Celebrating Mercy Week. The Critical Concern of Women
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Held every September, Mercy Week celebrates Catherine McAuley, our Mercy identity and heritage, and the many expressions of Mercy as a Saint Joseph’s College community. Each year, we engage in one of the five critical concerns of the Sisters of Mercy. This year we address the critical concern of women.
The Sisters give special attention to women’s education, health, and spirituality through our legislative advocacy, our schools, healthcare institutions, and spirituality centers.
♥ Learn more about this year’s topic
Partial Schedule
This is a partial list of the many events happening during Mercy Week. Click on the link at the end of this schedule list to view the full schedule.
Monday, Sept, 20 @ 3:00 pm – 4:00 pm
Mission Momentum with Dr. Kassy Clements
Mission Momentum Community Reflection led by Dr. Kassy Clements, Assistant Professor of Education and Chair of the Education Dept. at SJC. Dr. Clements will reflect on the impact of Miss Marion Peseux, Elementary Teacher, on her life and work.
Join the conversation here: Google Meet link: https://meet.google.com/npo-bhqa-fxr Or dial: (US) +1 401-592-7222 PIN: 545 070 560#
Monday, Sep, 20 @ 7:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Mercy Week with Donna Loring
For several decades Donna Loring has been an advocate for others in her multiple roles as a citizen, public servant, and policy maker. She grew up living with her grandmother on Indian Island, Maine. In her late teens in 1966, she joined the Women’s Army Corps (WAC) and served during the Vietnam War. She earned a degree in political science, as well as an honorary doctorate she received from UMaine in 2017.
Loring has worked in law enforcement, was elected to the Maine State Legislature, and served as aide-de-camp to then-Governor Angus King. She is a published author and playwright, a tribal member of the Penobscot Indian Nation, and a well-regarded champion of Maine’s Native populations.
Join the conversation at: Google Meet link: https://meet.google.com/tof-zmxe-dyq Or dial: (US) +1 609-467-8199 PIN: 769 658 729#
Tuesday, Sep, 21 @ 7:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Mercy Week with Melissa Skahan
Melissa Skahan
serves as the Vice President of Mission Integration at Mercy Hospital in Portland, Maine. She is also the Executive Director of the McAuley Residence there. Since she was a child, when her mother served as nurse in the Sisters of Mercy motherhouse, she has desired to serve others within the context of the Mercy mission. She emphasizes outreach as a critical role in the Catholic Healthcare system, especially focusing on the most vulnerable to advance change in a systemic way that creates a more just society.
Under her leadership, the McAuley Residence partnered with Community Housing of Maine for expansion into a new, child-appropriate fifteen-unit residence. She also transformed the addiction and support programs available to women at the McAuley Residence into a holistic evidence-based model to combat substance use disorder. The results are that 80% of the women remain clean and sober, with 95% reunifying with their child/children.
Join the conversation at: Google Meet link: https://meet.google.com/bvd-hkpg-hqy Or dial: (US) +1 563-562-6393 PIN: 316 668 451#
More phone numbers: https://tel.meet/bvd-hkpg-hqy?pin=2371984821301
Wednesday, Sep, 22 @ 7:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Mercy Week with Claudette Ndayininahaze
Claudette Ndayininahaze arrived in Maine seven years ago from Burundi, where she served as National Sales Manager of Heineken, the largest and soft beverage and brewer in Burundi. Deeply committed to the welfare of women and girls, she also served as the president of Burundi Girl Scouts Association. She has held several community positions since her arrival, and is currently the co-foundress and Executive Director of In Her Presence. In her role she has developed an effective network of resources that provides needed support for the immigrant, asylee, and refugee communities on a grassroots level.
Claudette has served on the boards of different community organizations: Hope Acts, First Parish Unitarian Universalist (FPUU), Youth Family Outreach (YFO), Vice president of Burundi Community Association of Maine (B CAM), Furniture Friends (FF), Welcoming Immigrants Network (WIN) and Financial Stability Expert Panel with United Way.
Join the conversation at: Google Meet link: https://meet.google.com/qbd-qnqu-mar Or dial: (US) +1 267-961-3915 PIN: 555 736 317#
More phone numbers: https://tel.meet/qbd-qnqu-mar?pin=6780405328824
POSTPONED Friday, Sep, 24 @ 10:30 am – 11:00 am, Heffernan Center
Dedication of the Sr. Sylvia Comer Interfaith Room
As part of its ongoing efforts to provide an inclusive and welcoming community for everyone, Saint Joseph’s College will dedicate its first interfaith prayer room in honor of one its most beloved Sisters of Mercy: Sr. Sylvia Comer.
UPDATE: Sep, 22, because of COVID-related concerns, Sr. Sylvia is unable to join us. So we are postponing the dedication to a later date in the hopes that she can join us. The room will be open for use, we will just formally dedicate it at a later date.
Friday, Sep, 24 @ 11:00 am – 12:00 pm, Xavier Hall
Annual Mercy Tea
As she was dying, Catherine McAuley comforted her mourning Sisters with this advice, “Be sure to have a comfortable cup of tea for … when I am gone.” Since that time, Mercy communities across the world have hosted teas to honor Catherine McAuley and the legacy of the Sisters of Mercy.
During the tea this year Sisters Mary George O’Toole, Marilyn Sunderman, and Joyce Mahaney will share their stories of how they joined the Sisters of Mercy.
