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Message from Berneice Loch rsm, CEO MIA
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I write at the end of my first week as Chief Executive Officer at Mercy International Association. There has been much to learn and there is still much to learn, but Mary Reynolds rsm and so many others have been tremendously helpful.
The Board asked that I would arrive in Dublin in mid-January to be sure I had some time for orientation. One very real benefit was to be able to attend the February board meeting and the meetings that cluster around such an occasion. It has really helped me to be present and to experience the commitment and wise counsel of these leaders in MIA…
Vision in Action
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MGA
Announcing the 2020-2021 Recipients of the MIA-MGA Emerging Leaders Fellowship
On the occasion of International Women’s Day (March 8th), MIA- Mercy Global Action is pleased to announce the recipients of the MIA-Mercy Global Action Emerging Leaders Fellowship 2020-2021. 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…
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Prayer
MIA Prayer Intention: Syrian Conflict
On 15 March it will be 9 years since the start of the Syrian War. Each year since 2011 our prayer intention at this time has been for the people of Syria. Their suffering is immense. Latest reports from the United Nations emphasise that people are traumatised, children are freezing to death, civilians face terrifying violence and there is an urgent need for the basics of life.
Pray for an end to violence. Pray for the international community to show compassion and generosity. Pray for world leaders to choose peace.
Post your prayer intention in our online chapel.
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MIA
Position: Heritage Assistant
Mercy International Association is excited to be planning a significant visual and technological upgrade and revision of the Heritage Room displays. A vibrant, creative, skilled person is sought to support this project and the overall sharing of the Mercy Story at Mercy International Centre.
Applications close 4pm GMT 3 April 2020.
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MGP
Reminder: Mercy Global Presence Reflective Posters and Guides
A reminder that the four reflective posters from Segment one are available, singly and in a set, as well as guides with suggestions for their use.
Where are you displaying these posters? Consider sending us an image.
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Events & Programmes
Update: Early Bird Bookings for YML Pilgrimage
The fifth biannual pilgrimage for young Mercy Leaders aged 18+ will take place in Dublin from 28-31 July 2020.
Thank you to those who have already paid registration fees for the programme. In light of the COVID-19 virus, and travel restrictions being put in place now by some Colleges, we realise that this year the deadline of 17 March is too early. We have decided to extend Earlybird pricing for all until 4 July.
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Events & Programmes
Embracing Their Mercy Heritage
Editor: Over three consecutive days last week, students from St Joseph’s Mercy Secondary School Navan, 170 in total, all in their first year of second level (secondary) education, visited MIC to learn and experience more of the story of their Mercy heritage…
Members' News
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The Congregation
Struggling Together after the Pan-Amazon Synod
Editor: This is a follow-up article to ‘The Special Synod on the Amazon’ by Sheila Curran rsm published in Mercy eNews Issue #837, 18 September 2019.
In this article, I will begin by drawing the reader’s attention to two significant events which took place during the Synod. I will then outline a number of key issues from the Final Document and end with a reflection on Pope Francis’ Exhortation. I hope this article will inspire the reader to become familiar with the content of both documents and respond to the challenge to create “new paths for the Church and integral ecology.”
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Stock imageISMAPNG
Walk the Walk, Talk the Talk
‘Inspired by the story of Catherine McAuley and the “walking nuns” of 19th century Dublin who refused to be cloistered away from the needy, Hamilton parish priest Monsignor Allan Hart encouraged the Sisters of Mercy in Newcastle to hit the pavement and do the same in 1997.
Sr Patricia Whitten, Sr Colleen Kleinscfer and Sr Bernadette Mills became Newcastle’s first walking nuns, visiting the suburbs of Wickham, Tighes Hill, Maryville, and parts of Hamilton and Broadmeadow [New South Wales].
They had a strict rule not to knock on doors, instead beginning conversations with people in their gardens…’
Source: Mnnews.today
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Stock imageISMAPNG
‘Cold and scary’: Our Submission on Homelessness
McAuley Community Services for Women has made a submission to a Victorian Parliamentary Inquiry into Homelessness.
Our submission brings to life the stories and experiences of women in their own words.
They told us about being unsafe, tired, cold, afraid and hungry; of the pain of separation from their children; of being turned away in the middle of the night; of the frustrations of an overloaded homelessness system that hinders and frustrates as much as it helps…
Mercy Matters
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International days
17 March: St Patrick's Day
‘We send greetings to Irish Sisters of Mercy, Associates, partners-in-Ministry and Friends of Mercy all over the world for St. Patrick’s Day, and to all Sisters of Mercy and the extended Mercy Family, who can claim Celtic roots through our foundress, Catherine McAuley.
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Gospel
3rd Sunday of Lent Year A
John 4:5-42
'Those privileged to act as catechists in the RCIA program over the Lenten period will be introducing candidates to some of our most treasured gospel stories. In 1963, Vatican II’s Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy called for the restoration of certain early Church practices. The two main features of Lent, baptism and penance, were to be given greater emphasis in the liturgy and in liturgical catechesis...'
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Fact
On This Day
1837: Death of M Rose Lube at Baggot St
Sr Rose is buried in the crypt at St. Teresa’s, Clarendon Street and her name is inscribed with those of Catherine and the early deceased Sisters on the Memorial Stone in the Sacred Garden
1902: Death of M Catherine Hughes, Auckland, last member of foundation group
Contribute a fact from the story of your Mercy congregation, institute or federation, to our online archive.
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Digital Life
Musixmatch
Can’t remember the words of a song? This site might help you.
Explore the world’s largest catalogue of song lyrics.
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Reflection
Video Reflection for the Third Week of Lent 2020
from Catholic Health USA to which Mercy Health Systems in the United States belong.
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Resource
Amazing Grace
The inspiring story by Hank Shaw of Grace Miller rsm and the House of Mercy in Rochester, New York.
Further information about the book and details of how to order it are linked to this item.
Further Resources
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Worth Watching
Meditation from Thais for Violin and Piano - Jules Massenet
Violin - Rusanda Panfili Piano - Donka Angatscheva
Watch/listen here)
Worth Reading
50 simple ways to make your life greener
Here are 50 simple ideas for lifestyle changes that could assist you in your preparation for Earth Day (22 April) and Laudato Si’ Week (24-30 May),
Check the list here)
Worth Watching
Pope's Prayer for China
Pope Francis’ monthly intention is for Catholics in China, where the Church ‘looks to the future with hope.’
Watch the video here)
Worth Knowing
From Kampala to Kabul, these photos shatter gender stereotypes
‘Women by women. In globaldev, women are often portrayed as vulnerable or suffering, frequently viewed through the lenses of male photographers. This series of photos of women by women — taken from a recent ActionAid exhibition — seeks to change that.’
View the photos here)
Worth Reading
How women religious are redefining their future in the borderland
‘‘Hundreds of Catholic sisters and young women discerning their vocation … are discovering a renewed sense of purpose, creating new ministries, reinventing the meaning of community, and discerning the way forward for the future of women religious and their charisms…
(Part two of this series will be published in eNews once available)
Read the article hereSend suggestions and contributions for the ‘Worth’ Section 2020 to: The Editor
The Bottom Line
‘Our foundress…always did what the circumstances of each place required in order to bring mercy to the poor.’
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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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