Join Us for Today's Online Launch of
'In God Alone' - the Story of Catherine McAuley
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Editor: Many words have been written to tell Catherine’s story, but only two films have been produced. ‘The Circle of Mercy’, viewed by many— if not most— members of the Mercy Family, was made for the opening of Mercy International Centre in 1994. How fitting it is that in this, the Silver Jubilee Year of the Opening of the Centre, we have available to the Mercy Family, and the general public, a new version of Catherine’s life, ‘In God Alone’.
We are delighted today to welcome you to the launch online of ‘In God Alone’ and invite you to share your response to the film with the Mercy Family.
Messages to:
Mary Reynolds rsm - CEO MIA
Anna Nicholls rsm - Team Leader Heritage & Spirituality
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Vision in Action
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MIA
Chief Executive Officer Mercy International Association
Mercy International Association is seeking a Sister of Mercy for the position of Chief Executive Officer. The role of the Chief Executive Officer is to provide leadership and inspiration for the implementation of the Association’s vision in a global Mercy context. This role, based in Dublin, Ireland is characterised by unity in diversity, inclusion and respect for our multiple cultures, languages and local realities. The Chief Executive Officer represents the Association publicly and is its spokesperson.
The ideal candidate will be a Sister of Mercy deeply grounded in the Gospel and the legacy of Catherine McAuley. The Sister will have demonstrated the capacity to gather the inspiration and energies of Sisters of Mercy, associates and colleagues in ministry. She will have proven experience in leadership (at least five years in a comparable role), and be an effective team builder…
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Global Action
Announcing the Recipients of the Inaugural MIA-Mercy Global Action Emerging Leaders Fellowship 2019-2020
To mark International Women’s Day today, Mercy Global Action is pleased to announce the recipients of the Inaugural MIA-MGA Emerging Leaders Fellowship 2019-2020.
Congratulations are extended to each woman who participated fully and with enthusiasm throughout the extensive selection process.
The ten selected Fellows, come from across the Mercy World, reflect different professional and educational backgrounds, and life experiences…
Read their stories in the Fellowship section on our website.
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Catherine
'In God Alone' - Film Worksheets for Schools
Worksheets have been created to assist teachers with screening the film to students.
The worksheets are:
Junior - A4 size English
Junior- Letter size English
Junior - Letter size Spanish
Senior - A4 English
Senior - Letter size English
Senior - Letter size Spanish
These worksheets can also be found in the Catherine section of our online Library.
Messages to: Anna Nicholls rsm - Heritage & Spirituality
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MIRP
Reminder: World Water Day
On 22 March we will celebrate World Water Day (WWD). In the past fortnight we have published two outstanding water stories: the Blessing of the Rivers Ceremony (ISMAPNG) and the report on the accompaniment of the Ngäbe-Buglé people in their struggle by Edia "Tita" López rsm (Americas).
For the WWD issue of MercyeNews, we would like to publish many items from the Mercy Family - individuals. communities and ministries - on how you are addressing this critical concern of the global Mercy Family. All accounts are welcome to illustrate the variety of responses.
Please send in items (short or long) with a photo (if available) by 10 March to the Editor.
Messages to: the Editor
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Global Action
CSW63, 11-22 March
Editor: The Priority theme of the 63rd session of the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW63) – the annual gathering of States to address critical issues related to gender equality and women’s rights — is 'Social protection systems, access to public services and sustainable infrastructure for gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls’.
Sisters of Mercy will be co-sponsoring a side event with the Mission of Belarus on Human Trafficking. In addition, during this time, Sisters of Mercy will participate in a conversation about Human Trafficking at St John’s University Queens Campus, New York.
Messages to: Angela Reed rsm - MIA-MGA Coordinator
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Prayer
MIA Prayer Intention: Victorian Bushfires
Following the hottest Summer on record, Victoria, Australia is experiencing the hottest start to Autumn in 30 years. For days now Victorians have been anticipating the cooler temperature (17°C) promised by the weather bureau for today, Wednesday, to give them some relief from the intense, ever present heat.
There are currently 38 bush fires burning across the state with more than 2000 firefighters and 71 aircraft battling to control them. Victoria needs steady, soaking rain to put out the fires, water the land, cool the atmosphere and restore peoples’ energies and spirits.
Let us join our prayers with those of Victorians that the much needed rains will come.
Post a prayer in our online chapel.
Messages to: Mary Reynolds rsm - CEO MIA
Members' News
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Americas
Shareholder Action Pushes Corporations to Address Key Social Issues
‘A broad investor coalition involving religious orders, labor unions and state pension funds that control more than $3 trillion in assets is working with the nation's leading drug distributors as corporate annual meeting season nears.
The 53 members of Investors for Opioid Accountability have used their financial and moral influence as shareholders to gain agreements from corporate officials to better track distribution of the highly addictive class of drugs.
Donna Meyer, director of shareholder advocacy for Mercy Investment Services of the Sisters of Mercy, said the investors have experienced successes as well as struggles through multiple actions …’
Source: Global Sisters Report
Messages to: Donna Meyer
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Brisbane
Education Makes A Difference
The Sisters of Mercy, Brisbane Congregation contribute financially each year to the Clemente program conducted out of Australian Catholic University (ACU) McAuley Campus Banyo. The programme offers a pathway to people, who for different reasons have been unable to engage in further studies. Some Sisters also volunteer as Learning Partners, working with students to explore the content of the lectures and assist with assessment.
Education has been an integral part of the mission and ministry of the Sisters of Mercy since the foundation of the Congregation…
Messages to: Anne O’Farrell rsm
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Australia
Asylum Seekers Earn Work Experience Through MercyCare
Master gardener Sabrina Hahn is encouraging Perth business owners to get involved in a program that gives asylum seekers vital experience in the Australian workforce.
Sabrina, who’s been giving gardening advice to West Australians for 25 years also runs Hort with Heart, her own gardening, landscaping and horticultural business which took on Afghan born asylum seeker Nouman (not his real name) last year.
He was introduced to the Hort with Heart team in September by MercyCare’s Asylum Seeker Work Placement program. This program is funded by MercyCare …
Messages to: Teri O’Toole
Mercy Matters
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Resource
A New Publication by Deirdre Mullan rsm
What we say, how we speak to one another, matters.
This 19 page booklet provides an opportunity to reflect, pray and act. Divided into eight sections, it invites the reader to reflect on the words of some of the most influential people of our time, including Pope Francis, Greta Thunberg and Samantha Power, and to ask how we can use their words and thoughts to build a world fit for all.
Copies cost $1, £1 or €1 each, plus postage. Discount negotiated for bulk orders. Download the flyer.
Messages to: Deirdre Mullan rsm
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International Days
8 March: International Women's Day
The theme for International Women’s Day this year, “Think Equal, Build Smart, Innovate for Change”, puts innovation by women and girls, for women and girls, at the heart of efforts to achieve gender equality.
Resources to mark this day can be found on the UN Women’s site linked to this item.
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Fact
On This Day
1857: Foundation to Melbourne, Victoria from Perth, Western Australia - M Ursula Frayne
1996: Opening of Mercy Family Care Centre, Waterloo, Sydney
Contribute a fact from the story of your Mercy congregation, institute or federation, to our online archive.
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Resource
The latest Issue (Vol. 25, No. 3) of The MAST Journal was Recently Published
Editor Eloise Rosenblatt rsm notes that this issue, “Commencements and Awards,” brings together “neglected genre,” commencement addresses and talks given on the reception of awards and commendations…
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Prayer
10 March 2019. 1st Sunday of Lent Year C
Luke 4:1-11
'Lent is a time for personal as well as group reflection, a time for entering into the “wilderness” or “desert place” and grappling with the mysteries of life. While deserts are often depicted as uninhabited or desolate regions, anyone who has spent time in such places knows that the desert supports a rich diversity of other-than-human life...'
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Technical Tip
Power Thesauras
Built by writers for writers. The synonymic and other associations are suggested, rated and used by its visitors.
Further Resources
Worth Reading
World leaders 'have moral obligation to go vegan'
‘Many of our world leaders have remained almost silent about the UN warning that we have just 12 years to halt a climate catastrophe. That’s why the Million Dollar Vegan campaign offered $1m to charity if Pope Francis chooses to eat only plant-based foods during Lent, and encourages Catholics around the world to do the same.’
Read the article hereWorth Reading
Videos and Reports from Religious Orders Fossil Fuel Divestment Conference
On Thursday 14 February, 65 people from more than 20 Catholic religious communities attended a conference hosted by Mount Street Jesuit Centre in London entitled 'Fossil fuel divestment for a zero-carbon future: A conference for religious'.
A report by James Buchanan and videos of speeches by Fr Martin Poulson SDB, Dr Lorna Gold, and Sister Shelia Kinsey FCjM, are now available on the Bright Now website
Read the reports and View videos hereWorth Reading
Modern Day Slavery Rated World’s Largest Single Crime Industry
‘UNITED NATIONS, Feb 25 2019 (IPS) - After an exhaustive study of modern day slavery, the Geneva-based International Labour Organization (ILO) concluded there are over 40 million people who are victims of slavery, including 25 million in forced labour and 15 million in forced marriages – with at least 71 percent of them comprising women and girls.’
Read the first article in the series hereWorth Reading
How Africa can catch up with the world in the fight against poverty
‘Today, extreme poverty is mostly around Africa, where 23 of the world’s 28 poorest countries are found. These countries have poverty rates above 30%.’
Read the article hereWorth Reading
From Fragility to Prophetic Breath
In this latest issue (Winter 2019) the members of the CRC’s (Canadian Religious Conference) Theological Commission chose to focus their articles on “embracing fragilities and limits we are experiencing in our congregations and church today, and the possibilities for new life when faced with these challenges.”
Read the issue hereWorth Watching
How can I heal your broken heart (Instrumental)
Composer: Liam Lawton, Arranger: Mark Cahill
Enjoy the music hereWorth Reading
A Global Imperative: Empowering Women is Critical for World’s Economy & People
‘The IMF’s 189 member countries face many different challenges, but empowering women remains a common denominator and a global imperative for all those who care about fairness and diversity, but also productivity and growth of societies and economies that are more inclusive. If we can achieve this, we all gain.’
Read the article hereSend suggestions and contributions for the ‘Worth’ Section 2019 to The Editor
The Bottom Line
‘Standing on the threshold of the Lenten season, we are urged to “Put your Mercy on.”…In this truly acceptable time, let us “not receive the grace of God in vain.” At the threshold together we pray: Create for us clean Mercy hearts, and a merciful, steadfast spirit renew within us.
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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