Cresson – Mount Aloysius College will celebrate its annual Mercy Week beginning Sep. 21 and culminating on Sept. 25 with a Mass celebrated by Bishop Mark Bartchak in the Our Lady of Mercy Chapel at 3 p.m.

The College is one of 17 colleges and universities in the United States that are affiliated with the Religious Sisters of Mercy. Mount Aloysius traces its founding to the efforts of seven Sisters of Mercy in 1853.  Mercy Week celebrates the history and heritage of that order, which began when Mother Catherine McAuley first opened the doors of her House of Mercy in Dublin, Ireland in 1827.

“Mercy Week is an official display of the College’s commitment to creating a welcoming environment led by the Sisters’ core values of mercy, justice, hospitality, and service,” said Brianna Baker, Director of Mission and Ministry for Mount Aloysius College. “Every day of Mercy Week helps to show practical application of the College’s values and those of the Sisters of Mercy all over the world.”

Mercy Week will be celebrated with several events each day of the week. The keynote was presented virtually on Tuesday, Sept. 22, and featured remarks from Sister Ivette Diaz and Sister Theresa Saetta. Both serve as Vocational Ministers for the Sisters of Mercy of the Americas. Their message focused on Jesus’ call to hospitality, Mother McAuley’s gift of hospitality, and the challenge of bringing hospitality into daily life.

Mountie students and staff also planted five trees on campus in honor of the fifth anniversary of ‘Laudato Si: On Care for Our Common Home’ written by Pope Francis as part of Mercy Week. The Association of Catholic Colleges and Universities encouraged all members to recognize the “Season of Creation” by planting trees on campus to bring attention to climate change.

For more information on Mercy Week, contact the College’s Mission Integration Office at MissionIntegration@mtaloy.edu.

CAPTION: Mountie students and staff plant five trees on campus in honor of the fifth anniversary of ‘Laudato Si: On Care for Our Common Home’ written by Pope Francis. The Association of Catholic Colleges and Universities encouraged all members to recognize the “Season of Creation” by planting trees on campus to bring attention to climate change. Pictured are (L-R) President John McKeegan, Hannah Holdren of DuBois, Allison Pittsley of DuBois, Thomas McElhinny of Bellefonte, Theresa McKeegan of Hollidaysburg, Ethan Poust of Hughesville, Director of Missions and Ministry Brianna Baker, Director of Campus Ministry Amy Kanich, and Chief Human Resources Officer Tonia Gordon.