December 19, 2019

Community eNews is a semimonthly communication from South Central

“The fullness of joy is to behold God in everything.”~ Julian of Norwich

Strength, hope in ‘stillness of the quiet’

CommunityeNews

HIGHLIGHTS CALENDAR

In memoriamSister Immaculee McGill

Movie review‘The Two Popes,” starring Anthony Hopkins and Jonathan Pryce, evokes hope for the church

Advent reflections Blogs for Weeks 3 and 4 focus on themes of joy and love

December 24-25; January 1Mercy Administration Center in Belmont, North Carolina, will be closed Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and New Year’s Day.

Sisters of Mercy of the Americas, South Central | 101 Mercy Drive | Belmont, NC 28012-2898 | 704.829.5260 | www.mercysc.org

Click on the icons below to follow the Sisters of Mercy on Facebook Twitter and Instagram.

These weeks of Advent leading up to Christmas have been full. They are full of the hopeful prophesies found in the readings from Isaiah. They are full of mystery and miracle as we celebrated the feasts of the Immaculate Conception and Our Lady of Guadalupe, and full of heritage remembered and celebrated on Foundation Day.

As we enter this fourth week of Advent, let us pray with these words from Howard Thurman:

“Christmas is the season of the heart. In the stillness of the quiet, we can hear it whisper . . . offering strength, affirming hope, remembering graces, restoring the soul.”

2 December 19, 2019 www.mercysc.orgCommunityeNews

In memoriam

Sister Mary Immaculee McGill, a Sister of Mercy for 70 years, died peacefully

after a long illness on Wednesday, December 11, 2019. Sister Immaculee, 89, died at Stella Maris in Timonium, Maryland, where she had lived since 2013.

A respected educator in the Baltimore area, she ministered as a teacher and a principal in Maryland Catholic schools, including St. Cecelia’s and St. Michael’s in Baltimore; Holy Family in Randallstown; St. Mary’s in Clinton; Mount Washington Country School in Baltimore; and, for 23 years, at Immaculate Heart of Mary in Towson.

In 2008 she received the Archdiocesan Medal of Honor for “long-standing and significant contribution of time and talent to the parish of Immaculate Heart of Mary and to the Archdiocese of Baltimore.”

Click on her name to read an extended obituary of Sister Mary Immaculee McGill, which is included with today’s attachments.

Justice updateWORLD DAY OF PEACE MESSAGE Every year for the past 52 years, the pope issues a World Day of Peace Message on a social justice topic. For example, Pope Bene-dict’s 2010 World Day of Peace Message was on the environment; Pope Francis’s 2015 message was on human trafficking. Pope Francis’ 2020 World Day of Peace Message is titled “Peace as a Journey of Hope: Dialogue, Reconciliation and Ecological Conversion.” These messages usually focus on a single issue, but the 2020 message links nuclear issues, global economic injustice and the climate crisis. Although these may seem disconnected, he makes the link clear: “Faced with the consequences of our hostility toward others, our lack of respect for our common home or our abusive exploitation of natural resources—seen only as a source of immediate profit, regardless of local communi-ties, the common good and nature itself—we are in need of an ecological conversion.” For the new year, reflect on this message and ask, Where do I need ecological conversion? Click on the blue words below to read the entire message, the summary or previous messages:

World Day of Peace

Summary

Previous World Day of Peace messages

PRAY FOR MIGRANTS AND REFUGEESAfter Christmas, the world of the Holy Family was shattered and they had to flee, the life of their newborn infant threatened. Fearful, they packed meager belongings and began another arduous journey. A similar scene is enacted many times each day as migrants flee their homelands to escape imminent death, drug wars, famine, human trafficking and labor abuses. Yet almost daily, new measures to make immigrants more marginalized or to make applying for asylum more difficult are imposed by the current administration. This year’s theme

Sister Immaculee McGill

www.mercysc.org December 19, 2019 3CommunityeNews

for National Migration Week, January 5-11, 2020, is ““Promoting a Church and a World for All.” It is a call to stand in solidarity with and care for those who are excluded and marginalized, including migrants, DACA and TPS holders, refugees and those seeking asylum. Schedule a special prayer service, view a video on immi-grants and/or write a letter to the editor. For resources, visit Take action or contact Sister Rose Marie Tresp at rtresp@mercysc.org.

Video series“Mercy Moments” is a series of video reflections featuring sisters speaking on issues related to the Critical Concerns. Click on the blue words for Sister Cora Marie Billings’ reflection on Black Catholic History Month.

Sister Anne Connolly offers a reflection and prayer for the Feast of Our Lady of Guada-lupe (December 12), asking that Our Lady watch over all migrants and keep them safe. Click on the blue words to watch: Our Lady of Guadalupe.

Advent resources

The Sisters of Mercy Advent blog series contin-ues with a reflection for Week 3 by Sister Vilma Alayo, “Inviting Us into the Joy of Advent,” and Week 4, “Making the Leap into Love” by Sister Denise Colgan.

Also, remember that the daily Advent prayer guide is available here: Awake! Wonder, Welcome.

Created by members of the Mercy family around the world, the daily prayer guide includes iconography, painting, photography, prose and verse. Questions for personal and/or group reflection are included for each day, and you are invited to join a virtual discussion here: Virtual Discussion. Discussion threads will be posted for each day’s reflection, and you can use the “reply” button to join the conversation. No login is necessary.

Mercy in the newsNEW MERCY URGENT CARE CENTERMercy Urgent Care will open a new location in February 2020 in Waynesville, North Caro-lina. The new urgent care center will offer high-quality, convenient care for non-life-threat-ening illnesses and injuries at a fraction of the cost of an emergency-room visit. It will be the eighth western North Carolina location for the nonprofit organization based in Asheville. Click on the blue words to read more: New Urgent Care Center

More MercyYou’ll find additional news and information from the Sisters of Mercy in these publications:

• Mercy eNews, weekly online newsletter from Mercy International Association

• Investing in Mercy, monthly newsletter from Mercy Investment Services

• Mercy Now, biweekly newsletter from the Institute

• MESA Flash, weekly e-newsletter published by Mercy Education System of the Americas

• Viva Mercy, bimonthly magazine published by the Institute

4 December 19, 2019 www.mercysc.orgCommunityeNews

Mercy associates from the Charlotte area partnered in November with Gastonia (North Carolina) Street Ministries to collect 50 bags of supplies for men. Donations include socks, underwear, gloves, knit caps, travel-size toothpaste and toothbrushes, and deodor-ant. Pictured (from left) are Associates Tracy Horton; Ty Barnes, director of association for South Central and West Midwest; Ingrid Robinson; Kim Timmons; Hazel Stewart; Tanya Pitts; and Anthony Pitts Sr. They plan to find an opportunity to serve every third Saturday of each month.

Associates pitch in

Gingerbread churchWelcome, associates

Five new Mercy associates received their associate pins in a Covenant Ceremony in Fremont, Ohio. Here, Sister Noel Frey pins Bernie Steinmetz while new associates Angie Depinet and Lukus Hafeli, along with local leader Margaret Boltz, look on. Not pictured are new associates Paula Karr and Helen Keel. The Fremont Local Area Community combined its Foundation Day celebration with the Covenant Ceremony at St. Bernardine Home on Saturday, December 7, 2019.

Sisters created gingerbread houses at Sacred Heart Convent in Belmont, North Carolina, on Tuesday, December 10, 2019. Here, Jeaniene Dibble, an artist who was taught by some of the sisters and who volunteers at the convent, helps Sister Maureen Dees put the finishing touches on her gingerbread church.

www.mercysc.org December 19, 2019 5CommunityeNews

A repeated agreement is that “to change is not to compromise.” The popes agree that we must allow God to use personal values, beliefs, principles and experience of God to call each one to grow into the ever deeper conversion and grace needed to live the Gospel well right here and right now.

Today’s attachments• Directory changes for December 19, 2019• Extended obituary for Sister Immaculee

McGill

New MercyMattersDon’t miss the fall 2019 issue of Mercy-Matters, our staff newsletter. The cover story is about Ty Barnes’ experiences in Cambodia as a recip-ient of the Emerging Leaders Fellowship from Mercy Interna-tional Association and Mercy Global Action. Ty is director of association for South Central and West Midwest. Click on the blue words to read the newsletter: Fall 2019 MercyMatters

‘Two Popes’ upliftingMovie review by Sister Victoria Vondenberger

The best movie I have seen in years in a theater is The Two Popes. From what I know of Bene-dict and Francis, the film is faithful to their backgrounds. The actors—Anthony Hopkins as Benedict and Jonathan Pryce as Francis—are so good that I forgot at times they were not actually the two popes.

This film draws forth such hope for our church, which can be portrayed by the media as irreparably divided. Those watching walk in the hearts and shoes of two very different men through their life choices, appreciating a bit why each has his world view and his particular vision for our church in today’s world.

Newsletter for the staff of the Sisters of Mercy of the Americas, South Central

MercyMatters is a publication of the Human Resources Department and the Communications Department.

Fall 2019Volume 3 / Issue 3

In this issue

p3 Holiday from medical insurance premiums

p4 River cleanup helps to Make Mercy Real

MERCYMATTERS

Where in the world is Ty Barnes? continues on page 2

Where in the world is Ty Barnes?Mercy fellowship offers global perspectiveTy Barnes, director of Association for South Central and West Midwest, is truly becoming a globe-trotter. As one of 10 recipients of the Emerging Leaders Fellowship from Mercy International Association and Mercy Global Action, she is visiting Cambodia and Ireland during the next year.

In CambodiaHer year of global travel and study began in late August with an induction for the fellowship recipients in Siem Reap, Cambodia, at the interfaith Metta Karuna Reflection Centre, where Cambodians and other visitors are welcomed to see the challenges of Cambodian people through the lens of poverty. Sister Denise Coghlan, a Sister of Mercy from Australia, runs this refugee sanctuary.

“It was a chance to get to know one another and unpack the elements of the

fellowship,” Ty explained, adding that their focus was on climate change and displaced people.

Toll of landminesIn Cambodia, they witnessed the grim impact of war and violence. Landmines were laid there during the ousting of the Khmer Rouge in 1979 and continued until the regime’s demise in 1998. As a result, the country has some 40,000 amputees, and the Cambodian Mine Action Centre says there still are millions of mines and other pieces of unexploded ordnance. Crucifixes in Cambodia depict Christ with missing legs, symbolizing solidarity with those maimed by mines.

Among the activists who met with the Mercy group was Tun Channareth, affectionately know as Mr. Rhett, who met Sister Denise when he was

in a refugee camp. He spent 13 years in

n   Ty Barnes, director of associa-tion for South Central and West Midwest, at the Angkor Wat temple complex, the largest reli-gious monument in the world.

1723 MercyMatters_Fall2019_R.indd 21723 MercyMatters_Fall2019_R.indd 2 12/2/19 3:06 PM12/2/19 3:06 PM

Merry Christmas!We will be taking some time off over the holidays to gather with family and friends. The next issue of Community eNews will be published Thursday, January 16, 2020. Send your news and photos to Beth Thompson, writer/communications strat-egist, by Friday, January 10.

Our communications staff sends you our warmest wishes for a safe and joyful Christmas and many blessings for a Happy New Year.

South Central Directory Updates December 19, 2019

LAST NAME FIRST NAME SECTION CATEGORY INFORMATION

Gakuhi

Sr. Anna Regina

Sister Cell Phone

876.372.3399

Gerety

Sr. Jane

Sister

Ministry

Sisters of Mercy 3411 Durden Dr. NE Unit 9210 Atlanta, GA 30319-2258 Title: Sabbatical

McCartan

Sr. Maura

Sister

Residence Ministry

Mercy Springwell *Correction

2211 West Rogers Ave Baltimore, MD 21209-4420 Direct Phone: 443.810.2383 Mercy Springwell *Correction

2211 West Rogers Ave Baltimore, MD 21209-4420 Title: Prayer and Works of Mercy

Bozeman

Pamela Crapo

New Associate

Email Cell Phone Address

pamboze@bellsouth.net 228.324.6204 444 Saylor Dr. Biloxi, MS 39531-2223

Comfort

Marianne

New Associate

Email Cell Phone Address

mariannecomfort@yahoo.com 518.860.8538 9125 Saffron Lane Silver Spring, MD 20901-4266 Phone: 518.860.8538

Depinet

Angela M.

New Associate Email Cell Phone Address

angiedepinet@yahoo.com 419.618.1344 2567 South Township Rd. 1189 Tiffin, OH 44883-9114

Dickey

Jeremy

New Associate

Email Cell Phone Address

jeremyddickey@gmail.com 814.671.0086 1703 East West Highway Apt 319 Silver Spring, MD 20910-3027

Fisher

Ann

Associate

Email Cell Phone

Ajndfan1@yahoo.com 443.604.4963

Geimer

Lisa

Associate

Address

122 Belle Pointe Madison, MS 39110-8200

Gesell

Frances Theresa

New Associate

Email Cell Phone Address

fgesell@biloxidiocese.org 601.347.4131 964 Greystone Dr. Biloxi, MS 39532-2250

Hafeli

Lukas

New Associate

Email Address

lhafeli@sbcglobal.net 2 Linda Lane Tiffin, OH 44883-3508

Hagan-Bicoy

Mary Lee

Associate

Home Phone

912.857.2974

Karr

Paula J.

New Associate Email Cell Phone Address

Pjkarr48@gmail.com 419.618.2372 108 North Woodwind Dr. Attica, OH 44807-9332 Phone: 419.426.4172

Keel

Helen

Magdelana

New Associate

Email Address

hkeel@buckeye-express.com 4236 Woodmont Rd. Toledo, OH 43613-3866 Phone: 419.476.9347

Landry

Jamie

Associate

Email Address

Jamied762@gmail.com P.O. Box 91183 Mobile, AL 36691-1183

Marsters

Denise

Associate

Email Address

dsolon@luckymail.com 6 Broadview Dr. Asheville, NC 28803-1006

Mayfield

Marcia Elaine

New Associate

Email Cell Phone Address

Mmay0208@gmail.com 251.767.7959 1006 Taylor St. Ocean Springs, MS 39564-3035

Moxley

Carolyn

Associate

Email Address

ckmoxley@icloud.com 12901 North MacArthur Apt 149 Oklahoma City, OK 73142-3401

Norvell

Mary Lee

New Associate Email Cell Phone Address

Lee.norvell@gmail.com 912.996.0628 116 Jacobs Rd. St. Simons Island, GA 31522-1919 Phone: 912.638.4106

O’Dea

Rita

Associate

Address

420 West Adams Ave Apt F St. Louis, MO 63122-4050

Pakulski

Aarika

Associate

Email Address

Aarika.pakulski@gmail.com 855 East Lombard St. Baltimore, MD 21202-4510

Penberthy

Helen Kegel

New Associate

Email Cell Phone Address

hkpenberthy@yahoo.com 703.517.2003 8209 Falstaff Rd. McLean, VA 22102-2301 Phone: 703.848.9799

Ringle

Kindra Kay

New Associate

Email Cell Phone Address

Kindra_ringle@mercy.com 419.455.0330 3863 South Township Rd. 17 Tiffin, OH 44883-9720

Steinmetz

Bernard Joseph

New Associate

Email Cell Phone Address

Shellbern@bright.net 419.618.7401 2402 West Township Rd. 18 Tiffin, OH 44883-8942

Suchower

Susan

Associate

Address

104 Falcon Crest Warner Robins Robins, GA 31088-7515

Underwood

Maria

New Associate Email Cell Phone Address

werblest@cableone.net 228.617.2510 4100 Oakridge Place Biloxi, MS 39532-9085

Valdiviezo de Baules

Elsa Maria

New Associate

Email Cell Phone Address

evaldiviezo@sistersofmercy.org 240.708.0968 7206 16th Place Hyattsville, MD 20783-4321

Varner

Ann

Associate

Address

15025 American Lotus Westfield, IN 46074-7915

Email updates to: ms2support@sistersofmercy.samanage.com

Sister Mary Immaculee McGillReligious Sister of Mercy

December 8, 1930 – December 11, 2019

Catherine McAuley

Will we all meet in heaven? Oh what joy even to think of it.

Born in Baltimore, Maryland, Sister Mary Immaculee McGill was the daughter of Leo Joseph McGill and the former Grace Michael Thompson, and was given the

name Thelma Lillian in baptism. She grew up in Baltimore, attending Immaculate Conception school from 1st through 8th grades, and graduated in 1949 from Seton High School.

Later in life, Sister Immaculee remembered being “enamored” of the Daughters of Charity, who were her teachers, and feeling close to some of them. But at the age of 13, she met some Sisters of Mercy at an athletic competition at Patterson Park. For reasons she couldn’t quite explain, she felt drawn to them and thought even then that God was calling her to religious life as a Sister of Mercy.

During her high school years, young Thelma frequently visited Sisters of Mercy, especially Sister Noreen McGraw, with whom she met regularly. By her senior year,

she felt sure about her vocation, as well as the community she was meant to enter. In 1949, a few months after graduating from high school, she entered the Sisters of Mercy at Mount Washington.

When the time came to leave baptismal names behind and to be known by their names in religion, young sisters could request one of three specific names, and Sister Immaculee hoped to be given some version of her favorite saint’s name, Therese, the Little Flower, to whom she had been devoted since early childhood. Instead, she was at first disappointed to receive the name Mary Immaculee but soon began to cherish carrying with her one of the Blessed Mother’s names.

Sister Immaculee had hoped to become a nurse like her mother, but instead she began studies at Mount St. Agnes College in pursuit of a degree in education. She remembered finding “instant joy” in teaching school, saying, “I’m so glad they put me into teaching because it’s in my heart and in my soul. I love it!” Throughout her years in education, Sister Immaculee’s enthusiasm never waned. In 1957 she graduated from Mount St. Agnes with a bachelor’s degree in education and, in 1972 was awarded a master’s degree in administration and supervision from Loyola College (now University) in Maryland.

Sister Immaculee continued her ministry in education as a teacher and a principal, almost always in Maryland Catholic schools. She will be remembered by former students from many schools, including St. Cecelia’s and St. Michael’s in Baltimore; Holy Family in Randallstown; St. Mary’s in Clinton; Immaculate Conception in Washington, D.C.; Mount Washington Country School in Baltimore; and Immaculate Heart of Mary in Towson. The latter school was her true home and her happiest time in ministry, proved by her service there as teacher and as principal, often at the same time, for 23 years. Her devotion was formally recognized in 2008 when she was awarded the Archdiocesan Medal of Honor for “long-standing and significant contribution of time and talent to the parish of Immaculate Heart of Mary and to the Archdiocese of Baltimore.”

Vivacious and energetic, Sister Immaculee was a great storyteller who recalled all the details of exciting events in her life, and she could turn ordinary events into extraordinary stories.

Sisters of Mercy who knew her well, either through community living or ministry, as well as countless former students and many lay people admired and respected Sister Immaculee. When informed of her death, Sister Donna Marie Coward expressed happiness that her “dear 3rd grade teacher and loving mentor is now at peace and whole again.”

Funeral Mass: December 17, 2019 in the chapel at Stella Maris, Timonium, Maryland

Interment: Woodlawn Cemetery, Baltimore, Maryland