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Archives Third in a series of autobiographies of 2015 religious jubilarians
Sr. Catherine Mary... Mercy Sister for 60 years

Nov. 11, 2015

By Sister Catherine Mary Cummings, RSM
60 year jubilarian

“Thousands   of  thanks and praise to God’s holy name!” Sr Mary Catherine

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.
Thank you Fathers Brown, White, Denesha and all of the priests of our parish.  Thank you Sisters Raymond, William, Paul, Peter and all the Grey Nuns who guided me in the early years.

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.”
Through all these years, my family, my friends and my Mercy Sisters have loved and supported me and for all of them I am so grateful. In all these years I have been held close to the Heart of Jesus whose love and forgiveness is limitless and Who constantly reminds me that He has called me by name and I am His. So, full of love and gratitude at this  60th year as a Sister of Mercy, I embrace a future full of hope.

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