1. What is Mercy Association?
Mercy Association is a group of women and men who hear and respond to a call from God, lived through sharing in the mission of Mercy in relationship with the Sisters of Mercy.

2. What do Mercy Associates do?
Mercy Associates share their efforts with those of the Sisters of Mercy in service to those who are poor, sick or uneducated. They promise to participate in various prayer experiences offered by the Community when possible, make time for personal prayer and strive to live in the spirit of the Gospel. They balance a life of prayer with a life of action as they witness to Christ’s mercy in the world. The dedication of time would vary dependent upon their lifestyle.

3. What is involved in the process of becoming a Mercy Associate?
Usually people respond to an invitation from a Sister of Mercy or a Mercy Associate with whom they have a relationship. If interested, they then begin the Orientation process, when one learns about the Sisters of Mercy, the Community’s founding and history, the Sisters’ prayer life and dedication to justice and the Mercy mission, the Church, Gospel values and the Works of Mercy. The process usually takes a year to complete, but variations exist. There is no financial commitment to the Mercy Community.

4. Who can become an associate?
Associates’ lifestyles vary, and they can be single, married, with or without children. They might work in Mercy ministries. Although most are, they are not required to be Catholic, but must have a knowledge of and respect for the Catholic tradition. Many associates are invited to enter the process of discernment by a sister or another associate with whom they have a relationship, when the living out of the Corporal and Spiritual Works of Mercy is noticed in their lives. They would then begin the Orientation process and attend with their mentor.

5. Who founded the Sisters of Mercy?
Catherine McAuley founded the Sisters of Mercy in 1831 in Dublin, Ireland. She is discussed in detail at www.mercyworld.org.