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Over 60,000 years of Continuous Occupation & Culture of Darug People Acknowledged & Honoured by Parramatta Congregation
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Ground painting seen from the air. Photo by Alphonsus Fok, 2018
Out of their strong commitment to the recognition and acknowledgement of over 60,000 years of continuous occupation and lived culture of the Darug people in this area, the Sisters of Mercy Parramatta commissioned a ground painting by Ngemba artist Danny Eastwood. It is situated on the site of the first Convent in Australia which was built by the Sisters of Charity in 1839 and now houses the Congregation Centre of the Sisters of Mercy Parramatta and Our Lady of Mercy College Parramatta.
On Saturday, October 13th, 2018 a launch for the ground painting was held at the site.
Messages to: Maria Lawton rsm - Congregation Leadership Team
Ground painting seen from the air. Photo by Alphonsus Fok, 2018
MIA Vision in Action
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Prayer
MIA Prayer Intention: The Work of the United Nations
Today, UN Day, marks the anniversary of the UN Charter, signed on 26 June 1945 in San Francisco, at the conclusion of the United Nations Conference on International Organization, and entering into force on 24 October 1945.
Let us pray for the success of the United Nations in achieving its purposes (Article 1) and in addressing global issues.
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Global action
Help Create an Antarctic Ocean Sanctuary
Having commenced on Monday this week and for the next two weeks, a commission made up of 24 countries and the EU is meeting in Hobart, Australia to decide if they should create the world’s largest protected area at nearly 1.8 million sq km which is five times the size of Germany, or 200 times the size of Yellowstone National Park.
You can add your voice by signing the petition here
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Programmes
Catherine's Experience of Grief
Catherine experienced the death of a number of significant people during her life. Explore how she lived with these losses and the messages of comfort she offers to those who grieve.
This two-day programme will be held on the weekend of 24-25 November.
MIA Members' News
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Gift of the artist Towfig Alquady to the CentreBrisbane
Romero – A Multicultural Hub
On Sunday 14 October, the Romero Multicultural Hub and the El Salvadoran communities in Brisbane had much to celebrate and rejoice about with the canonisation of their patron, St Oscar Romero.
In 2003 the Romero Centre came under the auspices of the Sisters of Mercy Brisbane and today continues as a vibrant outreach activity centre of Mercy Community Services SEQ Ltd, providing free support for asylum seekers in Brisbane. The support provided includes emergency help, accommodation, legal expertise and connections, English classes, skills education and community events.
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Americas
Mercy Representatives Join Effort for Green Affordable Housing
On September 11-12, 2018, delegates representing Buddhists, Catholics and housing developers presented to the Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue (PCID) and the Pope three proposals addressing affordable green housing. Sister Amy Bayley, regional vice president of community planning, represented Mercy Housing California. Sister Linda Werthman, chair of the national Mercy Housing Board was in the delegation representing a project from Mercy Housing in Chicago. On September 11, the delegation had a good conversation with Bishop Ayuso, Secretary of PCID.
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Bryan Pini, President & Chief Investment Officer Mercy Investment ServicesAmericas
Mercy Investment Services Signs UN Commitment to Responsible Investment
As another step in its commitment as a leading socially responsible investor, Mercy Investment Services recently signed the United Nations Principles for Responsible Investment (UNPRI). Joining the internationally recognized UNPRI publicly demonstrates Mercy Investment Services' commitment to responsible investment, and offers access to leading research, reports and guides that will support MIS' corporate engagements.
Mercy Investment Services is proud to be a member of UNPRI and looks forward to the collaborations and resources that will strengthen our socially responsible investment program.
Messages to: Mercy Investment Services
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Aotearoa New Zealand
Caring for Creation in Aotearoa and the Pacific
On the 27th August MGA NZ (Mercy Global Action New Zealand) had a special meeting with Caritas Aotearoa New Zealand and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MFAT) on the Government’s proposed climate migration policy within the Pacific. This meeting was at the request of MFAT and both organisations were asked for feedback on the proposed policy. The policy itself is pioneering and shows the present government’s foresight in seeing immigration due to Climate.
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ISMAPNG
Sacred Spaces Helps Drought Affected Farmers
On Sunday, 21 October, Sacred Spaces Singleton hosted a fundraising event to support drought affected farmers in NSW. Drought has been declared across 100% of NSW.
All money raised was donated to the ‘Buy a Bale’ fund, a rural aid programme donating hay, diesel, water or hampers to farmers that are affected by this drought.
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Americas
Mini-series on Extractive Industries
The Inter-religious Working Group on Extractive Industries of which the Sisters of Mercy of the Americas Institute Justice Team is a member, has produced this three-part series:
Mercy Matters
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Fact
On This Day
1838: M Vincent Hartnett professed - Limerick
1851: Foundation to Loughrea, Galway from Baggot Street - M Magdalen Bourke
1969: Foundation to Yola, Nigeria from Dungarvan, Co. Waterford - M Philomena Kelly
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Organisation
The Forgotten Women
Sandra Lupi rsm (Brisbane) is a Board Director of this unique housing initiative for women over 55 years of age. Women over 55 are the fastest growing homeless population in Australia. More than 40,000 women in Queensland over the age of 65 are ‘at risk of homelessness and/ or doing it tough’.
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Gospel
28 October 2018
30th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year B
Mark 10: 46-52
‘What is it that we fail to see? Today’s gospel reading brings to closure a long section of Mark’s gospel that focuses on the journey of Jesus and his disciples from Caesarea Philippi in the north to Jericho in the south…’
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Digital Life
How to Reduce your Food Print
Websites have been developed to help users measure their ecological footprint, slavery footprint, digital footprint and their carbon footprint. This new website aims to help users with their food print so that they shop, cook and eat more sustainably.
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Global Action
Global Center on Adaptation
The Global Commission on Adaptation, launched 16 October, is a new initiative led by Ban Ki-Moon, Bill Gates and Kristalina Georgieva, CEO, World Bank to catalyze a global movement to bring scale and speed to climate adaptation solutions.
Watch the video from the Global Center on Adaptation.
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Days
International Artists Day, 25 October
Celebrates the contribution all artists make to society by promoting and raising their credibility and visibility locally and around the world.
Enjoy a work of art today, in person or online. Explore WikiArt (formerly known as WikiPaintings) an online, user-editable visual art encyclopedia
Our New Website
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Chronology
Chronologies of Catherine and of MIA
There are two illustrated chronologies (timelines) on the new website. In the About section there is a chronology of a number of highlights of MIA since its establishment in 1992. In the Catherine section there is a chronology of Catherine’s life, written by Mary C. Sullivan rsm (Americas).
Enjoy exploring these.
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News
News Section
Clicking on the section News Room will bring you to the Latest news section where all the latest news added to the website can be found.
For quick access to a news item on a particular topic, search one of the 8 news categories.
To re-read a previous issue of MercyeNews, choose ‘Enews’ from the list of categories.
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Members of MIA
Members of MIA
Wondering who the Members (the leaders of Mercy Congregations, Institutes and Federations) of MIA are? Visit this page. Clicking on each of the photos will bring you to more information and contact details for each Sister’s congregation, institute or federation.
Further Resources
Worth Watching
Pope's Prayer Intention: The Mission of Religious
‘Religious, with their prayer, poverty, and patience, are essential to the Church’s mission.
More than ever, with the challenges of today’s world, we need their complete dedication to proclaiming the Gospel.’
Worth Watching
Your Light
The Canadian Mental Health Association, Newfoundland Division (CMHA-NL) and the Ennis Sisters collaborated on a project to help those people struggling with any form of mental health, to produce a video with a powerful message of hope. Filmed at Cape Spear Newfoundland
Watch videoWorth Reading
'New Power'
How “new power” is reshaping politics, business and society – and how understanding how it works could change your life. Book details.
Read articleWorth Reading
Washing Away Poverty
Universal access to water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) is critical to the advancement of the developing world. This new series looks at some of the root causes and the innovative WASH solutions being carried out across the developing world.
Follow the series hereWorth Knowing
Human Capital Project
The World Bank recently released its Human Capital Index on 11 October 2018, part of the Human Capital Project. The index seeks to measure how much economic productivity per capita is being lost because of underinvestment in human capital.
Find out moreWorth Reading
Going Above And Beyond To End Poverty
With nearly half the world living on less than $5.50 a day, a new World Bank report introduces new tools to help countries better identify the poor and implement policies to improve living standards.
Find out moreMembers of Mercy
The Bottom Line
‘If we are to banish poverty in our world, if we are to live sustainably, God invites us to build a different kind of economy – an Economy of Life – where we, human beings, celebrate the sacred gift of life; where we tend the Earth that sustains us with love and respect for all creation; and where all of us, sisters and brothers, jointly develop systems of sharing and enjoy the basic necessities of life.’
-Rev. Dr Olav Fykse Tveit,
World Council of Churches General Secretary, Poverty and Inequality in a Time of Climate Change, 16 October 2018
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Mercy eNews
The online newsletter of Mercy International Association is published fortnightly, 24 weeks each year and distributed to subscribers via email.
For more information on the directors click here
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