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In the Spotlight
Sarah Graves '10, '11
MVC Volunteer
St. Joseph Mercy Hospital
Georgetown, Guyana
Sarah and Catherine McAuley
Sarah Graves, a current Mercy Volunteer in Guyana, reflects on a recent trip to London:
Often times as a Mercy Volunteer in Guyana, I find myself lost in the experience, swept up by the cultural influences all around me. When things seem unfamiliar and decisions become difficult to make, it is helpful to have role models to look to for advice. Far away from my family and friends, I have to find new sources of inspiration and guidance. It may seem strange that Catherine McAuley is a major role model in my life right now. Superficially we don't have much in common. I am a nurse working in a tropical country for two years. She devoted her life to working with the poor in Ireland. But for these two years with Mercy Volunteer Corps, she is an inspiration, confidant, and friend.
Recently a wealthy Guyanese man required a nurse to travel with him to London, England for hospitalization. It was a quickly planned trip, and my U.S. passport gave me the freedom to travel around the world more easily than a Guyanese nurse. Within twenty-four hours of being asked to go, our journey was underway. In the rush of the departure, I wondered how I would adhere to the guidelines I'd committed to as a Mercy Volunteer: Community, Spirituality, Service, and Simplicity. I had come to Guyana, one of the poorest countries in the western hemisphere, to serve the poor. Many Guyanese don't even have money for basic healthcare in their own country. Now, I was in the service of a wealthy man, a man who could afford to fly himself and nurse first class across an ocean for better healthcare. As I sat in my first class seat being offered champagne, a hot towel, and decadent desserts, I asked myself an all too familiar question: "What would Catherine McAuley have done?" Read more ...
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Extending the Circle 
Extending the Circle is a unique program offered by Mercy Volunteer Corps to enable our volunteers
to share their MVC experiences with friends and family.
So far, our volunteers have raised $14,862. Check out the website at www.mercyvolunteers.org to view their personalized web pages.
Please consider sponsoring mercy volunteers in their commitment to service, thereby extending their circle of support. |
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2009-2010 Annual Report
Check out our Annual Report by visiting our website at www.mercyvolunteers.org and click on the link to view the report. |
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Mercy Volunteer Corps' Mission Statement
In partnership with the Sisters of Mercy of the Americas, lay women and men of Mercy Volunteer Corps (MVC), enter into relationship with people who are economically poor and marginalized. In a spirit of mutuality, volunteers cultivate mercy and justice in the world by embracing compassionate service, social justice, spirituality and a simple lifestyle in community. |
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Greetings!
Mercy Volunteer Corps Celebrates 10 Years in Guyana!
This year we celebrate our tenth year of sending volunteers to Georgetown, Guyana. Since 2000 we have had 14 volunteers in ministry at Mercy Wings Vocational Center, St. Joseph Mercy Hospital, St. John Bosco Boys' Orphanage and Bosco Academy. In January 2011, while visiting our volunteers and sites, Lisa Stellino, our International Program Coordinator presented Julie Matthews, RSM with a memory book containing pictures and reflections of alumni. We are grateful for our continuing relationship with the Sisters of Mercy in Guyana who work tirelessly in a variety of ministries. We greatly value their invitation to walk with them and share in the mission and charism of Mercy.
Brigitte Basile '00, '01
Marisa Rogers '00, '01
Paige Danos '02, '03
Lisa Stellino '02, '03
Jenny Wilson '03, '04
Terry Witkus '03, '04
Kate Hamel '05, '06
Eileen Kollmer '05
Gavin Murphy '06
Meg Uplinger '06, '07
Katie Wilberding '07, '08
Sarah Graves '10, '11
Ashley Harris '10, '11
Audrey Marrah '10, '11
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Featured Article
Julie Matthews, RSM
Vice-President/CCASA
Guyana, South America
 | | Audrey Marrah '10, '11, Sarah Graves '10, '11, Julie Matthews, RSM, Ashley Harris '10, '11 |
"Don't take anything for the journey - no staff, no bag, no bread , no money, no extra tunic "(Luke 9:3). It is with this sense of mission that the Mercy Volunteer Corps arrived in Guyana in 2000 and it is with this same spirit that they arrive today.
In November 1999, our community had an awful experience with a volunteer and so when Sr. Eileen Campbell and Courtney Carlson came in December that year and asked us to consider having volunteers, we were hesitant, to say the least. However, I remember one of our older sisters saying, "If these young people want to give their lives in service, then we need to take the risk and open our doors and lives to them. Maybe it will help us." Indeed, the encounters with the different volunteers have been transforming for me personally and for our community and ministry sites in Guyana.
I have been privileged to accompany each of the volunteers individually and as a community. They come with the desire to share their lives with the people of Guyana. They enter into the various experiences with humility and trust. They struggle with the differences in culture and whether or not they are really living simply and close to those who are poor. Sometimes they bombard me with questions and I encourage them not to look for quick answers but rather to live the questions and the answers will come.
One of the greatest gifts that I have received from the volunteers is the witness of faith in action. They challenge me over and over again to live with integrity and to show the compassionate face of God to our world. In each of the fifteen volunteers, I have seen a deepening of the call to service; a broadening of their worldview and a realization that justice is integral to their lives. Many times, I would stand in awe and silence at their relationship with God and the amazing ways in which God worked in their lives.
As we celebrate these 10 years, I am truly grateful for the many volunteers who have touched my life and for their generosity and commitment to Guyana. I know that many of them say that Guyana has touched their lives forever but we can also say that their names are written forever on our hearts.
Blessings
Julie
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Alumni Reflections on Guyana
"Let the story be told that the Guyanese are good and kind and merciful and helpful...and mention that they sing their faith with full voice and they dance in life with the beautiful grace of hope. A listener who would like to walk among these people for a time will be welcome here and will learn a great story."
Terry Witkus, 2003-2005
"... blessings have come from the Sisters and Mercy community at large, whether it be from Associates, volunteers, or friends. I truly did not expect to grow so close to so many people during this experience. Some of my most valued friendships are through the Sisters and their network." Read more ...
Paige Danos, 2002-2004
"And, of course, this experience would not have been possible without the support, guidance, cooperation, and inspiring example set by the Sisters of Mercy in Guyana. This group of women has truly shown me the meaning of dedication to God in service of His chosen ones." Read more ...
Kate Hamel, 2005-2007
"Feeling overwhelmed by hospitality, love, and compassion from all the Sisters of Mercy. I thank you all from the bottom of my heart for my wonderful memories, and for all the ways you taught and encouraged me to become the woman I am today." Read more ...
Katie Wilberding, 2007-2009
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ALUMNI CORNER
Jacqueline Abbey '07 spent five months in Tanzania last year serving at an orphanage. Thank you Jacqueline for continuing the mission of Mercy!
Maureen Berran Kubicek '02 and her husband Joe welcomed their son Timothy Miles on February 2nd, 2011. Congratulations Maureen and Joe!
Pilar Ruiz Hackman, '04 and Gable Hackman were married on March 11th, 2010. Congratulations Pilar and Gable!
Susan Hamell '98 has recently retired and has a new grandchild born in May 2010. Congratulations Susan!
Joseph Healy '92 and his wife Cheryl will be celebrating their 10 year anniversary with their six year old daughter, Stephanie this summer in Disney World. Congratulations Joseph and Cheryl! Go Mickey!
Alumni, please send your updates to Lisa Stellino at stellino.l@gmc.edu. We enjoy hearing from you!
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UPCOMING MVC EVENTS
March 1
Final deadline for international volunteer applications
March 1
Priority deadline for domestic applications
March 1
Recruitment visit - Siena College Visit (Loudonville, NY)
March 3
Recruitment visit - Seton Hall University (South Orange, NJ)
March 17-20
1st discernment weekend for potential international volunteers
March 21-22
Recruitment visit - Carlow University (Pittsburgh, PA)
March 23
Recruitment visit - Mercyhurst College (Erie, PA)
March 24-25
Recruitment visit - Mount Aloysius College (Cresson, PA)
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