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In the sister's shadow
Memorial Day was officially proclaimed on May 5, 1868, by Gen. John Logan, national commander of the Grand Army of the Republic, in his General Order No. 11, and was first observed on May 30, 1868, when flowers were placed on the graves of Union and Confederate soldiers at Arlington National Cemetery.
The traditional observance of Memorial Day has diminished over the years and today many family members and friends remember their passed loved ones (military and non-military) by placing flowers at gravesites.
But who cares for the gravesites of those who had no spouse or family legacy? Who kneels in respect for the women who dedicated their lives to God's service and endless sacrifice for the healing of others?
The answer: The Mercy Associates. This handful of men and women has been inspired by the Sisters of Mercy to deepen their personal pursuit of spirituality and service to others.
"The Mercy Associates are individuals who have chosen to deepen their baptismal call by a formal association with the traditions, spirituality and ministries that have shaped the Sisters of Mercy," said Doloris Sonntag, who serves as Mercy Associate co-leader alongside Charlotte Rhynerson.
"About 10 years ago, not too long before the Sisters of Mercy in Fort Scott were to close their convent on Burke Street, the lay members of the Mercy Associates began setting out flowered crosses at each sister's grave for Memorial Day," Sonntag said. "The Sisters living in the convent at that time were too few to continue this task of love. Under the guidance of Sister.Concetta Cardinale, the Mercy Associates met at St. Mary's Cemetery the week before Memorial Day and placed the crosses for them."
More than 90 Sisters of Mercy served tirelessly to meet the health care needs of those in Southeast Kansas and Southwest Missouri. Seventy-nine of those Sisters rest in St. Mary's Cemetery.
When the convent closed in 2004, there were 11 Sisters. Since then, Sisters Roberta Smith (2006) and Jude Dietrich (2010) have died and are buried in St. Mary's Cemetery. Sister Mary Trinity Jackson is buried in St. Louis, as is Sister Mary Louise Hentzen. Sister Mary Consolata Eckert is buried in Oklahoma City. Sister Mary Terence Fitzgerald resides in Barling, Ark.
Sister Concetta remained in Fort Scott another six years after the convent closed, retiring in 2010 at the age of 86.
The Mercy Associates have continued to honor and remember the Sisters each Memorial Day with a prayer service and by reading each name out loud.
"As I age, I've learned the best rewards in life are doing things for others," said Jim Gladbach, a Mercy Associate for 25 years.
The Mercy Associates in Kansas began in 1986 when Patricia Robinson and Adin and Wilma Leach were received into the program in Independence. The Leaches were leaders in a Bible study group sponsored by the Sisters of Mercy. Sister Jude Marie Piazza initiated the program in 1986 with three associates. Six Sisters of Mercy from Fort Scott served as mentors: Sisters Mary Loyola Cavanaugh, Julita Leinhard, Barbara Karleskint, Terence Fitzgerald, Concetta Cardinale and Jude Deitrich.
"Our passion to widen the circle of God's mercy calls us all to mutual accountability and responsibility for the gift of mercy, uniquely expressed in the life and spirit of Catherine McAuley, foundress of the Sisters of Mercy," Sonntag said. "By living as Mother Catherine McAuley advocated in our daily lives, we strive to be mercy to all."
Since 1886, the Sisters of Mercy have dedicated their lives to serve the people of Southeast Kansas. Originally, settling in Kansas was not in the plan. It just happened that in 1885 while en route from Big Rapids, Mich., to California, Sister Mary Teresa Dolan and Sister Mary Bonaventure Fox stopped in Fort Scott to attend Sunday Mass.
The two called on the Rev. Francis J. Wattron, pastor at Mary Queen of Angels Church, seeking hospitality for the weekend.
The Sisters were impressed with the tales of the numerous needs of the people of Fort Scott. They changed their plans and instead of going on to California, they went back to Big Rapids and asked permission to come serve Fort Scott instead.
On April 26, 1886, Mother Mary Teresa Dolan, Superior, and Sister Mary Dolores Drew, a novice, arrived in Fort Scott. The Sisters had planned to start a school, but upon their arrival, they found a tiny hospital had been prepared instead.
In true Sisters of Mercy fashion, the two quickly began caring for the sick and injured.
Today, the heritage of the Sisters remains strong at Mercy Hospital. Although Sisters no longer grace the halls, their presence remains in all who carry on their ministry.