By Associate Debby Patterson

A spirit of excitement and anticipation could be felt at Mount St. Mary’s in Burlington, as family, friends, sisters and associates gathered to welcome seven new associates to the Northeast Community on Sunday, November 4, 2012. Eight months of preparation and discernment for these individuals culminated in the Rite of Covenant led by Sister Kathleen Turley of the Northeast Community Leadership Team.

Those welcomed to the Northeast Community were Kim Bushey, Jon Coffin, Sue-Rae Glinka, Paul Jette, Vicki Jette, Susan Ryan, and Gerry Sullivan. In welcoming them, the Northeast Community, and the Vermont area in particular, are abundantly blessed. All the new associates bring an energy and enthusiasm for their faith, a desire to deepen their prayer and spiritual life, and a commitment to living the mission of Mercy by assisting those in need.

"I’ve been truly amazed at how Mercy has made a difference in the lives of so many people. I would like to be part of the Mercy tradition and give back," said new Mercy Associate Paul Jette. Another new associate, Kim Bushey, said, "I’m seeking a community that embraces the values of compassion, responsibility and personal engagement with the mysteries of spirituality."

In addition to receiving these seven new associates, eight current associates renewed their covenants on November 4. Vermont welcomes this new group of women and men to the Northeast Mercy Community. We expect each one of them will keep us attentive to Catherine McAuley’s gift of Mercy.

(Pictured above: New Vermont associates, back row, from left, Paul Jette, Gerry Sullivan, Jon Coffin. Front row, from left, Susan Ryan, Vicki Jette, Kim Bushey, Sue-Rae Glinka. Photo submitted by Sister Ruth Ravey.)