This week London will play host to an estimated 5 million visitors as the eyes of millions around the globe will be trained on the world’s top athletes at the 2012 Olympic Games. The Olympics are an opportunity for the citizens of the world to unite in celebration of the best of the human spirit: dedication and discipline, mutual understanding, fair play and solidarity.

But they also expose a darker side of human nature: for international sporting events and the large audiences they draw are also potential venues for the exploitation of the world’s most vulnerable citizens via the deplorable practice of human trafficking and modern day slavery.

ICCR (Interfaith Center on Corporate Responsibility) launched a Change.org petition to Mr. Jacques Rogge, President of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), urging the IOC to do all in its power to join the global movement to eliminate trafficking and slavery. ICCR wishes to thank all those who signed the petition and to say they received a letter from the Committee as a result of the petition.

Keep in touch with what is happening at the Olympics and the campaign to eliminate Trafficking at the "Celebration without Exploitation" campaign website.

Messages to: Mary Purcell - Assistant Director Mercy Global Action

Three weeks ago we invited readers of Mercy E-News and our website visitors to join with us in praying " that there be an end to bloodshed in Syria and for the safety of her citizens".

Amid reports that the crisis has dramatically worsened, this week we renew that invitation in response to the heartfelt request of the people of Syria to the world to "pray for us".

Messages to: Mary Reynolds rsm - Executive Director MIA

We have been blessed this year with international volunteers in addition to our marvellous regular local volunteers. Thank you to:

Marion Rankin rsm who makes sure we have scones each day and is the receptionist in the Catherine McAuley building; Carita Irwin rsm who is responsible for tours and available for general duties; Catherine Gibbons rsm and Betty Lacey who are Mercy Global Action interns/researchers; Carmel Byrne rsm who cares for the library and Joan Duddy rsm, Eleanor Kenny rsm and Marianna Ryan rsm who come one day per week

Joan Breen rsm from the Institute of Our Lady of Mercy UK. Joan was here from early February to late June; Maureen & Tom Smyth from Melbourne, Australia. Maureen & Tom were here from late April to late June, and Jennifer Kreft from Detroit, USA. Jennifer arrived mid June and will be here until mid August.

All have lived in and have been involved in many varied activities. In the article linked to this item, Maureen & Tom have provided a description of their time here and their reflections on that experience.

Many responses were received following our advertisement in E-news during May for volunteers  At this stage we have volunteers in place from August this year to July 2013 and February to July in 2014. These volunteers come from USA, UK and Australia.

Vacancies exist for individuals or couples for two months or longer in 2013 and 2014 as follows: June, July, August, September, October, November, early December.

Messages to: Sylvia Williams rsm - Assistant Director Administration & Finance

From their home base on the second floor of the Commerce and Finance Building at University of Detroit Mercy, 33 sixth- to eighth-grade girls are learning the ins and outs of college life, exploring careers that might match their interests and personality, and seeing firsthand what real success and happiness looks like for educated women who have fulfilling, well-paying careers.

These young girls are part of Mercy Education Project’s Emerging Leaders program, a four-week program that runs for the entire month of July, helping girls who live in southwest Detroit learn about college and careers.

"Most of the girls in our program do not know people who have gone to college," says Melanie Ward, director of the Girls' Programs at Mercy Education Project and coordinator of Emerging Leaders...

Source: Huffington Post

Messages to: Maureen Mulcrone rsm - Director, Development & Marketing

Editor: Mercy Education Project is this week's featured Mercy website

The Summer Olympic Games in London are set to kick-off this Friday, July 27. Amid the excitement, solidarity, sportsmanship and honor of the Olympics, we are called to be conscious of the darker opportunities like human trafficking that can taint such large events.

Mercy Investment Services with several partners are calling upon London-area hotels, Olympic sponsors and their suppliers to take a public stand to ensure the full scope of their business operations are trafficking and slavery free.

As you begin to follow the wonderful achievements of the athletes at the 2012 Olympics, please consider addressing this tragic issue of exploitation by taking action. To find out how, read on our blog which is linked to this item, about the ways that you can take action.

Messages to:
Institute Justice Team
Pat Zerega - Mercy Investment Services

Last Friday, 20 July, an interview with Angela Mary Doyle rsm, originally recorded in 2011, was re-broadcast and made available online. The show Conversations with Richard Fidler is promoted as "draw[ing] you deeper into the life story of someone you may have heard about, but never met". Listeners are invited to " spend an hour in someone else's life". And we do in this wonderful programme.

We meet Angela Mary and hear how she left her home and family in Co Clare to join the Congregation of the Sisters of Mercy in Brisbane in 1947 and went on to become Administrator of the Mater Hospitals in Brisbane.

Angela Mary was named Queenslander of the Year in 1989, in recognition of her work during the HIV/AIDS crisis.

Messages to: Angela Mary Doyle rsm

On Thursday, 19 July, hundreds of tiny bells jingled in unison as Mercy Medical Center Cedar Rapid’s new Hall-Perrine Cancer Center officially opened its doors during a grand opening celebration. The $24.6 million center opened for patients in March, but Thursday’s event marked the completion of the construction phase.

Mercy has a legacy of marking the completion of a patient’s cancer treatment with the ringing of a bell to signify a new beginning. In recognition of that tradition, guests at the grand opening received a bell to ring in honor those affected by cancer.

A report of the opening can be accessed here.

Messages to: Pat Kenny rsm - Institute Communications Office

The Baltimore Community has said goodbye to a marvelous woman -  Mary Magdala Thompson rsm, a noted educator, psychotherapist and author.

"There was a common thread in all of the various ministries that she took up during her lifetime, and that was a genuine interest in people and the love and value of each person as an individual," said Sister Helen Amos, former president and chief executive of Mercy Medical Center...

Source: Baltimore Sun

Messages to: Carol Wheeler rsm

Sisters of Mercy and their co-ministers in almost every ministry have witnessed first-hand the effects of this economic downturn, known in the business world as a recession. Those who serve and work with persons and families who have experienced real hardships can attest to the fact that that definition captures very little of what the recession has meant to them.

A modest survey of Mercy ministries in the five Communities uncovered stories that can appall and inspire:
Mercy Center - Erie, Pennsylvania
Cabrini Clinic - Detroit Michigan
Mercy Neighborhood Ministries - Cincinnati, Ohio
Circles of Mercy - Rensselaer, New York
Mercy Center South - Bronx, New York

Read the stories linked to this item.

Messages to: Pat Kenny rsm - Institute Communications Office

The following ministry opportunities are available:

1. Americas: Project Director
The Leadership Collaborative (LC), a volunteer association of representatives from various constituencies, seeks to prepare younger vowed members, co-members, and associates of religious congregations to assume leadership in the church and society, and the Collaborative Leadership Development Program, a multi-congregational, multi-national, leadership training program for religious congregation vowed members, associates or co-members who are under the age of 60 on January 1, 2013, seek a project director.

Further details are available on the Institute website.

Messages to: personnel@sistersofmercy.org

2. Sisters of Mercy in Australia & PNG: Community Education Officer for Mercy Works inc
A person to work in the Sydney office to co-ordinate community education activities across Australia.

Mercy Works supports the local and overseas relief and development activities that are part of the vision and mission of the Sisters of Mercy across Australia and Papua New Guinea.

In Australia, we offer community education in these world development concerns. Volunteers across the country provide this education and we now need an enthusiastic person to liaise with these volunteers, providing materials, support and information.

Further details are available on the ISMAPNG website.

Messages to: mercyworks@mercy.org.au
 

 Hilda Jackson rsm who is a resident of St. Teresa’s Rest Home, Fishguard celebrated her one hundredth birthday on 10th June. She was joined by a large group of family, sisters and friends. A joyful Mass was celebrated in the convent chapel after which there was a champagne reception, a very happy birthday party at the Bay Hotel and a festive supper in the evening.

Even at 100 Sister Hilda oozes vitality, humour and wit. This unique lady thoroughly enjoyed all the excitement surrounding her birthday. It will be some time before she manages to read all the many birthday cards she received including those from the First Minister of the Welsh Assembly, and Her Majesty the Queen.

Messages to Hilda Jackson rsm c/- RSMGeneral2@aol.com

The Sisters of Mercy in the Philippines have been in the education apostolate since their arrival in 1954. The spirit of Catherine McAuley has reached out to women and children in need of protection from the pitfalls of ignorance which could make them fallen victims of abusive manipulation and unscrupulous exploitation.

Today, we are so challenged with affronts of abusive destruction of Mother Earth with irresponsible mining and deceptive manipulation of the poor through paid-off votes and with alluring promises of good pay.

Messages to: Marian Ladrera rsm

As far back as 1908, Georgian Court University in Lakewood was granting degrees to women. At the time its graduates didn’t have the right to vote.

More than a century later, the school’s realistic look at the demand for all-women colleges prompted its March decision to go coed as of Fall 2013.

“Less than 2 percent of the women going to college nationwide want a single-sex institution,” said Sister Rosemary Jeffries, president of Georgian Court.

Its decision highlights how women’s colleges are changing to meet the needs of a new generation of women. Their grandmothers simply sought access to higher education, but these women want to be equipped to hold positions of power and influence.

To watch the video announcement, click here

Messages to: Rosemary Jeffries rsm - President Georgian Court University

We are delighted to announce that Sisters Anna Mai Middleton, Gabriel Sweeney and Patricia O’Donovan, along with Evelyn Horan rsm from the Western Province will be travelling to Kolkata (Calcutta) to work with the staff of The Hope Foundation during the month of August to support their work with underprivileged children from street and slum communities...

Five students from UCC, one student from St. Patrick’s College, Carlow and a retired secondary school mother, Máire O’Toole from the West of Ireland will also be travelling...

If you or your community would like to give some financial assistance to support HOPE and to cover the travelling costs of those travelling please forward donation to Veronica Mangan, Provincial Office, Bishop Street, Cork. Thanking you in advance and do keep us in your prayers.

Messages to: Patricia O’Donovan rsm - Southern Province Vocations Group

1894: Foundation to St Mary's, Christchurch from Greymout
1981: Sisters of Mercy, Tacloban, Phillipines become autonomous

In the third video clip in this week's Feature article, Mary C Sullivan rsm speaks of the many versions of the Suscipe.

Here are links to three different versions of the Suscipe on the mercyworld.org website:

Suscipe - music by Cynthia Serjak rsm (Americas)

Suscipe - sung by Marie Cox rsm (The Congregation), composed by Elaine Deasy rsm

Suscipe - sung by Erica Marshall (Australia)

Mercy Education Project provides a caring, supportive learning environment for low-income women and girls who have experienced educational failure.

Celebrating five years of iPhone — the A to Z guide on your Apple smartphone.

Source: Tecca Weekly