Sisters of Mercy in Buffalo Begin 150th Anniversary Celebration (Americas)

Buffalo, New York: April 26, 2007— “Mercy…yesterday, today and forever”, will be the theme of a year-long celebration for the Sisters of Mercy 150th anniversary in the Diocese of Buffalo.

On February 11, 1858, four Sisters of Mercy traveled from Rochester to Buffalo at the invitation of Bishop John Timon, CM. They settled in a convent on Fulton Street previously occupied by the Brigidine Sisters. Thus, within the St. Brigid’s Parish, was the humble beginning of 150 years of continuous service to the people of the Diocese of Buffalo by the Sisters of Mercy.

The Sisters have planned a year of events to commemorate their anniversary. Some of the major events include:

June 10, 2007 – Neighborhood Tea Party at Mercy Center

June 22, 2007 – Sisters of Mercy evening at Buffalo Bisons game, Dunn Tire Park

July 14, 2007 – St. Brigid’s Gathering, home of first foundation in Buffalo

April 20, 2008 – 150th Anniversary Mass at St. Joseph Cathedral and Dinner

** The Sisters of Mercy invite you to join them for an evening of celebration at the Buffalo Bisons game at Dunn Tire Park on June 22, 2007. Tickets are $21.00 each and include a ticket to the game and tent party featuring hot dogs, hamburgers, salads and beverage. Guests of the event will be able to watch pre-game batting practice from the tent and will enjoy special seating for the game. Tent party begins at 5:30 pm; game starts at 7:35 pm followed by a fireworks display. For more information and to purchase tickets, please call: Sister Virginia Marie Grasso at 826-5051, x401; Sister M. Jeanne Thomas at 823-1090, x311; or Sue Beyer at 825-5531, x414.

The 123 sisters and 83 associates of the Buffalo regional community of the Sisters of Mercy are part of the Institute of the Sisters of Mercy of the Americas, which comprises 4,515 sisters who serve in North, South and Central America, the Caribbean, Guam and the Philippines. More than 2,800 associates, several Companions in Mercy, over 600 Mercy Volunteer Corps alumni, and hundreds of co-workers in Mercy-sponsored ministries and institutions also share in our mission to help people who are poor, sick and uneducated while following the example of Catherine McAuley, foundress of the Sisters of Mercy.

Celebrating its 150th anniversary in 2008, the Sisters of Mercy, Regional Community of Buffalo, sponsor Mount Mercy Academy, a private secondary school for young women in Buffalo; Trocaire College, a private Catholic two-year community college in Buffalo; the Speech Center serving clients with speech and/or language disorders; the Altar Bread Ministry, a distribution center serving the churches of Western New York; the Helping Hearts Kids Club, an after-school educational program for young children; and the Warde Center, an educational and support program for persons seeking their high school equivalency certificate. The Regional Community is also a co-sponsor of Gerard Place, a transitional housing program; Catholic Health East and the Catholic Health System of Buffalo.

In addition, the Regional Community of Buffalo has ministries in the Philippines, including the sponsorship of Mercy Junior College (K-12), Mercy Community Hospital, Mercy Mobile Health Clinic, and McAuley Center, which provides safe housing for abused women and girls.