Sisters of Mercy gather at Buffalo assembly to unite as new community

Published: 2007-07-24

BUFFALO, N.Y. (CNS) -- Festive singing, cheering, the raising of joined hands, the ringing of bells and sisters swaying to music greeted the emotional proclamation July 20 of the newest community of the Sisters of Mercy of the Americas. Mercy Sisters and associates based in Buffalo; Erie and Pittsburgh, Pa.; Rochester, N.Y.; and the Philippines -- a community founded by the Sisters of Mercy in Buffalo -- have united to form The New York, Pennsylvania, Pacific West Community. The new community will become official Jan. 1. Some 300 Sisters of Mercy, including 22 from the Philippines, met at an assembly in Buffalo July 17-22 to form the new community, adopt a plan for governance, elect leadership and set new goals. Forty-two lay associates also attended the assembly. "We have new energy, a new life, and we benefit from the sharing of gifts we have among us," said Mercy Sister Nancy Hoff, newly elected president. "Wonderful things are going to happen and we can do more together than we could have ever done separately."

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