This week, the Gwynedd Mercy Academy community came together for two powerful celebrations of Mercy tradition and history, beginning with the annual Mercy Day liturgy on Wednesday and continuing with an educational assembly on Thursday.
On Wednesday, during Community Period, the Mercy Day liturgy was celebrated with Fr. Jason Buck as Presider. We were honored to welcome several Sisters of Mercy as special guests, including Sr. Paula Diann, RSM, from Belmont, North Carolina. Sr. Paula is the author of Courage and Compassion: The Sisters of Mercy in the Civil War and shared her insight into the legacy of Mercy throughout history. Joining her was our beloved Sr. Patti and two recently retired Sisters who had devoted many years to ministry in the South. In keeping with tradition, the Sisters stood before the community and professed their vows, a moving reminder of the enduring commitment that has shaped the spirit of Gwynedd for generations.
The celebrations continued on Thursday with a Community Period assembly, where the focus turned toward education and reflection on Catherine McAuley’s journey toward sainthood. Students learned more about the Cause for the Canonization of Catherine McAuley, the foundress of the Sisters of Mercy, whose legacy continues to inspire Mercy communities across the world.
The assembly also highlighted this year’s Mercy Critical Concern: Women. Four students who attended the Leadership Conference in Dublin, Ireland, shared their experiences visiting Baggot Street, the birthplace of the Sisters of Mercy. Their reflections gave a personal perspective on the global Mercy community and the importance of carrying forward Catherine’s mission of service, compassion, and justice.
Together, the liturgy and assembly offered a profound reminder of the living Mercy legacy at Gwynedd. By honoring our roots, celebrating our Sisters, and learning about Catherine’s path toward sainthood, the community deepened its understanding of what it means to be Mercy in today’s world.
