By Sister Ida Gregoire, RN

I’d like to share a little about the only vacation time I take each year, a "working vacation" that is the favorite time of my year. Since my first trip in 2000, at the invitation of Father Noel Leslie of Belize, I have traveled to Belize 14 times to visit and to volunteer. My annual visits there always allow me to further my knowledge of the history and contributions of the Sisters of Mercy in Belize since their arrival from New Orleans in 1833. Citizens are so proud to announce that they, like Father Noel, were taught by the Sisters of Mercy in schools here, and that they contribute services at Mercy Clinic/Mercy Kitchen, an offshoot of the original ministry established by sisters who made home visits to care for victims of yellow fever. (Pictured on left: Sister Ida (left) meeting Dr. "AJ" (medical director) and Nurse Dean at Mercy Clinic to discuss how to improve services to elderly people at the clinic and during home visits.)

Thanks to the initiative of Sisters of Mercy ministering at the Manchester (New Hampshire) Immigration Project, two wells were dug in two South Sudanese villages. Mary Kuek, a student at the Immigration Project, recently visited one of those villages, Mangar Ayou – her home and that of her husband, James, who had raised the Community’s awareness of the need for a well there.

Mercy Associate, Colonel Jon Coffin (Retired), one of only six psychologists in the country's National Guard system, and his work with grieving families and returning soldiers was featured in this article in the January/February 2013 issue of Yankee Magazine.

By Sister Rosemary Laliberte

When the notice appeared in the Mercy Northeast newsletter that it was time to apply for enrichment funds, I thought this might be a good opportunity to fulfill a lifelong wish of mine—I had always wanted to visit Alaska.

By Sister Dale Jarvis

Have you ever met Sister Anne Fitzpatrick? Anyone who has met her knows what a remarkable woman she is.

Sister Judy Carey, vice president for mission integration at Saint Francis Hospital in Hartford, Connecticut, was awarded the T. Stewart Hamilton, MD, Distinguished Service Award at the 94th Annual Meeting of the Connecticut Hospital Association (CHA) on June 27.

Sister Gail Waring was honored at the Circles of Mercy Gala held at Carmella’s Banquet House in Rensselaer, New York, on June 21.

Sister Rose Orlando received the 2012 Vaughan Award during ceremonies at the New Hampshire Statehouse in Concord on May 8, 2012.

The Albany diocesan Office of Evangelization Catechesis & Family Life recently honored Sister Sue Wieczynski with the Mary Reed Newland Award.

Sister Lindora Cabral received an honorary degree at Saint Michael’s College commencement exercises held on campus in Burlington, Vermont, on May 14.