHVWDWHVLGH0HUF\VLVWHUVZKRMRLQHGWKHJDWKHULQJDQG *RXJK&(20HUF\+RXVLQJDQG Corporation’s founders and its YLVLWHGPLQLVWULHV)URPOHIWDUH6LVWHUV0F$XOH\3DXOLQR2UOHDQ3HUHGD 6KHOWHU 3KRWR$OH[6\SKHUV executive director for many years. DQG:LQLIUHG1MXJXQD

2 ¡Viva! Mercy JANUARY | FEBRUARY 2019 MID-ATLANTIC

AT THE FALL CONSULTATIVE GATHERINGS, sisters shared Recently, the Spiritual Life Committee, which provides time together and continued their discussion regarding the resources in support of the spiritual lives of sisters, associates, Journey of Oneness. During the meetings, they gathered their companions and co-ministers, conducted a survey to discover best creative thinking on sisters’ life and governance. They also ways to deepen God’s spirit of mercy within the community discussed church issues, advance directives, the work of and the world. They plan to continue developing monthly prayer development teams and other community business with services; offer suggestions for spiritual readings, websites, leadership. The day ended with a 175th anniversary podcast music and other resources; and explore the creation of a by Sister Megan Brown narrating stories about Mother Frances Mercy spirituality app. Warde and her adventures in the United States.

NEW YORK, PENNSYLVANIA, PACIFIC WEST PHILIPPINES

FALL GATHERINGS ON NOVEMBER 10 had sisters in Buffalo, A DIVERSE COMMUNITY of teachers, learners, alumni, Erie, Pittsburgh and Rochester focused on sisters’ life and parents and supporters make up the three Mercy Schools: governance. Mercy Junior College, School of St. John the Baptist and Holy Sisters in Erie organized a series of evening silent prayer Cross High School. walks to support immigration, and in Buffalo, sisters are serving Our highest gratitude and appreciation to Sisters Lisa 175 meals at the Community Table to celebrate the Sisters of Griffith and Regina Ward from Mercy Education System of the Mercy 175th anniversary. Americas (MESA) for coming to the Philippines for the first The Catherine’s Club Giving Circle in Erie awarded two time, to Mindanao Island mission in particular. Their grants totaling $2,000 to Erie nonprofit agencies serving women presence, interactions with the students and workshops to the and young girls. teachers on the MESA mission statement and Mercy charism McAuley Ministries, the grant-making foundation of brought the students and teachers to a new level of awareness Pittsburgh Mercy, announced that in 10 years, it has awarded and knowledge on the Mercy education system. $28.5 million in grants to support low-income people in three Our hopes after their visit are that students, teachers and neighborhoods. staff will have greater understanding and knowledge of the Fundraisers benefiting the Sisters of Mercy garnered $35,000 word of God, promote the faith and become persons for in Rochester and $24,000 in Erie. others by living out Mercy spirituality and doing humbly the corporal works of mercy.

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3 JANUARY | FEBRUARY 2019 ¡Viva! Mercy FORMATION THROUGH A GLOBAL LENS Preparing for Religious Life in the Twenty-first Century

Sister Katherine Doyle

/HIW6LVWHU&KULVWLQH1DVZD%DUDVD&&9,0HUF\6LVWHU7HUHVLD.LPLQJLUL DQG6LVWHU-XOLH3KDP&05IUROLFLQDQXQH[SHFWHGODWHIDOOVQRZVWRUPLQ 4 ¡Viva! Mercy JANUARY | FEBRUARY 2019 6W/RXLV3KRWR,QWHUFRPPXQLW\&ROODERUDWLYH1RYLWLDWH Imagine yourself learning about religious life in the midst of a com- munity of novices from Zambia, Vietnam, Honduras, Kenya, Texas and Iowa. Mercy novices participating in the St. Louis Intercommunity Collaborative Novitiate are having just such an experience of cross-cultural and collaborative formation. Sisters Marissa Butler and Teresia Kimingiri have joined 18 other novices, both women and men, from eight religious congregations for the year-long program. Truly, this is formation through a global lens.

A Rich History of Collaboration share where it wouldn’t be possible for a single community.” Sister of Charity of the Incarnate Word Cathy Vetter of The Intercommunity Collaborative Novitiate (ICN) program San Antonio agrees. “In a global world, the ICN allows for is not a new element in the Mercy incorporation process. It an experience of internationality and interculturality that has a rich history over the past 30 years. our congregation could not offer on our own. We are more Mercy Sister Jan Hayes, a presenter in the program, still bi-cultural than multi-cultural,” she says. “The sharing and remembers well her experience from three decades ago. exchange of experiences and insights among the novices “I participated in the Intercommunity Novitiate with our and among the directors is a wealth I am so grateful to tap into.” other Mercy novices (Sisters Christine Blair, Lisa Griffith The investment of time and resources can be quite and Mary Haddad) in St. Louis in the 1980s. Overall, the demanding. When the U.S. Novitiate was located in Laredo, experience was enriching and fun for all of us. It gave us a Texas, novices regularly travelled to San Antonio, more ‘snapshot’ of the diversity in religious life and a look at the than 150 miles away, for the collaborative program, which future of religious life because we were with a group of our was located in that city from 2002–2012. For the St. Louis peers in other religious communities,” she says. “Over 30 Intercommunity Collaborative Novitiate, novices come years later, I am still in contact with some of the men and from Missouri, Illinois and Indiana, some traveling more women who were in that ICN group. It was a significant than three hours to participate in the weekly program. part of our canonical novitiate year.” By sharing finances, contacts and ideas, the nine par- A collaborative novitiate experience is not solely a U.S. ticipating communities this year—Adorers of the Blood phenomenon. It is also found in Peru, where new Mercy of Christ, Collaborative Novitiates of the Dominican members have long been participants in the collaborative Community, Congregation of Mary Queen of the World, novitiate program in Lima. There are differences, however. Daughters of Charity, Incarnate Word Sisters of Houston, The program, organized by Peruvian formators like Sister Incarnate Word Sisters of San Antonio, Oblates of Mary Patricia Mulderick, focuses on all levels of incorporation Immaculate, Sisters of Mercy and Sisters of Providence— rather than being limited to the canonical year. Participants have been able to bring to the novices presenters who are gather three days a week for classes, which the novitiate outstanding in their expertise and knowledge of religious ministers then process at home with participants. In the life. The presenters include Sister of Saint Joseph Lynn United States, novices usually meet weekly with occasional Levo; Spiritan Father Tony Gittins; Missionary Oblates of overnights at a retreat center. Mary Immaculate Fathers Ron Rolheiser and Bill Sheehan; For many years, religious formators have seen the benefits and Mercy Sisters Mary Pat Garvin and Marie Michele of participating in formative experiences with others who Donnelly, to name a few. are traveling the same journey in religious life. Adorers of the Blood of Christ Sister Joan Hornick, U.S. region novice director, comments: “It’s a great way for novices to meet. Enriching Resources by When a community has only one or two novices, it helps to Combining Them know others are on the same journey as they are. As a for- mator, I get to experience the great presentations and the The richness and expertise of these presenters is one of the support of other formators. Pulling the financial resources great gifts of the program. The content of the presentations together allows the organization to get quality presenters to emerges from the shared wisdom of the various religious

JANUARY | FEBRUARY 2019 ¡Viva! Mercy 5 formators whose novitiate communities participate in the truly enriched my novitiate journey.” experience. The first semester of the program focuses on Sister Máire Hearty, a novice of the Irish Institute who spiritual and emotional growth as well as the skills needed participated in the U.S. Novitiate process, found the col- to live in cross-cultural communities. Through the explo- laborative experience to be a rich one that led to greater ration of such topics as communication in community, personal understanding. “I appreciated the presentations transitions, boundaries and cross-cultural living, novices on increasing self-knowledge and have found them to be of are able to probe the realities of contemporary religious continuing benefit in my second year,” she says. “I particu- living. Since understanding of oneself is an essential ele- larly enjoyed the extended periods. They provided a more ment of vocational discernment, the first semester is foun- relaxed setting in which to process information, informally dational for understanding how vowed life challenges one chatting with others over a weekend or on solitary walks. to authenticity. It was interesting to learn about the charisms of other reli- Sister Colleen O’Toole identifies this as a special aspect gious and affirming in my call to Mercy.” of her experience. “ICN was one of the best parts of my Sister Kelly Williams echoes Máire’s experience of being novitiate. The speakers and presenters were excellent and confirmed in vocational choice. “What a gift it is to be able I learned quite a bit, academically,” she says. “I imagine we to talk about different communities when talking about wouldn’t be able to access the same thing for just three peo- vocations. My experience is now broader,” she says. “It ple. For example, Lynn Levo’s presentation on celibacy and helped many in our group confirm our call within our par- sexuality was incredibly helpful, and I still draw on it today.” ticular communities. While I’m very close with my sisters Coming together with a diverse group of new religious and brothers in community, it really helped me see myself also involves sharing formative conversations and experi- as a Mercy.” ences with both men and women novices. Sister Anne Henehan remembers that as an important element in her Exploring Intergenerational Living own experience of intercommunity formation. “I was a canonical novice from 2001 to 2002. During that year, One of the realities encountered by today’s new community the orders represented in our intercommunity novitiate members is intergenerational living, with novices rang- program consisted of two Incarnate Word congrega- ing in age from 19 to 56. Often a newer member ends up tions, several Dominicans, School Sisters of Notre Dame, living with other, significantly older religious who were Vincentians, LaSallettes and Oblates of Mary Immaculate,” shaped by a different reality of society, family and church. she says. “In addition to the variety of nationalities and Recognizing this particular challenge of religious life today, charisms present, I really appreciated having a good num- formators invited Sister Jan Hayes to lead the group in an ber of men in the ICN program. Their journey was leading exploration of intergenerational characteristics, dynamics not only to final vows, but also to priesthood and in some and variances. cases brotherhood. Hearing these men’s perspectives and Sister Patti Baca, having entered Mercy after a career experiences, in addition to those of the women novices, in the Coast Guard, summed it up well. “For me, it was the separation of age. I felt like I was a ‘tweener’ and it did prove to be challenging on several levels. When paired up to reflect and share, it felt as if I was alone in my own story. Not many in my group (or anyone in my group) had lived the life of a military member, although one or two were military brats as children and had moved around the U.S. and other countries,” she says. “My life experience set me apart and I had a difficult time trying to relate. My personal story is not better or worse than anyone else’s, it is just different.” Like Patti, Máire came to Mercy ,QWHUFRPPXQLW\&ROODERUDWLYH1RYLWLDWH1RYLFHVLQFOXGLQJ0HUF\1RYLFHV0DULVVD%XWOHU IRXUWKIURP OHIW DQG7HUUHVLD.LPLQJLUL EDFNURZVHFRQGIURPULJKW 

6 ¡Viva! Mercy JANUARY | FEBRUARY 2019 women the way he had here. He was returning home with a new sense of appreciation for what women do in the "What a gift it is to church and was in a position to begin to create change.” Sister Kelly William sums up the intercultural experi- talk about different ence by saying, “It helped me to really experience and communities when understand a bit more about the global church!” talking about vocations. Honoring Different Understandings My experience is now of Religious Life Today The second semester of the Intercommunity Collaborative broader. It helped me Novitiate moves from personal development and commu- nity living to an intense focus on the vowed life. Beginning see myself as a Mercy." with an introduction to the vowed life and moving through each vow, novices wrestle with the core questions of call and fit. For novices coming from novitiates of only one to later in life after a career in the teaching profession plus three members, the program provides a wider scope for learnings acquired while living in Japan for a number of understanding. years. “I felt some of the inputs were very much directed at “I loved being with the other novices! The novitiate is younger novices, with little expectation or realization that such a unique time that I think it can only fully be under- some people might be approaching the topics from differ- stood by those in it at the same time. Though our orders, ent starting points,” she says. “I enjoyed meeting novices countries of origins and lifestyles were different, we all from other communities and cultures, although as an older wrestled with the same ideas and explored what it meant novice myself, I often felt I had more in common with the to be a religious today in our contexts,” says Colleen. At directors, in terms of conversation.” the same time, she notes, “Being with the other novices gave me a very well-rounded experience. In addition to Formed with a Global Lens my Mercy novitiate, I absorbed bits and pieces from other orders, heard about the state of Catholicism and religious Intergenerational learnings are not the only venue for life all around the globe and saw the myriad of people that encountering differences. The rich cultural diversity among are called to follow Jesus.” novices brings a special dimension to discussion and reflection. In speaking of her ICN experience, Patti notes two types of We Journey Together on this Path cultural diversity: sharing with those from different countries and sharing with those from different regions across the Participating congregations in the St. Louis Intercommunity United States. “It was rewarding as well as challenging. I Collaborative Novitiate all share a common identity as enjoyed learning from the sisters and brothers from different apostolic religious congregations even though the expression countries. It allowed me to stretch my own knowledge of of that reality might be different and unique for each. The various cultures,” she says. “Just the same, it was good to final presentations of the year focus on the Gospel call to be with others who were from different parts of the United mission and ministry. Whether studying Catholic Social States. Each person brought his or her own life experience Teachings or exploring the various aspects of mission, novices’ and as we listened to each other’s story I was able to better attention turns to what is next: living out what they are appreciate my peers.” called to profess and giving their lives in service of their Sometimes the differences could be totally unexpected brothers and sisters. Rooted in their shared novitiate pro- and perception changing. Such was the impact on Sister cess, each goes forth knowing that he or she is not alone. Colleen O’Toole. “I especially enjoyed the folks from other countries. They gave me the chance to really reflect on my Sister Katherine Doyle serves as the novitiate minister own upbringing and background, as well as the opportunity for the Institute’s U.S. Novitiate in St. Louis, Missouri. to learn more from them. Because of our differences, Her past ministries have included community discussion could sometimes be a challenge, but it was a leadership, diocesan ministry, direction of Mercy positive thing to learn to handle,” she says. “I remember Center Auburn and secondary administration. She is one young man from India told us at the end of the year author of Like a Tree by Running Water: The Story that before he came to the United States, he had never had of Mary Baptist Russell, California’s First Sister of Mercy. You can the chance to be in a class and speak with and learn from contact Katherine at [email protected].

JANUARY | FEBRUARY 2019 ¡Viva! Mercy 7 8 ¡Viva! Mercy JANUARY | FEBRUARY 2019 MARTYRS OF EL SALVADOR

By Sister Ana María Pineda, Sandy Goetzinger and Sue Carroll

$PXUDOLQ(O3DLVQDO(O6DOYDGRU depicts the martyrs Saint Óscar Romero and Jesuit Father Rutilio Grande. &163KRWR5KLQD*XLGRV lawed. Frail. These are not words that first come to beautiful ways. And from my point of view it encourages Fmind when one thinks of Saint Óscar Romero or Jesuit me when I see the life of these two men who each struggled Father Rutilio Grande, two iconic figures in El Salvador’s to be a better person, and in that struggle they became history. Both of these martyrs died defending the needs martyrs.” of the poor in their country during years of violence and instability. But for Sister Ana María Pineda, author of Romero and Grande: Companions on the Journey, a work that For Ana María, the book she wrote on the two icons was a outlines their lives and passions, their vulnerability is what lifelong journey. she finds most inspirational for all Christians. Born in El Salvador, she came to the U.S. when she was The deaths, first of Grande and then Romero, during two years old. In her teens, she returned to El Salvador for the tumultuous climate of the late 1970s and early 1980s the first time. From that point on, she returned every other escalated tensions in the country’s civil war, one that would year or so to reunite with and meet family. Her parents, of last 12 years. The country, troubled by wide socioeconomic proud Salvadoran descent, honored the memories of their divisions among its people, was controlled by a repressive heritage by sharing stories of grandparents, aunts, uncles government that retaliated against citizens’ protests with and places the family lived. beatings, imprisonment and even death. The ramifications These trips helped Ana María understand a bit more of of the destabilization of the country are still felt today as the reality of the country, past and present. El Salvador remains one of the poorest and most violent She understood her family’s feelings toward Romero as countries in the world. a reflection of the sentiment for him around El Salvador: The impact of the lives of these two men in their time loved by the poor, feared by the wealthy. She learned about was remarkable, but their personal lives and struggles were Romero from her mother’s side of the family, who were more common and quite ordinary. In her book, Ana María not rich but comfortable and felt that he was a threat to writes that during the now-sainted Romero’s childhood, he the people. Their perspectives impelled Ana María to learn suffered an unknown illness that left him weak and para- more about the man, so she called the chancery office to lyzed. Although he overcame it, the experience shaped his set up an appointment. personality. He was known to be timid and shy, a quick- “When I think about it, I have to laugh,” she says about tempered perfectionist. He struggled with his personal making that phone call, “because it was a little foolish, a relationships due to his disposition. little bold and maybe a little ignorant to think I could just She notes that Grande in his writing describes his do it, but I did it.” struggles with a nervous condition and the challenge of Fortunately, it worked. accepting himself and his limitations as the creation that “As I’m sitting in the waiting room waiting to see him, God intended him to be. it occurs to me that I have no idea what I’m going to talk She explains: “In that human frailty, you see God’s grace to him about,” she continues. “As I’m sitting there, he being manifested and unfolding in so many generous and comes from behind me and I don’t see him but I feel his

TIMELINE ROMERO GRANDE Romero enters seminary in El Grande Saint Óscar Romero was the fourth Salvador and enters Romero Romero Grande moves to Rome seminary Romero returns Archbishop of San Salvador. He born in El born in El for doctoral in El ordained to El spoke out against poverty, social in- Salvador Salvador studies Salvador a priest Salvador justice, assassinations and torture. In 1980, Romero was assassinated while offering Mass in the chapel of the Hospital of Divine Providence. His friend, Jesuit priest Rutilio

Grande, had been assassinated just 1917 1918 1928 1929 1937 1939 1941 1942 1943 1945 three years before. To the right is a World War I Stock market World World War timeline of their extraordinary lives. ends crashes in the U.S., War II II ends devastating El begins in Salvador's coffee Europe 10 ¡Viva! Mercy JANUARY | FEBRUARY 2019 market presence.” Ana María describes that presence as powerful, the occasion of his canonization ceremony along with Pope self-possessed, tranquil, peaceful. Paul VI. The cause of beatification of Rutilio Grande was After a 15- to 20-minute conversation, Romero shared his opened in 2014, and Pope Francis has expressed his desire photo with her and said goodbye, ending an experience that to canonize the martyr. would inspire years of research to learn more about his story, Both men will forever be remembered for the impact including the details of his assassination just one year later. that they had on their communities in promoting peace, Ana María shared similar memories of learning the story justice and a preferential option for the poor. In his hom- of Rutilio Grande, who, as circumstances would have it, ily at Romero’s canonization Mass, Pope Francis noted she is actually related to through marriage. She recalls Romero’s sacrifice: “[He] left the security of the world, hearing his name from her Uncle Flavio Grande for the even his own safety, in order to give his life according first time in the early 1970s and glimpsing photos of him to the Gospel, close to the poor and to his people, with in family albums. Although Ana María never met him in a heart drawn to Jesus and his brothers and sisters.” All person, she conducted her research through archives of these saints, he said, referencing Pope Paul VI and others his papers, letters and correspondence, and partial pieces canonized that day, “put today’s word into practice in their of sermons and interviews with women and men, some of lives, without lukewarmness, without calculation, with the whom were seminarians taught by him and others who passion to risk everything and to leave it all.” knew him. Interviews with Sister Ana María Pineda by Sandy Ultimately, she says, “the book was an expression of Goetzinger, director of communications, Sisters of Mery deep and profound love of these two men that I had met West Midwest. Written by Sue Carroll, former Institute in different ways through family members or in person or director of communications. through archival work. “I discovered the beauty of these two men and how they Sister Ana María is vice president of the West inspire … through their human frailty and that’s how the Midwest Community Leadership Team and book turns out. It’s like a lifetime, a journey, a personal associate professor of religious studies at Santa journey of my own. Clara University. She has been instrumental in “It seems to me that I could be inspired by the struggles the development of Hispanic ministry and theology of ordinary people, be inspired to try and be a better person, in the United States, including being a founding and to make a difference in the world. So that’s my latest member of the Hispanic Theological Initiative and past president of the contribution, my greatest joy, a labor of love to do that.” Academy of Catholic Hispanic Theology. You can reach Ana María at Last month, 38 years after [email protected]. Romero’s assassination, his admirer and biographer found herself seated in St. Peter’s Square with 5,000 Salvadorans to witness

Romero assas- Grande assassi- sinated while nated just outside saying Mass Grande Grande Grande the town where at the chapel Grande continues Grande continues returns he was born of the Hospital ordained studies returns to studies to El of Divine Romero Romero a priest abroad El Salvador abroad Salvador Providence Li>̈wi` canonized Romero made archbishop 1959 1961 1962 1963 1964 1965 1968 1970 1972 1973 1977 1979 1980 1992 2015 2018

Berlin wall 2nd Vatican Assas- Passage U.S. Assassinations Coup in El Civil war Civil war in construc- Council/ sination of of the Civil enters of Martin Salvador in El El Salvador tion begins Cuban John F. Rights Vietnam Luther Salvador ends missile crisis Kennedy Act in the War King, Jr. and 11 U.S. Robert F. Kennedy Romero and Grande: Companions on the Journey An Excerpt

In her book, Sister Ana María Pineda examines various aspects of the lives of Father Rutilio Grande, SJ, and Saint Óscar Romero. In this excerpt from the chapter on their spiritual life, she shares the ways that Óscar Romero began to identify with the suffering of the poor in his country, particularly after the assassination of his friend.

On March 12, 1977, Romero was impelled another step forward As Archbishop of the nation’s capital, Romero embraced the toward the Crucified Jesus. His friend and priestly brother Rutilio responsibility to speak out against the violence and the abuse of Grande, SJ, along with two companions, was murdered en route power. His Sunday homilies, in light of the Gospel, reflected upon to celebrate a Mass for the novena of St. Joseph, patron saint the week’s events of injustice and savagery. Romero believed that of his hometown of El Paisnal. For a month after the killing of “besides reading the Bible, which is the word of God, a Christian Grande, military forces occupied the parish church of Aguilares, who is faithful to the word must also read the signs of the times, scattering and desecrating the Eucharistic host. the events, to illuminate them through the word.“ Because of his It was a time of great desolation and suffering for the people denunciation of the acts of terror and those who promoted it, he of Aguilares. The inhabitants feared for their lives, and indeed the lost the support of his own brother bishops and of those political military killed many of them. On June 19, 1977, to accompany and wealthy allies who in the past had befriended him. He received the people and to re-consecrate the church, Archbishop Romero repeated threats on his own life. himself went to Aguilares. In his homily, he identified the terrorized Given the ferociousness of the violence confronted, he people as “the image of the Pierced Holy One, of which the first faced the reality of his own death. He had often reflected on reading speaks to us in a language prophetic and mysterious, but which represents Christ nailed to the cross and pierced through by the theme of death in his annual retreats. But by his final retreat the spear. It is the image of all the people that, like Aguilares, will on February 25, 1980, he had become more convinced that be pierced, will be mistreated.” In the days and years following his actual death was imminent and inevitable. Earlier he had the murders, the violence and oppression of the poor and those thought to go to Guatemala for the retreat, but the intensifying committed to defend them escalated viciously. violence discouraged the plan. As his retreat notes reveal, he saw Over three years as Archbishop of San Salvador, Óscar God‘s will, and he examined his life and responsibilities as the Romero, the academic and administrator, received a powerful pastor of a suffering country. He prayed that God would allow summons. Always a man rooted in a prayer life that was nurtured him to be so transparent that His love, justice and truth would be by family, formation, study and grace, striving for greater faith- revealed. At the same time, he feared the violence that he might fulness and intimacy with God, now this man of prayer was have to suffer. In that retreat week itself, he had been warned of confronted by the Christ of the poor. The human face of suffering a series of threats to his life. He asked God to grant him serenity, evoked a galvanizing response in his soul. perseverance and humility even as he struggled with his own In his sermon on Palm Sunday 1978, Romero began to use weakness and temptation to vanity. the phrase “crucified people.“ In his Good Friday homily, he During Romero's examination of conscience, his confessor asserted: “It is our tortured people it is our people crucified, — reminded him of the importance of one’s interior disposition spat upon, and humiliated that represents our Lord Jesus — and counseled him against scrupulosity. He encouraged Christ to give our difficult situation a sense of redemption.” Romero to adopt a plan for his spiritual life but not to become Romero’s love for Christ present in the Eucharist was now enslaved to it. With his confessor, he shared his fears for his drawing him to the Eucharistic presence of the “Crucified life and the difficulty he had in accepting a violent death. From Christ“ in the suffering people of El Salvador. The “Crucified Christ “and the “Crucified people” of El his confessor, he received great comfort. With the grace of his Salvador became a constant focus of Romero‘s episcopal life. retreat, Romero was able to trust himself fully to God and to The image reappeared again and again in his homilies and in whatever lay ahead. his pastoral letters. The increasing violence was “crucifying“ the Quoted sources from this excerpt include interviews with people of El Salvador, especially the poor. Tragically the death or Rutilio Sánchez, Octavio Cruz and Roberto Cuéllar as well disappearance of “priests, seminarians, students, campesinos, as letters and handwritten notes to and from Grande and teachers, workers, professionals, and intellectuals murdered for Romero, and from Dedicated Love, the Homily for the Mass the faith in El Salvador” became commonplace. of Father Rutilio Grande. 12 ¡Viva! Mercy JANUARY | FEBRUARY 2019 JUSTICE

Stories from the Border Delegation

Ten Sisters of Mercy, associates, coworkers and others visited the U.S.-Mexico border from November 12–18 as part of a Mercy border delegation that included a stop outside the remote and ever-expanding Tornillo shelter for migrant children in West Texas. Participants worked firsthand with asylum seekers and learned about the root causes of the humanitarian crisis on the border. We asked several of the participants about the experience. This is what they said.

he border experience further opened I feel a heightened desire to act, to a couple of hours at one of the shelters Tmy eyes to the ways in which others not waste time and to continue to extend in El Paso. There was a room where suffer and yet survive at the hands of compassion. Participating mindfully in families could go in and select a complete corporate greed, the policies that support this trip revealed to me a loneliness I set of clothes for each member. Outside such greed and the ways in which racism did not know I felt. Being with others was a bench where people sat to wait to is ever present among us. It also helped who experience a passion for social jus- go in. As I happened by, a young boy to remind me of the need to continually tice evoked admiration and a desire to came carrying his bundle of clothes. He meet with and challenge our legislators to build within myself some of the strength looked quite pleased with himself and act differently and courage to act that I saw in them. sat on the bench, so I sat down beside I continue to ponder how I was struck —Sister Valeria Lewandoski, OSM, him and started to talk with him. by the signage on the fence that caught assistant director, Servite Center of Compassion Suddenly, with great delight, he looked at me and asked if I was going to go in my eye as we exited the van at the Tornillo here was such disturbing news about and get new clothes, too. detention center. The banner read, “Let the immigrants—separation of chil- T Since the experience, I still carry a our children go.” As a banner, it was a dren, the difficulties reuniting families, bit of sadness in my heart. I think of the striking and visceral reminder of the fears about the caravans. I wanted to see families and the hardship and cruelty reason for the witnessing that we were for myself what was actually happening they have experienced and know their about to do within the company of other and learn about what might be done to story continues. faith traditions. While grateful to be give support. I had worked on the border —Sister Kathy Thill there, I found myself caught by surprise in Texas and a piece of my heart is still there. and choked-up for some time, as if in a I had the privilege of volunteering for daze as I realized the level of trauma these children are facing. I found myself grateful to bear witness to a shadow side of our own violent culture ... there are now over 2,000 children in this expanding tent center that lies in a wasteland. —Sister Mary Miner erving a meal to immigrants newly Sreleased from a holding cell was a highlight of the trip for me. They were real people I wanted to connect with, and they seemed open, too. Another was par- ticipating in the vigil at Tornillo. Seeing for myself the tents, guards and fences keeping children detained and separated from their families made a great impact. I was left with feelings of both outrage 7KH0HUF\%RUGHU'HOHJDWLRQRXWVLGHWKH7RUQLOORGHWHQWLRQFHQWHULQ:HVW7H[DV)URPOHIW.ULV and sadness that the government of our &]HUZLHF &ROOHJHRI6W0DU\ 6HUYLWH6LVWHU9DOHULD/HZDQGRVNL6FRWW:ULJKW 1DWLRQDO5HOLJLRXV &DPSDLJQ$JDLQVW7RUWXUH -RVK5XELQ SURWHVWHU -HDQ6WRNDQ0DXUHHQ)DOFRQ :HVW0LGZHVW country was treating human beings in FRPPXQLFDWLRQV 6LVWHU0DU\0LQHU6LVWHU.DWK\7KLOO0LNH3RXOLQ :HVW0LGZHVWMXVWLFHPLVVLRQ this way. DQGPLQLVWU\GLUHFWRU 6LVWHU0DU\%LOGHUEDFNDQG6LVWHU.DWKOHHQ(ULFNVRQ 3KRWR%U\DQ+DQJHU

JANUARY | FEBRUARY 2019 ¡Viva! Mercy 13 By Sister Janet Ruffing, Ph.D.

³ǣɀɎƺȸhƏȇƺɎ«ɖǔˡȇǕً¨ǝِ(ِȒǔǔƺȸƺƳȸƺȅƏȸǸɀɎȒƺƳɖƬƏɎȒȸɀƏɎɎƺȇƳǣȇǕًז׎׏אƬɎȒƫƺȸ Xȇ ɎǝƺxƺȸƬɵ0ƳɖƬƏɎǣȒȇ³ɵɀɎƺȅȒǔɎǝƺȅƺȸǣƬƏɀƏȇȇɖƏǼƬȒȇǔƺȸƺȇƬƺِRƺȸȸƺȅƏȸǸɀًƏƳƏȵɎƺƳ ƏȇƳƺɴƬƺȸȵɎƺƳǝƺȸƺًǣȇɮǣɎƺɖɀɎȒƬȒȇɀǣƳƺȸɯƏɵɀɎȒƏƳƳȸƺɀɀɮǣȒǼƺȇƬƺǣȇȒɖȸƏƬɎǣȒȇɀًǣȇȒɖȸ ǼƏȇǕɖƏǕƺƏȇƳǣȇȒɖȸȅǣȇǣɀɎȸɵƬȒȅȅɖȇǣɎǣƺɀɎȒƬȸƺƏɎƺƏǕƺȇɎǼƺȸًȅȒȸƺȵƺƏƬƺǔɖǼƏȇƳȅȒȸƺ ƬȒȅȵƏɀɀǣȒȇƏɎƺɯȒȸǼƳِ

his summer, I was drawn to take a mystical text called Prominent in the text, illustrating this tender and gentle TContemplate the Gentleness of God, by Claire Dumont, Trinitarian God, is a photograph of a ceramic sculpture, with me on retreat. It is a Trinitarian Mysticism express- “The Merciful Trinity,” created by Dominican Sister Caritas ing the interior life of the Trinity that flows out to us and Müller. I invite you to contemplate this image for a few encompasses us, drawing us into this loving embrace of God. moments. Place yourself somewhere within the embrace of the Trinitarian persons represented in the sculpture. No one can ever imagine the life of relationship of As you enter this embrace of a gentle and compassionate I Am, Three in One. …The love that is lived in the God, where do you find yourself? What is your embodied Three is an immense and powerful fire always irrupt- response to this enveloping tenderness? ing, that impels God to leave Godself to create. What spreads from this relationship then is only gentleness t the start of my retreat, I realized I had been feeling because God gives only what God is. So is found in A“beat up” all year with the increasing violence in our the Trinity the inexhaustible source between the country—so much meanness, so much hostile and dis- Three cannot be otherwise, because they are One respectful speech, so many incidents of gun violence, so whose name is I Am, whose logic is love. “We are many reports of racialized police brutality, so much unrav- invited to aspire to live this being in the other. … eling of our social fabric, so much callous disregard for our Thus we live in God and God in us.” suffering planet and so many people fleeing environmental disasters. We are living in an unprecedented time of degraded discourse in the public square, when intense manipulation of our feelings by news and social media dehumanizes “others”—immigrants, women, minorities and those who do not conform to the standard sexual binary designations of gender identity—and a general loss of relational skills diminish our capacity to accommodate difference and to relate to all persons, regardless of their particular charac- teristics, with gentleness, kindness and empathy. I want to reflect briefly on our Chapter 2017 Recommitment to approach all of our Critical Concerns 7KH0HUFLIXO7ULQLW\E\ through the lens of nonviolence as well as the need to both 6LVWHU&DULWDV0OOHU23

14 ¡Viva! Mercy JANUARY | FEBRUARY 2019 express and foster empathy, which is the psychological For an entire community to embrace nonviolence basis of compassionate response in all of our ministries. requires considerable self-reflection and education in Compassion arises from an empathic and generous nonviolent communication and methods of intervening heart. It is often the experience of empathic responses in verbal or physical conflicts when they erupt. Marshall received from another—a parent, a sibling, a friend, a Rosenberg’s Non-Violent Communication: A Language of teacher, a therapist—to our own suffering that elicits a Life teaches everyone to sense their own deepest feel- similar response from us to another’s pain or suffering. ings and needs as well as to correctly recognize those of As a result, we develop the ability to be compassionate. others, so we can take responsibility for how we behave, Even more, since mercy is also effective action, we learn a think and feel. It is especially difficult to remain steady in repertoire of responses and then seek to reduce the causes these practices at a time such as our own when there is so of suffering. much public hate speech and denigration of many groups It is important in Mercy ministries that everyone in our society. Sherry Turkle’s work on conversation (see involved live this beatitude, “Blessed are the merciful, for Recommended Reading list) includes a chapter on solitude mercy will be theirs.” I firmly believe this is very much and self-reflection. If we occupy every “empty” moment the case and has a long history in our ministries. We all on our phones, we have squandered those moments we know and have experienced many times the difference might have spent in self-reflection. We need periods for it has made in our own lives when we have been treated introspection and awareness. with kindness and compassion, and the difference it makes Nancy Small, a former national coordinator of Pax when we work with others in this spirit to create and sustain Christi USA, writes passionately and insightfully in Seizing a positive environment. the Nonviolent Moments about what it means to open our- It seems to me that the practice of nonviolence is an selves to the power of nonviolence so that we can become indispensable extension of mercy. Our ministries should the leaven of nonviolence for others: be communities that operate from a basic stance of nonvio- The “more” of nonviolence is not to be confused with lence in the everyday functioning of all who are involved in the “more” that is craved in our have-it-all society, the ministry. I think what Pope Francis says about families a ravenous hunger for more stuff, more wealth, and in his 2017 World Day of Peace message, “Nonviolence: a more power. The “more” of nonviolence is about Style of Politics for Peace,” applies equally to all institutions: generating more of the stuff that peace is made of. The family is the indispensable crucible in which More love. More understanding. More compassion. spouses, parents and children, brothers and sisters, More equality. More right relationship. We bear wit- learn to communicate and to show generous concern ness to the “more” of nonviolence whenever we strive for one another, and in which frictions and even con- for more freedom, more justice, more wholeness, flicts have to be resolved not by force but by dialogue, more peace. The more we strive for peace, the more respect, concern for the good of the others, mercy we strengthen the spirituality of nonviolence. And and forgiveness. … the joy of love spills out into the the more we transform our society. world and radiates to the whole of society. An ethics itnessing injustice and hearing abusive language, let of … peaceful coexistence between individuals and alone being oneself the object of these experiences, among peoples cannot be based on the logic of fear, W can be enraging and demoralizing. Anger is the appropri- violence, and close-mindedness, but on responsibility, ate response to injustice. It registers indignity and moves respect and sincere dialogue. us to action. However, responding in kind, without reflec- We all know that this is not always the case and that tion and skillfulness, escalates the situation into one that there can be many kinds of abuse playing out in some can rapidly become emotionally or physically dangerous. families—including sexual abuse, harsh disciplinary mea- Learning how to interrupt a violent situation nonviolently sures and lack of dialogue—that contribute to violence in requires training, practice and an accurate evaluation of our culture. Societally, we experience high levels of gun the situation itself. As a result, it is important to learn and violence, extreme policing measures and various forms of practice tested techniques that are as safe as possible, both systemic violence. Even within families, children may not for the victim and for those who may be interrupters of be experiencing empathic responses from parents who are harassment, threats or other forms of violence that we wit- overwhelmed or spend little time in simple conversation. ness or are invited to help resolve. As a result, it is even more important to include educa- Social worker and researcher Brené Brown posted a tion in nonviolence as constitutive of the Gospel and of short essay on her blog in which she describes how the pro- discipleship of Jesus. cess of dehumanization begins with language. She found

JANUARY | FEBRUARY 2019 ¡Viva! Mercy 15 that when people she interviewed talked about feeling Further, dehumanizing and holding people accountable unsafe or threatened, they were not talking about getting are mutually exclusive. their feelings hurt or being forced to listen to dissenting midst all of this violence, we long for the gentleness opinions; they were talking about dehumanizing language and compassion of God. In the following prayer, we and behavior. David Smith, the author of Less than Human, A ask for God’s gifts to guide us in the face of this climate explains that dehumanization is a response to conflicting online and in our world. How else will you respond to the motives. We want to harm a group of people, but it goes need for more compassion and mercy in our world? against our wiring as members of a social species actu- ally to harm, kill, torture or degrade other humans. Smith Gentle Spirit, assure us that the turbulent animosity explains that there are very deep and natural inhibitions and violence of this era can be lessened when we express that prevent us from treating people like animals, game or your love in our attitudes and actions. dangerous predators. “Dehumanization” is a way of sub- Gentle God, weave your peace through leaders of verting those inhibitions. nations whose governance supports and encourages Michelle Maiese, an associate professor of philosophy at domination over other human beings. Emmanuel College, defines dehumanization as “the psy- Gentle Wisdom, guide us in the ways of peace and chological process of demonizing the enemy, making them reconciliation. seem less than human and hence not worthy of humane Gentle Spirit, fill us with love, joy, peace, patience, treatment.” This process begins with creating an enemy kindness, gentleness. image. Once we see people on “the other side” of a conflict Gentle God, expand our empathy and fill us with your as morally inferior and even dangerous, the conflict starts compassion. being framed as good versus evil. Once this is set up, the positions become more rigid, making the parties believe Sister Janet Ruffing is a professor in the practice that they must either win or face defeat. of spirituality and ministerial leadership at Yale This process, Brown writes, “has fueled innumerable Divinity School. She is also professor emerita of acts of violence, human rights violations, war crimes, and spirituality and spiritual direction at Fordham genocides. It makes slavery, torture, and human trafficking University. You can contact Sister Janet at possible. Dehumanizing others is the process by which we janet.ruffi[email protected]. become accepting of violations against human nature, the (Prayer inspired by Claire Dumont as well as Joyce Rupp, human spirit, and for many of us, violations against the Prayers of Boundless Compassion, Notre Dame Press, 2018) central tenets of our faith.” Even more sobering, Brown says that we are all vulnerable to the slow and insidious practice of dehumanizing, there- RECOMMENDED READING fore we are all responsible for recognizing it and stopping Brené Brown, Dehumanizing Always Starts with Language. May 17, it. Stopping it requires “rehumanizing” and reversing the 2018. https://brenebrown.com/blog/2018/05/17/dehumanizing- always-starts-with-language/ process with words and images. Brown understands that we are edging closer and closer Claire Dumont, Contemplate the Gentleness of God. Walpole, MA: to a world where political and ideological discourse has Peeters, 2017. become an exercise in dehumanization. And social media Nancy Small, Seizing the Nonviolent Moments: Reflections on the Spiri- are the primary platforms for this behavior. On Twitter and tuality of Nonviolence through the Lens of Scripture. Eugene, Oregon: Cascade Books, 2015. Facebook, it is easy to push those we disagree with into the dangerous territory of moral exclusion, with little to no Sherry Turkle, Reclaiming Conversation: The Power of Talk in a Digital Age. New York: Penguin Press, 2015. accountability, and often in complete anonymity. She advises that when we hear people referred to as animals or aliens, or in any way less than human, we should wonder, “Is this an attempt to reduce someone’s humanity so we can get away with hurting them or denying them basic rights?” She observes in this blog that “raging, fearful people from the right and left are crossing [this line] at unprec- edented rates every single day. And we must never tolerate dehumanization—the primary instrument of violence that has been used in every genocide recorded throughout history.

16 ¡Viva! Mercy JANUARY | FEBRUARYEBRUAR 2019 REFLECTION

Separation

Amy Westphal was welcomed as a Mercy candidate this fall. She ministers with ARISE in South Texas as a grant writer while living in the welcoming community in Cincinnati. She wrote this reflection after hearing from people at ARISE who have seen barbed wire rolled out by troops on the border. ARISE works with colonia families to strengthen their communities.

As the barbed wire scrapes the skin of tierra at the U.S.-Mexico border, blistered wounds of separation bleed forth once again as family members misplaced line the streets and heavy-hearted feet pound the earth making their way north with hope of hospitality. For many who make this journey, there is no home to return to, family members are lost along the way, or wait in a place where fear strips the shingles of “home” off the heart. Hope seemingly swept away in callous operations of greed and crime. This separation goes beyond the geographic, kin or psychological but it splinters the soul, the well-being of spiritual grounding. The soul planted in the earth is uprooted, drug through lands unfit to tend roots of such depth, and transplanted upon freezing floors of concrete where life shrivels and cries for a final drop of nourishment. Separated from the nurturer, the child who silences her cry, the mother’s heart torn wide open, homelessness invades each cell of being. When waves not only carry political parties but also immigrants washing up to shores of unwelcome, how does this tender soul encounter light of hope and healing mercy? How does this human being, intimately knit together in a mother’s womb, arrive on a U.S. shore, or border, with freedom from fear? The strategy is not complicated, printed in code or confidential. It doesn’t take the deployment of armed service persons. No tax dollars required. Rather, to 7KHYLHZWKURXJKWKH860H[LFRERUGHUZDOOQHDU$5,6(LQ6RXWK7H[DV initiate such a healing balm is quite easy—look into their 3KRWR$P\:HVWSKDO  eyes, see your own reflection, and say “welcome home.” —Candidate Amy Westphal

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JANUARY | FEBRUARY 2019 ¡Viva! Mercy 17 NONPROFIT ORG.

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Calendar

JANUARY 1 World Day of Peace

JANUARY 6 – 12 National Migration Week

JANUARY 11 Human Trafficking Awareness Day

JANUARY 20 Martin Luther King Day

FEBRUARY 2 World Day for Consecrated Life

3KRWRE\6LVWHU9LFWRULD,QFULYDJOLD FEBRUARY 28 Mercy Education System of the Americas Leadership Forum Follow the Sisters of Mercy: Atlanta, Georgia www.sistersofmercy.org/social Contact: Sister Lisa Griffith lgriffi[email protected]