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From Ireland to San Francisco (1854), to Sacramento (1857), to Auburn (1940), the Sisters of Mercy, from their Motherhouse destination, have continued their mission of mercy for more than 150 years, serving Northern California and beyond. As part of their outreach of offering food for the soul, the Sisters transformed the College of Our Lady of Mercy, and intended novitiate, into a house of prayer and spiritual enrichment. During the 60s through 80s the now retreat center provided retreats and spiritual formation opportunities for the Sisters and the Diocese of Sacramento, with limited hosting of outside groups. It has now been nearly 20 years since the retreat center has been receiving guests and groups from all walks of life and faith, near and far. In the Spring of 2012 the Sisters and staff look forward to celebrating this vital ministry and all who have blessed, and have been blessed by, the sacred space of Mercy Center Auburn.

Above all, what we celebrate is Good News! For 20 years we have been witness, daily, to a phenomenon altogether unique among gathering places for persons and groups who seek respite, nourishment, hospitality, or helpful guidance, all essential for renewed vitality along the journey. One individual retreatant recently expressed her surprise at the most profound and sacred silence as she observed over 100 people in retreat on the campus. Then there is the inexpressible spiritual presence of the daily comings-and-goings of retreat facilitators, educators, spiritual directors and seekers, all committed to the health of the soul, the body, the earth; the livelihood of schools, communities, organizations, many on a local level, others on a global level. The safety and sacredness of this collective inspiration promises hope for persons and communities in need of healing, renewal, and reconciliation. In the growing need for quiet and solitude when the velocity of information, noise and activity compromise the heart’s longing for peace and simplicity, the Sisters of Mercy offer a space and ministry well worth celebrating!

Within the nearly 12 years that I have served as director, the costs for retreats and conference space have increased only modestly while the Center's expenses have increased very significantly: cost of living, energy and healthcare, insurance and food costs. Still, we make every effort to keep reasonable our rates for facility use and retreats, and we offer scholarships to those who experience financial difficulty. In light of this economic reality, but more importantly, to honor and preserve the beauty and mission of hospitality of the Center, we will be asking for additional donations and support.

We anticipate, then, our 20th anniversary to be one of mutual celebration. Our plans so far include a cookbook with favorite recipes from Kelly Lionello (our extraordi-nary cook), a special weekend of percussion and sacred music featuring Tony Davidson-Gómez, and other ways to commemorate yet to unfold.

We offer our prayers of gratitude for all who have become extensions of "mercy" in the spirit and ministry intended by Catherine McAuley (foundress, Sisters of Mercy):

Sweet Mercy! . . . Soft peace she brings wherever she arrives, removes our anguish and reforms our lives; makes the rough paths of peevish nature even, and opens in each heart a little heaven. (Bolster, Positio, p.817)