Sisters of Mercy are a blessing to community

To the editor:

We must give a heartfelt thank you to the religious people in our city and lives who, 'behind the lines,” are constantly working to better the lives of those in need.

Such people in my life are the Sisters of Mercy, now residing at Sacred Heart Convent and in many houses throughout the city. These religious women, through their selfless effort in the work of Jesus - namely the service to the poor, care of the sick and less educated - are a great blessing to the community.

Their lives are a sacrifice to God and others. Prayerfully and quietly, these women are involved in large works in the whole world and in individual blessings to those in their presence.

There is a healing and blessing to all of us because of people who are willing to forgo financial gain and individual power to truly concentrate their many gifts for the well-being of others in imitation of our own Savior, Jesus Christ.

Many of us have sometime in our life been greatly affected by the presence of these sisters and bearers of Mercy.

If we can now, in any way, help the retired sisters and the active work of the working sisters, we should remember them. The hospitality of these sisters is always welcoming and open.

A quote from their founder, Catherine McAuley, says all the Mercy Sisters stand for: 'Theirs has been and is to be a Spirit of Mercy ... a practical charity for Mercy is love in action.”

Marlys Floyd

Cedar Rapids