Since Mercy Day, Mercy Ministries of Laredo (MML), one of Mercy’s outreach ministries, and the surrounding community have been celebrating the 130^th anniversary of the Sisters of Mercy coming to their community. On Mercy Day, all past and present Mercy Co-workers and Sisters were honored at a special lunch. Some of them have known each other for over 45 years.

On Oct. 9, the main celebration—the 130^th Anniversary dinner—was held with over 200 people in attendance, including a few Sisters from the area who no longer live in Laredo. Bishop James A. Tamayo of the Diocese of Laredo provided the blessing and several local dignitaries spoke, including Gabriel Castillo, senior vice president of International Bank of Commerce, who served as MC; Dennis E. Nixon, president and CEO of International Bank of Commerce; and several community leaders and friends of the Sisters. Senator Judith Zaffirini presented the Sisters with a proclamation and a historical display was available.

On Oct. 17, celebrations will wrap up with a Mass of Thanksgiving held at Christ the King Church, led by Fr. Jose Guadalupe Cadena.

In 1894, two Sisters were invited to Laredo by city leaders. Within a few weeks they had opened the city’s first hospital. Mercy sold the hospital in 2003 and formed MML to serve the poorest in the community. Today MML operates Mercy Clinic, which serves low-income adults without health insurance, and Casa de Misericordia, a shelter for women and children escaping domestic violence. MML also employs promotoras, community outreach workers who visit patients in their homes, and assist patients through affordable medication programs, dental care, foot and eye care, and free exercise classes.