Mercy by the Sea

Announcing an Eco-Spirituality Collaboration

We have received two books of divine revelation, the book of Scripture and the book of nature. Creation is a sacred text through which the presence of God is revealed. Mercy by the Sea and Mercy Farm are places of exquisite beauty where creation and the Divine are met. As I gaze upon the water or walk the land, it is clear in me that our relationship with the Divine and creation is integral to the flourishing of all beings.

Since 2005, the Sisters of Mercy have had a commitment “to reverence Earth and work more effectively toward the sustainability of life.” There are many ways this commitment has been integrated into Mercy ministries. The Northeast Community initiated the work of Mercy Ecology in 2006. An eco-spirituality retreat house and farm in Benson, Vermont, and New Dawn Center for education in Cumberland, Rhode Island were established. (New Dawn has since had to close.) Mercy by the Sea was also part of this effort before closing for renovation. The dream was to help bring about a healing of Earth and provide a haven of peace where people could reconnect with the natural world through educational and experiential opportunities.

As of September 2018, I am thrilled to step into a collaboration between Mercy Ecology and Mercy by the Sea developing and offering eco-spirituality programs. My focus is to deepen the efforts of making the two books of divine revelation evident, vibrant and accessible. Through integrating the spirituality of ecology into programs, practices and decision-making, I hope that all who visit will experience the gifts of creation and come to know what Teilhard de Chardin called the “breathing together of all things.”

The Community of All Beings

One of the joys of working at Mercy by the Sea is the staff’s appreciation of the creatures with whom we share the grounds. There’s "Ralphie," the woodchuck, who birthed two little ones this summer; a lean fox that makes frequent appearances; chipmunks; and rabbits, who graze in the courtyard outside our offices.

Let’s not forget the seagull who likes to sit on our assistant cook Adam's car; Harriet, the hawk; the bald-headed cardinal who turned up this year; and a host of crows, gulls, ospreys, sparrows, mourning doves and robins. One of our volunteer gardeners, Bob Bartusiak, recently put up bird feeders which are attracting imperial red cardinals, stunning gold finches, chickadees and squirrels, whose antics mesmerize us. Daily we’re entertained by two tenacious squirrels – one male, the other female – who hang upside by their claws while munching on black sunflower seeds.

Mercy for All

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!