Gwynedd Mercy Academy Celebrates Sesquicentennial With Gala Celebration

In 1831, Catherine McAuley founded the Sisters of Mercy, inspired by the conditions of poverty she saw in Ireland. She saw the need of educating women as a means to spread Christian values and effect social change. Her life and works were a testament to this belief. She saw education as the primary tool to help women find and achieve their full human potential.

In 1861, the Sisters of Mercy continued in that tradition of educating women as a means to ending poverty and effecting social change to establish the Academy of the Sisters of Mercy in Philadelphia.

In the 150 years that have passed, a lot has changed within the school. It has moved from Philadelphia, enrollment has increased dramatically (from their initial 28 students to an average of 400 today). They’ve even gone through a name change. 

But what hasn’t changed? 

Their goals.

The Sisters of Mercy continue to nurture young women in the character and spirit of founder Catherine McAuley, and “to respond in all areas to the needs of the times.” 

This is an anniversary that needs celebrating, and Gwynedd Mercy Academy is doing just that at its Sesquicentennial Gala Saturday, Sept. 17, at the National Constitution Center in Philadelphia.

There is still time to buy tickets to attend the gala commemorating excellence in Mercy Education for the past 150 years, and springboard into the next 150 years with the formal introduction of three special women: Denise Corkery Marbach, the Board of Trustees Chair; Clare Strenger, the director of advancement; and Sister Patricia Flynn, RSM, as principal.

Tickets can be purchased here until the R.S.V.P. deadline at midnight Sunday, Sept. 11. Tickets are $175 per person for this black tie affair. (Tables of 10 are available.) 

A cocktail hour with premium hors d'oeurves will begin from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m., followed by a sit down dinner and dancing with the music of the Rich Posmentier Ensemble.  A Young Alumnae Ticket is also available for $100, which includes cocktails, light refreshments and dancing beginning at 9 p.m.

The Signers Hall and DeVos Exhibit Hall at the Constitution Center will also be open during the gala.

Attendees wanting to make a weekend of this occasion are encouraged to stay over at the Holiday Inn Historical District, Omni Hotel at Independence Park, or Sheraton Society Hill, and to worship together at St. Joseph’s Church or St. Mary’s Church Sunday.

So come join the celebration of life, love, family and good works as Gwynedd Mercy Academy continues into its next 150 years.