Planning for the Future

Reimagining Our Campus Community, Our Process, Our Commitment

The Sisters of Mercy desire to create a future for the Burlingame Campus that honors the legacy, ministries, and the sacredness of the grounds for future generations. Mercy’s planning also includes consideration of how changes on the property may affect neighbors.

THE SISTERS OF MERCY ARE CONTINUING TO PLAN FOR THE FUTURE OF THEIR BURLINGAME CAMPUS.

SINCE THE START OF PLANNING IN 2017, FIVE GOALS HAVE GUIDED PLANNING RESEARCH

	Goal 1: Create new, accessible housing to meet the current and long term-housing needs of the Sisters.	Provide age-appropriate housing for Sisters, which currently we are not providing in the current Motherhouse Convent. This is the highest priority in the planning.
	Goal 2: Protect and advance the legacy and educational and spiritual ministries of the Sisters of Mercy.	Along with Mercy High School, the campus is home to Mercy Center: an international spirituality center deeply rooted in Catholic tradition and Mercy Charism and values.
	Goal 4: Protect and enhance the historic and woodsy character of the campus while keeping it open to the public.	Mercy Charism commits to sustainability and care for the Earth. The Sisters consider the Campus as sacred ground and a tranquil setting, with the desire to retain the natural environment and beauty.
	Goal 5: Explore the opportunity to assist in addressing the housing needs of the broader Burlingame community.	Currently, the highest planning priority remains new housing for Sisters.

Reimagining Our Campus Community

We, the Sisters of Mercy, have been dutiful stewards of our 40-acre Burlingame Campus for almost 100 years, creating a legacy for our ministry and protecting the grounds for future generations. As we assessed our immediate and long-term needs, we begun imaging changes that will ensure age-appropriate housing for us, assist in addressing community housing needs and retain our campus’ natural beauty.

We are mindful that our private campus is viewed by many as a community asset, and we are committed to a planning process that includes consideration of how campus changes may impact neighbors and greater Burlingame community.

Since we began planning in 2017, we have been guided by goals that honor our campus and ministry legacy:

1)    Create new, accessible, and age-appropriate housing to meet the current and long term-housing needs for our Sisters. This is our highest priority.

2)    Protect and advance the legacy of our educational and spiritual ministries. The campus is home to Mercy Center, an international spirituality center deeply rooted in Catholic tradition and Mercy Charism and a value of the Sisters of Mercy.

3)    Protect and enhance the historic and woodsy character of the campus while keeping it accessible to the public. We consider the campus sacred ground and are committed to retaining its natural environment and beauty.

4)    Explore the opportunity to address the housing needs of the broader Burlingame community.

Our Process, Our Commitment

Our Campus Planning Team has researched and assessed a number of alternatives for each of the above goals since we began planning in 2017, but we have not found the ideal solution for each. We are committed to keeping our friends, neighbors, and greater Burlingame community informed as more defined ideas emerge. In general, information about the project can be found on this website: https://sistersofmercyburlingame.com/

Please read our Frequently Asked Questions to learn of updates and stay informed.