By Associate Kathy Swift and Sister Grace Mannion

On Sunday, October 21, 2012, five women and one man completed their year-long discernment process by making covenants during a Commitment Ceremony in the chapel of St. Mary’s Home in West Hartford, Connecticut. Father Norman Brockett, pastor of St. Patrick’s in Waterbury, was invited by Sister Pat Colla to consider becoming an associate while chaplain at St. Mary’s Home. Thus, with an invitation, his journey began.

Laura Dwyer became an associate to live out and enhance her spiritual compassion. Her great energy and enthusiasm are evident as she has already volunteered at Mercy activities.

With her ever-present smile, reminiscent of the stories of Catherine McAuley, Mary Giblin describes her love of the Sisters of Mercy whom she served as a nurse at St. Mary’s Home on Baggot Street.

Irene Kubitsky has participated in the shoreline cluster learning of Mercy with Sister Patty Cook and Irene O’Day before making the commitment to be an associate. She teaches English to immigrants, mindful of her own immigrant experience from Czechoslovakia.

Pat Mulready, MD, has answered a call to deepen her Catholic spirituality and have fun with the Mercy community as she makes her covenant. A self-described seeker, Pat has found many ways to do God’s work as a counselor, administrator, physician, educator, and spiritual guide.

Judy Stonger is familiar to the Mercy family as one who ministers to immigrants and who spoke at a Commitment Ceremony three years ago. Her Mercy charism emanates from all she does.

Robert Mace, Jr. of Seffner, Florida, formally transferred from NyPPaW to the Northeast at this time as well.

(Pictured above: New associates in Connecticut, back row, from left, Laura Dwyer, Father Norman Brockett, Mary Giblin. Front row, from left, Judy Stonger, Pat Mulready, MD, Irene Kubitsky. Photo submitted by Kathy Swift.)