Mercy Seekers
“...Go and find out the meaning of mercy.” Mt. 9:13
May 2013 • Volume 198
A Message from the Director
Father Michael Barry, SS.CC.
M
Mary’s Mercy Center, Inc.
Mary’s Table – Veronica’s Home of Mercy
P.O. Box 7563
San Bernardino, CA 92411
Phone: (909) 889-2558 • Fax: (909) 386-7704
www.marysmercycenter.org
E-mail: [email protected]
ay is the month of Mary and it is so special for all of us here
at Mary’s Mercy Center since it is dedicated to Mary. The
scriptures have only about five references to Mary. One of them
tells us of Mary’s surrender to God: “Be it done unto me, according to your
word.” (Lk 1:38). Another is, “Do whatever He tells you.” (Jn 2:5). These
have been motivating scriptures for the staff and volunteers at Mary’s Mercy
Center over the years. What is more inspirational and insightful is the fact
that there are seven joys and seven sorrows of Mary. There is a balance
of ups and downs and that describes pretty much what goes on at Mary’s
Mercy Center. There is joy that God provides and that the needs of the
poor and homeless are somewhat met, but each of these brothers and sisters
have a sad story to tell and an even sadder life.
How do our staff and volunteers cope and maintain an open heart? It
is all about the heart. How did Mary cope? St. John Eudes claimed that the
heart of Jesus was in Mary. There was only one heart, the heart of Jesus and
it is that compassionate heart of Jesus in our hearts that helps us to serve
and not to count the cost. It is a mystery and miracle in action. Mary is
our mother (Jn 19:26) and it is the heart of Jesus that has anointed Mary’s
Mercy Center in joy and sorrow over the years.
When you reach out to donate and contribute to Mary’s Mercy Center,
you too have a compassionate heart because you brought joy to those in
sorrow.
—Fr. Mike
The Essentials
Bo a rd Members
Father Michael Barry, President/Chairman of the Board
Michael Hein, Vice-President/Administrator
Mary Bradfield, Secretary
Bo a rd of Direc tors
Mary Bradfield
Sr. Maura Feeley
Jerry and Nell Hackbarth
Carl Jones
Terry Kent
Terry and Ellie Klenske
Dena Larson
Cindy Ludvigsen
Ed Lugo
John Morrissey
Harriet Roggenbuck
H
omeAid Inland Empire coordinated an
“essentials” drive. Bank of America and
US Bank were among the institutions
that participated in the drive. A primary goal
of HomeAid Inland Empire is “to assist local
service providers who are committed to serving
the transitionally homeless and to maximize
their capacity to serve by expanding their
physical facilities.” HomeAid Inland Empire has
helped with Veronica’s Home II, Casa Merced
III and the renovation of Veronica’s Home I.
Coordinating the drive was an extra step. The
essentials donated ran the gamut from hygiene
items, diapers and wipes to baby furniture. Our
thanks go out to the unnumbered donors, the
institutions that participated and HomeAid for
their concern for those in need and for turning
that concern into action.
Connections
O
ur volunteers wear name tags
with only their first name
written. They are focused on
serving the needs of our guests. The
church groups that serve on weekends
know each other well. Our weekday
volunteers, however, come from various
areas and except for a shared compassion
for the needy, they know each other
only by first name. Betty has been
volunteering at Mary’s Table for some
years now. Della first came to Mary’s Table a few years ago as a single
mom in need of assistance. Marsha was able to find some furnishings for
her home. Several times Betty was able to help out with odds and ends.
Recently, Della was able to start volunteering at Mary’s Table. It was
at our Volunteer Appreciation Luncheon that the true connection was
uncovered between these two generous women. Over 40 years ago, when
Della was in grade school and Betty was raising her children, Della became
friends with Betty’s daughter Kathy. Della had become part of Betty’s
family – attending church, going camping. Betty even sponsored Della
at her confirmation. As life leads us on different paths, Della and Betty’s
families lost touch. At this year’s luncheon Della saw Betty’s full name on
the program and searched her out. Della introduced herself and proceeded
to ask Betty questions to verify that this was the same Betty whose family
had meant so much to her. After some reminiscing, Della wrote this letter
to Betty’s children, now grown with families of their own.
Dear long lost family
,
In the last 40 years I
have so often though
t of all of
you, and wondered ho
w and where you were.
I was
reunited with your mo
m unknowingly, a few
ye
ars
ago, at Mary’s Table.
I always felt a familia
rity about
her. Her name and vo
ice were constant rem
inders of
my childhood, but I co
uldn’t quite place it. No
t until
today. I found her na
me in our volunteer lun
ch
eon
program and I started
asking questions. An
d memories
flooded my mind; fro
m the day Kathy and
I met in
the 4th grade, all the
family outings you inc
luded me
in, going to church, my
confirmation. The fon
dest of
my childhood memo
ries was all the love an
d
gu
idance
all of you “raised me”
with. My love for the
Lord and
my compassion for pe
ace through him, I cre
dit to all
of you. Thank you so
much. God brought
us
together
40 years ago. I can’t wa
it until He does it ag
ain
, and to
see what He’ll bless us
with next.
All my love and pray
ers,
Della
Easter Celebration
V
eronica’s Home of Mercy residents attended Easter
celebrations hosted by Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity,
Zeta Phi Beta Sorority and the Ruben Campos
Center. The attendees enjoyed many fun-filled activities:
egg coloring contest, an Easter egg hunt, egg extravaganza
and barbeque. The residents had a wonderful time and
thank these organizations. We also thank Rick and Liz from
Alliance Bus for providing transportation to Milliken Park in
Rancho Cucamonga.
The efforts of many volunteers and donors made
possible a joy filled Easter for Mary’s Table’s young guests.
The lunch served on Easter Sunday included traditional
foods like ham, sweet potatoes and pie. After the lunch
service the children, in various age groups, enjoyed egg races,
egg hunts and a raffle for Easter baskets. Seeing the children
enjoying the activities brought joy to their parents.
Volunteer Appreciation Luncheon
In memory of our deceased volunteers, their names were read aloud while flowers
were brought to the altar during mass at the offering.
Volunteers were given awards in recognition of the hours they served and the
years they have been serving. Not all awardees were able to attend and some were
too shy to pose for a picture. The awardees were:
5 Years
David Gomez ,Angie Gomez, Rachel Ampil, Jim Haggerty, Quynh Nguyen,
Charlotte Moralez, Grace Rivera, Tillie Fernandez
10 Years
Sally De La Cruz, Faye Wong, Norma Alcantana, Jim Fortuna, Suzanne Fay,
Eleonor Yambao, Pilar Yambao, Zenaida Bautista, Gordon Gertner
15 Years
Carol Crowder
20 Years
Lydia Hollamby & Mercedes Sanchez
25 Years
Rose Viero
Over 1000 Hours:
Linda Betancourt, Tim Bump, & Anthony Minchaca
Over 500 Hours:
Mary Gonzales, Mary Lopez, & Linda Sanchez
Over 100 Hours:
Gloria Antrobus, Odie Arellanes, Rachel Arreguin, Diego Arroyo, Betty Barry,
Alice Chapman, Barbara Cregan, Paulette Finneseth, Carmen Gonzalez,
Lydia Hollamby, Bonnie Hubers, Joey Johnson, Lorna Kenny, Armando Limon,
Angel Marcano, Patricia Navarro, Quynen Nguyen, Martin O’Grady,
Marcia Reyes, Irene Sanchez, Mercedes Sanchez, Pauline Smith,
Dora Van Aken, Eileen Verosik & Teresa Wynn
Thanks to efforts of Senator Bill Emmerson and his staff, the awardees also
received certificates of recognition from the California State Assembly. It was a
welcomed statement to our volunteers about the widespread impact of their efforts.
Yoli Catalano and Mary Bradfield were given awards for their loyalty to Mary’s
Mercy Center. They both started working at Mary’s Table from its beginning.
Yoli still works in the office. And while Mary has officially retired, she still
volunteers and is an active board member.
We were happy to have as our guest Sr. Mary Chilee Okoko, DMMM from the
San Bernardino Diocese’s Ministry of Life, Dignity and Justice. It was wonderful
gesture of support and appreciation for the efforts of our volunteers.
Our heartfelt thanks go to Our Lady of the Assumption Parish - San Bernardino
for their generosity. We were given the use of the hall, which usually is used
to host donuts and coffee after mass, and the auxiliary parking lot was opened
to provide adequate parking. Sr. Maura Redington, R.S.M. made us feel very
welcomed.
“I am a little pencil in the hand of a
writing God who is sending a love letter
to the world.” ~Mother Teresa
We thank you for your faithful service.
Mary’s Mercy Center, Inc.
P.O. Box 7563
San Bernardino, CA 92411
Non-Profit
U.S. Postage Paid
San Bernardino, CA Permit #944
Return service requested
May 2013 • Volume 198
We are a non-profit public benefit corporation and organized
exclusively for charitable, religious and educational purposes.
Veronica’s Home of Mercy is funded in part by the
Arrowhead United Way and First 5 San Bernardino.
Roses
Did You Know?
T
In March 2013 Mary’s Mercy Center, through
its Mary’s Table and Mary’s Children, provided
the following services:
his month the San Bernardino Diocese pro-life Catholic
ministries will coordinate Mother’s Day rose sales at most
parishes in the diocese. The rose bouquets will be assembled
on Saturday, May 11 and sold on Mother’s Day, May 12th. The
proceeds support pro-life crisis pregnancy centers and shelters for
single mothers, like Veronica’s Home of Mercy. Contact your
parish’s pro-life coordinator for information on participating in this
worthwhile event.
St. Peter
I
and
St. Paul Youth
wanted to share with all of you about the youth group at St.
Peter & St. Paul in Alta Loma. Julie Dinise and the youth
group fasted beginning Friday evening, March 15th then went
to Mary’s Table and helped serve on Saturday, still fasting until
that evening! I would just like all of you to pray that it was a great
experience for them. I am very proud of the youth and of Julie,
who is very dedicated to the youth and to the Lord. I am blessed to
know her. I trust all of you had a very holy week. We are blessed to
know JESUS! Shalom, Mary Bradfield.
Meals served: 6,867
Parolee Lunches: 1,100
Food Bags: 953 over three Wednesdays
Showers (including a change of clothes): 330
Hygiene Kits: 230
Hair Cuts: 36
Clothing (2-4 outfits and shoes): 188
individuals; 140 were emergencies (CPS,
fire victims, parolees, etc.) It was a difficult
month for the area!
Children’s Program: 17 infant needs (diapers,
wipes and formula) were met. We also gave
out 120 pounds of clothes, 2 strollers, 2
tubs, and 1 swing. Four infants’ needs went
unmet.
Pet Food: over 244 pounds