MERCY ASSOCIATE COMMISSIONING

April 14, 2002—The Sisters of Mercy in the Regional Community of New Jersey welcomed eight new Mercy Associates at a commissioning ceremony April 14 in the Immaculate Conception Chapel at Mount Saint Mary, Watchung.

The new associates are: Jo Ann Cinque, Carol Confusione, Helen Anne Fisher, Kathleen Howe, Neal Keohane, Pat Lant, Frances Romeo, and Maureen Yurga.

Lay persons who become Mercy Associates make a commitment through a formal covenant with a Mercy Regional Community while maintaining an independent lifestyle. They join the community for prayer and spiritual enrichment opportunities and support various ministries.

In addition to the eight new associates commissioned, more than 60 other men and women who have been Mercy Associates renewed their commitment.

The Mercy Associate program began in New Jersey in the late 1970's. It includes men and women throughout the state who feel called to this lay form of commitment to the religious community. Each associate is connected with a local group of sisters in the area. There are currently over 2,200 Mercy Associates in the Americas. This commissioning brings the number of Mercy Associates in New Jersey to 127.