Nov. 11, 2015 By Sister Catherine Mary Cummings, RSM “Thousands of thanks and praise to God’s holy name!” It is with humble gratitude that I tell you about my journey in mercy. My faith was first nourished at home by my parents, Myron and Kay Cummings, my brothers Bob and Tom, and my sister Gert. It was further developed by the priests of St. Mary’s Cathedral Parish in Ogdensburg and the grey Nuns of the Sacred Heart who were my teachers for 12 years at Bishop Conroy Memorial School and St. Mary’s Academy. I remember fondly my Firs Holy Communion in the old Cathedral that later burned, Confirmation in the “temporary” cathedral at St. Mary’s High School gym and my graduation from high school held at the “new” St. Mary’s Cathedral on Hamilton Street. On September 8, 1955, my parents took me to Tarrytown, NY to enter the Sisters of Mercy. I think vocation is one of God’s great mysteries. I felt called to give my life completely to God, but it wasn’t until I met the Sisters of Mercy at Mercy Hospital Watertown, that I knew the direction that call would take. I am grateful to God and to all whose patience and support enabled me to take those first steps to the novitiate of the Sisters of Mercy. After the novitiate, I studied nursing. My ministry, which began at Mercy Hospital in Watertown and Port Jervis, NY nursing education in New York City, Syracuse and Hartford, CT, and community in Worcester, MA and Hartsdale, NY. Along the way I received a Masters in Nursing and a Doctorate in Nursing Education. Im 2006, I came full circle, called back to diocese of Ogdensburg with the start of a new ministry – Mercy Care for the Adirondacks where I now serve as Director of Friendship Volunteer and Faith Community Nursing Programs. As part of Mercy Care I have the privilege of training and supporting volunteers who serve the elder members of the community. I have learned so much from these elders, volunteers, parish nurses and all at Mercy Care about caring, compassion and generosity. As the Sisters of Mercy Constitution states, “ By collaborating with others in the works of mercy, we continually learn from them how to be more merciful.” |