So basically, my Tuesdays and Thursdays are going to be awesome! I've also spent more time down in the Adult Day Center at the Georgia Infirmary and spent all day yesterday listening to a woman's life story. It was amazing. The things she has been through and the experiences she has had - I can't even imagine. It was struggle after struggle - heartbreak after heartbreak, and here she was the brightest shining smiling face in the room. It was truly amazing. I took notes as best I could and typed them up for her - she wants to put together a book to save for her grandchildren. I am so happy that I am able to get to know these people and even now I'm a little anxious about having to up and leave them in a year.

Read more about Mike's experience on his personal blog

http://mikesadventuresinthesouth.blogspot.com/

-Mike Grathwol- '10

St. Joseph's/ Candler SOURCE Program

Savannah, GA

       2010 Guyana Volunteers (L to R-Ashley, Audrey, Sara)

I landed in Georgetown, Guyana early tuesday morning after a full day and night of traveling.  Stepped off the plan and two things became apparent.  One...It was hot, but tolerable.  Two...We were in a tropical Caribbean flavored culture!   We made it through immigration and customs without a problem and were met by Sister Julie(our in-country coordinator) and Miss Pat(a Mercy Associate who works at Mercy Wings Vocational School).  We were tired, but the drive from the airport to Meadowbrook convent where we are staying was sensational.  All of our senses were lit up!  Sight...Bright equator sun, tropical greenery, interesting people, different architecture, etc.  Sound...If you are driving in guyana you are honking your horn about every other block!  Cows, goats, horses in the roads being loud.  Parrots screeching!  Smells...sewage in the culverts, fresh fruit stands, etc.  Sense...hot, tired, hungry  Taste...I needed to brush my teeth really bad!  It was a lot to take in, but was an excellent first taste of Guyana!  We came back to the Meadowbrook convent where we will be staying and learning a few things over the next few days!  The sisters we are staying with are all very nice and have been helping us out a lot.  The food here has not been a problem so far.  The fresh fruits are great especially the bananas!  Curry Chicken and rice for lunch today was FANTASTIC thanks to Maisy the convent's cook.  There has been plenty of purified drinking water so no troubles there either.  Sleeping hasn't been a problem yet either!  Mosquito net and fan keep me quite comfortable!

Read more about Sarah's experience on her personal blog

http://sarahdgraves.livejournal.com/

-Sarah Graves- '10

St. Joseph Mercy Hospital

Guyana, South America

Rachelle Harper, RSM writes beautiful piece about one of our current Detroit volunteers, Daniele, and her participation in a recent Mercy Planning meeting

                                              click her for article

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Taking a Leap of Faith

Mary Ellen Gianino ‘08

MVC Alum

Mercy Center Bronx

New York, New York

“Without Mercy Volunteer Corps, I would not only be where I am, but I would not be who I am today. The Mercy Volunteer Corps staff was such an amazing support throughout this whole process. From the moment orientation started, I knew that I was about to embark on a life giving and life changing experience with a community that would forever be a part of my story.”

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Please Join Us in Preserving Community Service Funding

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Mercy Volunteer Corps:

A tangible Service to the Community

Mercy Foundation in Sacramento writes great article on our current volunteers Kim and Brynn

While calling names for the next people in line for hot
showers at Maryhouse, Kim Utz listens to a wave of giggles after she announces “Janet Jackson.” She laughs when she realizes that one of her regular homeless guests has once again given her a celebrity name in jest Read More

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Sarah and Catherine

Sarah Graves, a current Mercy Volunteer in Guyana, reflects on a recent trip to London

Often times as a Mercy Volunteer in Guyana, I find myself lost in the experience, swept up by the cultural influences all around me.  When things seem unfamiliar and decisions become difficult to make, it is helpful to have role models to look to for advice.  Far away from my family and friends, I have to find new sources of inspiration and guidance.   It may seem strange that Catherine McAuley is a major role model in my life right now.  Superficially we don’t have much in common.  I am a nurse working in a tropical country for two years.  She devoted her life to working with the poor in Ireland.  But for these two years with Mercy Volunteer Corps, she is an inspiration, confidant, and Read More

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August 19th, 2010 - Six new memebers of MVC begin ministry...(Page 4 of the August 19th edition of enews) Read More

by the Sisters of Mercy of the Americas, South Central Community