On Sunday a tornado struck Joplin, MO in the southwestern part of the state.  St. John's Regional Medical Center, a Sisters of Mercy Health System hospital, took a direct hit.  The hospital sustained extensive damage and was completely evacuated. Despite the heroic efforts of Mercy co-workers, five patients and one unidentified visitor lost their lives.

Sisters of Mercy and to the best of our knowledge Mercy Associates residing in Joplin, MO, were not injured. The Daughters of Wisdom ask that you keep the Joplin community and the Mercy patients and co-workers in your prayers.  Click here to submit your prayers.

WASHINGTON—The Vatican has called for the 48th World Day of Prayer for Vocations to be observed May 15, the fourth Sunday of Easter, commonly known as Good Shepherd Sunday.

Pope Benedict XVI set the theme for the occasion, "Proposing Vocations in the Local Church," in his message for the World Day of Prayer for Vocations. The theme underscores the responsibility of all in the local Church to foster vocations to the priesthood and consecrated life. The message notes that parish priests, families, catechists and youth ministers are invited to take advantage of "every moment in the life of the Church community" for prayer and pastoral activity that give children and young people a sense of "belonging to the Church and of responsibility for answering the call to priesthood and religious life by a free and informed decision."