Baltimore
Regional Community Profile
Sisters:
168
Associates and Pre-associates:
152
Administrative Center:
1322
E. Northern Parkway
Baltimore, MD 21239
(410)
435-4400
Major
Ministry Sites:
Our
primary areas of ministry extend from Maryland to Georgia and
Alabama/Florida with sisters who minister in other states and Guyana.
Profile:
Sisters of Mercy of the Baltimore Regional Community serve at the college,
high school and elementary levels, as well as in theological education.
They hold faculty and administrative positions as well as roles in
finance, alumnae relations and clerical support. In health care, they
serve as Executive Chair of the Board, as physicians, in senior
administrative roles, as assistants to CEOs, in pastoral care, employee
education, palliative care, finance, housing and hospitality. One works in
the field of complementary medicine. In social service, our sisters work
in child care, in programs and a home for women and children, as
psychotherapists, in ministry to the elderly and shut-ins. Several work in
literacy programs, including teaching English to non-English speaking
persons. One ministers to separated, widowed and divorced persons.
On the
national ecclesial level, one is widely sought as a canonical consultant.
On the parish level, one is a pastoral administrator, one is a pastoral
associate and one is a volunteer. In addition to sisters who work in
internal community service, we have a veterinary technician and two
research/writers.
We are a community of
women religious who follow Jesus Christ through a life of prayer, sharing
in community, and service to the needy with compassionate love.
Time and prayer are the
best measure of a religious vocation. A woman needs to evaluate every
aspect of her life, and decide whether she has a call to be a Religious
Sister of Mercy.
Is
God calling you to religious life? Take a look at our self evaluation
questionnaire to help you determine
your path.
A
vocation minister will help lead a woman through the first stages of
her discernment.
An overview of the stages, marked by
ritual, in this journey of exploration and discernment.
Click
each bullet below to expand text.
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Vocation Discernment/Pre-Candidacy
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You
will begin your relationship with a vocation minister; a Sister of Mercy who
can answer your questions, pray
with you, and open the door to the life we lead.
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You
will have opportunities to meet Sisters and Mercy Associates.
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You
will have regular conversations with a Contact Sister.
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There
is no fixed duration of time associated with this step.
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The
admissions process is done with the Vocation Minister.
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Candidacy
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This
step begins with a rite of welcoming.
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You
will enter this phase for a period of about two years.
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This
period allows you to become active in our day to day lives as you reflect on
where this journey is taking you.
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You
will be accompanied by a Mentor during this time.
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During
this time you will live in community with us, participating in our
educational events, meetings, ministries, and prayer life.
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Novitiate
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This
phase begins with a ritual of reception.
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The
Novitiate is a two-year period which allows for a more intensive deepening
of your relationship with God, study of the vows, and growth in Community.
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You
will spend one year at the Mercy collaborative novitiate with all the Mercy
novices in the United States.
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Your
second year is an Apostolic year, where you will serve local needs in
ministry.
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First Vows
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Begins
with a celebration of committing your life fully to the ideals of
Mercy and Catherine McAuley, our founder. You will take vows of
chastity, poverty, obedience and service to the poor.
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This
phase can last from three to six years.
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Your
work will reflect your talents and the needs of the community.
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You
will have opportunities to gather with others in temporary vows.
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You
will continue with your mentor and to further study/reflect on religious
life as a Sister of Mercy.
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You
will have full participation in service and/or academic preparation for
apostolic service.
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This
stage includes a retreat time prior to perpetual vows.
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Celebration of Perpetual Vows
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