70 years as a Sister of Mercy, I’ve met many people in my ministries of education and health care. I am grateful for the ability to have assisted those in need. Seventy years as a Sister of Mercy have gone quickly, and God has blessed me.
in His footsteps and to help to bring others closer to Him. I came to the missions to teach, and I have been taught and continue to learn more each day from the poor whom I try to serve. Again, thank you Lord for the many gifts that I have received and continue to receive each day.
Sister Mary Vita Pandolfo, RSM Entrance: February 1, 1942, Detroit First Profession: August 16, 1944 Final Profession: August 16, 1947 Major Areas of Ministry: 66 years – elementary education, nursing/healthcare/ administration and administrative staff. Current Ministry: Ministry of Presence to Community Motto: My God and My All My 70 years as a Sister of Mercy have been a great adventure and continue to be so.
Sister Dorothy Marie Pelt, RSM Entrance: February 2, 1942, Chicago First Profession: August 16, 1944 Final Profession: August 16, 1947 Major Areas of Ministry: 68 years – education and pastoral missionary work. Current Ministry: Pastoral Associate in a parish in Puerto Cortes on the north coast of Honduras. (Parroquia Sagrado Corazon de Jesus). Motto: It is the Lord Seventy years ago when I entered the community of Mercy, I never dreamed that I would spend more than half of that time in the missions. As I was growing up, I always enjoyed reading stories in mission magazines. At one point, I thought of the possibility of entering Maryknoll, but thought that I would never have the courage. As I entered Mercy I never even dreamed of missions, but it seems that the Lord had other plans for me. When the community opened the mission in Peru, I was excited, but could not volunteer because I was too old – two years older than the maximum age. Later when they raised the maximum age, I volunteered and was accepted. I spent six months studying Spanish in Bolivia after which I taught for one year in our school in Sicuani. It was a sad day when, because of unfortunate circumstances, we had to close the school and return to the States. I then returned to teaching high school in Chicago, still hoping for an opportunity to return to the missions. During summer vacations, I was invited to work in Honduras. After four summers, I was invited to work full time. My request was accepted by the community. Today, after 35 very happy years, I thank the Lord for giving me the health and strength and allowing me the privilege to continue serving the poorest of the poor. They are beautiful people who live very close to the Lord, physically in the mountains and spiritually, as we struggle together to follow
Sister Rita Pitstick, RSM Entrance: September 8, 1942, Chicago First Profession: March 12, 1945 Final Profession: August 16, 1948 Major Areas of Ministry: 51 years – education and pastoral ministry. Current Ministry: Retired Motto: Behold the Handmaid of the Lord In my family, we children attended a one-room country schoolhouse and our formal education ended in the eighth grade. We were expected to stay home on the farm and help the family. When I was in the sixth grade, my dad switched us to a Catholic school, which opened a whole new world for me. After two years with the Sisters of Mercy as teachers, I knew I wanted to be a Catholic nun. But I also knew that my family expected me to stay at home on the farm and help the family along with my 15 brothers and sisters. I kept my hopes and desires alive and occasionally would ask if I could go to high school. The answer was always no. My mother could not understand why I would want to be a nun. Finally, I convinced my parents to let me go to Marquette High School in Ottawa, Ill. After high school, I entered the convent and did some college work during my two-and-ahalf years in the novitiate. These years were very happy. My dream of being a Sister of Mercy came true, and I have loved every bit of it!
Sister Mary LaSalette Trevillyan, RSM Entrance: July 1, 1942, Burlingame First Profession: January 20, 1945 Final Profession: January 20, 1948 Major Areas of Ministry: 57 years secondary education, sister formation, Sisters of Mercy leadership and health care. Current Ministry: Ministry of Prayer, Volunteer Motto: I live now, not I, but Christ lives in me. “I’ve loved everything I’ve been asked to do; thank you, Lord.” These words exemplify Sister M. LaSalette: positive, happy, humble, completely open to God’s will. Professed in 1945, Sister LaSalette studied business at San Jose State, later attending the Lumen Vitae Catechetical Institute in Louvain, Belgium. In her varied ministerial life, she taught at a military academy, at Bishop Conaty High in Los Angeles – her alma mater, where she became a legendary teacher – and at Mercy High, San Francisco. As formation director, Sister (Continued on next page) Living Mercy • Summer 2012
9