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I guess the question really is, what do I do that isn’t Mercy?! When I retired at age 69 back in 1996, I became a Mercy Corps volunteer and worked in a Connecticut home for unwed mothers and their babies. l stayed for two years and did everything from driving girls to doctors’ appointments to getting them through labor. During this time I got to know a lot of Mercy Sisters and decided to become a Mercy Associate as well.
When I returned home to New Jersey, my friend, Sr. Rosemary Jeffries, suggested a visit to Mercy Center in Asbury Park where I could volunteer closer to home. Instead of volunteering, Sr. Carol Ann Henry who heads the Center said she wanted to hire me for 20 hours a week! That’s when my daughters realized that I am never going to retire!
At Mercy Center I head the volunteer program—about 35 volunteers run our food pantry. I’ m also a Girl Scout leader at the Sisters Academy which is our private grade school for girls at risk. I’m also a housing program coordinator which is State-funded. We help people who are working but have fallen behind in their rent, utilities or mortgage payments. Then once a week I visit a boarding house for mental health patients that’s affiliated with Mercy Center and we play bingo.It helps them just to have someone to talk to.
I know all of this isn’t exactly 20 hours a week! But I absolutely love what I do. I’m very concerned about my girls at the Academy. I work with them, I pray for them. And I’m always positive, I know things will be OK. That’s where my spiritual life comes in. Without that, and the opportunity to share with the Sisters of Mercy, I could not go on.
Being a Mercy Associate fulfills my need for prayer. I have joined Sr. Rosemary’s Justice Committee and a group of of Sisters that prays together. I’m working on our International Associates Conference, I’m active in my parish. No matter what I do, I believe I am carrying on the work of the Sisters of Mercy and that fulfills me. I have been fortunate throughout my life. I have my daughters, my family, my friends, my work, my spiritual life, my health. I really am lucky. |
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