Mercy and Presentation Speakers Forum - A Collaborative Initiative Over Two Decades Strong
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John Philip Newell addressing latest Newfoundland forum gathering
Editor: In the ‘Further Resources’ section of last week’s Mercy eNews (Issue #852), we included a link to an interview with Patricia Murray ibvm, Executive Secretary for UISG, discussing intercongregational collaboration. This week’s feature article highlights one longstanding example.
More than two decades ago, in response to a need and strong desire for ongoing spiritual formation in the wider community, the two Newfoundland & Labrador, Canada Congregations – the Sisters of Mercy and the Presentation Sisters, collaborated on creating the Mercy/Presentation Speakers Forum. The planning and coordinating team comprises Associates and Sisters from both of the Congregations. It is now a highly anticipated and well-attended Fall [Autumn] happening, incorporating engagement from within the wider community as well.
The initial focus was on the weaving together of spirituality, justice, ethics and Christianity for the 20th and 21st centuries…
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John Philip Newell addressing latest Newfoundland forum gathering
Vision in Action
MIA
MIA Board Farewells Mary Reynolds rsm
Editor: Last weekend at their first meeting at MIC for 2020, the MIA Board took the opportunity to thank Mary Reynolds rsm for her 11 years of dedicated service to MIA.
A commemorative brass plaque engraved ‘In gratitude to Mary Reynolds rsm, CEO of Mercy international Association 2009-2020’ was unveiled on one of the three benches in the Sacred Garden during a ritual on Friday afternoon, 7 February…
Events & Programmes
Final Reminder: Ireland Pilgrimage
Bookings for the Ireland Pilgrimage close this Friday, 14 February 2020. If you are thinking about taking part in this first MIA guided pilgrimage journey, please contact us by Friday.
Download the flyer
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Prayer
MIA Prayer Intention: World Day of Prayer for the Sick, 11 February
Let us join our prayers today with all who are ill and suffering-
for our Sisters who, in the midst of their suffering, bring a ministering presence;
for those persons whose names are on our prayer list;
for those who today will find themselves in need of prayers for healing;
for those diagnosed with coronavirus…
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Reflective Poster 2: 'Earth & Integral Ecology'
Available now to help 'bridge' the time between Segments One and Two, encourage reflection and provide newcomers with an entry point into the Mercy Global Presence (MGP) process.
Members' News
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Brisbane
St Mary's Biennial Cultural Immersion
Students and staff from St Mary’s College Ipswich departed on 30 November for the biennial Cambodia Immersion, an opportunity for mutual cultural exchange, learning and personal growth.
The Immersion has taken place every two years since 2013, and the College was proud this year to be sending the largest contingent to date. Sixteen students were accompanied by four staff members, including Principal Judith Finan, and Sister of Mercy, Sr Mary Lawson. The immersion is held in partnership with Cambodian organisations such as Metta Karuna, run by Sr Denise Coghlan…
The Congregation
Mercy Interviewed on Soul Waves Radio
Sheila Curran rsm features in the latest interviews by Miriam Gormley on Soul Waves Radio on two topics -‘Caring for our Common Home’ where Sr Sheila speaks about the importance of ecology and caring for our home and ‘Women in the Church’ in which she talks about the importance of creating a Church that reflects diversity.
ISMAPNG
Simple Daily Gestures: Video & Booklet
ISMAPNG has produced a video (5:09) featuring Sisters and staff members visually demonstrating the behaviours that were identified in the Simple Daily Gestures booklet launched in 2017.
The video is designed to encourage those who view it to adopt some of the practices in their everyday lives.
The Institute’s Sustainability policy is linked to this item.
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Americas
Homeless Advocate Sister Mary Scullion Attends State of the Union
‘WASHINGTON (CNS) — Mercy Sister Mary Scullion, co-founder and executive director of Project HOME, an organization that helps the homeless in Philadelphia, was one of the many guests who attended the Feb. 4 State of the Union, which she hoped would draw attention to homelessness and inspire federal aid to alleviate it…’
Source: CatholicPhilly.com
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Americas
Mercy Investment Services’ 10-Year Anniversary
Ten years ago [2 February], Mercy Investment Services started investing the funds of the Sisters of Mercy and 30 Mercy ministries in the first Institute-wide socially responsible investment program. Our first 10 years have been filled with great progress and growth, and we look forward to continuing our momentum as a leader in socially responsible investing into the next decade. We invite you to view this video in English, in Spanish, which highlights a major milestone in Mercy Investment Services' expanded commitment to making positive investments in people and communities around the world.
Aotearoa New Zealand
'LIving Honourably': Scripture with Kathleen Rushton rsm
Kathleen Rushton rsm gives insight into the community life Jesus describes in Matthew 5:13-37. Sr Kathleen writes: ‘Trust and transparency should exist within the honourable community’.
Download the article here
Mercy Matters
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Fact
On This Day
1957: Carmel College opens on Auckland's North Shore - M Justine Gillies
2004: Te Waipuna Puawai Ellerslie Centre is officially opened - Sister Cheryl Connelly
Contribute a fact from the story of your Mercy congregation, institute or federation, to our online archive.
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Gospel
6th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year A
Matthew 5: 1-7
'We sometimes forget that Jesus was a faithful Jew who observed the Law handed down within Israel from generation to generation. Today’s gospel is from Matthew’s Sermon on the Mount in which Jesus, the faithful Jewish teacher, addresses his Jewish disciples and the Jewish crowds who gather to hear his words...'
Resource
When Heaven & Earth embrace
‘We can engage spiritually in an emerging Universe if we have a vision of the embrace of Heaven and Earth that is informed by contemporary science, if we underpin that with an ecotheology that recognises Heaven and Earth as interconnected while respecting their differences, and if we have an ecospiritual praxis that is open, attentive to and aware of divine presence in all that is...’
Further Resources
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Worth Watching
Sleep Australia Sleep
This new single from Paul Kelly is described as ‘both a lullaby and a wake up call’ to deal with climate change.
Watch/listen here)
Worth Reading
Stop Trafficking!
The February 2020 issue (vol 18 no 2) is now available. The focus of this issue is the role of racism in human trafficking
Read the issue here)
Worth Watching
Pope's Prayer Intention for February
Pope Francis’ prayer intention for February is ‘Hear the cries of migrants’.
The February theme and the pope’s reflection on it coincide with the 8 February commemoration of the World Day of Prayer, Reflection and Action Against Human Trafficking. Reciting his intention, the pope prayed ‘that the cries of our migrant brothers and sisters, victims of criminal human smuggling and human trafficking, may be heard and considered’.
Watch the video here)
Worth Knowing
UN Young Champions of the Earth - 2020 call for applications!
The United Nations Environment Programme is on the hunt for the next
Young Champions (18-30 year old) of the Earth.
Apply by 10 April 2020
Details are hereWorth Knowing
Just Mercy
‘The movie Just Mercy provides a teachable moment about racism, the importance of mission, and the promise of reconciliation…
The Catholic Mobilizing Network has created the Just Mercy Catholic Study Guide which offers a series of thoughtful reflection questions and supplementary resources online…’
Image: Youtube
Watch the trailer hereSend suggestions and contributions for the ‘Worth’ Section 2020 to: The Editor
The Bottom Line
‘I urge healthcare institutions and government leaders throughout the world not to neglect social justice out of a preoccupation for financial concerns.’ 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