Albany, NY – Maria College is proud to announce Mary Pat Garvin, RSM, Ph.D., as its keynote speaker to kick off the College’s Mercy Week, a week-long series of events to celebrate the College’s heritage. Dr. Garvin’s lecture, “A Social Mystic: Who Me?” is this year’s Dorothy A. Connolly Annual Lecture, a series that honors the late Maria College Trustee Emeritus. The lecture will be held on Monday, September 26, at 6pm at Maria College, and is open to the public. A virtual option is also available.
During her lecture, she will discuss Sisters of Mercy Founder Catherine McAuley’s faith life and how her relationship with God compelled her to use her gifts and talents to alleviate suffering wherever possible. Maria College is sponsored by the Sisters of Mercy and often celebrates Catherine McAuley’s life and legacy through its mission work.
“We are looking forward to welcoming Dr. Garvin as our keynote speaker during one of our most celebrated weeks at Maria College – Mercy Week,” said Maria College President Lynn Ortale, Ph.D. “Dr. Garvin’s lifelong ministry is a profound example to help our students and community learn how their service to others, much like Catherine McAuley’s, will help more people experience God’s mercy and compassionate care.”
Dr. Garvin’s research interest is the interplay of spirituality and psychology which promotes the healthy and holy living of the Christian Life. Her lecture will help the Maria Community and the public strive daily to develop their gifts and talents.
This event requires registration, and a donation to Maria College in support of the Maria Cares Fund is recommended. Please click here to register. Additional information will be emailed to registrants prior to the event.
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Mary Pat Garvin, RSM, Ph.D. is a member of the Institute of the Sisters of Mercy of the Americas. She holds a doctorate in psychology from the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome, where she was on the faculty from 1994-2001. Since 2001, Sr. Mary Pat has taught psychology for Seton Hall University and worked with national and international conferences of Religious, as well as over 60 Religious congregations throughout North and South America, Europe, Africa, Asia, and Australia. In 2017 she received the Penet Award from the Religious Formation Conference in recognition of her contribution to the ministry of initial and ongoing formation for Religious women and men in North America and internationally. Sr. Mary Pat has contributed to the Conference of Mercy Higher Education (CMHE), in particular with Mission Officers and Campus Ministry personnel. Sr. Mary Pat served as a member of her congregation’s general leadership team from 2011-2017. She is a Fellow in Human Formation with Saint Luke Institute in Silver Spring, Maryland. Her research interest is the interplay of spirituality and psychology which promotes the healthy and holy living of the Christian Life.
This endowed lecture is made possible by Kay A. Connolly in honor of her late sister, Dorothy A. Connolly. Dorothy was a Trustee of the College for 27 years, serving from 1976 to 2003. She was granted the title Trustee Emeritus for her long-standing commitment. The annual lecture will honor Dorothy’s legacy which, rooted in the Mercy Charism, will benefit the Maria College Community for years to come.
Founded in 1958, Maria College is one of 17 colleges and universities in the United States sponsored by the Sisters of Mercy of the Americas. The private, co-educational, Catholic college in Albany serves approximately 800 students in a variety of bachelor degree, associate degree, a master’s degree, and certificate programs including liberal arts, healthcare management, nursing, psychology, occupational therapy, and health and occupational sciences. mariacollege.edu.