The Sisters of Mercy have been committed to the care of poor and underserved people of San Diego for 133 years. Mother Mary Michael Cummings, a Sister of Mercy from San Francisco, arrived in San Diego in 1890 and opened St. Joseph’s Dispensary at the corner of Sixth Avenue and H Street (now Market Street). She and the other Sisters never turned anyone away despite the increasing demand for health care in the growing city. Eventually, the Sisters built and opened Mercy Hospital in 1924, caring for the spiritual, physical, and psychological needs of patients for years to come. Continuing to serve everyone, Scripps Mercy Hospital now provides a large portion of the uncompensated care for residents of San Diego County at its two locations in Hillcrest and Chula Vista.

In addition to providing high-quality health care services for many years, the Sisters of Mercy also opened and operated numerous schools in the region. Most recently, the Sisters opened Casa de Misericordia, an intentional community committed to working with the poor on both sides of the Border and addressing the particular needs of the Barrio Logan neighborhood.

The Madonna Della Strada Award is presented to a person or organization reflecting the Ignatian values of direct service to the poor and work dedicated to creating a more just society.

Sheila O’Malley Vision & Dedication Award Recipient:

Fr. Neal “Pepe” Wilkinson, SJ

IVC is proud to honor Fr. Pepe with the 2024 Sheila O’Malley Vision & Dedication Award. Fr. Pepe is currently an Associate Pastor at Our Lady of Guadalupe Church, the Jesuit Parish in San Diego. Originally from Wisconsin, he has served in various ministries throughout his career, most recently with Casa de los Pobres in Tijuana, the San Diego Organizing Project, and A Faith That Does Justice. Fr. Pepe also works in post-abortion reconciliation and healing ministry as well as ministry with people held at immigration detention facilities. He serves as a dedicated Spiritual Reflector for the Ignatian Volunteer Corps. This award honors an individual who, like Sheila O’Malley (1949-2016), envisions the growth of IVC to serve people in need, deepen Ignatian spirituality, and spread the Kingdom of God on earth.

We also look forward to thanking and honoring our dedicated Service Corps Members and Partner Agencies

Event Sponsorship and Underwriting opportunities are available and are a great way to support the mission of IVC.

Please contact IVC Regional Director, Curran Gaughan, at cgaughan@ivcusa.org or 858-822-9814 if you are interested.

Thank you to our Event Sponsors

Presenting Sponsors

Tom and Karen Gammiere

Ambassador Sponsors

Deacon John & Maria Roberts

Thank you to our Event Underwriters

Lori House & Jim Sardo

Joe & Frannie LaRussa

Barbara J. Menard

Charles & Maureen King