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On Mission in South Sudan by Ailish O'Brien rsm
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Some members of Yambio Community.
Ailish O'Brien rsm is left, middle row
One of the first questions asked when a baby is born is ‘What is his name?’ ‘What is her name?’ Since arriving in South Sudan in July 2015 I have met people with exceptionally memorable names such as Genesis, Goodluck, Blessing, Rejoice, Hosanna, Repent and Ephesian. I have even met a young seminarian from the Nuba Mountain region of Sudan, called Mission! How must it feel for a baptised Catholic to introduce himself as ‘Mission’, to hear himself addressed as ‘Mission’, to sign himself ‘Mission’?
Coincidentally, I am reminded very much of ‘Mission’ as the month of October arrives and we reflect on the message of Pope Francis for World Mission Day, 2019. In his message, Pope Francis says, “This missionary mandate touches us personally: I am a mission, always; you are a mission, always; every baptized man and woman is a mission.” So it is not just the Sudanese seminarian who is privileged to journey throughout the whole of his life with the name of ‘Mission’. All of us baptised Christians are mandated to be ‘Mission’…
Some members of Yambio Community.
Ailish O'Brien rsm is left, middle row
Vision in Action
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Fundraising & Development
Good Cup of Tea
In her last moments, Catherine McAuley directed that the Sisters would have a good cup of tea together in the community room, after she had gone. Between 24 September and 12 December (the Season of Mercy), Mercy groups throughout the world are invited to join an international 'Good Cup of Tea' event. By supporting this event, you are helping Mercy International Association to keep the founding spirit of Catherine alive today.
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Prayer
MIA Prayer Intention: Missionary Spring in the Church
Today, a new impulse to the Church’s missionary activity is needed to face the challenge of proclaiming Jesus and his death and resurrection…
In this extraordinary missionary month, let us pray that the Holy Spirit may engender a new missionary spring for all those baptized and sent by Christ’s Church.
-Pope Francis
Post your prayer in our online Chapel
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Programmes
Programmes at MIC in 2020
A listing of programmes planned for Mercy International Centre in 2020 is linked to this item.
Choose from the variety of opportunities on offer, or contact Anna Nicholls rsm to discuss your requirements for a programme tailored to the needs of your Mercy group.
Members' News
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Americas
Mercy Burlingame Brings Holistic Approach to Mental Health
‘Facing a nationally rising tide of adolescent mental health problems, Mercy High School in Burlingame began a schoolwide initiative called the ARC Program to address the risks teens face and teach them important coping strategies.
“We’re all passionate about supporting girls and coming at it from different angles, so it’s exciting to collaborate and create a bigger picture about how to support them,” said Joy Phillips…’
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Americas
Sisters of Mercy of the Americas Support Ecological Themes of Synod on the Amazon
The Sisters of Mercy of the Americas have been eagerly anticipating the upcoming Synod of Bishops for the Pan-Amazon Region Oct. 6-27, as this important gathering of the Catholic Church resonates with our deep concern for Earth and for peoples most impacted by extractive industries and the climate crisis.
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Aotearoa New Zealand
'Healing and Gratitude': Scripture with Kathleen Rushton rsm
Kathleen Rushton rsm reflects on the story of Jesus healing ten men with leprosy in Luke 17:11-19.
Sr Kathleen writes: ‘The leprous thank Jesus. We can reflect on our own giving and receiving gratitude especially for God’s providence which we can easily overlook’.
Download the article here
Mercy Matters
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Fact
On This Day
1843: Foundation to Sunderland from St Maries of the Isle, Cork - M Aloysius O'Connell
1864: Foundation to Worcester, Massachusetts from New York - M Jerome Shubrick
Contribute a fact from the story of your Mercy congregation, institute or federation, to our online archive.
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Gospel
20 October 2019. 29th Sunday in Ordinary Time. Year C
World Mission Day
Luke 18:1-8
‘Today’s gospel begins with a reference to prayer, a favourite theme in Luke, and ends with a question about faith…’
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Digital Life - MGP
View Online Winning Images from the Insight Investment Astronomy Photographer of the Year Competition
From auroras and sunspots to galaxies and nebulas and the 35 phases of a total lunar eclipse.
All the images are on display at the National Maritime Museum in London
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Quotes
Words of Mercy
‘Christ’s mandate to proclaim the Gospel to all Nations challenges us to develop a global perspective on the Works of Mercy.’
- Constitutions
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International Days
17 October: International Day for the Eradication of Poverty
2019 Theme: Acting Together to Empower Children, their Families and Communities to End Poverty.
View the MIA-MGA leaflet for SDG Goal 1: ‘End Poverty for All’ linked to this item
Further Resources
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Worth Knowing
GSR (Global Sisters Report) in the Classroom
GSR in the Classroom helps students learn about the varied missions and ministries of Catholic women religious — and religious life — around the world. Lesson Plan Topics: Environment, Human Trafficking, Race Relations, Migration
Explore the topics here)
Worth Knowing
Report: Unlocking Potential: A Blueprint for Mobilizing Finance Against Slavery and Trafficking,
‘The Financial Sector Commission on Modern Slavery and Human Trafficking has released its final report, Unlocking Potential: A Blueprint for Mobilizing Finance Against Slavery and Trafficking, during the United Nations General Assembly in New York…’
Read the article, access the Report & details of the new project)
Worth Reading
'Ultimate gift to future generations': plan to laser map all land on Earth
‘A project to produce detailed maps of all the land on Earth through laser scanning has been revealed by researchers who say action is needed now to preserve a record of the world’s cultural, environmental and geological treasures…’
Read the article here)
Worth Reading
Holy See urges fight against violence, discrimination against women
“The Holy See condemns all forms of violence against women, including harmful stereotypes that justify violence and promote discrimination against them,” said Archbishop Bernadito Auza, addressing a meeting of the UN General Assembly on “Advancement of Women”.
Read the article here)
Worth Watching
O God , You Search Me
Lyrics by Bernadette Farrell, sung by Sunday 7pm Choir & Friends, St Francis De Sales Church, Ajax, Ontario, Canada.
Watch/listen here)
Worth Knowing
Hilton Humanitarian Symposium and Prize Ceremony
Livestreamed on 18 October. Programme here (Your time here) Topics include: What is the Future of Humanitarian Action: An Intergenerational Conversation, “Impossible is not a Fact, It is an Attitude”: A Conversation on Climate Change Solutions and When Overcoming Bias Requires Walking Toward It: A Discussion on Race
Watch live hereSend suggestions and contributions for the ‘Worth’ Section 2019 to: The Editor
The Bottom Line
‘Each of us is a mission to the world, for each of us is the fruit of God’s love.’ Read more
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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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