Frequently Asked Questions

10 Most Frequently Asked Questions about Mercy Association

• What is a Mercy Associate and is it the same as a Third Order?

• What do you do as a Mercy Associate?

• How much time do I need to devote to association and how long is the commitment for?

• What is the process of learning about becoming an associate?

• How long does the process take and is there any financial commitment?

• Can I become involved if I’m married, have children or work full-time?

• Who founded the Sisters of Mercy?

• Do I need to be involved in Parish or Mercy ministries to be considered?

• I don’t travel distances, so would I still be able to help in my local area?

• Who do I contact if I’m interested?

1. What is a Mercy Associate and is it the same as a Third Order?
   Mercy association is a mutually enriching relationship between the Sisters of Mercy of the Americas and other women and men, empowering a response to the call to Gospel holiness through sharing in the spirit and mission of Mercy. It is not a Third Order.
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2. What do you do as a Mercy Associate?
   You unite your efforts with those of the Sisters’ for the extension of God’s mercy in our midst. You promise to participate in the various prayer experiences offered by the Community when possible, you make time and space for personal prayer, you strive to live in the spirit of the Gospel, you maintain contact with the Community, and you witness to Christ’s mercy in the world.
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3. How much time do I need to devote to association and how long is the commitment for?
   You would find your own comfortable amount of free time to devote to Mercy that fits appropriately into your lifestyle. Opportunities for participation in ministries will present themselves and you would make a decision with each offering. The decision to recommit is made every other year, after prayerful reflection.
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4. What is the process of learning about becoming an associate?
   Orientations exist throughout the Mid-Atlantic Community where one learns about Mercy, its founding and history, the Community of the Sisters of Mercy, prayer life, the Church, Gospel values and the Works of Mercy. The different local areas within Mid-Atlantic hold these gatherings in various ways and places.
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5. How long does the process take and is there any financial commitment?
   The process usually takes a year, but the number of meetings varies. There is no financial commitment to the Mercy Community.
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6. Can I become involved if I’m married, have children or work full-time?
   Having a family or working would not eliminate you from association. Your experience in the secular world would benefit the Sisters as you bring your skills, knowledge and spirit with you, which would enhance the Community in a very unique way.
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7. Who founded the Sisters of Mercy?
   Catherine McAuley founded the Sisters of Mercy in 1831 in Dublin, Ireland. Catherine was born into a wealthy family in Ireland. Her father brought poor children to their home on weekends for instruction in the Catholic faith. He died when Catherine was very young, but his compassion influenced her entire life. Catherine’s mother taught her independence, poise and charm. After her mother’s premature death, Catherine went on to live with the Callaghan’s. For twenty years she cared for them and their estate, grew closer to God and through prayer performed works of charity. She inherited the Callaghan’s fortune and used the money to build the House of Mercy as a home for working girls and orphans and a school for poor children. Other women joined her and in 1831 Catherine founded the Sisters of Mercy. Soon they were invited to other parts of Ireland and England. Two years after Catherine’s death, Frances Warde led the Sisters of Mercy to the United States. Within fifty years the circle of Mercy encompassed the world.
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8. Do I need to be involved in Parish or Mercy ministries to be considered?
   You do not need to be involved in Parish or Mercy ministries to become associated with Mercy. You may feel a “call” to Mercy and association is one way to respond to that call to Gospel holiness. Our associates are involved in many varied ministries that have attracted them, giving of themselves and living out the Spiritual and Corporal Works of Mercy in their own personal ways.
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9. I don’t travel distances, so would I still be able to help in my local area?
   There are many Mercy ministries throughout the Mid-Atlantic Community. Your Local Coordinator (names listed below) will be able to help you with furthering your desire to serve, pray and be enriched. Many associates know a Sister of Mercy or a local community of the Sisters and some journey through the orientation process with them as mentors.
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10. Who do I contact if I’m interested?
    Contact the following local coordinators in your area:
    Terry Agliardi, RSM, Brooklyn
    Sharon Donohue, RSM, New York
    Bette Gallagher, RSM, Merion
    Noel Keller, RSM, Dallas
    Camilla Lauricella, Associate, New Jersey
    
    If unsure of which local coordinator to contact,
    Kathy Schiro, the director of Mercy Mid-Atlantic Community Association
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