Standing on the Shoulders

Posted on 9/10/2022

There is a song Standing on the Shoulders, words and music by Joyce Johnson Rouse used in many anniversary-type rituals. As we near the celebration date for the Golden Jubilee of Mercy Center by the Sea, it would seem a fitting conclusion to these weekly blogs to recognize that we are standing on the shoulders of the ones who came  before, stronger for their courage, wiser for their words, lifted by their longing for a fair and brighter future; we are grateful for their vision, for their toiling on this Earth.

We stand on shoulders of Catherine McAuley who founded the Sisters of Mercy in Dublin Ireland in 1831 and the Spirituality of the Sisters of Mercy with an awareness of God’s action in our lives inviting us to a compassionate engagement with the world around us.

We stand on the shoulders of the Community of Sisters, Companions and Associates of Mercy who have supported this ministry and mission as sponsor and serving as staff, Board members, volunteers, donors and friends.

We stand on the shoulders of the administrative leadership of 50 years, paying tribute to the eight leaders during this time.

Patricia Rooney RSM, 1973-1979

Jeanne Snyder RSM, 1979-1985

Genie Guterch RSM, 1985-2004

Jim Emswiler, 2004- 2008

Krista May,  2008-2010

Charles Frey, 2011-2013

Eileen Dooling RSM, 2013-2021

Mary McCarthy RSM, 2022                                                                                                                                      

We stand on the shoulders of those who serve as Board members past and present sharing their talents and resources in support of this work with the Sisters of Mercy.

We stand on the shoulders of those who serve as staff members past and present who work here and have worked here as receptionists, registrars, program directors, program presenters, spiritual directors, book-keepers, accountants, secretaries, directors of services, marketing and development and our housekeepers, chefs, cooks, maintenance and groundskeepers. We thank you for your hard work and ever-compassionate and respectful care given to our guests and each other.

We stand on the shoulders of those who are generous in their supportive service and their presence as volunteers who have given generously of their time and energy in support of innumerable tasks and responsibilities.

We stand on the shoulders of the many persons who have been generous in their financial support providing financial resources - large or small - for your gift of presence and support .  You may never know who and what your gift supported but your generosity has contributed to the continuance of Mercy Center by the Sea these fifty years.

Oh, yes, you lift us higher than we could ever fly, carrying our burdens away. Just imagine our world if you hadn't tried. We wouldn't be here celebrating today.*

 And so we declare to you what was from the beginning…what we have heard, what we have seen with our own eyes; what we have touched concerning the mission and spirit of Mercy Center by the Sea; giving witness  to this rising light of 50 years. We give thanks for God’s Mercy that has been revealed to us. We know that tomorrow there will be a new light rising, a dawn for each of us and for Mercy by the Sea.

 May the healing rays of the sun touch our earth. May the hope of dawn resonate throughout our earth, bringing renewal and restoration. Out of God’s deepest Mercy, this new dawning light shall break upon us, lighting the darkness and guiding our feet on the path of peace. Amen.

 *Adaptation of words for Standing on the Shoulders by Joyce Johnson Rouse, Earth Mama