August 2015

MERCY VOLUNTEER CORPS Transforming Lives, Perspectives, The World Mercy

Six current Mercy Volunteers attended Mercy Colleges

Feature

2015-2016 Mercy Volunteers begin service commitment

Applications

MVC applications will be available on September 8th

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Mercy Volunteers at Commissioning Mass

Mercy Volunteers from Univ. of Dayton

Mercy Volunteers from St. Louis University

Volunteers at orientation in Pittsburgh

MVC celebrates three birthdays at orientation Philadelphia Volunteers in Ocean City, NJ

Mercy Volunteers from St. Joseph’s Univ.

Mercy Volunteers

Mercy Volunteers Commissioned 2015-2016 Mercy Volunteers Begin One Year Service Commitment in August MVC commissioned their 38th group of Mercy Volunteers on Saturday August 8, 2015 at Mercy Chapel in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The new Mercy Volunteers will be serving in 10 cities across the United States and South America in the fields of healthcare, education, and social services. Mercy Volunteer Corps was warmly welcomed by more than 150 people in attendance at the mass including Sisters of Mercy, Mercy Associates, Mercy Volunteer Corps Alumni, family and friends of Mercy Volunteers and the greater Mercy Community. Sister Sheila Stevenson, RSM (NyPPaW)

addressed the volunteers challenging them to be the bread of life in their new ministries. Sr. Sheila offered words of wisdom and support as they begin to live a counter-cultural lifestyle. She also emphasized the countless people, especially Sisters of Mercy and all those in attendance at the Commissioning Mass, who will hold Mercy Volunteers in their thoughts and prayers not just on this day but throughout the coming year. As MVC moves into this next year, the staff, board members, support teams, and donors are eager to continue to promote the mission of Mercy Volunteer Corps. It is with the support of the

greater Mercy Community that Mercy Volunteer Corps is able to continue to spread Catherine McAuley’s legacy and the Spirit of Mercy.

This Commissioning Mass also marked Mercy Volunteer Corps’ expansion in San Francisco, California. This year, two Mercy Volunteers will serve in ministries in the fields of education and street outreach in the Bay area.

It is with great excitement that Mercy Volunteer Corps continues to expand the presence of Mercy Volunteers in cities serving people who are poor and marginalized throughout the United States and South America.

Photo: 2015-2016 Mercy Volunteers

Applications Available: Septem be r 8, 20 15

Mercy College Graduates

Six Mercy College Graduates Volunteer with Mercy Volunteer Corps This year, six Mercy College graduates committed to serving people who are poor and marginalized with Mercy Volunteer Corps. MVC is proud to help these graduates continue their passion for service in the spirit of Mercy and the legacy of Catherine McAuley!

Photo (from left to right): Mardia Gibson graduated from Mount Aloysius College and will be serving in Guyana, South America.

Sarah Anderson graduated from Mercyhurst University and will be serving in Baltimore, MD. Kaitlyn Miller graduated from Gwynedd Mercy University and will be serving in St. Michaels, AZ. Conor Brennan graduated from Misericordia University and will be serving in Pittsburgh, PA. Daniella Kawamba graduated from University of Detroit Mercy and will be serving in Detroit, MI. Bianca Huerta graduated from St. Xavier University and will be serving her second year with MVC in our newest city, San Francisco, CA.

Pope Francis Visits Philadelphia Mercy Volunteer Corps will be attending Mass on the Parkway with the Pope! Fourteen of our Mercy Volunteers will be traveling to Philadelphia September 25-27th to join the Pope festivities. Volunteers will attend a retreat day and the parkway mass with Mercy college students hosted by Gwynedd Mercy University.

Celebration of Mercy in San Francisco Mercy Volunteer Corps will be hosting our next Celebration of Mercy in San Francisco, California on October 8th. Stay tuned for your invitation and more information on this event!

Mercy Volunteer Corps applications for the 2016-2017 volunteer year will be available on September 8th!

Volunteer service commitments for this application cycle will begin in August 2016. For more information on qualifications, timelines, and application materials please visit our website: www.mercyvolunteers.org/ apply.

Mercy Volunteer Corps is currently planning our recruitment schedule for college and community visits. If you are interested in having an MVC staff member, alumni, volunteer, or representative speak at your college, high school, or community event please email our Recruitment Coordinator, Chris Davidson. To view a list of schools and events where MVC will be present check our new webpage: www.mercyvolunteers.org/college.

#MakeMercyReal

Social M e dia R eque st The Sisters of Mercy arrived in Omaha 150 years ago to make mercy real for those in need. As a member of Mercy Volunteer Corps, you make Mercy real by serving communities across United States and beyond. From September 24 to October 21, the Omaha Sisters invite all current MVC members and alumni to share how they further the Mercy mission with posts and pictures on social media using #MakeMercyReal.

This campaign closes our milestone anniversary with a glimpse of how Mercy will shape the next 150 years. To learn more, visit www.sistersofmercy. org/makemercyreal.

ABOUT MERCY VOLUNTEER CORPS

Mercy Volunteer Corps promotes social change by placing and supporting volunteers for one year of service with people who are poor and marginalized in the U.S. and South America. Mercy Volunteers work in education, healthcare, and social services while living together in a community and growing spiritually.

Mercy Volunteer Corps 1325 Sumneytown Pike Gwynedd Valley, PA 19437 Phone: 215.641.5535 ContactUs@mercyvolunteers.org www.mercyvolunteers.org www.mercyvolunteers.tumblr.com

September Events September 7th

Labor Day - offices closed

September 8th

Application available online

September 9th

Development Committee Meeting

September 24th Mercy Day

September 27th

Pope Francis mass in Philadelphia

Recruitment Planning September 1st: College of St. Mary September 2nd: The University of Kansas September 10th: University of Notre Dame September 28th: University of Rhode Island September 28th: St. Xavier University September 29th: Loyola University, Chicago September 30th: DePaul University St. Mary’s University Service Fair

Extending the Circle

Extending the Circle is a unique program offered

by MVC that allows you to support a specific volunteer.

Check out the volunteers’ individual pages to sponsor them in their year of service!

Donate Now

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