The word Mercy has been a part of Laredo’s vocabulary for more than a century.
Thank you, Sisters of Mercy, who arrived at this border to open Mercy Hospital, a longtime local institution.
Sister María Luisa Vera
One of the faces of Mercy, Sister María Luisa Vera, was in the spotlight just ten days before the joyous feast of Christmas on the occasion of a retirement gala in her honor. The gala was hosted by the International Bank of Commerce at its Jacaman Annex.
Name changes are part of the evolution of institutions. Mercy Hospital became Mercy Ministries of Laredo. The faces of Mercy, however — those of Sister Maria Luisa Vera and Sister Rosemary Welsh — and their mission of a healthy Laredo remain.
IBC President and CEO Dennis Nixon, speaking t the gala audience, noted, “What would Laredo be without the Sisters of Mercy?” The crowd applauded and others shared stories about Sister María Luisa. As a finale to a beautiful evening, IBC and the Matias De Llano Trust each presented a $30,000 donation to continue the Mercy mission.
Mercy Ministries of Laredo (MML) announced in a letter to donors signed by Sister Maria Luisa that Elizabeth (Libbie) Casso, a Mercy employee for 21 years and Vice President of Mercy Ministries the last eight years, will succeed her.
Sister Maria Luisa wrote in that fundraising letter, “I ask you to please continue to give Mercy Ministries of Laredo your love, prayers, and support. Nothing of what we’ve accomplished has been for ourselves or by ourselves. MML has been blessed with generous supporters, a committed and passionate board of directors, and an amazing team of coworkers whom I trust to carry on the mission: As the Sisters of Mercy before us, we bring to life the healing ministry of Jesus through our compassionate care and exceptional service.”
Amen, and may God continue to bless Mercy Ministries of Laredo.
