A sponsored ministry of the Sisters of Mercy

1437 Blossom Road

Rochester, NY 14610

585-288-2710

mercybridges.org

MISSION STATEMENT

Mercy Bridges, a ministry of the

Sisters of Mercy, welcomes and

serves adults, including immigrants

and refugees, independent of

religious affiliation, providing basic

literacy education and English as a

second language, with compassion

and acceptance, in collaboration with

the Greater Rochester community.

ADVISORY BOARD

Sr. Connie Derby, RSM-Chair

Rev. Robert Bourcy

Diane Kannel

Jack Clarcq

Dorothy R. Pecoraro

Christina Savatxath

Bharati Verma

Vilma Goetting - Board Liaison

Spring/Summer 2017 Edition (July 2017)

Printing - Rick Speciale

585-262-7590 30 Bermar Park-Ste. 2 Rochester, NY 14624

Letter from Mercy Bridges . . .

Dear Friends of Mercy Bridges,

On Sunday, June 11, with Bishop Salvatore Matano and Bishop

Emeritus Matthew Clark, and 600 friends, the Sisters of Mercy

celebrated 160 years of Touching, Shaping, Changing lives in the

Diocese of Rochester.

Ten years ago, when we celebrated our 150th, Mercy Bridges was

born to honor that milestone. God has blessed the Sisters of Mercy

and Mercy Bridges during these ten years:

We have served 590 learners.

We have developed wonderful friendships with all of you. We

treasure your volunteer hours and support.

Blessings of this year include:

43 learners since July 1, 2016

$5,000 grant from the City of God Foundation in Baden, PA.

$13,741.89 from our 2nd Field of Honor®.

$800 from our book sale.

$1,995.61 from the Stella Beahan Estate.

Unfortunately, we are saying good bye to Ginny Clark. After

tutoring for us, Ginny began testing new learners and setting up an

individual learning plan for each one. For the last 4 years she was

most effective in this volunteer position.

Her care and expertise will be greatly missed. Someone in Chicago

will be blessed by her presence.

We are presently preparing for our 3rd Annual Field of Honor® and are so excited to have the

Daughters of the American Revolution join the Knights of Columbus in helping us make this another

successful, meaningful healing event.

New to the weekend is a Mass for Veterans/Military and First Responders living or deceased.

We look forward to sharing this very special weekend with all of you.

May you be blessed for all that you ARE and DO,

In Mercy,

-- Sr. Dolores Ann Stein, RSM, Co-Director

-- Sr. Katherine Ann Rappl, RSM, Co-Director

-- Natalie Depew – Administrative Coordinator

MERCY BRIDGES FIELD OF HONOR® 2017

This 3-day tribute to military and first responders, made up of hundreds of 3 x 5 flags, was so well received in our

community, we wanted to continue this tradition.

Each flag bears the names and service descriptions of our local heroes who protect us. Tribute Flags will be flown at

Mercy Center throughout Patriots Weekend (Friday – 9/8/17 – Sunday – 9/10/17).

New this Year - We will have Mass for Veterans, Active Military and First Responders on Thursday – 9/7/17 at 7

PM in the Mercy Center Chapel. We wanted to take the time to bless those that protect our country/communities

every day. Please feel free to invite family/friends or your local first responders to attend.

We have our ceremonies all planned and now it is time to sell Tribute Flags. If you can visit local businesses to post

a flyer, sell a flag, or make sponsorship connections, please contact Natalie at 288-2710 Ext. 121.

Thank you to the following sponsors who have pledged their support for FOH-2017:

4th Degree – Knights of Columbus #2428

Ronald C. Anderson

Davie Kaplan CPA, P.C.

Dalzells Hearing Centers

Dutcher & Zatkowsky

Harry’s Mini Mart – Scottsville, NY

Klein Steel Services

Lewis Tree Service

Medallion Financial Services, Inc.

Jay & Patricia Nannen

Dorothy R. Pecoraro

Sisters of Mercy – NyPPaW

Annual Benefactors’ Reception

This year’s Benefactors’ Reception was held on Thursday, 4/27/17. It was very encouraging

and informative. Xiao Etter has been a learner with Mercy Bridges since April 2016. She has

improved her confidence and is working towards her High School Equivalency. Her family

was in attendance and the evening brought much joy to her and an understanding of the work

she is doing in gaining more education.

Bharati Verma is the Program Coordinator with The Office of New Americans at Catholic

Family Center. Bharati gave information to the tutors, learners and benefactors regarding

immigration services provided by her office. We are planning an in-depth meeting for tutors,

learners and the local Sisters of Mercy regarding the legal changes for immigrants and

refugees.

Community Building Events

2017-2018

Save the Date!

To be included in the program, All Sponsorships/Flag Sales

must be received by August 22, 2017.

THANK YOU TO THE FOLLOWING SUPPORTERS

For Giving in Fiscal Year 2016 – 2017

July 1, 2016 – June 30, 2017

Benefactors –$1,000 + Stella Beahan Estate

Church of the Assumption

Dalzells Hearing Centers

Dutcher & Zatkowsky

Robert & Amalia Earley

ExxonMobil Foundation

Richard & Rita Kane

Lewis Tree Service

Daniel & Kirsten Mahar

Paychex

Dorothy R. Pecoraro

Douglas & Mary Jo Skeet

St. Louis Church

Sisters of Mercy - NyPPaW

The City of God Foundation

The DeVany Fund

Kathleen B. Walgreen

Wegmans Food Markets

Patrons –$500 - $999 Ronald Anderson

Canandaigua National Bank

Virginia Clark

Carol Cummings

Davie Kaplan, CPA, P. C.

Faith Lutheran Church

Peace of Christ Parish

Francis & Christine Rhatigan

Sr. Arlene Semesky, RSM

Friends –$100 - $499

Jane Ashley-Stava

Mary Austin

Auto Stop

Claire Hodges Bagale

Patricia Black

Rev. Robert Bourcy

Mary Ann Brophy

Terry Bruno

Peter & Patricia Buhite

Sandra Burke

Joseph & Patricia Carney

Jack & Barbara Clarcq

Patricia & William Clark

Bishop Emeritus Matthew H. Clark

Marion Clement

Thomas Conners, Jr.

Michael & Carol Duffy

Elmwood Dental Group, P.C.

Richard & Mary Louise Fallon

Elaine Frank

Garage Busters LLC

Rev. Robert Gaudio

Aline C. Glavin

Rev. William Graf

Patricia Hart

Joseph & Patricia Kelly

Roberta Kenny

Robert A. Keown

Klein Steel Services, Inc.

Sr. Kathleen Ann Kolb, RSM

Shannon Leigh Last

Dorothy Lindsey

Suzanne Lorz

McAlister’s Deli

Luke & Dorothy McKeever

Medallion Financial Services, Inc.

Rosalie Milliman

John & Lynda Nugent

Rev. John L. O’Connor

Anne O'Toole

James & Marie Donovan Parina

Phil and Terry Parks

Linda Reilly

Gary Rigoni

Donald & Kathleen Rimlinger

Goldie Rogers

Dr. Lorraine E. Scheck

St. Vincent DePaul Church

St. Leo Social Justice Committee

St. Charles Borromeo Church

St. Agnes Church

St. Rita Church

Sr. Dolores Ann Stein, RSM

Betty Thompson

Ann Kelly Tiberio

Dorothy Turner & Grace Barry

Rev. Robert T. Werth

Wolford Law Firm, LLP

Dr. John Woods

James & Karen Zielinski

Donors –$10 - $99 Robin Adair & Jason Dunn

Alex and Ani Retail, LLC

Linda Almeter

Jennifer Altier

Mary Therese Anselmi

Marianne Antczak

Felice Armignacco

Sr. Mary Ann Ayers, RSM

Sr. Karlien Bach, RSM

Margaret Balconi

Patricia Bartnicki

Anne Barton

Robert Bauman

Alfred J. Bello

Nina & Kevin Bentley

Elizabeth Berliner

Douglas & Ann Biek

Sr. Mary Ann Binsack, RSM

Blue Star Riders

Mary E. Bostwick

James & Carol Brady

Joan Brandenburg

Theresa Brennan

Brighton Fire Department, Inc.

Broccolo Tree & Lawn Care, Inc.

Michelle Bruzee

Frank & Debra Burm

Faith Calhoun

Louis & Anne Marie Leo Catapano

Robert Chapman

Church of the Resurrection

Sue Ann Clifford--Alvut

Mary Lou Coffey

Sr. Edna Cole, SSND

Arthur & Monica Cosgrove

Charles & Linda Crosby

Daughters of the American

Revolution

Bernadine DeCarlo

Stephen Depew

Sr. Connie Derby, RSM

Elizabeth Derry

David & Catie DeVito

Barbara DiFiore

Josephy & Deborah DiMatteo

Mary Anne DiPolito

Tony Douglas

Mary A. Eichenlaub

Lorraine Enders

John & Barbara Englert

Sr. Diane Erskine, RSM

Dr. Ena Farley

Mary Ann Faust

Sr. Kathleen Flaherty, RSM

Carol Fleischman

Laura Formella

Jim & Kathy Foster

Arthur T. & Carl A. Foti

Jean Galofaro

Sr. Sheila Geraghty, RSM

Ralph & Bonnie Gestwicki

Marie Graziano

Bethany Guche

Grace Gullo

Marie Graziano

June Harris

Ronald & Elizabeth Hart

Joseph & Sandra Heberle

Johanna Heise

Karen Heisig

Heidi Hendrick

Ryan & Molly Hickey

Sr. Joan Hilbert, RSM

Dawn Hirsh

Ed Hochreiter

Gretchen Hughes

William & Jane Ingle

Robert Ingrassio

Tom & Ginny Jabaut

Mary T. Jamison

Jean-Paul & Crystal Jaques

Diane Post Kannel

Maureen Keegan

Kathleen Keller

Mary Kerr

Lisa Kinney

Catherine Kress

Paul LaBella

Margert Lagonergo

Mary Jo Langie

Rev. James Lawlor

Roger & Susan Leighton

Dr. Ruth Lawrence

Michael & Virginia Lenyk

Mary Ellen Lille

Bettie Lindley

Miguel A. Llano, Jr.

Jane Lorey

Stephen MacAdam

Richard & Laurie MacKenzie DeRosa

Anita A. Mance

Marianne Cope RC Parish

Catherine Marr

Lourdes May

Dillon & Nancy McDermott

Sheila McGee

Rev. Kevin McKenna

McKesson Foundation

Daniel & Mary McNellan

Marcia Meagher

James & Charlotte Melvin

Theresa Mirante

William Moehle

Louise Morasse

Maureen Mulley

Robert & Kathleen Murray

Carol Musso

Rosie Myers

Maureen Nexbitt

Ed & Betty Nietopsli

Bob & Mary Nugent

Sr. Miriam Nugent, RSM

Beatrice O'Brien

Patrick & Judith O’Malley

Robert & Francine O’Neill

Sr. Laurie Orman, RSM

Mary Palamar

Roslyn Polvino

Ron Pritchard

Joseph & Jeanne Proctor

Barbara Brooks Quinn

Terry Quinn

Kathleen Ransom

Mary Randall

Sr. Katherine Ann Rappl, RSM

Sr. Marion Rappl, RSM

Jane Reed

Sr. Jacqulyn Reichart, RSM

Sr. Jeanne Reichart, RSM

Rev. John T. Reif

Frederick & Suzanne Ricci

Sandra Richardson

Rikis Family Restaurant

Mary Anne Rowley

John Rudow

T. Michael & Anne Savage

Mary Scheg

Edward Schmitt

Ellen Schwartz

Theodore & Shirley Semesky

Patricia Shively

Mary Jill Singleton

Carolyn Skill

Robert Slebodnick & Lisa Gambino

Sr. Edna Slyck, RSM

St. Rita’s Morning Breakfast Group

Mary Frances Staub-Carr

Jane Ashley-Stava

Sr. Sheila Stevenson, RSM

Cynthia Storelli

Mary Doyle-Szlosek

Target – Irondequoit

Marguerite Traugott

Angela Uhnavy

Carol A. VanAtta

James VanBrederode

Pamela VanDusen

Kathleen Vernam

Kenneth & Rhonda Walsh

Trisha Walsh

JoAnn Wawrzaszek

Thomas Wayne

Tom & Carol Weaver

Sr. Edwardine Weaver, RSM

Peter Whitbeck

Sr. Nancy Whitley, RSM

Elizabeth Widman

Sr. Marilyn Williams, RSM

Jana Wintish

Joan Wolf

Timothy & Cathy Woodlock

John & Catherine Zellefrow

Field of Honor® In-Kind Donors

Applied Audio & Theatre Supply

Brighton Fire Dept., Inc.

Brighton Police Dept.

Broccolo Tree & Lawn Care

Crazy Dog T-Shirts

EPI Printing & Finishing

Knights of Columbus Trinity

Council #4618

Kozel Steel

Veterans Outreach Center, Inc.

Many thanks to our

Anonymous Donors,

Tutors & Volunteers

VOLUNTEER NEEDS!

TUTORS NEEDED (All Year Long)

Mercy Bridges, a ministry of the Sisters

of Mercy, needs volunteer tutors for this

adult literacy service. Tutors typically

commit to 1 ½ - 2 hours of instructing a

learner each week. Tutoring takes place

in a public place such as:

A library

Community Center

Church Hall

Coffee Shop

Some tutoring takes place at the Mercy

Bridges Resource Room located at 1437

Blossom Road. Learners vary in their

educational experiences and

instructional needs, including about

80% from foreign countries who are

eager to learn English. We have an

abundance of instructional materials in

our recently updated resource room and

tutor training is provided by

professional instructors. On-going

consultation and professional

development is always available for

individuals and small groups of tutors.

If you are interested in knowing more

about Mercy Bridges and becoming a

tutor for an adult learner, please call

585-288-2710 Ext. 121 for an

appointment.

FIELD OF HONOR® - 2017 (Volunteer Opportunities)

Sponsorship Sales Assistance

Flag Sales Assistance

Flag Installation

Vigil Keepers

Ceremony Set up

Flag dismantling & storage sorting Website Updating

Language Translation Needs

We are in the process of updating our Learner

Services brochure. We are seeking out individuals

that can translate the written information in to a

few different languages.

Do you know how to read English and translate

into Nepali, Spanish, Arabic or Amharic? We

have many potential learners needing to read this

brochure in the language they understand. We are

wanting to reach out to these communities with

our free service. Please consider this opportunity

or share our need with friends that can translate

English to another language.

Thank you in advance

for volunteering your time and talent

to support Mercy Bridges.

Mercy Bridges

Sisters of Mercy of the Americas-NyPPaW

1437 Blossom Road

Rochester, NY 14610

Help us Bridge the Literacy Gap!

Please give in the following ways:

Donor Designation ExxonMobil

#2485 Retiree Matching Gift Program

mobil@easymatch.com

Wish List 2017-2018

Cases of copy paper Gift Cards from:

Dollar Tree, Lowes, Home Depot, Target, Staples & Walmart Empty printer cartridges

585-288-2710 Ext. 121

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