Mercy Day celebrates service and SXU’s Mercy heritage

Saint Xavier joins Mercy institutions around the world to recall Mercy Heritage

(from left) Saint Xavier University Board of Trustees Chairman Thomas Chomicz, Vice President for University Mission and Heritage Sr. Susan Sanders, RSM, Ph.D, President Judith A. Dwyer, Ph.D, and Sr. Mary Jo DeMarco, RSM, ’54, ’66, at the dedication and blessing of a memorial stone honoring the Sisters of Mercy and donors to the Mercy Endowment Challenge Grant on Sept. 24 at SXU’s Chicago campus.

Chicago (Sept. 26, 2008) SXU celebrated its Mercy heritage and core value of service with a variety of activities at the Orland campus on Sept. 23 and at the Chicago campus on Sept. 24. Mercy Day, an all-University observance, marks the start of Mercy-imbued education in Ireland on Sept. 24, 1827.

Students, staff and faculty were encouraged to attend a special Mercy Day liturgy at noon on Sept. 24 in McDonough Chapel. At Orland Park, the Mercy Day prayer service was on Sept. 23 at 12:30 p.m. in the library.

All were encouraged to participate in the central event of the SXU’s Mercy Day celebration, the commissioning of leaders from all segments of the University community. At 4 p.m. at the Academy Bell near the University’s main entrance, representatives of the Sisters of Mercy, trustees, administration, faculty, staff, students and alumni were commissioned and blessed for their service of leadership during the coming year.

Unique to Mercy Day 2008 was the dedication and blessing of a memorial stone to honor and thank the Sisters of Mercy and all the donors to the Mercy Endowment Challenge Mercy Challenge Grant. All were welcome to attend this ceremony at 4:30 p.m. outside McDonough Chapel. The generosity of all contributors to the Mercy Challenge has created a solid endowment for the Office for University Mission and Heritage.

Mercy Day celebrates the opening of the first House of Mercy in Ireland on Sept. 24, 1827, marking the beginning of Mercy service to people who are poor, sick or uneducated. Each Mercy Day, Saint Xavier University joins Mercy-inspired institutions around the world to recall its Mercy heritage and renew its commitment to such core values as respect, integrity and service.

-SXU-

FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Contact: Rick Ducat
773-298-3325 or ducat@sxu.edu