Spring Appeal 2008 Mercy for All

Dear Friend,

Poverty is the worst form of violence - Mahatma Gandhi

Most of us have not experienced what it is like to be poor.  Poverty can be disabling, moving men and women from material want to spiritual and emotional harm.  That is why Mercy Center at Madison launched Mercy for All – a program for the two groups of people who live daily and deeply with poverty:  the materially poor and those who work with them.

Through the Mercy for All program, Mercy Center seeks to head off the spiritual, mental and emotional consequences of poverty by sharing its healing gifts - the gift of time away from the daily struggles for basic needs to the restorative setting of Mercy Center.

If the impact of poverty is to be reduced, we must also care about those who work for the poor.  In the face of seemingly endless struggle, those who work on the front line of poverty need sacred touch points to keep going day to day - to keep hope alive for themselves and those they serve. 

The objective of Mercy for All is to provide an experience of the loving presence of God to the materially poor and those who work with them through grants of retreat experiences.  All participation is free of charge.

Whatever the length of stay, Mercy Center helps people to rest, to explore their deeply held values and to gain new energy to help them in their lives and to support their work.

Mercy for All has already helped over 20 groups and 450 individuals but funds for this program are currently low.  To continue this vital work, Mercy Center is dedicating its 2008 Spring Appeal to raising funds for Mercy for All.

Through this appeal, we hope to raise at least $20,000 – funds that will allow Mercy for All to benefit groups into 2009.  Please support Mercy Center’s efforts to uphold the spirit of Catherine McAuley by sharing the abundance that we have been given with a donation to the Mercy for All Program.  One hundred percent of your contribution will be placed in the Mercy for All fund. One hundred percent of your contribution will be used to bring the materially poor and those who work with them to Mercy Center.

Thank you in advance for your generosity. And thank you for making a difference in the struggle against poverty.

With gratitude and best wishes,

Jim Emswiler
Executive Director

PS:  In this wondrous season of Spring, a sense of renewal is all around us.  We hope you plan to visit Mercy Center soon.  You are always welcome.

To make a donation to the Mercy for All program, please make checks payable to Mercy Center, 167 Neck Road, Madison, CT  06443 or click here to make an on-line donation.

Thank you for your support of Mercy Center's outreach programs.