••• Circles of Mercy has more than a twenty-year tradition of providing hope, hospitality and empowerment ••• to individuals in the Rensselaer Community, especially women and women with children. Connections ••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• SPONSORED BY THE SISTERS OF MERCY NORTHEAST COMMUNITY A Taste of Mercy Gala Wednesday evening June 12, the friends Mission and supporters of Circles of Mercy did it Statement once again! The gala and signature fundraising event held at Shaker Ridge Circles of Mercy County Club in Loudonville, was an over- honors the dignity of each person, whelming success raising over $38,000 - offers hospitality, most ever raised! This year Circles of Mercy and provides honored Virginia L. Golden, the former services to instill President of St. Peter’s and Albany Memorial hope and em power Hospitals, with the annual Hope and individuals to reach Hospitality Award. their full potential. Mrs. Golden received the recognition to honor her for completing an exemplary Honoree Virginia L. Golden (left), former President of both St. Peter’s and Albany Memorial Hospitals, poses with the 2019 48-year career at St. Peter’s Hospital. Hope and Hospitality Award, after receiving it from Richard S. During that period she has shared her Zazycki, Executive Director of Circles of Mercy (right). time, talent and treasure, serving people Photo by Sister Barbara Roman, RSM FALL 2018/ who are socially disenfranchised, suffering happy to recognize Mrs. Golden’s work from poverty and especially those who are with our annual award and offer our sincere SUMMER 2019 sick and in need of medical care. Virginia congratulations and best wishes. recently served in the role of president for VOLUME Circles of Mercy Trustees and the Sisters 17 both hospitals from April 2016 to July 2018. of Mercy Northeast Community also pre- She has dedicated her life to the continua- NUMBER sented their annual Sister Gail Rieth, RSM 1 tion of and building upon a “Mission of Volunteer Service Award honoring the Mercy”. There isn’t any doubt that Virginia “Friends of Frank Jaklitsch” band members “…loves mercy, has been living justly and Director: and singers for their volunteer work assist- walks humbly with God”. We are very Richard Zazycki ing Circles of Mercy. Hours: For the past 13 years, the M-F, 10 a.m.– 2 p.m. “Friends of Frank Jaklitsch” Tues. only, until 3 pm have raised nearly $90,000 by or by appointment doing a terrific job in continu- ing Frank Jaklitsch’s tradition of Programs: playing and singing the music • Holiday Programs for our annual Irish Night • Baby Supplies event. On behalf of the Sisters • Mentoring of Mercy and the Circles of • Financial Tutoring Mercy Board of Trustees, we • Computer Training are grateful to the “Friends of • Support Group Frank Jaklitsch” for their kind- • Free Tax Return Prep Richard S. Zazycki (left), Executive Director of Circles of Mercy, presents the Gail A. ness and support in promoting • Professional Clothing Reith, RSM 2019 Volunteer Award to the “Friends of Frank Jaklitsch” band members and nurturing this ongoing • Advocacy (left to right) Michael Roche, Michael Donegan, Frank Jaklitsch (Posthumously) • Social Service Referrals accepted by Eileen Jaklitsch, Robert Long, Kathy Quinlan and Chris Gill (missing collaboration. • Michael Eck), for their outstanding volunteer service. • Catherine’s Closet Photo by Sister Barbara Roman, RSM •••••••••••••••••••••••••••• • CIRCLES OF MERCY • 11 WASHINGTON STREET, RENSSELAER, NY 12144 • 518-462-0899 Connections Director’s Remarks by Richard Zazycki A newsletter to promote the mission and “Mercy Association – 50th Anniversary… values of Circles of Mercy, a program sponsored by the Sisters of Mercy. Thirteen years ago when I became performing the corporal and spiritual the Executive Director of Circles, my works of Mercy. Our solemn promise, Eleanor Guerin, RSM, Editor feeling at that time was as its leader, if I builds upon the shoulders of the Sisters Joanne Scheibly, Editor was going to be one of the public faces and Associates living now and upon CONTRIBUTING WRITERS : locally for the Sisters of Mercy, I should the “legacy” of all those who have gone Judith Dougherty know all that was possible to know before us. Kathleen Pingelski about Mercy, its founder, her charism, Richard Zazycki As Associates we “promise” to support the history and traditions. I made a and participate along with the Sisters LAYOUT promise to the Sisters then and became Barbara A. Roman, RSM through our working commitment. a Mercy Associate. Recently I was given There remains tremendous suffering Circles of Mercy the honor and privilege to offer the and injustices needing to be rectified. 11 Washington Street reflection at a liturgy where new candi - We must strive to be like our founder Rensselaer, NY 12144 dates made their formal promise to the Catherine, who devoted her life to the ph (518) 462-0899 Mercy Community. care of the poor, trying to meet the fx: (518) 462-2892 The promises made by an Associate is needs of the times with the thought www.circlesofmercy.org an important witness to the history and that; “Our charity must be in our hearts tradition of Mercy. As Associates we and from our hearts…” join a mercy family and tradition rooted The corporal and spiritual works of Circles of Mercy in the core elements of Community, mercy lead us from contemplation to Service and Prayer. Our covenants reflect Board of Trustees action. To live “a legacy” of mercy means our own personal commitment to this “a promise” to live a life fully in, and of, Judith L. Dougherty, Chair way of life (or to borrow a phrase – Janice A. Labas-Lucht, Vice Chair the Spirit. On this observance of the Reverend John J. Bradley “Mercy, A Legacy, A Promise”). 50th anniversary of Mercy Association, Sister Nadine Farnum, RSM The “legacy” of Mercy began in our we extend grateful thanks to all my Sister Eleanor C. Guerin, RSM area over 155 years ago in “New Green - colleagues for your promise to Mercy. Dr. Stephanie M. Hutchins, PhD Sister Patricia A. Lynch, RSM bush” (now known as Rensselaer). To all my friends and family, would you Sister Judith Kapp, RSM, Ministry Liaison Since then the Sisters of Mercy and please think about answering the call their Associates have taken care of the of the Spirit, and look at exploring and Corporate Sponsors poor, the sick and uneducated, by living sharing along with our Mercy family? “HOPE” LEVEL their vocation with the promise of “Mercy, A Legacy, A Promise”… • Albany Medical Center Alexander W. Cruden & Co., CPA •••••••••••••••••••••••••• Maria College Roman Catholic Diocese of Albany SEFCU Partnership with Living Resources Sisters of Mercy Northeast Community We have had an ongoing partnership St. Mary at Clinton Heights St. Peter’s Health Partners with the Living Resources operations Store Away Self-Storage, East Greenbush for nearly two years here in Rensselaer The Closet Shop – Delmar County. This agency’s mission is to pro - W.J. Lyons, Jr. Funeral Home, Inc. vide growth opportunities in a safe and HOSPITALITY” LEVEL nurturing environment for people with Amtrak Rail Service disabilities, helping these individuals Catholic Charities of the Albany Diocese meet and exceed their personal goals. Church of the Holy Spirit Weekly, the “work team” of client volun - Franciscan Center for Service and Advocacy at Siena College teers helps in Circles’ office area and in MicroKnowledge, Inc. Catherine’s Closet, performing various Modern Press types of tasks. All of these individuals Nigro Companies Members of the Living Resources Work Team (L to R): Jay, OrthoNY are very professional, courteous, friendly, Jadine, John, Josh and Steve, who volunteer weekly in Pierro, Conner & Strauss, LLC and do a fantastic job with work activ - Catherine’s Closet (photo courtesy of Circles of Mercy).. Polsinello Fuels, Inc. ities assigned. We are grateful to the St. Michael the Archangel Parish Parish of St. John/St. Joseph client volunteers from Living Resources for their kindness and support in promoting Women’s Cancer Care Associates and nurturing this ongoing collaboration. Thanks to everyone on the Living Resources 2Shea (Catering) “Work Team” who participated by helping us to help others. Our “Circles” of Mercy continues to grow, ever widens, is never ending and is always in need of friends . • •••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• CONNECTIONS • F ALL 2018/S UMMER 2019 • P AGE 2 Honorary Gifts and Memorial Donations Fall 2018 – Summer 2019 Memorial Contributions and Honorary Gifts… Circles of Mercy gratefully acknowledges the following donations and gifts made: In Memory of: • James George – by Maureen and Shane James Poole, M/M James Porpeglia; Denis Somerville Puls, Sister Jane Somerville, Sister Barbara • John Robert “Bob” Carpenter – by Penny • Nancy LaRow – by Rosemary Doyle Dudley, Joanne Scheibly, Mary Ellen Hill and Richard Zazycki • Michele A. Wink – by Circles of Mercy Scheibly, Sklenar Charlton; Shelley Spierman, Frederick J. Talarico, Anne & Dominick • Paul J. Eriole, Jr. – by Circles of Mercy • Mary Beth Jordan – by Circles of Mercy Testo, Ellen Tolan, Anne & John Vadney, • Karen Stiffen Pologa – by Richard Zazycki • Joanna Prunty – by the National Catholic and Stephen Zazycki Marianne K. VanDerHyden, Mary Ann West, Nurses Association Denise & Jeffery Wright, and Circles of Mercy • Dolores Purcell – Mary and Gena Purcell • Agnes Mary “Merry” Donlon – by Nancy L. • Sue Ann Rodgers – by Susan Innes, Michael • Josephine DiDomenicantonio – by Mario E. Flaherty Kelly, Dorothy Young, Stephanie Ryan, DiDomenicantonio • Sister Rosemarie Murray (“Sister Tim”), RSM Joan Nuir, Shirley Hirt, Mary LaFleur, Karen • Beverly A. Nead – by Richard F. Nead • Woodrow J. “Woody” Maxwell – by Circles Minasian, Deacon Bill Dringus & Tita • Sister Mary Coons, RSM – by Nicolena P. of Mercy Dringus and Circles of Mercy Barone • Eugene A. Tranelli – by Circles of Mercy • Rita C. Regina – by Circles of Mercy • Margaret and Andrew Hammerl – by • David L. Schrimsher, Sr. – by Candice Brady, • Mary C.