My Time at Mercy Center

BURLINGAME'S Mercy Center —nestled among towering leafy old oaks — has offered me quiet, solitude, and inspiration for many years.

The heavy mahogany doors close behind me, and I know I am safe and in a holy place that will always refresh my soul.

The Bay Area is home to several such retreat centers, notably the Vallombrosa in Menlo Park, El Retiro in Los Altos, and San Damiano in Danville. Each offers a variety of experiences from recovery retreats to the study of the Enneagram.

As part of the Mercy Motherhouse, built in 1931, the center is open to all: Christian, Jewish, Buddhist, and non-affiliated. Many non-profits choose the site to host trainings and other gatherings, partly for its serenity.

At Mercy, my first stop is usually the labyrinth. It is constructed completely by hand and is dedicated to the late Father Thomas Hand, a spiritual adviser at Mercy and facilitator of Christian/Buddhist dialogue.
I walk at a slow pace from the outside of the circle toward the middle, and I empty myself of negative thoughts and worries, aware of the gradual softening of the knot in the back of my neck.

Like most visitors, I always walk the peaceful grounds then sit on a bench to listen to a host of bird sounds. But the last moments of my stay are saved for the chapel.

With its vaulted ceiling and well-worn pews, the chapel is the heart of Mercy Center, welcoming all who attend Sunday Mass, the 100s who gather for monthly Taize prayer, or who simply sit in silence.

"People are yearning for space and deep meaning," said Center Director Suzanne Buckley, who calls Mercy a "prayerful oasis" in a world that demands too much energy and busyness.

In the 1830s, Catherine McAuley, who founded the Sisters of Mercy, urged the sisters to "meet all people with peace and love."

Mercy Center continues to follow that philosophy, offering each visitor the gift of true hospitality.

Mercy Center is at 2300 Adeline Dr., Burlingame. For more information, call (650) 340-7400 or visit mercy-center.org. Fees vary by program, and generous scholarships are available.

Carol Marchi is a staff member at St. Bartholomew's Catholic Church in San Mateo.