Bill Hennessey

Vice President of Mission, Mercy Springfield Communities

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It’s all about service.

Pause. Reflect. Act. Repeat!

We should take the time to pause in our day. Shut off the cell phone and the distractions around you. Find a specific time or multiple times during the day. Stop. Pause. Breathe. Think about the activities of your day. Replay the events of the day. Say a prayer of thanks and move out with action and energy to meet those in your path today.

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Our ministry at Mercy was formed by a group of women who were completely focused on service. The Sisters of Mercy, who were founded in Ireland in 1831, taught that we must “seek out and put the needs of others first.” They became known as the “Walking Sisters” as they left their convents and served in the communities where the needs were greatest. How can I place the needs of others first throughout my day? It can make another person’s day and bring me such joy.

63 Keep the faith.

I was blessed with wonderful parents. Dad was a social worker and mom a nurse. I loved watching my dad’s interactions with people. He spoke to everyone, greeting by name and always sharing a smile. At the end of his interactions, he would say, “Keep the faith.” I didn’t think much of that as a kid, but over time I saw the positive impact on others. In a very simple way, Dad was able to leave each encounter in a way that opened a possibility of hope, support and a reminder that God is in this with us.

64 Talk about your organization’s mission. A lot!

I have been privileged to serve at Mercy now for 33 years. In the early days, we had the Sisters of Mercy working everywhere throughout our ministry, and they were a constant reminder of our mission. Over time, as their numbers declined, leadership created a new organizational model, and they turned the ministry over to lay leaders. We promised to maintain the ministry in the heritage of the sisters, and so we infuse the notion of mission and our values into all we do. From hiring and orientation to our daily operations and decision-making, we hold our mission and values as our guide. I am so often told by job candidates that they experienced Mercy’s mission very tangibly in their interview process.

Join the choir.

You just never know what will happen when you stretch your interests. In high school, I had a wonderful religion teacher who also directed the choir and musicals. He sought to break down the social cliques in school and had an amazing way to reach out to all groups and engage them in the fine arts. As a result, our musicals included state athletes, National Honor Society members and some pretty good actors. In college, I tagged along with a friend to attend a Christmas concert so he could see a young co-ed sing. After the performance, I couldn’t help but ask that singer out. She said no. Soon after, I tried out and joined the choir. There was no way I should have made it, but they must have needed a skinny kid with a high voice. Not only was this unexpected extracurricular activity a stretch and so very fun, Dawn and I have now been married for 36 years. Thank goodness I joined the choir!

You just never know what will happen when you stretch your interests.

Be not afraid.

To paraphrase the founder of Mercy, God never calls us to any state or for any end without giving us the help to carry it through. In the scriptures, we see time and again a reluctant leader who is called to step forward. Actually, we have references to “fear not” 365 times in scripture –one for every day of the year! I have often thought that I don’t have the experience or expertise for a certain challenge. We certainly did not have the knowledge needed as we navigated the pandemic. I really became fond of the fact that God does not call the equipped. Rather, he equips the called.

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Hey, friend!

I almost always start email communication with a “Hey, friend” salutation. I remember first hearing one of my sons as a toddler saying “Hi, friend” to another child at Mercy’s day care. It struck me as such a positive and simple way to connect and a great start to any communication in writing or in person. It has caught on, and it sets a positive tone for even a difficult conversation. At the Last Supper, one of the things Jesus said to the 12 was “I call you friends.” What a statement worthy of repeating! This simple phrase helps place us in a space of belonging and respect with each interaction.

Thank God it’s Monday!

How often do we have that dreaded Sunday night feeling that in the morning it was time for school or work? A few years ago, I started an intentional mind shift to reflect on the good of the weekend and be grateful for a new week with so many possibilities. When I walk into a Mercy facility, I look up at the cross on the building and give a word of thanks for the day, my family and the gifts of the week ahead. What a difference it can make in a colleague’s day when we approach it with a positive mindset and a genuine focus on those we encounter.

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Take a mental vacation.

Between big initiatives or challenging weeks, I simply tell myself I am on vacation. It might be for just a few hours before an upcoming commitment or during the drive home, but I choose to shut down the computer and phone and picture being in a place of quiet, take a nap or listen to a podcast that brings fulfillment. It seems so simple, and yet it works wonders for me to be ready for the next opportunity or challenge.

Interact in the elevator.

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In a place like Mercy, we can spend a lot of time in the elevators going from meetings and carrying out the work of the day. Those moments may be silent with eyes down. We encounter people who are experiencing great pain and uncertainty, people who are full of joy given the birth of their little one, and those who are frightened and lost. I like to think of this time as a moment to connect, reassure and maybe even bring a moment of levity. Our lives are moments of joys and sufferings intermingled (to paraphrase Catherine McAuley). By sharing a few words, a smile or a prayer, we can make a difference in that moment.