NEW LEADERSHIP TEAM ELECTED 
TO HEAD NEW YORK MERCY COMMUNITY

President-elect to focus on poverty, women's equality, care of the aging, racism, multi-culturalism, environmental initiatives

  Hartsdale, NY, March 21, 2000--The Sisters of Mercy, Regional Community of New York, which operates schools, health care and social service systems and other ministries in New York State and the Worcester area of Massachusetts, has elected Sr. Suzanne Elliott RSM, as its new president. She will lead a five-member administrative team for the next four years, beginning July 1.

  Sr. Elliott, a member of the current leadership team, replaces Sr.Patricia Wolf RSM, who will complete her second term in June. Elected to serve with Sr. Elliott are Sr. Gwen Coté RSM, who has also served with Sr. Patricia Wolf, Sr. Catherine Mary Cummings RSM, Sr. Patricia Vetrano RSM, and Sr. Anne Wootten RSM, . "We are especially blessed by our new team," said Sr. Wolf. "We can look forward to dynamic leadership within our community and among the people our sisters serve."

Cornerstone issues
  Sr. Elliott indicated that implementing the Mercy Institute Action Plan will be an important focus during the next four years. Promulgated last summer at an international convocation of Mercy Sisters, the Action Plan identified racism, multi-culturalism, solidarity with the poor, women’s equality, and protection of the earth as cornerstone issues for the community at large. "If we define solidarity as mutual dependence," Sr. Elliott said, "then the Mercy Action Plan is an opportunity for us to experience real conversion."

A vision of community
  Sr. Elliott, a native of Massena, NY, identified several issues that will be an immediate focus for the new team:  social services for the economically poor, education, and care of the aging. She also addressed the needs of several ministries. One of them, Mercy Center, Bronx, NY, plans to expand its job training and social services facility. "We will also address the growing needs of our Worcester residence for women," said Sr. Elliott, "and our educational ministries which were recently reorganized to reflect team-based management."

  Referring to the community's involvement in building Marian Woods, a retirement facility for women religious scheduled to open this Fall, Sr. Elliott said that the project provides an exceptional opportunity to work with four other religious communities to address the issue of aging.

  The team will also focus on internal issues. "Looking at our community life, we're not much different from the culture in which we live," said Sr. Elliott. "Like most people, we're overwhelmed by information, by technology, and even by our own decision-making processes. So we need to develop new models that will help us work through this and revitalize us in the process. I really look forward to working with a wonderful new team, and with all of our sisters, associates, co-workers, and volunteers."