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Mercy Global Presence: Gift In This Troubling Time of COVID-19
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We begin Segment Two with the first of our ‘Mercy’ themes —Faith Traditions & Mercy — in this time of Global Vulnerability. We invite you to engage with this reflection,
‘Mercy Global Presence: Gift In This Troubling Time of COVID-19’ as your entry point for this Segment and Theme.
Presenters for March are: Elizabeth Davis rsm (Newfoundland, Introduction), Peta Goldburg rsm (Brisbane, Theological Imaginings), Anne Reddington rsm and Maureen Murphy rsm (GB Union, Artistic Inspiration), Ana Siufi rsm (Americas, Grassroots Ministry), Mary Tee rsm (Newfoundland, Mercy Global Action), Sharon Collins (Brisbane, Distinct Voice), Bridget Crisp rsm (Aotearoa New Zealand, Reflective Prayer)
Vision in Action
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MIA
Update on the Impact of the COVID-19 Virus Pandemic on Activities at Mercy International Centre
You will not be surprised to learn that we need to announce that Mercy International Centre (MIC) is closed until further notice. The response of the authorities here in Ireland is continuing to grow in complexity with churches, pubs and restaurants all closing for the most part. Dublin is very, very quiet as a result. Some of you will be aware that Margaret Scroope and I were really sorry to farewell our Australian volunteers, Deslie Falls and Bernadette Ahearn, who have just arrived back home. They were a great help during the initial days of the crisis and will be missed.
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MIA
Final Reminder. 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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Events & Programmes
Invitation to Join in a 1-hour Virtual Tour of the House of Mercy with Live Commentary
While the red doors at Mercy International Centre may be physically closed in response to the COVID-19 virus situation, our virtual House is still open. Visit www.mercyworld.org for a wealth of inspiration and information.
Anna Nicholls rsm will be offering live online presentations where some of the stories told during a physical tour of Mercy International Centre will be shared.
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MIA Prayer in Response to COVID-19
The Centre is closed until further notice but our online prayer spaces remain open.
We invite you to spend time in prayer in the Baggot Street Chapel, at Catherine's Tomb in the Sacred Garden or to visit the Canonisation Cause Prayer Centre
Members' News
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Q & A with Sr. Helen Amos: 'To be homeless is a health issue'
‘...In a long and distinguished career, Sr. Helen Amos has put the well-being of the community at the heart of her ministry. A Sister of Mercy for 63 years, she has been a teacher, health care administrator, community leader and advocate for those experiencing homelessness.‘
Source: Global Sisters Report
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The Congregation
Spring Reflection
Editor: It is Spring now in many parts of our Mercy world. In the midst of so much uncertainty and worry, enjoy this beautiful Spring reflection photographed and prepared by Elizabeth McNamee rsm, a reminder of the rebirthing of life still happening around us.
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Parramatta
Listening with Australian Ears to the Voices of the Amazonian Synod
On Saturday March 7, at the Earthkin gathering in Parramatta, Mark O’Connor fms shared his reflections on the Amazonian Synod (October 6-27, 2019). Mark was present in Rome during the Synod and was privy to much of the dynamics behind the sessions and commentary during these weeks.
Being attentive to what was written in the Preparatory, Final and Post-Synodal Documents can help generate potential for renewal of Christian community…
Mercy Matters
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Vatican NewsPrayer
Calls to Prayer from Pope Francis in This Time of COVID-19
25 March: Pope Francis has called for all Christians throughout the world to join in praying the Our Father at noon, Rome time. (Your time here).
27 March: Pope Francis has announced a Prayer Service including the Urbi et Orbi blessing at 6pm, Rome time. (Your time here). The Prayer Service will be livestreamed.
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International Days
28 March Earth Hour
Set to be the most important Earth Hour yet, 2020 is a pivotal year for the planet. Five vital climate events including COP26 - considered the most important since the Paris agreement in 2015 - are taking place across the globe this year with world leaders set to make decisions on environmental policy that will impact the planet for years to come.
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Gospel
5th Sunday of Lent, Year A
‘Sunday’s readings touch into the most profound of mysteries, the mysteries of life and death. To hold a new born child or to see the sick restored to health is to experience the wonder of life. On the other hand, sudden death can bring unimagined grief and pain. The news this morning (March 23) tells us that 14,641 people have died from Coronavirus over the past two months…’
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Reflection
Lenten Reflection for the Fifth Week of Lent
Video Reflection from Catholic Health USA to which Mercy Health Systems in the United States belong.
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Reflection
The Annunciation - Praying with art - Geoff Wheaton SJ
A reflection on Henry Ossawa Tanner’s ‘The Annunciation’ painted in 1898.
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Shop
MIA Gift Shop
Due to the closure of Mercy International Centre as a result of the COVID-19 virus, there will be a delay in filling online orders. Thank you for understanding.
Further Resources
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Worth Playing
'As Mary Did' by Michael Herry fms
‘May the blessing of Mary’s loving service be upon us.
May her courage and patience find a home in our lives.’
Image: Athens - The fresco of Annunciation on the facade of Metropolitan Cathedral by B. Antoniasis (1895)
Listen here Download the sheet music)
Worth Knowing
After 175 years, Monroe IHMs going strong and teaching green
‘Michigan's oldest established congregation of Catholic sisters made their mark as pioneering educators by opening a school in 1845. Now, 175 years later, they're teaching us how to live green.’
Read the article here)
Worth Reading
LCWR’s April issue of Update is Now Available
‘How might our prayers and intentions be joined across congregations for the common good of the whole Earth community to help lift the spirits of a people, especially in the wake of closed churches, synagogues, mosques, and other places of worship? What would happen if elder Catholic sisters ... were to unleash the power of their lifetime of prayer and contemplative practice to hold the safety and protection of all peoples across the world as a sacred intention?’ -- from "A Call to Spiritual Bonding,” by Elise D. García, OP (see page 2)
Read the April issue here LCWR First Weekly Reflection for these challenging times)
Worth Knowing
Emerging Communities
‘Global Sisters Report introduces a four-part series on religious communities created after the Second Vatican Council; these groups may offer hints about what lies ahead for religious life.’
Read about these communities here)
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Worth Reading
Sr Stan: Out of disaster and despair, good can emerge
‘What this experience teaches us is that as humans, we can only survive in interdependence‘.
—Sr Stan
Editor: Last week we brought you Lynn Ungar’s ‘Pandemic’. This week it’s Sr Stan’s article. If you have read/seen a thoughtful reflection about the pandemic worth sharing, please let us know here
Read Sr Stan's article here)
Worth Knowing
Isolated but not alone: resources for Catholics
The Tablet has compiled a listing of online resources for Catholics during the Covid-19 pandemic covering advice, liturgical resources, spiritual resources and resources for reading, watching, listening. The listing will be kept updated so may be worth checking from time to time.
See listings hereSend suggestions and contributions for the ‘Worth’ Section 2020 to: The Editor
The Bottom Line
‘Let us be the women who attune our inner ear to the heartbeat of God, who listen for the whir of wings on the way to prayers, who find presence in the most empty spaces, who dance to bring the Holy to birth…’ 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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