When the Sisters of Mercy designed the mission-style Our Lady of Mercy Convent in Auburn in 1939, they envisioned sacred space for women contemplating a consecrated life.

Since that time, the sisters’ motherhouse has expanded over the decades to include a retreat center that now serves more than 5,000 people each year.

While most of the 80 sisters of the Auburn regional community who are active in ministry currently live in one of a dozen small convents in the Sacramento area, a number of them are easing toward their retirement years, when they will live at the convent.

“When we took a look at the whole campus, one of the things we discovered was the only room in the entire place being used for what it was originally meant for was the chapel,” said Mercy Sister Katherine Doyle, director of communications for the community.

So when the Auburn Planning Commission recently gave unanimous approval to permits for the renovation of the Auburn motherhouse campus, it was good news indeed.

The project’s master plan includes the construction of another housing wing with a second level, replacing tennis courts with a parking lot, and widening an emergency access road that runs throughout the property.

Mercy Sister Sheila Browne, regional community president, said the renovation project, which comes during the 150th anniversary of the arrival of the Sisters of Mercy in California, is really “an investment in the future.”

“The retirement needs of the Sisters of Mercy will be taken care of for the next 25 years,” she said.

In addition to the new housing wing for retired sisters, other accommodations include an elevator, handicap-accessible private bathrooms, and widened doorways.

Mercy Sister Maura Power said one primary focus of the renovation is to create greater privacy for the sisters on grounds so frequently used by the public for retreats and conventions. To that end, a small private garden is planned adjacent to the new construction and plans call for only one tree being removed.

“We will retain the contemplative and prayerful atmosphere here — not only for our sisters but all those who come here,” she said.

Mercy Sister Elizabeth Marie Farrell, 87, moved into the convent in 1996 following a long and distinguished career as an educator at several Catholic schools in the diocese.

With the quick wit indicative of her Irish roots, Sister Farrell said she knows she’ll like the renovation because the convent is already a great place to live.

“It’s a nice atmosphere to be here with sisters involved in active work from all over who come to visit,” she said. “We never know who is going to be coming in for lunch, but everyone is welcome.”

Sister Doyle said a distinct advantage of the new renovation is it will enable all retired sisters to live on the same side of the complex.

“Having a communal setting is important as sisters enter this phase of their life,” she said. “Our senior retired sisters are like the prayer power house of all our ministries.”

Sister Browne said a second major need is addressing “the niche we’ve carved out” with Mercy Center, the retreat ministry of the sisters.

The center accommodates up to 40 people overnight and the Russell Library provides space for large group meetings.

Retreat center improvements include much needed additional parking, connecting the library-meeting room to the dining room, modernizing the kitchen to meet large group retreat needs, and adding handicap accessibility throughout the center.

Sister Browne said a further goal benefiting both the convent and retreat center was achieved by hiring DPR Construction, Inc., a company dedicated to “greening” facilities by using a sustainable construction plan.

“We’re also very conscious of the environment and making the entire project environmentally safe,” she said.

The architect for the renovation is Blackbird Associates, a Sacramento-based firm whose owner Franc Blackbird said since a goal of the sisters’ was to save energy, a central plant was designed to consolidate mechanical and electrical equipment into one location.

The renovation is expected to take about 18 months to complete.

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