august-september 2011

1 Mercy Connection • August/September 2011

August/September 2011

continued next page

An intense time of preparation and discernment through Loop Groups, pre-Chapter mega calls and personal contemplation culminated in a 10-day Institute Chapter held from June 20-30 on the Saint Xavier University campus in Chicago. The Institute Chapter Planning Committee members, who organized this first communal discernment chapter, took great pains to capture the collective thinking and wisdom of the community in order to give it voice by making it an integral part of the Chapter process.

The central Chapter discernment question was: “We ask you, God of Mercy, who is Wisdom and Mystery, where do we need to be led now to come to both a deeper response to the critical concerns and a radical embrace of our identity?” Chapter delegates and participants were to do two things: deepen the response of the community to the critical concerns and to lead the community to a more radical embrace of religious life.

Though unfamiliar at the outset, as the delegates and participants note in their reflections in the following pages, the process of communal discernment was revealed through experiencing it. And they were truly moved by what they experienced.

Each day began with a lengthy time for faith-sharing in small Base Communities, an experience delegates and participants said deepened their connection with each other in a way that has them hungering for more. Powerful liturgies also further engaged the hearts and minds of the group allowing for the inspiration of the Spirit. As delegates and participants wrestled with their work of creating the Chapter declaration, they were challenged to move from expressing their own opinions and thoughts to representing

the consensus of their groups. With each draft of the Chapter declaration, they poured over every word in both English and Spanish so that the declaration conveyed the collective wisdom of the whole.

Formed out of prayer, deep faith-sharing, and the skill of sister writers, the third draft of the Chapter Declaration was approved. The resulting Chapter Declaration is only the beginning. Putting the declaration into action is the Institute's work for six years.

The Chapter agenda also included the presentation of the accountability report from the ILT, the review of proposed changes to the Constitutions, and reports from each Community. The Chapter included an opportunity to bear witness to the Critical Concern of immigration. On June 25, 400 sisters, associates, companions and co-ministers took part in a public witness: "Stop Deportations! Stop Ripping Families Apart!"

The delegates and participants used the communal discernment process to select candidates for leadership. On June 29, the new Institute Leadership Team, who will serve from 2011-2017, was elected. The new team – Sister Pat McDermott, president; Sister Eileen Campbell, first councilor; Sisters Anne Curtis; Mary Pat Garvin; and Deborah Troillett, councilors – began their new roles on August 1.

Passionate for the Gospel, witnessing to the legacy of Catherine McAuley -- Chapter Declaration

Communal Discernment Chapter comes alive for delegates, participants

To Read the entire Chapter Declaration: http://sistersofmercy.org/images/stories/MembersNews/chapter2011/chapterdeclaration6-30-11en.pdf

Special Edition:


continued next page

Delegates, participants reflect on Chapter

Did we set Direction?—Sister Judy CannonAs we gathered in Chicago, we knew that an essential purpose of Chapter is to set direction for the Institute. In Loop Groups, we had prayed and shared around the Chapter question, and I know I was mystified by how we would set direction in a communal discernment Chapter.

Sharing with open hearts, we reflected on our faith and experience, identified compelling topics using two words only (adjective and noun – a limitation not every table was able to abide by!), listened to other tables’ ideas, enlarged our thoughts to a short telegram-style statement with a verb, and reviewed three successive drafts of the Chapter Declaration. As we reached consensus and voted our approval, I felt the Declaration was reassuringly familiar. The key themes of our life in Mercy were there.

But did we set direction? We had ample opportunity to set out into unknown territory, but – significantly – we were not led to do so. Our verbs are to deepen, make evident, unmask, address, liberate, redistribute, develop, act, contribute.

I can only conclude that the Chapter set direction to the extent that all of us in the Mercy family take action to implement the Declaration in concrete ways. That we truly do something new is up to us!

Vivid images of a dance led by Catherine—Associate Trish TroutAttending the Institute Chapter was for me nothing short of a life-transforming experience. Vivid memories and feelings continue to surface…deep faith-sharing every day with sisters, associates and companions; welcoming smiles as we shared meals, meeting sessions and fun; the almost visceral presence of the Holy Spirit as we engaged in communal discernment; the radiant faces of our Institute Leadership Teams, both outgoing and incoming; the inspiration of the

Word proclaimed daily in English and Spanish; lilting melodies in the many mellifluous languages of our Institute; the vibrant Mercy life of our six Communities shining out through their presentations; our struggles to craft the Chapter Declaration, always going deeper and becoming increasingly urgent; the long and the short of our co-facilitators, Sister Barbara professorial and patient, Sister Jeannette small and steely with a glint in her eye; and always the joy of the dance, the grand right and left led graciously from on high by Catherine.

Capturing heart and passion of Chapter—Sister Jeanne ChristensenBeing a writer was a highlight of the Chapter. Our task was to write a Chapter Declaration true to the words our sisters gave us. Their message was clear – use strong words, challenge us!

We writers were careful to stay true to the words given to us, especially when the words came more than once, like liberate; and when necessary one of us simply said, “that’s your word and that’s why we’ve used it.” The one exception was the word scandalized – that was our word and one we felt strongly about because it came from the heart and passion of our own discussion – it seemed to explode into the room!

We are scandalized by the increase in the impoverishment of peoples, the pervasive denial of basic human rights, the degrada-tion of Earth and increased violence and racism in all their forms. --Chapter Declaration

God of Mercy, of Wisdom and Mystery, where do we need to be led now to come to both a deeper response to our Critical Concerns and a radical embrace of our identity? --Chapter Declaration

L-R: Sisters Betty Smith, Carol Mucha, Corrine Raven and, standing, Kathleen McClelland


Graced integration: delicious flavors of oneness—Sister Judy CarleGraced integration – my overall and lasting impression of Chapter 2011. Being looped into the process for the previous year, we reached amazing depths as we tried to name our God and identify a direction. I loved the commonality experienced by sisters across 12 countries. Sometimes we forgot we were communicating in two languages, they were so intertwined. In past years we had thought and composed our statements in English, then translated them into Spanish. Now we were listening hard, thinking together, and constructing our statements

simultaneously in both languages. Every word was important – beginning with an adjective and noun, then moving to a “telegram message” and finally a declaration with acts stemming from a deeper sense of who we are and how we want to move with our critical concerns. We tasted delicious flavors of our six communities even as we became more conscious of our oneness.

Spiritually enriching, graced and heart changing—Associate Ann Dufour The “communal discernment chapter design” is superb. A joyful and melodious choir of angels led us to our daily faith-sharing hour. Imagine participating in prayer for one hour and specifically sharing with the same six to eight people at your base table and on alternate days with six to eight other people at your consensus table. Such a magnificent opportunity for creating a rich spiritual acquaintance with 12 to 16 people. The intuitive awareness of the presence of Catherine through the Holy Spirit has no match for words. The beauty and goodness of the discussions which took place at the base tables and continued at the consensus tables, where further wordsmithing and deeper discernment took place, proved fruitful in selecting the new Institute Leadership Team and in the development of the Fifth Institute Chapter Declaration. In a few words, my experience was spiritually enriching, graced and heart-changing.

Catherine said it first, and Institute President Sister Mary Waskowiak reiterated at Chapter: “Tis a glorious thing to be a Sister of Mercy.” We say amen to that and add: “Tis a glorious thing to be an associate of the Sisters of Mercy.”

Inclusivity spoke of trust—Companion Jane BowerI was thrilled to be a part of this entire Fifth Institute Chapter from the palpable inclusivity of the opening event through the closing ceremony 10 days later. It was exciting to hear Sister Mary Waskowiak tell us in her opening address that all who call themselves Mercy are one. Indeed, that the Institute chose to invite 15 non-vowed members to participate in this Chapter spoke clearly to me of their trust and vision for the future.

Somos el Cuerpo de Christo—We are the body of Christ —Sister Marilyn KingThese words punctuated the 10 days of Chapter. They best describe my experience during this privileged time. As the days went on, I felt my ego being dissolved into the Chapter body, moving from a “me” to a "we." And then I realized this was an experience of being Institute, beyond original regions or present communities. And, further, it was a sacramental moment of being one in Christ. We have spoken so often of the prophetic element of religious life. For me, the actualization of a group of diverse people spending time listening and sharing and coming to a common “declaration” had the potential of witnessing to our adversarial society, demonstrating that unity is possible.

Reflections on Chapter, cont.

L-R: Sisters Rosemary Huddleston and Marilyn King

continued next page


Jane Bower, cont.One facet of the Chapter that greatly touched me was the hour of faith-sharing each morning which carried us into the discernment process. This experience took me to depths I never expected to go. Regardless how I came to prayer each morning I was quickly drawn into the spirit of the day with the theme projected on the screens, then the opening hymn, the readings from the Gospels and Catherine, the time for quiet reflection and then sharing. From this deep sharing, a trust followed and flowed into the discernment and consensus process. The heartfelt, honest sharing in our groups formed a bond among us that each of us was reluctant to loosen on the last day. If I know another’s heart, I listen differently.

Learning the lesson of communal discernment—Sister Kathy Thornton The Fifth Institute Chapter was learning by doing! I learned a new way of living paragraph 28 of our Constitutions. I learned a process of communal discernment by experiencing it. From participating in Loop Groups, the pre-Chapter mega calls (finances, constitutional material and nominees) to faith-sharing in Base Communities, to direction building in consensus groups, communal discernment came alive for me.

One thing I learned was that communal discernment is about listening. I came to realize what I was hearing was more important than what I was saying. I wanted to now carry the message of my Base Group to my consensus group more than I wanted my own ideas to prevail. I wanted the declaration to reflect our collective wisdom and our collective compassion to be evident. I believe it does.

A Chapter experience from the sidelines—Sister Carol MuchaAlthough I was not a delegate or participant for the recent Chapter in Chicago, my experience as a member of the Hospitality Committee was one of surprise and delight. That reaction came from observations and conversations with the participants who moved from a position of skepticism about the discernment process to a plunge into the depths of soul searching in a communal effort to hear the God of Mystery and Wisdom speak in the silence of profound prayer and ritual. Truly, God is at work … “doing something new” in our midst. Now it is

for us to take up the challenge.

The days were intense and long. Sister Mary Oladimeji took time to reflect and be quiet on the red couch before returning to her consensus group. It was a comfy hideaway in the north entrance to the Chapter hall.


Companions Jane Bower and Sue LaVoie

continued next page

Hospitality team Sisters Carol Mucha (left) and Campion Maguire

As coordinator of the ground transportation for attendees needing mobile assistance, the 10 days were enriching and fun. On one day when the skies opened and we needed to use cars rather than the six passenger golf carts that had been rented, another volunteer said to me that she had never in her life met such an intelligent, thoughtful and independent group of people gathered all in one place. Being a volunteer had its perks because we had the privilege of getting to meet people from across the Institute whose names we had heard but with whom we never had the opportunity to socialize. Those days were full but truly were

A volunteer perspective—Sister Campion Maguire


Interplay of prayer and discussion resulted in experience of God—Sister Janet RozzanoThe most amazing aspect of our Chapter Declaration for me was the process used, both before but especially during Chapter. It required of me a renewed faith and willingness to let go. It called me to move forward step by step and let the process unfold in the interplay of our prayer and discussion in the two table groups to which each of us was assigned. There were many moments when I honestly wondered or actually doubted that we could or would come up with anything!

The gift of this disciplined process was that the end product was truly the work of all of us, not just the work of the most vocal or persistent among us. The process was also an experience of the God of mystery working with and in us, even in darkness and uncertainty. I want to continue to speak my truth and share faith with others, but also to let go, trust, and listen openly to each voice in our midst as we seek together to follow God who is mystery, wisdom and mercy.

Future: empowering only delegates?—Sister Phyllis HughesMy experience of Chapter in Chicago was the best of the four Institute Chapters that I have attended, having missed Laredo. I was happy to see a communal discernment mode because I think this type of process better fits our way of life. I thought we did reasonably well steering between “too global” (and therefore meaningless) and “too specific” (which we would be stuck with even if they don’t prove to be good ideas when it comes time to implement). Obviously, much will depend on how leadership helps us move the Chapter statement into reality.

I started out as a participant, moved to an alternate, and at the last minute became a delegate. Much as I appreciated the extended presence of participants and the opportunity to be one myself, I do wonder if in the future, for reasons of resources and aging members, if we are going to need to rethink numbers in attendance. It struck me that there was not that much difference between what the participants and delegates thought and maybe we need to get more comfortable with empowering delegates only to discern on our behalf. This is just a question I thought I would put out there.

The importance of offering concrete direction—Sister Helen Marie BurnsThe most recent Institute Chapter was well-planned and well-executed. Conversations in the Base Community and Consensus Community were open, honest and reflective. A careful continuity of prayer and ritual gave impetus to such conversation. This Chapter seemed a culmination of efforts over the past decades to move toward deeper sharing and communal reflection. While we gained much, I believe we lost some important aspects of a Chapter event. A Chapter serves best when the body offers concrete direction to the work of a leadership team, addresses specific concerns and issues, and establishes concrete priorities. Addressing such concerns may be messy and disturbing, but certainly is no less holy. I am hopeful that we will pause now to analyze the methodology most helpful for an active religious congregation and discover a modality that blends various approaches to successfully address the business of our lives.


Sisters Mary Haddad (left)and Phyllis Hughes

Spirit of joy and contemplation palpable —Sister Mary LoftusAs a Hospitality Committee member, I did not attend the Chapter sessions, but was present almost every day to be of service. While there I imbibed the prevailing spirit of contemplation, mingled with enthusiasm and joy. What caused me to marvel was knowing that almost everyone present was a “chief ” in her area of ministry, yet when we were together we were ourselves, loving sisters.

continued next page


Faces of workers reminds of urgency of our Critical Concerns—Sister Karen DonohueOur Direction Statement calls us to act in solidarity with persons who are economically poor. One of our Critical Concerns challenges us to stand in solidarity with immigrants seeking fullness of life. During our 10 days at Saint Xavier University in Chicago, we ate all of our meals in the university diner where a staff that was overwhelmingly Latino served us. These women and men were courteous and helpful and went out of their way to make sure we had everything we needed.

Many times during the week, I found myself wondering about the lives of these people. What perils had they faced coming to this

country? Were they working for the minimum wage? Were they undocumented? Did they live in fear that they or members of their families would be picked up and deported? What did they think about our public witness against detention and deportation on Saturday?

For me, these food service workers, who did so much to make our stay at SXU enjoyable, remind us of who we are called to be as Mercy. It is for them that we commit with urgency to these acts.

The social side of chapter—Sister Kathleen McClellandServing on the hospitality committee, I didn’t get into the Chapter room as much as I would have liked, but I did get to all the social events. The most outstanding of those for me were the performance by the Misericordia Heartbreakers and the farewell prayer and celebration for the outgoing team.

Misericordia Heartbreakers entertained us for an hour with song and dance. At the end of the performance, the audience gave the Heartbreakers a standing ovation and sang a song for them. Then we formed an honor guard as they came into the diner. A sister who works at Misericordia reported that the next day the members of the Heartbreakers spoke of the amazing standing ovation and honor guard. Everyone was thrilled.

Chapter prepared her for future in Mercy—Sister Taryn StarkAt Chapter I felt the collective goodness in the room, the love, the ‘fruits’ of the Sisters of Mercy. I have never been in a room with so many people and felt so comfortable, not just being encouraged to speak out but wanting to share my thoughts.

I now realize the true blessing it was to be a part of such an important event for the Sisters of Mercy of the Americas. As I return back home, I know that I am better prepared for my future in Mercy. My call to Mercy was deepened by recognizing and sharing the inner peace I brought each day. Yes, all 10 days.


After a farewell presentation to the ILT, everyone was finishing their supper as Sister Rita Parks, in boa and mask (and rose between her teeth), entered the room, speaking in her best French accent. Rita had contacted five sisters, each of whom knew well one of the outgo-ing team members. The stories the sisters told were funny – at the expense of the team member. As Rita said “adieu,” the DJ blasted the song “Celebration” and celebrate everyone did. The dance floor was filled for the next hour and a half. --Sister Kathleen McClelland

Ending with a flourish!


Renée Kettering is welcomed to the CommunityWe welcome you into deeper communion with us and we name you our Sister Renée Kettering --Sister Judith Frikker

The Welcoming Community of Sister Renée from left: Sisters Karen Donahue, Renée, Mary Kelly, Marie Henderson

Renée's family lives in Cincinnati and all came for the ceremony. L-R: brother Matthew, dad Timothy, mom Christina, and brother Philip

Mercy Volunteers with whom Renée served: Danielle Daguio, Siobhan Dodds, Renee, Megan, Bridget Kelley

Renée and Jenny Wilson, an RSM friend from NyPPaW

Saturday, July 16, was a joyful day for the Sisters of Mercy West Midwest Community as Renée Kettering of Detroit, Mich., was received as a novice. The Reception Ritual held at Mercy Center Chapel in Farmington Hills was witnessed by sisters, associates companions, family and friends. In August 2007, Sister Renée moved to Detroit, Mich., to serve in Mercy Volunteer Corps (MVC). While she was in MVC, she volunteered at Mercy Education Project, teaching GED mathematics and coordinating the after-school girls program. Her ministry was information technology services. Until June 2011, Renée served at University of Detroit Mercy as a communications and software specialist. She is now at the Institute Novitiate in Laredo, Texas.

Sister Judith Frikker, interim president of the WMW, and Renée led the entrance procession on July 16.

"Be signed now with the cross of Christ." Incorporation Minister Julie Brown signs Renée's forehead.


The transformation of the world is linked to our transformation.

Sister Michelle Gorman for the WMW Community Leadership Team

Greetings from the CLT as we move into the fourth year of our West Midwest Community! As I write these lines, Judith is on vacation, Sheila is introducing Retirement Director Jean Sassatelli to the California community, Judy and Kathy are at the “home office,” and I am on retreat at Mercy Center, Auburn! Our retreat theme, led by Br. Don Bisson, FMS, is “Awakening from the Deep Sleep.” We are being called once again to look at those areas of our lives that resist transformation. We are led to awareness of how we continue to collude with the forces that keep us from awareness of the great mystery that we are immersed in God and God in us. This retreat opportunity is following on the heels of LCWR where 600 congregational leaders reflected on the “Mystery Unfolding.” This Mystery has led us through the challenges of the past few years. By God’s grace, we have trusted in Divine Providence and responded out of our spiritual integrity and not out of fear or false piety. And many of us are still savoring the blessings of our Institute Chapter where we gathered as an Institute community to seek ways to go deeper into our Mercy identity and Mercy call.

Over the years, as a Mercy community, we have had a “Babette’s Feast” of opportunities to deepen our relationship with God and with one another for the sake of our identity and mission. Already, many people are working behind the scenes to ensure that our WMW 2012 Gathering will continue to lead us further on our journey of transformation. We hope that each one of us will prepare for this Gathering by being in tune with the processes prepared. Some have already made Transforming Mercy retreats; most will participate in the Dialogue Groups to the best of our ability. As we begin our fourth year, let us be intentional about our participation for the good of the whole. Let us accompany those who need companionship and encourage those who seem disengaged or confused.

The sorry state of our world today needs the richness of our witness to hope, reconciliation and peace. The transformation of the world is somehow linked to our transformation; it is not for the faint-hearted, as this selection from one of Rumi’s little poems suggests:

You are burning in the flamesAnd I will not let you outUntil you are fully baked,

fully wise,and fully yourself.

So, let us be grateful for another year to continue in the fire of God’s unconditional and unending love; let us be grateful for each other in our “being transformed” WMW Community.

In Mercy,


We are blessed to be able to help each other in this most difficult of times.

Kim Kinsel, WMW Community Operating Officer

This edition of Mercy Connection is another great example of making connections and strengthening relationships. Many of you expressed high satisfaction with the various communications vehicles used during the Institute Chapter in late June. But we also realized that you wanted to hear more deeply about the conversations and experiences of Chapter, and we listened (and took notes for the upcoming gathering and the next WMW Assembly). I personally enjoyed following the daily events, pictures and videos from Chapter.

In the last newsletter, I described the second annual employee giving program called “Mercy Partners.” The kick-off events will be occurring over the next few weeks, and the campaign ends on Mercy Day. There are several options for participation in the program with the primary purpose of recognizing employees for the many ways they support the mission and values of the Sisters of Mercy.

As I noted in the last edition, options for monetary contributions are available. For the first time this year, one option is a donation to a new employee emergency loan fund. Many employees have expressed interest in helping colleagues when unexpected emergencies occur in their lives that can’t be managed in their personal finances. The CLT has approved this fund and is supporting the establishment of the fund for emergency purposes. We hope to build on this base amount and replenish it over time. While it is intended to be a loan fund, we do recognize that all funds will not be fully repaid. So, the opportunity for all employees to contribute to this fund is a valuable one, and we are blessed to be able to help each other in the most difficult of times. It is yet another way that we are connected as a staff community in our work with the WMW Sisters of Mercy.

Finally, I was deeply blessed to participate in and experience the Mass celebrating the elections of Sister Judith Frikker and Sister Pat McDermott. It was a great celebration and a meaningful way to mark new beginnings and new relationships. It was wonderful to have the personal contacts and many staff members from throughout West Midwest here in Omaha with us at that joyous time.

MercyConnection

August/September 2011

Sisters of Mercy West Midwest

Community

Mercy Connection is published by the Sisters of Mercy West Midwest Community Communications Office, 7262 Mercy Road • Omaha, NE 68124 • (402) 393-8225 • www.mercywestmidwest.org

Director of CommunicationsSandy Goetzinger-ComerEditorElizabeth Dossa

Contributing WritersColleen Gregg, Patti Kantor,

Graphic DesignElizabeth DossaPat Osborne

PhotographyLiz Dossa, Sandy Goetzinger, Sister Anne Marilyn Tyler

Copyright 2011 Sisters of Mercy West Midwest Community • Mercy Connection articles may be reproduced with written permission from the Sisters of Mercy West Midwest Communications Office. Direct reprint requests to: [email protected]


"Our" Pat: A Personal View

Q. How do you see your role change as you step into being Institute president, after so many years in Institute leadership?Although I know my role will change during these next six years, my attention moves more toward how our world and Church will change. The challenges from our world and Church will form us as a team and require of us a freshness and competence that we really don’t know yet. That has been my constant experience of the various team experiences that I have had. I try to root myself in the present moment, pay attention to what is happening around and within me, and respond through the giftedness that is mine and that of the wonderful women with whom I minister.

Q. What do you see as the biggest challenge of the first year?I suspect the biggest challenge will be finding our way into a new set of relationships among ourselves as a team and with those who look to us for support and direction. Our office community in Silver Spring is wonderful in keeping everything work-ing smoothly and competently until we have the possibility of organizing ourselves for the work ahead. I also am keenly aware of wanting to engage our Sisters, Mercy Associates and Companions in Mercy in a meaningful way to move forward our Chapter Declaration. I don’t know what that will look like yet (now one week into our new term), but I value the engagement and what I/we can learn from turning to one another about what is so important to all of us. As in all of our ministries, our mission, which is now articulated in the Chapter Declaration, really drives us forward and will provide us likely with our strongest challenges and our deepest graces.

Q. How do you handle all the travel you must do? Gratefully, I’m a good traveler, and I almost always have a good novel with me! I find traveling often provides me a way to contemplate differently in that I really can shut out what is going on around me and take some time for quiet, for writing, for reading.

So, I welcome travel as a quasi-time out!

Q. Books you are reading at the moment?Since I’ve mentioned novels, two great recent reads for me have been Room and The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society. I have been reading Duane Elgin’s The Living Universe in an off and on way, and I keep returning to it. I find such wisdom in the ways that we can explore and connect the Universe story and the story of Jesus. Another wonderful resource that I am using for prayer and sometimes for contemplative reading is Jan Richardson’s In The Sanctuary of Women.

Q. What do you do to relax after days of meetings?I like to go home and feel connected to my own space. I enjoy cooking or baking. I enjoy reading and going to movies. When opportunities are available, I’m de-lighted to connect with friends.

Q. Any special message for the West Midwest?I look forward to continuing to be a member of the West Midwest Community and enjoying our meetings and prayer times together. I welcome how these gatherings nourish me and my ministry just like any other member does.

Sister Pat served as vice president of the Institute from 2005 to 2011.For the six years prior to her election as vice president, Pat served as councilor on the Institute Leadership Team. She also served as president of the Regional Community of Omaha from 1990 to 1998 and as an administrative team mem-ber for four years. She taught English, journalism and religious education at St. Al-bert High School in Council Bluffs, Iowa for 10 years.

Sister Pat McDermott has been described as a “wise woman with a wonderful vision.” Many remark on her collaborative leadership style. Serving at the Institute level since 1999, Pat continues to return to her native Omaha to visit family and friends, balancing her work with play time and continuing to nurture her many friendships. Here our new Institute president answers a few questions just for her home Community.

Sister Pat joins in the line dancing in the celebration after Sister Judith Frikker's installation.


WMW Access

Do you know where the

WMW prayer list is? Are you looking for a list of jubilarians?

A vacation home reservation?

Or a WMW newsletter?All are available on the

WMW intranet:http://inside.westmidwest.org

Do you know where to find Institute 2011

Chapter information?

www.sistersofmercy.org/ members

Latest Institute news?www.sistersofmercy.org/

members

What is the WMW saying to the public?

www.mercywestmidwest.org

Have you seen the Justice news and alerts?

www.mercywestmidwest.org

Do you have news to share?wmwcommunications

@mercywmw.org

The Cloud Collector’s Handbook by Gavin Pretor-Pinney (Chronicle Books, 2011)

Reviewed by Sister Mary Clare YatesLooking for something different to read? How about a book on science whose purpose is leisure, beauty and contemplation? The sub-ject is readily available to you the reader in its evolving forms, colors and patterns. Quite simply—clouds. Such is the approach offered by Gavin Pretor-Pinney, British author of The Cloud Collector’s Handbook. This book is a call to be a cloud gazer, to look up and see. With the worthy guidance of the hand-book, you enter the world of clouds presented through mag-nificent photos and always clear, and often witty text. Exam-ples include, “A bad hair day for a cumulonimbus capillatus” or “a cap cloud, known to some as a pink-fluffy-bobble hat cloud.” And don’t forget “the mother-in-law-at-a-wedding cap” cloud. (Clearly a British definition.) You can record points for specific types through observation and photography, or just enjoy an often ignored part of creation.

As you peruse this handbook, you may discover that you have seen “sun pillars” or a “Jacob’s ladder” when crepuscular rays shine through holes in stratocumulus. Or a cirrocumulus which looks like “grains of rice thrown for some skydiver’s wedding.” You will wonder if that cumulonimbus towering in the sky is truly 10 miles high? But then all that is necessary to be in the company of cloud collectors is to be led toward recognizing the changing glories in the sky—and perhaps to share with others.

In his introduction, Pretor-Pinney writes, “clouds embody the impermanence of the world around us.” And he quotes Ralph Waldo Emerson, “Nature is a mutable cloud which is always the same and never the same.”

The Cloud Collector’s Handbook is an official publication of The Cloud Appreciation Society. An added bonus is its website: www.cloudappreciationsociety.org. The slide show of clouds photographed by members encourages and challenges. Enjoy, understand and just be!

What I'm reading!

The Cry of the Prophet: A Call to Fullness of Life by Joan Chittister, OSB (Benevision, 2009)Reviewed by Sister Lois BurroughsThis little 61-page book is a real gem! We are not the prophetic type, neither are

most others. Yet, in our so-called "normal" little worlds, each of us is called to be prophetic, precisely for times like ours. Joan pro-vides our models and asks us to look again at six prophets and what they prophesied about: Amos, Hosea, Isaiah, Micah, Ezekiel, and Jesus. Inspiring photos and poems for our meditation, as well as discussion starters prove invaluable aids in answering this question: "Are we really hearing the cry of the prophets?"


Sister Frances Webster

Associate Maria Acuña Feldman

Maria Acuña-Feldman will make her first covenant as a Mercy Associate on Sept. 18 in Auburn. The months in discernment have been a period of growth for her two fellow pre-associates, as well as for the Orientation Team who have walked this path. This growth was summarized by Maria’s discernment reflection.

On her discernment reflection, when asked, “Why do you want to be an associate?” Maria quoted St. Francis’ prayer “Lord, make me an instrument of your peace.” Maria sees Catherine McAuley and the Sisters of Mercy exemplifying and expanding “service in God’s name.” She seeks to make a conscious commitment to spiritual and social renewal, focusing her time and energy on the works of Mercy.

Maria’s work at Mercy Housing has resulted in seeing its core values of respect, justice and mercy guide her work life. She strives to be compassionate, caring and hospitable, believing that “do to others what you would have them do to you” is a way to share peace and love as God meant us to. Maria plans to integrate her commitment to Mercy into her other life activities as a wife and mother.

As Maria contemplates her covenant, she feels joy and excitement, with a dose of humility. This step in her life feels positively right; and she welcomes the Spirit and the journey on which it leads her, seeking more insight into Catherine McAuley’s teachings, as she participate in the works of Mercy, becoming a worthy representative and supporter of Catherine’s legacy.

Sister Frances Webster grew up on a dairy farm in Arizona with three sisters. She left this pastoral life for St. Joseph’s Nursing School in Phoenix where she was a cadet nurse in a government-funded program that produced nurses for the army during WWII. Luckily, peace broke out before she left nursing school, and she entered the Sisters of Mercy two years into her courses.

After 17 years of nursing at St. Joseph’s Hospital, St. John’s in Oxnard, Mercy San Diego and Mercy Bakersfield, Frances saw a great need to help patients leaving the hospital find care and support services. She received her M.S.W. at Arizona State University, and in 1971 opened the social services department with a staff of one at Mercy Hospital in Bakersfield. She later began a program with Catholic Social Services to support the elderly (mostly Hispanic women) with housecleaning services, bingo and bus trips.

She returned to Phoenix on staff and then volunteered her social services skills at Bar-rows Neurological Institute. Over the years, she hiked the Grand Canyon seven times. She trained by taking the stairs at Mercy San Diego from the first floor to the 12th twice a day. Frances also has been an expert crocheter, winning first prizes at the Arizona State Fair and the San Diego County Fair for her tablecloths. She came to live in Burlin-game on July 8 this year, and now confines her hikes to the neighborhood.


Associate Carol ConwayAssociate Carol Conway calls herself an “anomaly.” She hadn’t had contact with the Sisters of Mercy before her friend, Maureen Shields, invited her to a Mercy Associate gathering in Chicago. She had attended schools run by the Dominican Sis-ters of Sinsinawa and the Sisters of Providence, and both communities had invited her later to become an associate. She became a high school English teacher in two Chicago public schools where she was totally immersed for 34 years. “I sponsored every activity associated with English in the world: drama, literary magazine, debate, national honor society. I was lucky to have enjoyed 99 percent of those years,” she said.

A year before her retirement, she began a master’s degree in pastoral studies. Now a pastoral associate at St. Germaine Parish in Chicago, she directs RCIA, adult educa-tion and social justice. Social justice is a passion evident in her long connection with the Catholic Worker House in Chicago, in her vigorous support of programs to aid the homeless in Chicago, and in her presence in the prayer circle with Sisters JoAnn Persch and Pat Murphy. She highly recommends Jim Forest’s new biography of Dorothy Day, All Is Grace.

Carol continues to be transformed by both sisters and associates “who humbly con-tinue Catherine’s legacy and make me want to be as good as they are.” Carol leads the orientation program for new associates and is one of two newly chosen associate area representatives. Along the way, she discovered her connection to Mercy—Catherine McAuley’s mother’s maiden name was Conway!

During the season of summer we savor and appreciate any number of activities and embellishments: beaches, ice cream, BBQ, sprinklers, bare feet, cold beer, boating, picnics, hot dogs, swimming pools, cool evenings, and your favorite summer pastimes. But the sisters and staff here at Mercy Center Auburn welcome another kind of summer phenomenon each year … the silent retreat.

The month of July was somewhat extraordinary as we accommodated two silent groups back-to-back for 16 full days of silence. And being present on a daily basis is a blessing on many levels. While the retreat center and kitchen staff are ever occupied with the daily routines of cooking, cleaning, telephones, meetings, conversations, preparations, and deadlines, all is done with an intention of quiet, so not to intrude on the sacred silence. You find yourself scurrying from one part of the campus to another and then suddenly slow down as you notice the group assembled out in Mary Grove moving in unison to the slow rhythm of Tai Chi. You become aware, maybe painfully aware, of the rapid pace of all our running about when surrounded by people who are fully engaged in the moment: walking, resting, eating, praying, artistic endeavor, or just noticing.

The inspiration of 16 days of the Spirit’s generosity lingers as guests depart and go about their summer everyday-ness. And we soon realize the 16 days as a “blessed memory” as we welcome the incoming who bring life and celebration and joyful noise! In this peace-filled-ness of work activity and communication, I cannot help wonder how a custom of “quiet” might be of great value to every workplace, or, dare I suggest, household. Thank you, God, for the graces of summer.

The Sacredness of Summer--an essay

by Colleen Gregg, director, Mercy Center, Auburn

Our Retreat Centers: treasures of silence and beauty

Note: Faces of Mercy from Cedar Rapids, Detroit and Omaha will be featured in the next Mercy Connection

august-september 2011

Documents

chapter delegates

chapter process

entire chapter

chapter agenda

resulting chapter declaration

day institute chapter

chapter mega calls

communal discernment