Dorothy Bennett Mercy Center

During the Centennial celebration of 1994-5, the Sisters of Mercy had hung banners outside the convent building proclaiming "100 Years of Prayer and Presence", which was to honor the dedication of the convent chapel. I wondered what the extent of our presence in the neighborhood was. My leadership Team members asked me to inquire about an unmet that we could fund for this anniversary year from the local church Pastoral Team. Their response was "an After School Program for the children of the newly arriving immigrant families". As the saying goes, "the rest is history". After meeting with the church leaders we decided that we would name the program in honor a devoted parishioner, Dorothy Bennet, as well as including the word "Mercy" as part of its name. 

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As I reflect on the hundreds of children, families, and adults who have passed through the doors of the Dorothy Bennet Mercy Center over the past 20 years, I never doubted that our efforts would bear fruit. The response to our financial appeal from the sisters and our friends was unbelievable. Somehow, it seems as if this was an idea waiting to happen. For the neighborhood, it was an opportunity to witness our Order's vow of service to the needy in action. For the Sisters of Mercy, it was a challenge and a privilege to respond and to establish a new ministry. 

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I am very grateful for my years of shepherding this small program as it grew from an After School Program to Adult Education and Community Outreach. If our foundress, Catherine McAuley, would be able to visit DBMC, I am sure she would give her enthusiastic approval.