July 1, 2021
Dear Merion Mercy Community,
I am pleased to announce that Sister Danielle Gagnon, RSM will join us as Merion Mercy's new Director of Campus Ministry effective July 24, 2021.
Our Mercy mission is our north star, and I could not be more pleased to have Sister
Danielle to foster the development of our faith and help us live our Gospel values. As the Director of Campus Ministry, Sister Danielle will help create an atmosphere of Mercy hospitality where all feel welcome, based on Catholic faith traditions and rituals, and that celebrates the diversity of the various faith traditions existent within our community.
Sister Danielle brings an interesting background and a diverse set of skills to Merion Mercy. Most recently, she was the spiritual director, program leader, and development consultant at Cranaleith Spiritual Center (a sponsored ministry of the Sisters of Mercy). She also served as the Executive Director of St. Patrick's Center in Wilmington, Delaware. Prior to entering the novitiate, she worked at Hope Partnership for Education and Malvern Preparatory School in their development offices. Sister Danielle also serves on the Prayer and Ritual Committee, Institute of the Sisters of Mercy, the Board of Directors of Mercy Neighborhood Ministries, and Mercy Foundation.
Sister Danielle is known among colleagues for her good judgment and kind and compassionate nature, and as someone who never loses sight of the lived experiences of those around her. "I know that at Merion Mercy Academy 'live mercy, seek justice' is more than a terrific tagline. MMA's students have proven to be vibrantly alive with the Mercy spirit and to be active, thoughtful, and deliberate in matters of social justice," shared Sister Danielle. "I cannot think of anything more exciting than to walk alongside students who are curious in their questioning and serious in their seeking and to provide them with opportunities to deepen their faith lives both individually and as a school community."
Sister Danielle earned her bachelor's degree at Harvard University Extension School, Cambridge, Massachusetts and is completing her master's degree in Christian Spirituality at Fordham University, New York, New York.
I'm excited to welcome Sister Danielle and grateful for the gifts she will bring to Merion.
Warm regards,
Laura Farrell
Head of School