Mercy Mondays: ‘What Matters to Me and Why?’ luncheon speaker series
After patiently waiting until it was safe to be in-person for events, the McAuley Institute for Mercy Education launched the “Voices of Mercy: What Matters to Me and Why?” luncheon speaker series this fall 2021. The series hosts one Sister of Mercy, one faculty member, one staff member and one administrator during the 2021-22 academic year to reflect on their lives and vocations in response to the question, “What matters to me and why?”
“‘Voices of Mercy: What Matters to Me and Why?’ offers the University community a glimpse into the interior movements of someone’s heart and journey,” said an anonymous attendee. “It is a true testament to listening to the small voice of vocation and saying yes to becoming more than one imagines.”
Sister Therese Antone
The series invites and inspires Salve Regina community members to reflect on the significance of their own personal vocation, mission and purpose through storytelling. This speaker series also seeks to provide opportunities for the Salve Regina community to gather and share around its stories, core values and mission.
During Mercy Week in September, the McAuley Institute for Mercy Education started the luncheon series with Sister Therese Antone, RSM, who is Salve Regina’s chancellor. Antone shared her story with vibrancy, humor and sentiment.
“Sr. Therese is authentic and made everyone in attendance feel welcome. She shared her Catholic faith with us in a way that could inspire anyone, regardless of their religious beliefs,” another attendee shared anonymously. “I was thinking of all of her achievements, as well as those of other great role models in the University. She is a woman of faith who has had a positive impact on the world through her talent, hard work, tenacity and generosity.”
Rose Albert
The series continued in November with Rose Albert, associate director of the Office of Multicultural Programs and Retention, who reflected on her life and vocation. The themes of Albert’s story were family, faith and community. Attendees reflected on how inspired they were with Albert’s commitment to her family and the traditions she has maintained since childhood as the oldest of three.
“For both sessions, I found a deep inner connection to my calling in life and how it is manifesting itself today in my role. I also felt connected to both Rose and Sr. Therese as they shared from such a vulnerable place,” said another anonymous attendee. “Vulnerability is pure courage, and offering spaces for that to be seen helps give others courage to live authentically.”
If anyone is interested in learning more about the McAuley Institute for Mercy Education’s “Voices of Mercy: What Matters to Me and Why” luncheon speaker series or other upcoming events, please visit the McAuley Institute’s website or email McAuleyInstitute@salve.edu.
This post is part of an ongoing series called Mercy Mondays that highlights Salve Regina’s dedication to its Mercy Mission. Search the tag Mercy Mission for more updates on the Mercy branches of Salve Regina.
