Mother McAuley Celebrates Mercy Day, Honors 2014 Catherine McAuley Award Recipients

Caption: Catherine McAuley Award recipient Mrs. Rose Riccordino (left) and student Genna Power (right) pose with Mother McAuley Principal, Ms. Eileen Boyce.

Mother McAuley Liberal Arts High School is pleased to announce the recipients of the 2014 Catherine McAuley Award: Mrs. Rose Riccordino and senior Genna Power, both of Oak Lawn.

As part of its annual Mercy Day celebration, Mother McAuley bestows the Catherine McAuley Award on a student and faculty member who demonstrate a deep faith and commitment to the school and the students which inspires their co-workers, students and family members to be better stewards of Catherine’s vision. Mercy Day celebrates September 24, 1827, the day Catherine McAuley opened the first House of Mercy—a place to shelter and educate women and girls—on Lower Baggot Street in Dublin, Ireland. Mother McAuley celebrates with a special student assembly which features the retelling of the story of Catherine McAuley and the award presentation.

This year marks Riccordino’s 24th year teaching Spanish at McAuley. During her tenure, Mrs. Riccordino has moderated the Spanish Honor Society and Student Ambassadors, supervised numerous fan buses to state tournaments, attended Kairos multiple times, driven Model UN students to their conferences, assisted Action Reaction by preparing meals at Ronald McDonald House, supervised the Senior Overnight, and chaperoned trips to England, France, and Spain. She has served on the Faculty/Staff Council and President Search Committee, serves as a Eucharistic Minister, delivers Christmas baskets at nursing homes, and participates in the Beverly Breast Cancer Walk each year.

During her acceptance speech, Mrs. Riccordino challenged the students to give back in a means that is most fulfilling, yet has no financial obligation.

“There’s an expression that is commonly used when you’re asking for donations,” said Mrs. Riccordino. “It is, ‘give ‘til it hurts.’ I’m going to ask you to do something different. I am going to challenge you to give ‘til it doesn’t hurt. I’d like you to give kindness.”

She continued by sharing examples of how students can exhibit kindness toward one another in the classroom, around the lunch table, and in their own homes. She ended with a quote often attributed to Maya Angelou: “I may not remember your name, but I’ll always remember how you made me feel.”

Senior Genna Power was selected by her peers as this year’s recipient of the Catherine McAuley Leadership Award. As a member of Chorus, Liturgical Ensemble, Student Ambassadors, Spanish Honor Society, Science Club, and Model UN, Genna gives back to the McAuley community. Additionally, Genna volunteers at Christ

Hospital, teaches CCD to students in her parish—Saint Germaine—and volunteers for Top Box, an organization that brings organic food to impoverished parts of Chicago. This summer, Genna traveled to Ireland to volunteer at a nursing home owned by her aunt, and later she traveled to Guatemala to serve children in an orphanage.

“Genna is a young woman of strength, character, and conviction,” said Principal Eileen Boyce. “On behalf of our faculty and staff, I was honored to present her with the 2014 Catherine McAuley Award.”

During her speech to students, Genna shared stories of her time in Guatemala, and how her desire for service work first took root at McAuley.

“I remember learning about Catherine McAuley in my freshman theology class. I could not get over how amazing she was,” says Genna. “Instead of spending her inheritance, she spent it on opening up the House of Mercy for destitute women, orphans, and the homeless. She has inspired me and countless others, and made me realize that it is my time to give back. I wanted to help those considered ‘outcasts’ just as she did.”

“I came to McAuley as a shy young girl and now I am leaving as a confident young woman,” Genna continued. “Many teachers pushed me that extra mile to break out of my shell and to make sure I always succeed. McAuley has taught me to care for others, to be confident, and how important women are in society. I will never forget this place because this is where I have roots.”