Mercy Hill and Marian Center was founded by Patrice Bennett in February of 2016, "The Jubilee Year of Mercy" instituted by Pope Francis. A few months after the founding, Christine Bellefontaine joined with Patrice as a Director and Consultant.
The site of the property north of West Borden Road, San Marcos, was discovered by Patricia White in 2012. The center is dedicated to presenting the Christian, Catholic and/or moral values of Divine Love and Mercy to all within a meditative environment of peace and tranquility.
MISSION STATEMENT:
The specific goal of Mercy Hill is to bring all individuals to a personal experience of divine love and mercy.
Patrice Bennett, Founder and President of Mercy Hill and Marian Center, is a native of San Francisco and one of four children. A former high school teacher, she holds a Secondary Credential from San Francisco State University; an M.A. in English, an MFC License; and a Ph.D. from Azusa Pacific University.
Christine Bellefontaine, Consultant and Treasurer is one of four children and a native of Los Angeles. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree from St. Mary's University, and an R.N. from Queen of Angels School of Nursing. Her hospital career included assignments as Night Supervisor, Director of Nurses, and Hospital Epidemiologist.
Additional Leaders
Sr. Emmanuelle, Vice-President of Mercy Hill and Marian Center, is a native of Minnesota, holds a B.A. in Architecture, and a M.A. in Theology; she speaks Spanish and is fluent in French and German. Sister is currently enrolled in an S.T.L. program at International Theological Institute in Austria (overseen by Rome) which authorizes her to teach the Catholic faith in universities and seminaries.
Mr. Joe Szalkiewicz, Funding Coordinator of Mercy Hill and Marian Center, is a graduate of Northern Arizona University. He is the President, and co-founder in 2012 of Yellowline Digital, an advertising and marketing Business Service with 16 employees. Joe is closely associated with John Paul II University, has taught at the university and worked with adults to further their social media skills.
Mrs. Jean Erickson, Secretary of Mercy Hill and Marian Center, is from Fond du Lac, Wisconsin. She is the mother of nine children. Her husband, Norman, held a degree in Mining Engineering and spent his career as a General Surgeon at St. Joseph Hospital in Wisconsin. Jean holds a degree in Pharmaceutical Chemistry and is a retired Director of Pharmacy from Ravenswood Hospital in Chicago.
News & Events
The Community of THE Beatitudes
Directors of Mercy Hill recently welcomed two superiors from The Community of the Beatitudes who after exploring the mission and goals of Mercy Hill and after traversing the mortgage-free 1/2 million dollar property north of West Borden Road, in San Marcos, expressed the desire to partner with Mercy Hill Directors in the grand endeavor to share and spread the Light of God to all peoples.
Once official permissions are obtained, the Community will be empowered to take over the entire Mercy Hill and Marian Center project.
"The Community of the Beatitudes is an Ecclesial Family of Consecrated Life founded in France in 1973. The Community of the Beatitudes gathers faithful from all states of life (married or unmarried lay people, seminarians, priests, permanent deacons, men and women consecrated in celibacy) who wish to conform as closely as possible to the model of the early Christian community through the common life, the sharing of goods, voluntary poverty and an intense sacramental and liturgical life. The members of the Community (which has a contemplative vocation based on Carmelite spirituality), are actively engaged in the service of the poor and the proclamation of the Gospel." -- Quote from the Zenit Review of the Beatitudes
The Community is international, has approximately 1500 members and is present on six continents.
EVENTS
Weekly Prayer Meeting at Director’s Home
Bi-annual Speaker Conference
Lenten and Christmas Fundraising Campaign
Annual Donor Thanksgiving Recognition