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Mercy Sister Gives Major Presentation on Interreligious Dialogue
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Carol Rittner, rsm (Americas) was one of the featured speakers at Florida Atlantic University on Sunday, January 27, 2019. Her lecture, “Interreligious Dialogue in the 21st Century” was part of the 2019 Shemin Trialogue, Jews, Christians, and Muslims: Trialogue in the Age of Extremism, Promise and Peril. The lecture, to a standing room only audience in the auditorium of the Performing Arts Center at the university, was attended by people of all faiths, and none, interested in how we can move away from the dangerous political and social rhetoric and threats of our times when “the other" is often perceived as different, is ostracized, threatened and cast aside…
Messages to: Carol Rittner rsm
MIA Vision in Action
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Prayer
MIA Prayer Intention: Interfaith Harmony
This week, 3-5 February, at the invitation of Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, Pope Francis visited the United Arab Emirates (UAE), the first ever pope to visit the Arabian Peninsula. This year also marks 800 years since the historic meeting for peace between St. Francis of Assisi and Sultan al-Kamil during the Fifth Crusade.
In this World Interfaith Harmony Week (1-7 February), let us pray for peaceful and harmonious relationships between people of different religions, faiths and belief systems.
Post a prayer in our online chapel.
Messages to: Mary Reynolds rsm - CEO MIA
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Global Action
International Day of Prayer and Awareness Against Human Trafficking, 8 February
Talitha Kum, the International Network of Consecrated Life Against Trafficking in Persons, has prepared a prayer vigil in English and Spanish for use on 8 February. This year’s theme is ‘Together Against Human Trafficking.’
Pope Francis asks this month, that we pray with him, "that all may welcome the victims of human trafficking, of enforced prostitution and of violence." Jeanne Christensen rsm (Americas) Director of USCSAHT calls today for action from us all
Additional resources and background material for marking this day can be found newly added on our website here, in the Global Action section and in the Library
Messages to: the Editor
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Prayer
MIA Special Prayer Intention: Extreme Weather Events
Yet again, our special intention is for all who are impacted by extreme weather events.
We are particularly conscious of the unprecedented flooding in Townsville, Far North Queensland, Australia. To date, no Sister has been harmed but it is a very anxious time for the Mercies there, as it is for all the people of Townsville.
As we read and view reports of weather extremes, let us pray with and for all those whose homes and livelihoods have been damaged or destroyed, including by drought, floods and bushfires in Australia. Let us also pray that governments everywhere will address the issue of climate change with conviction and action.
Post a prayer in our online chapel.
Messages to: Mary Reynolds rsm - CEO MIA
MIA Members' News
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Americas
Campus Community Launches Food Pantry in Memory of Catherine McAuley
The Misericordia University Office of Mission Integration in collaboration with the Office of Student Life and the project team from the Staff Leadership Development Program, launched McAuley Market, a food pantry open to students, staff and faculty on the campus in Dallas, Pennsylvania.
During the ceremonial opening, Christine Somers, director of Campus Ministry, cited a need to provide support for those in the Misericordia community who are food insecure…
Messages to: Jean Massaros rsm - Vice President for Mission Integration
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The Congregation
Living In Service Of Compassion And Justice
If we are brave enough to follow the news from around the world, we cannot but be painfully aware of the chaos around us. A large number of countries are involved in armed combat, governments are failing, corruption is rife and protests are a daily occurrence.
In all of this: as Johanna Macy asks, “How do we face the mess we are in without going crazy?”
On Saturday 26th January, the various religious congregations around Johannesburg were invited by the Dominican congregations to spend some time reflecting on Johanna Macy’s question in our South African context…
Messages to: Colleen Wilkinson rsm
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Image: Stock photoAmericas
Mercy Concentrates Energy Behind Efforts to Employ People with Disabilities
‘In 2016, the St. Louis-based health system pledged to hire 60 new employees with disabilities and offer disability inclusion training to 26,000 employees at seven hospitals in Missouri, Arkansas and Oklahoma. Those seven hospitals piloted a program for the entire system, made up of 40 hospitals and some 44,000 employees in those three states and Kansas…’
Source: Catholic Health World
Messages to: Nancy Corbett
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Great Britain
Presentation of Campion Medal
Manresa House, Birmingham played host to the presentation of the Campion Medal to Martina and Colette in recognition of their service to the Society of Jesus, especially to the Novitiate community in Birmingham. Colette and Martina were formerly members of the Congregation of the Sisters of Mercy, and remain closely connected with us…
Messages to: Martina and Colette c/- Annette McCartan rsm
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ISMAPNG
A Passion for the Environment
‘17-year-old Christa Hubik is vice-captain of the Academy of Mary Immaculate in Fitzroy [Victoria, Australia] and a strong advocate for protecting our environment…
At the end of her Year 9 in 2016, Christa wrote a pitch to her principal with two other students at the Academy to create a student group focussed on protecting our planet.
Earth at Academy was launched in 2017 and currently has around 30 student members.
“Our motto for Earth at Academy is the quote from Robert Swan: “The greatest threat to our planet is the belief that someone else will save it.”…’
Source: Yarra City News
Messages to: Christa Hubik c/- Academy
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Aotearoa New Zealand
True Disciples Grounded in God: Scripture with Kathleen Rushton rsm
Kathleen Rushton rsm interprets Jesus’ teaching on the Beatitudes as told in Luke 6:17-49. Sr Kathleen writes: ‘We can reflect on the sermon on the plain and its context for authentic discipleship for our time. Like Jesus, we can seek solitude and prayer in nature around us. And we can reflect on how “the twelve” provide a window for God’s mission of healing the Earth and the poor today…’
Messages to: Kathleen Rushton rsm
Mercy Matters
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Gospel
10 February 2019. 4th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year C
'This week’s gospel reading continues the story of Jesus in the synagogue at Nazareth. At first he is universally accepted: the people of Nazareth marvel at the gracious words he utters. They identify him as Joseph’s son. By the end of the story, however, these same people actually try to kill him. So, what happens in between to cause such a dramatic change of heart?...'
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Reflection
Daniel O'Leary RIP
Daniel O’Leary, priest, teacher and author, whose writings in The Tablet, on his website, in Tui Motu and in book form, as well as his talks and retreats, are known and appreciated by many Mercies (among other audiences), died on 21 January. His latest book An Astonishing Secret is based on the writings of Pope Francis, opening readers’ eyes to revelations about God, Creation, and Incarnation.
Among the tributes: the reflection ‘The Autumn of Daniel O’Leary’s Life’ , by Mercy Partners and ‘Daniel O'Leary RIP’ by Ann Gilroy rsj in Tui Motu
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Resource
Holocaust Essay Collection: Second Edition Announced
A second edition of The Holocaust and the Christian World: Reflections on the Past, Challenges for the Future, was recently published by Paulist Press, featuring a collection of essays by Christian and Jewish scholars detailing the world's descent into the madness of anti-Semitism. This new edition of the book also includes documentation of more recent efforts to repent and to change the teaching of contempt within various Christian churches.
Carol Rittner rsm (Americas) is an editor of this collection
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Facts
On This Day
1844: Foundation to Nottingham from St Mary’s Handsworth: M Angela Borini
1862: Branch House opened at Parnell
2013: 500th issue of Mercy eNews published
Contribute a fact from the story of your Mercy congregation, institute or federation, to our online archive.
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International Days
Chinese Lunar New Year
This year is the Year of the Pig on the Chinese Lunar calendar, representing abundance, diligence, enthusiasm and generosity.
We wish all members of the Mercy Family who celebrate this day a very happy New Year.
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Technical Tip
How to Delete Online Accounts You No Longer Need
Instructions for deleting: Blogger, Facebook, Flickr, Foursquare, Google+, Instagram, LinkedIn, Live Journal, Myspace, Pinterest, Snapchat, Tumblr, Twitter, Whatsapp, YouTube.
Further Resources
Worth Reading
Opinion: We rely on water for everything we need. Why don't we manage it that way?
Every year, the World Economic Forum asks leaders from government, business, and civil society to rank their most pressing risks. For eight consecutive years, including 2019, water crises have been in the top 5. Water is up with climate change, extreme weather, infectious disease, and cyber attacks at the tip of the world risk pyramid…
Read the article hereWorth Watching
Behrouz Boochani: detained asylum seeker wins Australia's richest literary prize
Behrouz Boochani, a Kurdish Iranian asylum seeker, journalist and writer, has won Australia’s most prestigious literary prize for a book he wrote while detained on Manus Island in Papua New Guinea where he is still exiled. Boochani composed ‘*No Friend but the Mountains’* by texting one line at a time from inside a detention centre.
‘This proves that words still have the power to challenge inhumane systems and structures’ (Boochani)
Watch the acceptance speech hereWorth Reading
Become a Young Champion of the Earth 2019
In 2019, seven young people aged 18-30, selected from every global region will be named UN Young Champions of the Earth.
These winners will receive: seed funding, intensive training, and tailored mentorship to bring their big environmental ideas to life.
Worth Watching
Listen to 'Becoming What We Pray'
From the lyrics:
‘When the hungry are fed, the naked are clothed,
and children living on the street are given a home,
when believers truly practice what we pray, then the world will be transformed.’
Worth Reading
'Stop Trafficking'
The February 2019 issue (vol. 17, no. 2) is now online. This issue highlights the growth of partnerships and networking and provides some examples.
Download it hereWorth Playing
Seeking Peace
Georgetown’s Institute for Women, Peace and Security (GIWPS) has launched Seeking Peace, a new podcast featuring some of the world’s most influential leaders and celebrity activists as they explore the role of women in preventing conflict and achieving sustainable peace. The first two episodes are available.
Ep 1: Kristen Bell. Ep 2: Hillary Clinton
Send suggestions and contributions for the ‘Worth’ Section 2019 to The Editor
The Bottom Line
‘A fraternal living together, founded on education and justice; a human development built upon a welcoming inclusion and on the rights of all: these are the seeds of peace which the world’s religions are called to help flourish…’
Pope Francis, Address to Interfaith Meeting at Founder’s Memorial in Abu Dhabi, 4 February 2019
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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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