Mary Bartholomew




I am a social worker who has had the blessing of working at a number of Mercy facilities which provided the seed of where I am today. Before my first child was born, I worked at Mercy Center for the developmentally disabled . As fate or faith would have it, the youngest of my three children manifested developmental delays. So within a few years I was not only a professional care provider but a consumer as well.

When I was ready to return to work, I went back to McAuley Nazareth Home for Boys, a Mercy facility in Leicester, MA which treats the emotionally disturbed. Today I work at Nazareth and at Archway which shares the same campus with Nazareth. Archway provides a residential program for young persons with autism.

So my path to Mercy came through my work. Back in 1987 Sr. Alice Petty invited me to consider becoming a Mercy Associate. She was director of the early childhood program at Mercy Center where I had been a parent for three years. About three weeks later, Sr. Janet Ballentine of McAuley Nazareth asked me the same question: “Why not think about it?” The Spirit was definitely pursuing me!

I decided to become a Mercy Associate because of my desire for God and because of the happiness I experienced with persons who had the same desire. Each of us may live out our desire differently, but as Associates we find a mutuality and common ground and we live it together. While we all have different life experiences, we seem to enjoy and value most is our spirituality: praying together. On a lighter note, we’re known for enjoying a good party from time to time!

I have been so fortunate that most of my working life has been involved with the Mercy community. It’s been a maturing process professionally and a direct experience of the corporal and spiritual works of mercy. We have so many opportunities to meet Christ in the people we serve, whether it’s an emotionally disturbed boy, a Down Syndrome child, their parents, or family members. It’s a wonderful opportunity to express the kindness and goodness of God and then receive it in return. There is no doubt of the joys which come to us through our co-workers—sisters and lay persons alike.

The other part of the Associates experience is the treasure of relationships that I have made and then shared with my family. My children have been touched by Mercy. Mercy contributed to their growing up years, and now as adults, they take these values with them. Being a Mercy Associate is a wonderful experience, lifegiving in every way.