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Announcing the Mercy Global Action Emerging Leaders Fellowship (MELF) 2020
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Mercy International Association Extending Mercy Women’s Sphere of Influence 2020.
Applications are now invited for the 2020 fully- funded programme which seeks to build upon the capacities of women and provide them with effective tools to be agents of change in their own communities and in the greater society.
Vision in Action
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Photo by Markus Spiske on UnsplashPrayer
MIA Prayer Intention: Success of COP 25
The UN Climate Change Conference COP 25 is now underway in Spain (2-13 December 2019).
Each year since 2015 and COP 21 in Paris we have prayed the Prayer for our Earth during these days: in English, in Spanish. This year our intention is that the outstanding issues in the Climate Package will be resolved and the issues on climate change and human health be fully addressed.
Post your prayer in our online chapel.
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La Nativite a la Torche : Le Nain brothersGreeting
Invitation: Send in Your Christmas Greeting for Posting on Mercyworld.org
As we bring this year to its conclusion, we invite you to share a Christmas greeting with the global Mercy community.
Send in your greetings - text or text and image - by Tuesday, 17 December. The last issue of Mercy eNews for 2019 will be published on Wednesday, 18 December.
Messages to: the Editor
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Events & Programmes
MIA Programmes in 2020
Looking for a retreat experience, a course, a renewal programme or a pilgrimage opportunity?
All of these can be found in the programmes on offer at Baggot Street in 2020.
The list of choices is linked to this item. You are also able to pay your deposit online to secure your place.
May Hope Be Yours: CD Now Available
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L-r: Srs Frances, Patricia, MarieResource
Mercies Making Music: Now on CD
Editor: Over the years, in person and through live-streaming, the global Mercy family has been privileged to be led in prayer on Mercy Day and other celebratory occasions— such as the 20th and 25th anniversary celebrations— by the music of Marie Cox rsm, Frances Kennedy rsm and Patricia O’Donovan rsm. The most recent live-streamed event was Mercy Day 2019 Evening Prayer. Listen again here
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Resource
CD Launch 4 December in Baggot Street
How fitting it is then that tonight (4 December) their CD ‘May Hope Be Yours’ will be launched at Baggot Street at 7.30pm followed by refreshments. This follows the launch in the Ardhowen Theatre, Enniskillen on 2 December and in advance of the launch in the Mercy Hospital Chapel Cork on 6 December.
All are welcome to this event.
The CD will be on sale €15.
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Resource
Purchase the CD and Support St Vincent de Paul Society
With poverty a growing concern across the island of Ireland, Marie, Patricia & Frances have decided to donate the proceeds from the sale of their CD to the Society of St. Vincent de Paul which is committed to Fighting poverty in all its forms through their practical assistance to people in need.
Purchase the CD for €15 plus postage through the MIC Gift Shop or from Aine McGoldrick rsm and support a most worthy cause this Christmas.
Members' News
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Americas
‘Bringing Mercy to the Streets’ | Sister Libby Trikes to Serve Sacramento’s Homeless
‘Sister Libby Fernandez rides around Downtown Sacramento on her electric-assisted tricycle. She knows each homeless person she waves to by name.
“I missed you, Sharon! Would you like some coffee?” Sister Libby asks to a barefoot woman on J Street.
She’s making her morning rounds, serving the homeless coffee from a large carafe and offering them socks, gloves, beanies, toiletries and snack bars, all from the back of her trike.
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View of the Dead Sea & small puddles of waterISMAPNG
'Burning Land will become a Pool': Elaine Wainwright rsm
In an ecological reading of Isaiah 35:1-10, Elaine Wainwright rsm explains how paralysing hopelessness can change to active hope. Sr Elaine writes; ‘In our own time prophetic voices are calling us to move from the despair that can paralyse us as we face the enormity of climate change that we are experiencing already and the effects which are being predicted.’
Download the article here
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GB Institute
Whispers of Hope – Avan House
In response to the Pope’s call to welcome and protect all refugees and migrants and our 2018 Chapter Vision Statement to follow the inspiration of Catherine McAuley to be re-awakened to our Mercy call, the Institute of Our Lady of Mercy has given a donation to Whispers of Hope to enable the establishment of a Hosting Community supporting destitute women who are experiencing or fleeing from domestic abuse, or sexual exploitation and have the added complication of an uncertain or complex immigration status.
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Image: YouTubeBrisbane
‘An Epidemic of Sadness and Pain’
‘Why does the miracle of birth prompt the toughest mental journey of a woman’s life? From the depths of her own heartbreak, Sister Mary Angela emerged on a mission.’
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Aotearoa New Zealand
An Advent Project – Unfolding Quietly by God’s Good Grace
‘…The architects of our PJP have outlined an evolving pathway to move our organisations from where we are to where we hope to be. The new will emerge, without a great deal of noise or upheaval. The first of four phases involves a process of investigation, with the Sponsorship Committee and its three working parties clarifying the purpose of the ministerial PJP and the structures we shall need for a new entity to be created….’
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Americas
A Personal Reflection on Mercy-ing: 'Emerging Cosmic Dawn'
A year ago young Mercies walked into the auditorium at Mercy Center St. Louis with open hearts. Days later, we walked out with the seeds of a new dream and a new vision. That gathering began something new for the Sisters of Mercy of America…
This year the ILT called us together again, this time in Lima, Peru…
Mercy Matters
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Fact
On This Day
Nothing is recorded in our online calendar (Source: Mercy Through the Years) as having taken place on this date. Can you contribute a Mercy fact from your congregation or institute?
Contribute a fact from the story of your Mercy congregation, institute or federation, to our online archive.
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Gospel
2nd Sunday of Advent Year A
Matthew 3:1-12
'Desertification of earth is becoming the norm in these troubled times of ours and wilderness or desert features powerfully in today’s gospel reading. The desert is the biblical place of encounter with God, the place of beginnings and of testing. The voice of John the Baptizer is heard in the Judean desert. His food and clothing are desert-derived. John is identified as the one of whom Isaiah spoke, the voice crying out in the wilderness, “Prepare the way….”'
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Resource
2020 Laudato Si’ + 5 Conference – Blueprint for a Blue-Green Planet
To commemorate the five year anniversary of Laudato Si’, ISMAPNG, in conjunction with the Australian Catholic University, has organised a three and a half day conference at the Seville Conference Centre in Cairns between 7 and 10 June 2020.
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Digital Life
Live Radio at Radio Garden
Radio Garden allows users to tune in to live radio around the world. Simply spin the 3-D globe, click on a glowing green dot, representing a city or small town, and choose a radio station. Among the hundreds of choices is Alpha Boys School Radio in Jamaica. It plays only music featuring past and current students of this 140-year-old vocational school in Kingston founded by the Sisters of Mercy.
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International Days
5 December: World Soil Day
‘Caring for the planet starts from the ground up.’
2019 theme: Stop soil erosion, keep soil where it belongs!
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UN Photo #117539. Used with permissionInternational Days
10 December: Human Rights Day
71 years ago (1948), Eleanor Roosevelt (shown above) was instrumental in drafting the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. But she was not alone. Discover who are the women who shaped the major instrument for the defense of Human Rights.
Further Resources
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Worth Knowing
Cardinal Turkson: We must reverse degradation of our oceans and seas
During his speech, the Cardinal focused his attention on five guiding principles.
Read the article here)
Worth Reading
Climate change is forcing one person from their home every two seconds, Oxfam says
‘(CNN) Climate-fueled disasters have forced about 20 million people a year to leave their homes in the past decade -- equivalent to one every two seconds -- according to a new report from Oxfam’
Read the article here)
Worth Reading
Stop Trafficking!
The December 2019 issue (vol 17 no.12) is now available. This issue highlights the situation of men in human trafficking.
Read the newsletter here)
Worth Reading
Apostolic Letter ‘Admirabile Signum’ on Meaning and Importance of the Nativity Scene
‘The nativity scene is like a living Gospel rising up from the pages of sacred Scripture.’
Read the letter hereSend suggestions and contributions for the ‘Worth’ Section 2019 to: The Editor
Members of Mercy International
‘Through my 20 plus years of working directly with people experiencing homelessness on the streets of Sacramento, I found that being present in the moment, sharing a cup of coffee together, and calling the person by “name” are the most important gifts one can offer. As a Mercy Pedaler my daily mission is to “welcome” each person I meet with dignity and respect.’
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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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