Their determined way of making things happen where help is needed has earned them a place of special respect among community leaders. One might ask, in fact, what would our community have done without the Sisters of Mercy?

Who would have taught the children, uplifted the poor, advocated for homeless people, visited prisoners, and helped to feed the hungry? Who would have gone into the hospitals and nursing homes to keep company with lonely and sick people; who would have created schools and worked for economic and social justice for all?

Catherine McAuley, an Irish heiress, founded the Sisters of Mercy in Dublin, Ireland, in 1831, for the purpose of educating women and caring for people in need. Sisters of Mercy came to the United States in 1843 and made their home in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; in 1874 the first Sisters came to Burlington. As their numbers increased, the Sisters were able to accept invitations to minister in other locations in Vermont. Eventually, they staffed schools not only in Burlington, but also in Montpelier, Barre, and Middlebury.

Mercy Sisters have woven themselves deeply into the fabric of Vermont over the past 125 years. They have carried out their work on a one-to-one basis as well as by taking on leadership roles. Sister Lucille Bonvoulier headed up the Committee on Temporary Shelter (COTS) for several years and Sister Elizabeth Candon served as secretary of the Vermont Agency of Human Services. In all their work the Sisters’ mission is to help people to overcome the obstacles that keep them from living full and dignified lives.

As the needs of Vermont and its people have changed over time, the Sisters have implemented new programs and formed partnerships with a variety of organizations. In this 125^th anniversary year, the Sisters celebrate their rich history, but also the work of today and plans for the future.

A current important project is McAuley Square, a multi-age, multi-purpose living facility to be built next to Mount St. Mary’s in Burlington. McAuley Square will include housing for elderly persons, economically needy single parent students from Trinity and other local colleges, and young women from the Lund Home who will enroll in programs to learn parenting skills.

The Sisters of Mercy of Vermont are part of the Sisters of Mercy of the Americas comprising 25 regional communities headquartered in the United States.

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