History of Mast

MERCY ASSOCIATION IN SCRIPTURE AND THEOLOGY

MAST, The Mercy Association in Scripture and Theology, met for the first time in June 1987 at Gwynedd-Mercy College in Gwynedd Valley, Pennsylvania. Called together by Eloise Rosenblatt, R.S.M. and Mary Ann Getty, then a Sister of Mercy, twenty Sisters of Mercy theologians and Scripture scholars from fourteen regional communities formally established the organization to provide a forum for dialogue and cooperation among Sisters of Mercy. MAST has been meeting annually since 1987.

The purpose of the organization is to promote and support scholarship and theological reflection on Scripture, theology, spirituality, ethics, and related sciences undertaken by Sisters of Mercy around the world, our colleagues, and friends in order to serve the Church and the Institute, especially women. To this end the association encourages the publication of scholarly writing through the MAST Journal; the convening of an annual conference focused on issues of theological or spiritual concerns; and mutual support for its members engaged in scholarly pursuits through study, writing, teaching, and administration.

Members act as theologians in the Church and carry on theological work in their respective disciplines and ministries. They also seek to be of service to the Institute of the Sisters of Mercy of the Americas by providing a forum for theological education.

Julia Upton, R.S.M., currently serves as MAST’s Executive Director. The Executive Committee includes Marie Michele Donnelly, R.S.M., Katherine Doyle, R.S.M., and Eloise Rosenblatt, R.S.M.

The Annual Meeting for 2022, because of COVID concerns, will be conducted by Zoom on June 17-18, 2022. Interested persons—Sisters, Associates, lay colleagues—can contact Julie Upton, Executive Director, for the link.

For information about becoming a member and being added to MAST’s mailing list, contact the Executive Director, Julia Upton, R.S.M., by e-mail at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or by mail at St. Mary of the Angels Convent, 600 Convent Rd., Syosset, NY 11791-3863. Dues can be paid by check, payable to MAST, and sent to MAST Treasurer, Katherine Doyle, R.S.M., Holy Spirit Convent, 3920 West Land Park Drive, Sacramento, CA 95822-1123. Her e-mail is This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Since 1991, The MAST Journal has been published three times a year. Maryanne Stevens, R.S.M. was the founding editor of the Journal. The present Editorial Board is: Eloise Rosenblatt, R.S.M. Editor, Patricia Talone, R.S.M, Aline Paris, R.S.M., Sharon Kerrigan, R.S.M., Mary-Paula Cancienne, R.S.M., and Doris Gottemoeller, R.S.M. Writers for the Journal include theologians living and working in the United States, Australia, Canada, the Caribbean, as well as Central and South America.

Past issues of the Journal from 1990 to 2021 are available free at MAST Journal Archives.

Contact-Us

For additional information regarding MAST organization please contact:

Executive Director:
Dr. Julia A. Upton, RSM, MPH
St. Mary of the Angels Convent
600 Convent Road
Syosset, NY. 11791
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Secretary:
Sr. Patricia Talone, RSM, Ph.D.

Treasurer:
Katherine Doyle, RSM3920 West Land Park Drive
Sacramento, CA 95822-1123

Becoming a Member

For information on becoming a member and being added to the mailing list please contact the
Association's Executive Director, Dr. Julia A. Upton, RSM, MPH by e-mail or by mail at:

Dr. Julia A. Upton, RSM, MPH
St. Mary of the Angels Convent
600 Convent Road
Syosset, NY. 11791
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. 
347-392-8907

Dues are $25 per year and can be paid by check, payable to Sisters of Mercy, and sent to the
Association Treasurer,

Katherine Doyle, RSM
3920 West Land Park Drive
Auburn, CA. 95822-1123
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.