Ministry in Healthcare
Caring with Compassion
Care of the sick is integral to the charism and tradition of all Sisters of Mercy as well noted in the founding history of the congregation. Visitation of the sick in their homes and in institutions has been adapted to circumstances of time and place, yet remains a strong witness of the Mercy ministry.
In the early and mid- twentieth century the Mercy order owned and operated in St. John’s a large acute care hospital, St. Clare’s Mercy Hospital, as well as a large nursing facility for the aged and infirm, St. Patrick’s Mercy Home. The sisters also administered a large school of nursing associated with the hospital. In addition to those who ministered in these institutions, sisters continued to visit the sick at home, and in other health care facilities in the areas where they lived and worked.
Today Sisters of Mercy of Newfoundland provide for the religious and spiritual care of the sick and aged at home and in hospitals, in personal care homes and nursing homes through pastoral ministry. One sister is physician who provides medical care in a Quebec hospital on the border of Labrador; Two sisters are in ministry as Registered Nurse and Licensed Practical Nurse. Another sister, a former healthcare executive, provides consultation and education within the health care sector on a provincial, national and international level.
