Being a Mercy Associate
by Geraldine Drover, Associate
I have been blessed by the deep Spirituality and warmth of my Associate friends
I am a member of the seeds of mercy Associate Group in Baie verte Newfoundland. I am so thankful to be part of this wonderful group. I have been blessed by the deep Spirituality and warmth of my Associate friends and thus always look forward to our gatherings.
Apart from my Associate colleagues, I am truly grateful for the past support and inspiration given to our group by Mercy Sisters Elsie, Eileen, Ruth, and Josette and for the leadership of Sister Loretta Chafe and Sister Maureen O’Keefe. These Sisters were always there for us sharing their gems of wisdom.
One thing I really appreciate as a Mercy Associate is getting to know Catherine McAuley. She was commonly the focus of our prayer meetings. Her Charism witnessed in her spirituality and in her service to women and the poor in her time, along with her love for her sisters, in spite of difficult times, is often part of my personal reflections. I love and appreciate Venerable Catherine McAuley.
Indeed, I have been truly blessed through my attendances at conferences sponsored by the Mercy, Presentation and Redemptorist Associates and Sisters. How could my life not have been enriched by these experiences? As if these opportunities were not enough, I also attended retreats given by beloved Sister Loretta Chafe, rsm, now deceased. Our Mercy Associate group enjoys special prayer time together each Fall when we plan and facilitate a Retreat. This is time to leave behind our worries and demands of family and Community. It is my hope that having had these wonderful opportunities I have absorbed a little of Catherine’s in my spiritual and corporal works of Mercy.
I would be remiss if I did not give tribute to the wonderful month, I had the pleasure of spending at Mercy International when I had the privilege of being in Venerable Catherine’s presence each day. To sit quietly in the same room, where she and her sisters sat, to pray in the Chapel and to walk the grounds where she once walked, one could only be in awe and give thanks for being a Mercy Associate. For myself and my fellow Mercy Associate Ellie Gavin who was with me, the daily chores we performed while there were certainly secondary during our wonderful experience.
I am also grateful for having been a member of the Mercy Associate Advisory Committee With the power of “Zoom presence” during Covid I was able to attend meetings and am so grateful for the experience of sharing time with associates who exuded so much dedication, wisdom and respect , I feel hopeful that the Spirit and work of the wonderful charisms and service will continue through the Mercy Associates.
