Mount Mercy will pay special tribute to its Mercy, Catholic heritage with Mercy and Mission Week beginning Friday, September 21, through Friday, September 28. Activities will include an International Peace Day and Dedication of Peace Pole, Celebration Mass with the Archdiocese of Dubuque, and a lecture with Mercy Day guest speaker Dr. Christine Pharr sharing her conversion to a Catholic, Mercy college.
As part of the week-long celebration, Sisters of Mercy help students connect what they are learning in the classroom to the critical concerns of the Sisters of Mercy – subjects include immigration, nonviolence, women and environmental issues. For faculty and staff at Mount Mercy, the week will provide special opportunities to gain insight from the Sisters of Mercy on how their teaching and work on campus can connect to the critical concerns in new and powerful ways.
"Mercy and Mission Week provides the campus community with unique opportunities to experience – in tangible and authentic ways – a deeper connection with our Mercy mission, and ultimately our mission as a university," said Executive Director for Mercy Mission and Ministry Sr. Shari Sutherland. "The week presents a chance to grow in the understanding of the Sisters of Mercy, their mission in higher education and the critical concerns that articulate the present-day Mercy response to the urgent needs of our time."
Events open to the public during Mercy and Mission Week include:
Friday, September 21, at 2:45 p.m. | International Peace Day and Dedication of Peace Pole
This world-wide event established in 1981 promotes acts of peace among individuals, communities, and organizations. The Sisters of Mercy will gather on the University Center Plaza at 2:45 p.m. on Friday, September 21, for a dedication of the Peace Pole, which serves as a reminder to live, work, and hope for world peace.
Sunday, September 23, at 8:30 p.m. | Celebration Mass with the Archdiocese of Dubuque – 175th anniversary
Mount Mercy is pleased to welcome the Archdiocese of Dubuque to campus in a celebration of its 175th anniversary during Mass on Sunday, September 23, at 8:30 p.m. in the Chapel of Mercy. The Archdiocese will host a special Mass centering on the theme of "Jesus Christ Alive Through 175 Years," and pursuing "A Year of Faith," which explores the re-discovery of faith. Father Thomas Zinkula, vicar general of Cedar Rapids, will serve as the homilist during Mass alongside Father Dustin Vu, chaplain at Mount Mercy. People of all faiths are encouraged to attend this special Mass.
Tuesday, September 25, at 7:00 p.m. | Inter-faith Service
Mount Mercy will have an Inter-faith Service on Tuesday, September 25, at 7:00 p.m. in the Chapel of Mercy. Geared towards celebrating the nature and compassion of religions throughout the world, this service will unite representatives from Catholic, Protestant, Muslim, Unitarian, and Baha'i affiliations to share stories and traditions, prayers and songs that reflect on the ways religion serves to relieve suffering. Mount Mercy welcomes people of all faiths to attend this special service.
Thursday, September 27, at 7:00 p.m. | Mercy Day Guest Speaker: "My Conversion to a Catholic, Mercy College," with Dr. Christine Pharr
Dr. Christine Pharr, vice president for academic affairs at College of Saint Mary in Omaha, Neb., will serve as the Mercy Day keynote speaker on Thursday, September 27, at 7:00 p.m. in Flaherty Community Room, Basile Hall. Pharr will present "My Conversion to a Catholic, Mercy College." Also founded by the Sisters of Mercy, College of Saint Mary is a sister school to Mount Mercy University.