Easter 2002
Holy Thursday
 "Our world is entering the new millennium burdened by the
contradictions of an economic, cultural and technological progress
which offers immense possibilities to a fortunate few, while
leaving millions of others not only on the margins of progress
but in living conditions far below the minimum demanded by human
dignity. How can it be that even today there are still people
dying of hunger? Condemned to illiteracy? Lacking the most basic
medical care? Without a roof over their heads?
But poverty needs to be seen wider than material wealth. Indeed
many financially affluent sectors and groups are threatened by
despair at the lack of meaning in their lives, by drug addiction,
by fear of abandonment in old age or sickness, by marginalization
or social discrimination... Now is the time for a new 'creativity'
in charity, not only by ensuring that help is effective but also
by 'getting close' to those who suffer, so that the hand that
helps is seen not as a humiliating handout but as a sharing between
brothers and sisters."
Into the Deep: Lenten Program 2002.
Mercy Ministry:
Living
Water
Chimbote, Peru.
Blesssing:
O God, sustain us with your Bread. Amen.
O God, strengthen us with your Bread. Amen.
O God, send us forth to be bread for your people. Amen.
Used
with the permission of the Institute of the Sisters of Mercy
of the Americas. © 1998
Good Friday
 "Today there are many challenges that face our world. As
Christians we can make a valuable contribution to these pressing
issues. How can we remain indifferent to the prospect of an ecological
crisis which is making vast areas of our planet uninhabitable
and hostile to humanity? Or by the problems of peace, so often
threatened by the spectre of catastrophic wars? Or by contempt
for the fundamental human rights of so many people, especially
children?
A commitment is required to respect the life of every human
being, from conception until natural death. Those using the latest
advances of science, especially in the field of biotechnology,
must never disregard fundamental ethical requirements by invoking
a questionable solidarity which eventually leads to discriminating
between one life and another and ignoring the dignity which belongs
to every human being."
Into the Deep: Lenten Program 2002.
Mercy Ministry:
Rebuilding
life
Cedar Rapids, Iowa
Blessing:
By your wounds we are healed. Amen.
By your passion we are freed from sin. Amen.
By your death and rising we are born to eternal life. Amen.
Used with the permission of the Institute of the Sisters of Mercy of the Americas. © 1998
Easter Sunday  " A new millennium is opening before us like a vast ocean
upon which we shall venture. Christ became one of us two thousand
years ago and is at work even today: we need discerning eyes
to see this and, above all, a generous heart to become the instruments
of his work.
Many are the paths on which each one of us and each of our Churches
must travel... The Risen Jesus accompanies us on our way and
enables us to recognise him, as the disciples of Emmaus did,
'in the breaking of the bread' (Luke 24:35). May he find us watchful,
ready to recognise his face and run to our brothers and sisters
with the good news: "We have seen the Lord!" (John
20:25)"
Into the Deep: Lenten Program 2002.
Mercy Ministry:
Arise
Texas/Mexico Border
Blessing:
Blessed be our God who saves. Amen.
Blessed be our God who raises up. Amen.
Blessed be our God who lives. Amen.
Used with the permission of the Institute of the Sisters of Mercy of the Americas. © 1998
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