545 beds for children built during blitz

Americorps project helps children who need a good night’s sleep

KENTUCKY.COM LEXINGTON-HERALD, May 10, 2010 — Nearly 1,000 volunteers came together in Frankfort for a 24-hour blitz that ended Sunday at noon to build beds for needy school-age children. When the sawdust settled at the AmeriCorps Build-A-Bed project, about 545 beds were ready to be donated across Kentucky, said project spokesman David Bachert, an AmeriCorps remedial reading teacher. Every bed and mattress will be accompanied by a care package that includes a set of sheets, a handmade quilt, a night light, books, a stuffed toy and toiletries, Bachert said. To read more, click here.

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Roots and Shoots tend garden

Mercy faculty and staff member prepare the garden. L-R: Jen Lambdin, Janet Morello, Peter Diaz, Justine Carion, Pam Matthews

Work on the garden in the meadow on the Burlingame campus by the Mercy High School Burlingame staff continues. The planting is part of the sustainable gardening efforts by the high school club, Roots and Shoots. “We had planted a cover crop of fava beans and vetch in the fall as nitrogen fixers for the soil. We chopped that down and worked it into the soil before we planted,” said Jennifer Lambdin, teacher.

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Guyana, Day 4 – Please help!

The following is an email written by Sr. Mary Kelly about the devastating fire she witnessed at Mercy Hospital in Guyana. Please go here to help!

“Right after prayers and during breakfast we got a call from Sister Noel that St. Joseph Mercy Hospital was on fire.  At the end of the day, we were standing in the street looking at the still-smoldering ruins of the original wooden hospital building converted to hospital use by the Sisters in 1945.  The two miracles generally agreed upon were that all patients were safely evacuated and that the fire was contained to the oldest wooden structure.  The fire fighters were still on site at 7 PM responding to flare-ups.

The day was pretty chaotic, everyone doing what they could to help.  With no disaster or medical training, I did things like write a press release and prepare a fact sheet for a press conference with the CEO.  I also just sat and answered the convent phone. The convent where I am is about 10 minutes from the hospital.  I went over to the Red Cross to help there at about 10 am.  There was a terrific outpouring of support to the hospital and the Sisters.   Even the President of Guyana stopped to offer sympathy.  The Bishop was returning by plane and saw the smoke from the air and came right over when his plane landed.

When things slowed a bit, we held strategy meetings to see what to do and how to channel the support to help get the hospital back in operation.  The outpatient services will open at 9 AM Tuesday in a nearby Red Cross building.  The campus is off limits until the fire department and the insurance company clear it. I hope the Mercy Health systems in the US can send supplies and equipment.

We had a meeting of the Mercy Community in Guyana at 5 PM and Sisters shared a lot.  I was amazed at the number of sisters that personally helped evacuate patients.  One sister was staying on the hospital grounds and saw the early stage of the fire—right across the compound from her room.  She described a young employee with the presence of mind to throw oxygen tanks from the second floor off the side of the building into a pond in order to minimize explosions.  It is still amazing and unbelievable.

Tomorrow we will be in meetings all day hoping to plan a pathway into the future for the hospital.  I am so glad I was here for this.  I think it helped to have an extra RSM to do whatever and to be company.  Wednesday morning I leave to come home.

Mary Kelly, RSM

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Earth Day Celebration

Several staff members and sisters marked the 40th anniversary of Earth Day by planting a Ginkgo Biloba tree in the orchard. Sister Margaret Ann invited all to extend a hand in blessing as she offered a prayer in gratitude for created life and the beauty of nature all around us.

Lindy Virgil and Joseph Oliveira planting the Ginko Biloba tree. Everyone contributed to the planting by taking a turn at shoveling the dirt.

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Moral Vision for Our Healthcare Future

Faithful Reform in Healthcare, a  project to help people of faith address healthcare reform, has produced A Moral Vision for Our Healthcare Future, a reflection on the new healthcare legislation in the light of faith. The six-page document can be accessed by clicking here.

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Congratulations Srs. JoAnn Persch and Pat M. Murphy

Sisters JoAnn Persch (shown at right) and Pat M. Murphy (left) were honored on April 10 by the Chicago Religious Leadership Network of Latin America (CRLN). Recognized as human rights champions, they were praised for all of their efforts, since opening Su Casa Catholic Worker House in 1990 to keeping vigils at Broadview Detention Center every Friday for the past three years. “Sisters Pat and Joann are truly champions for immigrants and other marginalized communities,” said CRLN representatives. Read more at: http://crln.org/human_rights_champions_remarks

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Earth Day: Nine days away

From USCatholic.org

“This afternoon, I was reading our interview with Jack Jezreel, founder of JustFaith Ministries, for our June issue. I was struck by how easily and fluidly he’s able to make the connection between prayerful reflection and just action.

Also comfortable with connecting spirituality and social justice are the Sisters of Mercy, who’ve created a Earth Day novena. Today is the first day. That’s right, Earth Day is nine days away.”

Read more here.

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Immigration Reform Events Planned for March 21

President Obama issued this statement on immigration reform: “Today (March 11) I met with Senators Schumer and Graham and was pleased to learn of their progress in forging a proposal to fix our broken immigration system. I look forward to reviewing their promising framework, and every American should applaud their efforts to reach across party lines and find common-sense answers to one of our most vexing problems. I also heard from a diverse group of grassroots leaders from around the country about the growing coalition that is working to build momentum for this critical issue. I am optimistic that their efforts will contribute to a favorable climate for moving forward. I told both the senators and the community leaders that my commitment to comprehensive immigration reform is unwavering, and that I will continue to be their partner in this important effort.”

On Sunday, March 21, people throughout the country will stand in solidarity with Ecumenical Advocacy Days, in Washington, D.C., March 19-22, with its focus on comprehensive immigration reform. The Community is urged to find out what is happening locally, and make our Mercy commitment to immigrants known by participating. For instance, a march in Washington, D.C., will be augmented by prayer vigils, marches and programs, while an ecumenical prayer vigil will be held in Omaha. NOW is the time to call attention to the broken immigration system and work to get immigration reform passed!

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DVD Examines Immorality of Torture

In response to a Pew survey indicating that only 25 percent of Americans believe torture is never justified, the National Religious Campaign Against Torture has prepared a 20-minute DVD entitled Ending U.S.-Sponsored Torture Forever. Designed for use by people of faith, the DVD highlights the prohibitions against torture in Judaism, Christianity and Islam. An eight-page study guide outlines a one and two-session process.

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Mercy in Cedar Rapids opens ‘green’ medical building

Check out the article here.

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