Sister of Mercy and Founder of Casa de Misericordia

Originally from the San Francisco Bay Area, Sr. Mary Waskowiak, RSM, entered the Sisters of Mercy at 18 years old, earned a Master of Arts degree in Pastoral Theology from the University of San Francisco, and a post-graduate certificate in Psychology and Spiritual Direction from the Institute for Spiritual Leadership in Chicago. Sr. Mary has extensive leadership experience, serving as the President of the Sisters of Mercy Burlingame Regional Community, the President of the Sisters of Mercy of the Americas, and President of the national Leadership Conference of Women Religious. In addition to her commitment to servant leadership, Sr. Mary dedicates her heart to responding to the needs of people whom she encounters and accompanies through spiritual direction, education, and ministry. Sr. Mary has served as the director of Mercy Center and as a pastoral educator at St. Patrick’s Seminary, both in the Bay Area; has served on the boards of numerous schools, healthcare, and ministry organizations; and currently accompanies our migrant sisters and brothers here in San Diego. Sr. Mary founded Casa de Misericordia, an intentional community for people of all faith traditions to share in community, spirituality, and ministry with vulnerable migrant persons. Sr. Mary is fluent in Spanish, feels blessed to get to know and learn from remarkable dear neighbors, and thoroughly enjoys cooking, gardening, yoga, and taking walks.