Mercy Week celebrates University’s heritage

Students, faculty and staff are invited to celebrate Salve Regina’s heritage during the annual Mercy Week, which kicks off Wednesday, Sept. 18. Designed to coincide with the inauguration of Dr. Kelli J. Armstrong as the University’s eighth president, the week will feature the Atwood Lecture, discussions on the critical concerns of mercy and a statue dedication honoring Catherine McAuley.

Faculty/staff luncheon dialogue

12:30 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 18, Miley Hall executive dining room

Sister Kathleen Erickson, who has been involved in immigration ministry since 1991, will host this luncheon dialogue for faculty and staff. Lunch will be provided. As space is limited, those interested in attending should RSVP to amy.cady@salve.edu.

Discussion on immigration

6 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 18, Mercy Center for Spiritual Life

Kick off Mercy Week with a discussion on the mercy critical concern of immigration. Sister Kathleen Erickson has been involved in immigration ministry since 1991, working with immigrant women at the U.S.-Mexico border. She has provided spiritual support to detained immigrants in federal detention centers and county jails, and spent weeks volunteering in El Paso as immigrants were being released by ICE with a need for shelter and support.

Service outreach

Thursday, Sept. 19

Students are invited to make fleece blankets for Newport Hospital from 1:30-4:30 p.m. or volunteer at the Moving Wall memorial at Touro Park from 6:30-8:30 p.m. For more information, or to sign up, email kathleen.rendos@salve.edu.

Inauguration day

Friday, Sept. 20

Dr. Kelli J. Armstrong will be inaugurated as Salve Regina’s eighth president when the campus community gathers for a full day of events to kick off a theme for the upcoming academic year: “The Mercy Promise: A Celebration of Our Community, Collaboration and the Creative Spirit.” Event include a celebratory Mass at 12:15 p.m., the inauguration ceremony at 3 p.m. and the inaugural ball for students at 7 p.m.

Service outreach

Saturday, Sept. 21

Students are invited to participate in a beach cleanup with Clean Ocean Access from noon to 2 p.m. Transportation will be provided. For more information, or to sign up, email kathleen.rendos@salve.edu.

Mass: A celebration of mercy in liturgy

7 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 22, Our Lady of Mercy Chapel

Mercy Day lunch

11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., Tuesday, Sept. 24, Miley dining hall

Celebrate the roots of Catherine McAuley, foundress of the Sisters of Mercy, with an Irish-themed lunch (complimentary for all faculty and staff). Representatives from Mercy Volunteer Corps, Mercy in Motion and Sigma Phi Sigma will also be on hand.

Celebration of mercy and statue dedication

4:30 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 24, Our Lady of Mercy Chapel

Recognizing the needs of the economically poor in early 19th century Ireland, Catherine McAuley determined that she and women like her could make a difference. Impressed by her good works, the archbishop of Dublin advised her to establish a religious congregation, and in 1831 McAuley and two companions became the first Sisters of Mercy. The dedication ceremony honors her legacy by celebrating McAuley’s vision of mercy in her time and in ours.

Service outreach

6 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 24, Gerety Hall, Room 201

Students are invited to make bag lunches for the McKinney Shelter. For more information or to sign up, email kathleen.rendos@salve.edu.

Mercy heritage night

6 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 25, Mercy Center for Spiritual Life 

“Mercy: Stories That Stick” will feature Salve Regina alumni discussing their experiences of mercy after graduation. Tea will be served in celebration of the Sisters of Mercy’s Irish heritage.

Atwood Lecture

7 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 26, Bazarsky Lecture Hall

Dr. Damian Costello, an internationally recognized expert on the life and legacy of Nicholas Black Elk, will discuss “When the World Falls Apart: Nicholas Black Elk, Sainthood and the Spirits of Mercy.” Costello’s scholarship lives at the intersection of Catholic theology, indigenous spiritual traditions and American colonial history. He is the author of “Black Elk: Colonialism and Lakota Catholicism,” has served as the advisor and consultant to documentary projects on Black Elk, and is currently the vice-postulator for Black Elk’s cause for canonization in the Catholic church.