The MercyWorks volunteers are nearing the end of their volunteer program but have been actively involved in many activities at Mercy Home throughout the spring. They recently attended a spiritual retreat focused on different interpretations of spirituality. Former volunteers also continue supporting Mercy Home in various ways, such as mentoring youth or serving on boards. The newsletter provides updates on alumni and upcoming events at Mercy Home.

1. www.MercyHome.org
Summer 2011
Holding Out for Summer
the various interpretations of the Body of Christ and
The MercyWorks volunteers are outlasting the rainy Eucharist. The volunteers were joined by Father Gary
spring weather and holding on for warmer days, but they Krahenbuhl, who celebrated mass and BBQ’d shish
haven’t let the weather stop them from taking full advan- kebabs, and Father Scott Donahue who surprised the
tage of their final months in the MercyWorks Volunteer volunteers with a delicious breakfast! The volunteers
Program. In the spirit of giving, they have lent a helping had some free time for fun and relaxation, and par-
hand at many Mercy Home activities such as Shamrocks ticipated in a high ropes course. The volunteers will have
for Kids, the Have Mercy Spring Gala, Hoops to Home- one more retreat in mid-July before they complete their
work and the Mercy Home soccer league. They’ve year of service at Mercy Home. The closing ceremony
enjoyed picnicking in the park, hosting dinner for the will be held the evening of July 26th.
Sisters of Charity, cheering on Chicago and hometown
sports teams, learning about Chicago public housing, My Secret Prayer by Hannah Gray
and discussing Chicago politics. They are eagerly await- My hope is to see you rise to your full potential.
ing warmer weather to attend free concerts and movies To see you find peace and meet needs that are
in the park. essential.
My wish is that you find the grace to smile at the mess
And to know how you should be treated and refuse to
settle for less.
My dream is that you find support in the hearts of those
around you.
That you learn to view yourself the way I and others do.
My desire is that you explore the capabilities that truly
exist within you.
Better yet, that you apply them in everything you do.
My secret is that your strength and accomplishments
astound me
Far beyond what my heart and soul have embraced in its
history.
My hope is that you will learn the difference between
what is wrong and what is right
So that you can successfully run life’s race and win the
fight.
The volunteers sporting their “MercyWorks…Always
My wish is that you sense God’s warmth in all the tears
Has” t-shirts on spring retreat in Lake Geneva
you’ve yet to cry.
That no matter how tough it gets, you recall that I said to
In May, the MercyWorks volunteers left the city and
at least try.
headed to Lake Geneva, Wisconsin for a four day retreat
focused on spirituality. Different from other retreats My dream is that you’ll teach the lessons that you have
been taught to those in need.
which are typically led by “experts” in the areas of
That someone might reach out to you in your hour of
community, social justice and simple living, this retreat
allowed the volunteers to lead sessions for one another. need.
My desire is that you’ll challenge what you currently
All of the sessions focused on spirituality, but each one
claim you already know
had a twist! Sessions included writing prayers for the
youth and former residents of Mercy Home, exploring So that you can realize that you can be perceived as the
person that you want to.
spirituality in nature, discussing the relationship between
My secret is that when I leave and you begin to sense
spirituality and social justice, discovering Eastern re-
me fade away,
ligions, practicing tai chi as morning prayer, and sharing
I will always be a simple prayer away.

2. Continuing to Give Back to Mercy Home “Everything we do has to show these kids that we won’t
give up on them,” her manager said. “We have to
Since working in Bosco Home during his volunteer year, believe that we can outlast even the most stubborn of
MercyWorks alum Peter Rossmann has continued to kids.” Jess left co-workers with a final word of advice
give back to Mercy Home in a variety of ways. Peter has about the work we do for the kids at Mercy Home.
taken part in the Hoops to Homework program since “When we participate in the Mission of Mercy, we cannot
2006 and has served as a member of Mercy Home’s be the source, but we are invited to be co-workers with
Junior Board since 2008. Most recently, Peter joined the God,” she said.
Friends First program 7 months ago as a mentor to a As a MercyWorks volunteer during the 2006-2007 year,
boy named Jordan. Jess served as a youth care worker in Mahoney Home.
Peter, who was initially concerned about the time com- She recently graduated with her Masters in Divinity from
mitment involved in becoming a mentor, was shocked to the University of Notre Dame and hopes to serve the
discover how easily his meetings with Jordan fit into his church and world through Catholic Social Justice
schedule. He says, “It’s not that tough. It’s not a burden ministry.
at all because you look forward to it so much each week. Alumni Updates
It’s easy to make time for something that is as enjoyable
as this.” It’s easy to see why Jordan and Peter look Joe & Debbie Wronka (’04-’05) welcomed baby girl,
forward to spending time together. They play basketball, Molly Rose Wronka, on January 14, 2011, weighing in at
visit museums, and explore parts of Chicago that are 8 pounds 7 ounces and 20 inches long. She was bap-
new to both of them. Peter even talked Jordan into trying tized on March 26 by Fr. Scott Donahue.
a duck sausage foie gras hot dog from Hot Dougs (which
Jordan hated but he tried it anyway!) Julie O’Connor Wright
(’05-’06) had a baby girl,
Peter recently shared that being a mentor takes him Ella Frances Wright,
back to his days as a Youth Care Worker. He says, “As born May 10, 2011,
a mentor, you have these aha moments with a kid that weighing in at 8 pounds
you recognize because you’ve felt them before … as a 9 ounces and 20.5
Youth Care Worker or an AfterCare Care Manager. I inches long. She is so
don’t get to experience these aha moments in my cur- thrilled! Julie, dad Erik
rent job so it’s great to enjoy these moments on week- and baby Ella are doing
ends with Jordan.” great!
To learn more about how you can become a Friends First Becky Nixon (’06-’07) was accepted into the Occu-
mentor, contact Katie Keller Smith at katkel@mercyhome.org. pational Therapy program at University of Illinois-
Chicago. She will begin the two-year program this fall.
On May 12th, MercyWorks alumnus Jess Heringer filled Karen Sarmir (’07-’08) got engaged in March to David
the Mercy Home multipurpose room with wisdom, a Schelberg, who she met through one of her MercyWorks
sense of peace and words of encouragement at the roommates! They are getting married on August 18,
Faith & Work Speaker Series. Heringer brought a 2012, in Michigan where they are both currently living.
unique perspective to this regular speakers program as
she is the first presenter who is also a former Mercy Eileen Lynch (’08-’09) recently graduated from Boston
Home co-worker. College with a Masters in Social Work.
During her presentation entitled “Images of God and the Eric Vicens (’09-’10) continues to work as a Youth Care
Mission of Mercy,” Heringer examined the depictions of Worker at Mercy Home. He will begin his Masters in
God as a shelter, mercy and generosity. She thoughtfully Social Work at University of Illinois-Chicago this fall.
tied in every department and job at the Home, explaining
how every co-worker, donor and volunteer plays a Upcoming Events
critical role in living out the mission of Mercy.
June 5 Quarterly Liturgy & Brunch
While relating some trying times during her year as a July 12-15 End of Year Retreat
youth care worker, Heringer said she sometimes ques- July 14 Bastille Day Race & Block
tioned whether mercy was possible in every situation. Party to Benefit Mercy Home
But during her time here, Heringer came to understand July 26 Closing Ceremony for
the concept of mercy as a critical part of her work and 2010-2011 Volunteers
the transformation and healing that takes place in our August 11 Move-In & Opening
young people. Heringer recalled something her manager Ceremony for 2011-2012
said as a turning point in her time at Mercy Home. Volunteers