Mercy for All
By Lorraine LaVigne, RSM
Posted on
Many of you, as you read this, will find yourself recalling how special your times at Mercy by the Sea have been. Whether walking the grounds, sitting by the water or attending a program, you tell us that you experience the Center as a sacred space of peace and tranquility where your hearts are strengthened and spirits renewed.
I am sure you have thought, as I have, that you wished everyone could have this experience. We agree!
There are many people and nonprofit groups, that would love to come to the Center, even for a day, but do not have sufficient funds to afford the fees. To assist in providing experiences like we have had, a scholarship fund, called Mercy for All, was established. This fund provides financial assistance to those who would otherwise not be able to afford the full fee to come to Mercy by the Sea.
Individuals may seek financial support to attend a program or retreat. Smaller nonprofit organizations, which do not have the funds to provide time away for their staff or their clients can request funds. Many guests, who have limited or fixed incomes, find the open space, freedom to simply be and healthy food renewing and meaningful.
Mercy for All funds have come from you, our generous donors. Additional money comes through a ministry grant from the Sisters of Mercy, Northeast Community.
One of the founding missions of the Sisters of Mercy is to serve and help those who are struggling financially. So too, tending to the human and spiritual needs of others has been a value and commitment of all Sisters of Mercy.
We, at Mercy by the Sea, respond to that same call. Given how valuable it is to provide this environment and our programs, we endeavor to provide needed financial support to those who could not afford to come to this sacred place and experience its beauty and peace. Over the past three years, the Fund has helped approximately 200 guests, who have participated in programs, retreats or hosted opportunities.
The Mercy for All fund will always be a necessary part of our mission to create experiences like the one a recent Mercy for All recipient related: “Everyone treats us with kindness and a smile. We can sit on the porch, go to the chapel, enjoy a walk on the beach and, at times, enjoy the greenhouse. The cooks who make the food don’t know what a blessing it is to choose what we want.”
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