Sacred Space

Even as our hearts are breaking for the suffering we witness around the
world, we remember and we celebrate the message of Easter and we are
reminded of Catherine's words, ". . . without the Cross the real crown
cannot come."
Institute of the Sisters of Mercy of the Americas

O radiant dawn, shine forth in glory! Christ has burst forth from the tomb.
Give praise, O peoples of the earth. Death is overcome, God triumphs.
Alleluia.
From the Sisters of Wellington, Aotearoa New Zealand

The Sisters of Mercy of the Union of Great Britain wish you Peace, Hope and Joy this Easter Season.

The 'Circle of Mercy' of the Northern Province, Ireland, wishes to reach out to other Mercy Associate Groups across the world in this season of joy and hope for new life. May the Spirit of Catherine unite us as we strive to know her better, and to walk in her footsteps.

Easter greetings from Lebanon to all Mercy news readers, to all the RSM'S doing a great job @fraynework and its links, and to all Mercies everywhere! May we together rejoice in the Risen Lord and be filled with renewed hope for peace and goodwill throughout the world with an extra special thought for Irak at this time. God bless you.
Love to all, Sr. Marie deLourdes

United in Mercy, may we live the Easter story in thought, word and deed.
Ethel Bignell MIA Executive Director

At a time when peace is so fragile, may the celebration of Easter touch your lives with its message of hope and new life... is the prayer of everyone at the National Centre of the Institute of the Sisters of Mercy of Australia

Happy Easter and God Bless from Deirdre Mullan RSM Director Mercy Global Concern

Bible in hand,
I slip behind a wall of time
to walk with the women.

"Are you afraid?" I ask,
panting to keep up with them -
strong from three years of walking.

"Of course", they answer,
"but his body must be annointed!"
They keep on walking.

"there is no one to roll away
the stone," I object.
(are they courageous or just naive?)

"there is no one else to annoint him,"
they counter, firmly
and keep on walking.

Ahead I see sunlight
glinted off steel. "There is no one
to protect you!" I protest.

They nod and keep walking,
their burdens perfectly balanced.
(Courageous, I decide.)

"Godspeed then", I say.
as I shift my life on my shoulders
and retreat to my safe, familiar world.

Irene Zimmerman

We, Sisters of Mercy, Victoria Square, Perth Western Australia, greet you with joy on this Feast of the Risen Christ. World News has kept us mindful of suffering - the war-torn hot spots - the SARS epidemnic - the frailty we are ourselves esperiencing associated with aging! Our hearts are especially touched by the images we see of children - victims of both these catastrophes. Where do we find joy in the midst of the pain? Indeed, where else but in communion with the risen Christ, who like us, entered into the depths of human suffering in all its manifastations, before entering Eternal Peace.

Let us find courage from words such as:
'TAKE UP YOUR LIFE and WALK'
There is a goodness, a Wisdom that arises,
sometimes gracefully, sometimes gently,
sometimes awkwardly, sometimes fiercely,
but it will arise to save us if we let it
and it arises from within us
like the force that drives green shoots
to break the winter ground,
it will arise and drive us
into a great blossoming like a pear tree,
into flowering, into fragrance, fruit and song
into the aliveness of it all,
into that part of ourselves
that can never be defiled, or destroyed,
but that comes back to life, time and time again,
that lives - always - that does not die.

-China Galland

Cásc shona siochána dhíbh go léir.

Foireann Ceannais Súireacha na Trócaire