Watering the Roots at the Wellsprings of Mercy
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This 4-week renewal programme for vowed Mercy women seeking refreshment and renewal will be conducted from 4pm on Sunday 19 May to 11am Friday 14 June 2018.
Anne Curtis rsm (Americas), Brenda Dolphin rsm (The Congregation), Margaret Daly-Denton and the MIA Team will present the programme.
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MIA Vision in Action
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Prayer
MIA Prayer Intention: World Mental Health Day, 10 October
We pray with all persons who suffer from a mental illness and for their relatives, friends, neighbours and carers who support them on their journey to recovery.
We pray for understanding of mental illness and for a society where those living with mental illness do not experience stigma and discrimination…
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Programmes & Events
Young Mercy Leaders' Pilgrimage
The Pilgrimage will commence at 10am on Tuesday, 16 July 2019 and conclude at 4.30pm on Friday, 19 July 2019.
Group leaders are asked to pre-register their Pilgrimage group here before 30 November 2018 and estimate numbers for our planning purposes.
Messages to: Anna Nicholls rsm-Team Leader Heritage & Spirituality
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UN Environment's Faith for Earth Initiative
In November 2017, UN Environment (UNEP) launched its Faith for Earth Initiative, recognising the influence of faith-based organisations around the world. It is evident that ’almost all religions address the issue of creation of the universe, or universes, in different forms and with varying degrees of clarity or detail. However, all religions agree that the creation is an act of God and should be treated as such’…
MIA Members' News
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The Congregation
Where are they? Carlow Museum Searching for Six Families for Unveiling of Plaque
‘Carlow Museum is searching for six families – related to seven Mercy nuns who set out from Carlow [Ireland] to Pittsburgh [USA] on November 4, 1843 to establish a convent there. There are plans to commemorate the seven this year with the County Council, St Leo’s College and the Mercy Sisters.
The families being sought are Warde, Cullen, Reid, Strange, McDarby and O’Briens…’
Source: Carlow Live
Read about Carlow University honouring the first Mercy Sisters in the United States
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Americas
Sisters of Mercy Condemn Treatment of Migrant Children
The Sisters of Mercy of the Americas are outraged and appalled by the recent reports of immigrant children being moved to detention camps under the cover of darkness. The image of children lined up and marched into camps while disturbing, pales in comparison to the trauma and uncertainty these young girls and boys and their families will experience for years to come.
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The Congregation
A Reflection on the Canonisation to sainthood of Blessed Archbishop Oscar Romero
In Rome on14th October, 2018, Oscar Romero and Pope Paul VI will be canonised as saints. As a Mercy Sister, who ministered in Peru for a number of years, I would like to share my reflections on Oscar Romero….
May the life of St Oscar Romero be an inspiration to all of us, as we strive to be a Mercy Global Presence responding to the cry of the Earth and the cry of the Poor in a new way.
Messages to: Sheila Curran rsm
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Americas
20th Anniversary Gala: Sanctuary in All Seasons
Cranaleith Spiritual Center celebrated its 20th Anniversary at a gala September 27, 2018, at Knowlton Mansion in Northeast Philadelphia, attended by more than 200 business and nonprofit leaders and philanthropists.
Cranaleith, which means "sanctuary of trees" in Gaelic, is a retreat and conference center whose mission is to offer a contemplative space for those seeking reflection, renewal and transformation.
Messages to: Mary-Anne Smith - Marketing Director
Aotearoa New Zealand
'No Place for Greed': Scripture with Kathleen Rushton rsm
Kathleen Rushton rsm interpreting Mark 10:17-31, highlights how greed works against discipleship of Jesus.
Sr Kathleen writes, ‘We can help to make changes. For example, we can advocate for workers to receive the living wage…
Jesus looks attentively at us, but solidarity with the least will require us to look attentively around us, too.’
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Americas
Q&A: Youth-led organization targets Rhode Island’s approach to fossil fuels
‘Earlier this month, [Nature’s Trust Rhode Island] the youth-led environmental nonprofit presented its challenge to the state with support from the Sisters of Mercy Ecology, a faith-based ecological justice organization...’
Source: Energy News Network
Aotearoa New Zealand
Ngā Whaea Atawhai Sisters of Mercy Aotearoa on Video
Earlier this year, Ngā Whaea Atawhai Sisters of Mercy Aotearoa commissioned Stun Media from Wellington to make a suite of videos and powerpoint presentations. In 3 videos the historic and contemporary ministries of the Mercy family are explored. Their work is looked at through the lens of the diverse people working within these ministries.
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ISMAPNG
God as Gardener
In 2017, the volume on the Gospel of John in the Earth Bible Commentary Series was published. Written by Margaret Daly-Denton, the commentary’s subtitle is “Supposing Him to be the Gardener”. As many would be aware, these words come from John 20:15, during the encounter between Mary Magdalene and the risen Jesus. A few years ago, I heard Daly-Denton present a paper at a biblical conference and she commented on the subtitle she had given to her then work-in-progress. In relation to the context of John 20:15, she said, “Of course, the irony is that Jesus is the gardener!”…
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ISMAPNG
New Unit Helps to Destigmatise Mental Health
In the lead-up to World Mental Health Day on 10 October, Member for Werribee Tim Pallas officially opened the Clare Moore Building, a 54-bed inpatient mental health unit at Werribee Mercy Hospital, named after Sr Mary Clare Moore, a dedicated nurse, who worked alongside Florence Nightingale during the Crimean War. The purpose-built building houses two inpatient wards for the region’s most vulnerable mental health patients.
Read ‘The Crimean Journals of The Sisters of Mercy 1854-1856’
Mercy Matters
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Gospel
14 October 2018
14 October 2018. 28th Sunday in Ordinary Time -Year B.
Mark 10:17-30
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Technical TIP
Windows 10 October 2018 Update: Everything you Need to Know
Latest Microsoft update comes with new emoji, smart keyboards, cloud-powered clipboards and faster, more considerate updates.
Source: The Guardian
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Reflection
The Prophetic Nature of Laudato Si'
‘‘‘Laudato si’ is not a document,” Fr Zampini said. ‘Laudato si’ is a prayer…a proposal to rediscover the way we live together in our common home,” not just something to read…Lifestyle changes…are “not really what ‘Laudato si’ is about…The encyclical is about a spiritual conversion that changes our heart in a way that motivates us to reconsider “how we produce, how we trade, how and what we buy, what we consume and what we waste.”’
Fact
On This Day
1852: Foundation to Athy from Baggot Strreet - M Vincent Whitty, M Teresa Maher
1888: M Teresa White died - Foundress Galway/Clifden
Contribute a fact from the Story of your Mercy congregation or institute to our online archive.
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Mercy Organisations
Carlow University, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Carlow University, rooted in its Catholic identity and embodying the heritage and values of the Sisters of Mercy, offers transformational educational opportunities for a diverse community of learners and empowers them to excel.
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Quote
Words of Mercy
‘As we break the bread of our lives, we touch the world.’
-Lucille Ciafre
Our New Website
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Digital Life
Reading MercyeNews on a Smartphone or Tablet
Our new website uses responsive design, meaning it adapts to the device site visitors are viewing it on. When viewed on a smartphone or tablet, the various sections of MercyeNews line up in a single column, displaying the first article in each section with the subsequent articles indicated by a series of dots. So when reading on a smartphone or tablet, simply swipe right to see the next item in that category (MIA Vision in Action, MIA Members’ News etc) or swipe left to see a previous item in that category. Enjoy!
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Prayer
Posting a Prayer in a Prayer Space
There are three prayer spaces on our website: the Baggot Street Chapel, Catherine’s Grave and the Canonisation Cause Prayer Centre.
We have made some adjustments to the instructional text in each space for clarity and consistency.
When praying in each of these prayer spaces now, the first action is to ‘Type the first name of the person for whom you are praying’.
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Digital Life
Secondary Links
When there is further information about an eNews item that appears in MercyeNews, a blue ‘Read More’ link appears.
When there is an additional related article on the topic that we wish to draw your attention to, the title of that article appears in the eNews item in pink. There are three such instances in the Members’ News section of this issue of MercyeNews.
Further Resources
Worth Knowing
Stop Slavery Hub
Thomson Reuters Foundation has just launched the world's largest news and information source on modern slavery
Visit the HubWorth Watching
The Call of Wisdom
Nigel Short Conductor, Tenebrae and the English Chamber Orchestra perform Will Todd’s composition.
EnjoyWorth Reading
Casting Stones
‘Across the Burren I climbed, through the morning’s gray west-of-Ireland drizzle. With half-a-dozen fellow pilgrims and a guide named Pius, I was making my way toward the holy well of a sixth-century saint called Colman mac Duagh. In my pocket was a jagged little stone I’d picked up by the gate, but I’m pretty sure I’d been carrying it with me for a long time...’
Read the StoryWorth Reading
Against the Odds: Women Leading the Struggle for Global Justice
An overview of some of the many areas where women are leading and creating change around the world.
Read the Report from TrócaireWorth Knowing
Catholic Women Speak Network Calls for Church Reform, Focus on Women
The event was the official launch of the new book Visions and Vocations, a collection of theological and personal reflections by Catholic women. It is a follow up to the 2015 volume Catholic Women Speak: Bringing Our Gifts to the Table. Both were published by Paulist Press for Catholic Women Speak.
Read moreWorth Reading
Waters of life, Oceans of Mercy: Caritas State of the Environment for Oceania 2018 report
In its fifth environment report for Oceania, Caritas has called for an integrated approach to tackling climate change that prioritises the needs of the poor.
Read the ReportWorth Reading
Why the Next Three Months are Crucial for the future of the Planet
Two forthcoming major climate talks offer governments an opportunity to respond to this year’s extreme weather with decisive action.
Read the articleWorth Reading
Stop Trafficking
The October 2018 (Vol.16 No.10) issue is now available. This issue highlights how financial institutions, hospitals, hotels/motels and housing needs both foster and prevent human trafficking.
Read the issueWorth Knowing
Huge Risk if Global Warming Exceeds 1.5C, warns landmark UN report
Urgent changes needed to cut risk of extreme heat, drought, floods and poverty, says IPCC (UN Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change).
An infographic of key facts can be seen here.
Read the articleSend suggestions and contributions for the Worth Section 2018 to The Editor
The Bottom Line
‘…if Christians are to cogently and consistently represent the face of mercy—which is the face of Christ—in this valley of tears, then in some fashion, I think, they must find ways to gather together for prayer, to sing the psalms and canticles, to practice silence in the name of charity, to readily confess their faults to each other, and to receive strangers as Christ.’
Luke Timothy Johnson, How a Monk Learns Mercy, 26 September 2018
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Mercy eNews
The online newsletter of Mercy International Association is published weekly, 48 weeks each year and distributed to subscribers via email.
For more information on the directors click here