Former CMC Executive Director, Sr. Shari Sutherland, RSM, in front of CMC’s current building shortly after it was purchased in 1993.
In yesterday’s issue of the Cedar Rapids Gazette, three local leaders, including CMC Executive Director, Paula Land, reflected on the impact the Sisters of Mercy have had on the Cedar Rapids community since they began their ministry here 140 years ago this month. Here at CMC, the Sisters have been instrumental in helping to build the Center into a welcoming and inclusive community dedicated to transforming lives since its founding in 1989, when a small group of Mercy Sisters established the Catherine McAuley Center for Women to help “economically disadvantaged women in need of help with basic skills to complete their GED.” The Sisters named CMC after the foundress of the Sisters of Mercy, Catherine McAuley, who believed that education was the ultimate answer to the struggles of those in poverty.
Since the first year when the Center helped 16 women to improve basic skills, CMC has grown to serve a larger population through two programs: Transitional Housing and Adult Basic Education. To date, Transitional Housing has provided safe housing and skill building to more than 600 women, and Adult Basic Education serves over 350 men and women from over 50 countries annually who come to CMC for basic skills, English as a Second Language, and assistance with preparation for the U.S. Citizenship exam.
The Sisters of Mercy were the first volunteers who shared the Vision of what the Catherine McAuley Center could be, engaging the community, serving on committees and the Board of Directors, and more. The Sisters have consistently provided financial support, naming CMC as one of their sponsored works, and have demonstrated great creativity in fundraising through events including a Spelling Bee, Quilt Sale, Catherine’s Tea and even a business called Catherine’s Comfortable Tea. Why tea? Catherine McAuley reportedly offered this deathbed declaration in 1841: “Be sure you have a comfortable cup of tea for them when I am gone.”
On behalf of the clients and staff of CMC, we thank the Sisters of Mercy for their vision, leadership and nurturing support over these past 26 years!