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Venerable Catherine McAuley: 30 Years On
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L-r: Angela Vegara rsm (Philippines), Brenda Dolphin rsm (Postulator)
Editor: 9 April this year will mark the 30th Anniversary of Catherine being pronounced Venerable by Pope St John Paul.
In this issue Brenda Dolphin rsm, Postulator, reflects on the events of the intervening years ‘to make Catherine known and loved’ and we are invited to prepare for the anniversary with 9 Days of Prayer for Catherine’s Beatification.
L-r: Angela Vegara rsm (Philippines), Brenda Dolphin rsm (Postulator)
Vision in Action
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Prayer
MIA Prayer Intention: The Beatification of Catherine McAuley
Sr Brenda writes: *‘We earnestly ask you to continue to keep Catherine’s cause in your prayer. We hope and pray that this thirtieth celebration, the beginning of a new decade, will be the time we see Catherine beatified.*‘
Over these next 9 days (1-9 April 2020) we are invited to pray the Prayer for Catherine’s Canonisation.
Download the prayer:
in English A4, US Letter;
in Spanish A4, US Letter
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Shop
Update: MIC Gift Shop
Due to the closure of Mercy International Centre as a result of the COVID-19 virus, the online shop is also closed. Orders cannot be taken or filled until further notice.
Thank you for understanding.
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Events & Programmes
More House Virtual Tours
Anna Nicholls rsm is offering live online presentations where some of the stories told during a physical tour of Mercy International Centre will be shared.
Additional dates: 2, 3, 7 April. Book online
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MGP Segment Two, 'Mercy', Has Begun
Resources for 'Faith Traditions and Mercy', the first theme in this new segment, are available online now. Resources for the four themes of Segment One, 'Global', remain available for those individuals and groups who would like to use these resources.
Members' News
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ISMAPNG
Rahamim Ecology Centre closure sees Sisters of Mercy depart convent-turned-ecology site after 111 years
‘"I'm sad to be leaving it because I do have a sentimental attachment to it," [Sr Patricia Powell] said of the venue which had become a spiritual and educational home for her over the years.
"But I'm delighted that what was a very left-field agenda when we started here is now mainstream…”’
Source: ABC News
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Americas
A Sister of Mercy returns home to healthcare service
‘Last year, [Jane Gerety rsm] retired from academia and answered the call to return to Atlanta as chief mission officer of Mercy Care Atlanta, a network of community healthcare centers offering comprehensive care for the poor…’
Source: Reporter Newspapers
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The Raising of Lazarus by Giotto di Bondone. Commons Wikimedia.orgISMAPNG
'From Death to Life': Elaine Wainwright rsm
Elaine Wainwright rsm reads the story of the raising of Lazarus from the dead, John 11:37-45, from an ecological perspective. Sr Elaine writes: ‘We can find death and resurrection narratives of our day . . . species saved from extinction by efforts to restore their habitats; movements to curtail the proliferation of plastics in our waterways; contemplative practices that make us appreciate and reverence other life.’
Download the article here
Mercy Matters
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Fact
On This Day
1949: Newfoundland became 10th Province of Canada - 200 "first Mercy Sisters in Canada"
Contribute a fact from the story of your Mercy congregation, institute or federation, to our online archive.
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Quote
Words from Catherine
In these difficult times, the words Catherine wrote to Frances Warde on 2 March 1840 could just as easily be addressed to each of us. Catherine writes:
"I feel exceedingly anxious about you in your present state of trial and fear for the health of your community, but please God, the contagion will not spread…may God preserve and bless you. Let me hear often until you have a favourable change.’
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Reflection
Reflection for Holy Week 2020
Video Reflection from Catholic Health USA to which Mercy Health Systems in the United States belong.
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Digital Life
All the virtual concerts, plays, museums and other culture you can enjoy from home
‘CNN Style looks at some of the most fascinating, immersive concerts, museum tours and other virtual experiences you can explore from the comfort of your own couch.’
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Gospel
PassionSunday, Year A
Matthew 26:14-27:66
‘This year, we are invited to hear Matthew’s passion narrative through the lens of a global community threatened by a virus. The prospect of untimely death for many is an ever present reality. Even more abhorrent to most of us is the ongoing practice of capital punishment, particularly when a just person is put to death for specious reasons or to political ends. That’s what confronts us in today’s gospel…’
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International Days
7 April: World Health Day
On World Health Day this year, let us each give thanks for the critical role all health professionals are playing in addressing the coronavirus as they work in keeping the world healthy.
Further Resources
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Worth Playing
Calm Me Lord: Marie Dunne CHF
Track 10 from Sr Marie's Album 'Shelter Me'. Reflective Chants of Gentleness and Calm.
Purchase from: www.mariedunnemusic.com
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Worth Knowing
2020 Study on Recent Vocations to Religious Life
Results of the United States NRVC (National Religious Vocation Conference) study, ‘Recent Vocations to Religious Life’, were released on 25 March. The major finding is that entrances to religious communities has held steady for a decade and newer members report extremely high satisfaction rates.
Find the Study here)
Worth Reading
From: To Bless the Space Between Us: A Book of Blessings
‘This is the time to be slow,
Lie low to the wall
Until the bitter weather passes.
Try, as best you can, not to let
The wire brush of doubt
Scrape from your heart
All sense of yourself
And your hesitant light.
If you remain generous,
Time will come good;
And you will find your feet
Again on fresh pastures of promise,
Where the air will be kind
And blushed with beginning.’
—John O’Donohue
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Worth Reading
That Discomfort You’re Feeling Is Grief
‘If we can name it, perhaps we can manage it… Kessler is the world’s foremost expert on grief. Kessler shared his thoughts on why it’s important to acknowledge the grief you may be feeling, how to manage it, and how he believes we will find meaning in it. …’
Source: Harvard Business Review
Read the article here)
Worth Watching
Sylvia Boorstein’s Lovingkindness Meditation
‘Feel yourself sitting here. Feel yourself surrounded by all these people. Feel yourself, I hope, happy and content.” Spend two minutes on a lovingkindness meditation with Spirit Rock teacher Sylvia Boorstein.’
Participate here)
Worth Reading
Theologian warns on coronavirus: “This pandemic demands a different relationship with nature and the Earth”
‘The current coronavirus pandemic represents a unique opportunity for us to rethink our way of inhabiting the Common Home; the way we produce, consume and relate to nature.’
Image: Leonardo Boff CC By 3.0
Read the article hereSend suggestions and contributions for the ‘Worth’ Section 2020 to: The Editor
The Bottom Line
‘…We find ourselves afraid and lost. Like the disciples in the Gospel we were caught off guard by an unexpected, turbulent storm. We have realized that we are on the same boat, all of us fragile and disoriented, but at the same time important and needed, all of us called to row together, each of us in need of comforting the other. On this boat… are all of us. Just like those disciples, who spoke anxiously with one voice, saying “We are perishing” (v. 38), so we too have realized that we cannot go on thinking of ourselves, but only together can we do this…’
Read more. Watch edited version
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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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