Volunteer Spotlight
Catherine’s Corner
Inspired by the Gospel and by the example of our
founder Catherine McAuley, the Sisters of Mercy
envision a just world for people who are poor, sick and
uneducated and are committed to serving, advocating
for and praying with those in need around the world.
The Sisters work passionately together with our
Associates, Companions and Partners in Ministry to
reduce poverty, violence and racism as well as the
widespread denial of human rights, the degradation
of Earth, the continued oppression of women, the
abuse of children, the mistreatment of immigrants
and the lack of solidarity among people and nations.
Suzin Varro, who calls herself the Rainbow Warrior,
volunteered her time by holding mindful meditation and
yoga workshops for the boys and girls at our Syosset Campus.
The workshops help in managing stress and empowering
individuals. Suzin does outreach work for the LGBT
community and volunteers her time giving motivational
talks and presentations to students at high schools across
Long Island.
MercyFirst Board Member News:
MercyFirst Board of Trustees member, Leonard Stekol, was
recently appointed to serve as the Chairman of the Board of
Trustees and Chief Executive Officer of Ridgewood Savings
Bank.
Mr. Stekol has over 25 years of banking experience at Ridge-
wood. Most recently, he served as a member of the Bank’s
Board of Trustees, and as the Bank’s President and Chief Op-
erating Officer.
Leonard joined the Mer-
cyFirst Board of Trustees
in 2011. He has been an
active member of the
Fundraising and Finance
Committees of the Board.
In addition, Len and Ridge-
wood Savings Bank are ac-
tive supporters of Mercy-
First’s Annual Golf Outing
and Angel of Hope Recep-
tion.
“Len is a terrific asset for MercyFirst – from having his busi-
ness expertise on our Finance Committee to his involvement
with our fund raising efforts. Len strengthened our relation-
ship with Ridgewood Savings Bank that now goes back over
40 years,” Jerry McCaffery.
We examine the root causes of these issues and
promote systemic change in the communities in
which we minister in the U.S., Latin America, the
Caribbean, the Philippines and Guam. We connect
our efforts on a global scale with Sisters of Mercy
congregations throughout the world through Mercy
International Association and Mercy Global Action at
the United Nations.
The Sisters of Mercy were founded out of a deep
concern for persons who are poor. Today, that
commitment is focused in five “critical concerns”
that we address through attention to personal and
institutional choices, advocacy with legislators
and other government leaders, and corporate
engagement. Our Critical Concerns are:
NON-VIOLENCE, IMMIGRATION, EARTH,
IMMIGRATION, WOMEN
In this Mission Corner let us reflect on the critical
concern - Earth.
Sisters of Mercy strive to act in harmony and
interdependence with all of creation.
“Nature cannot be regarded as something separate
from ourselves or as a mere setting in which we live. We
are part of nature, included in it and thus in constant
interaction with it.” - Pope Francis, Laudato Si, #139 *
Mercy is growing in awareness of how our choices
impact Earth and persons who are poor. The Sisters
of Mercy together with our associates, co-workers,
students, volunteers and friends are called upon
to change personal habits and behaviors, adopt
new policies and guidelines for institutions, and
advocate with corporations and government leaders
to reverence Earth and sustain life. I ask you to
ponder the question “How can we at MercyFirst make
changes that will help us to make the right choices to
reverence Mother Earth?
Sister Maureen King, RSM
VP of Mission Integration