Features

Mercy Day

by Jude Mann

Mercy Day is celebrated on September 24, commemorating the day the "House of Mercy" opened in Dublin, Ireland, founded by Catherine McAuley.  A distant relative who adopted McAuley left her all of his wealth, and she used this money to start an institute, this institute being a society of women who would take time assisting the poor, rather than being a religious group. The women began to gain public recognition, even receiving attention from the archbishop, who encouraged the group to give themselves a name people would know them by, and McAuley settled with “Sisters of Mercy.” After one of McAuley’s mentors, Reverend Dr. Blake, had a conversation with the archbishop, the conclusion was made that the institute had to choose between being religious or secular, and they chose to be religious. 

Throughout the years, The Sisters of Mercy have been known for their impact on education as well as for caring for the sick, the elderly, and orphans. The Sisters of Mercy have founded many schools, like our own Notre Dame High School, which opened in 1955. Notre Dame students have always participated in community service as part of their learning experience. In recent years, however, Notre Dame has decided to schedule their works in the community to coincide with the celebration of Mercy Day. Students in each grade are given projects at local senior housing units, nursing homes, community organizations, homes of senior citizens, and Catholic Charities affiliates. This is a great way for Notre Dame to contribute to the community while students can learn from their experience of helping those in need. At this time last year, students took time out of their day to renovate the Southside Community Center, a place where younger children are able to go during the day and after school. It was felt that the youth should have a nice place to go where they can learn and interact, which is important at this stage during their life, so it was rewarding for our students to impact the children in our community with such positivity. This year, students provided service at various locations including the SPCA, Big Flats Community Center, Crisis Pregnancy Center, Apple Ridge, Blessed Sacrament Gym and Convent, His Haven, Southern Tier Food Bank, Miller Manor, Woodlawn Cemetery, Woodbrook, Community Kitchen and the homes of the elderly.  Therefore, Notre Dame will continue to have a strong presence in our community, doing similar work to which Catherine McAuley dedicated her life.