Earth Day - It's Still On: Suzanne Gallagher rsm

Vision in Action

MGP: April Resources Will be Available on 29 April Aerial view of degraded landscape

MGP

MGP: April Resources Will be Available on 29 April

Resources on ‘Mercy and Degradation of Earth’, the second of our Mercy themes, will be published on the MGP microsite next Wednesday, 29 April and linked from Mercy eNews.

Presenters for April are: Elizabeth Davis rsm (Newfoundland, Introduction), Carmody Grey (GB Institute, Theological Imaginings), Mary Bilderback rsm (Americas, Artistic Inspiration), Gabrielle Scanlon (Parramatta, Grassroots Ministry), Bridget Crisp rsm (Aotearoa, Mercy Global Action), Margie Abbott rsm (ISMAPNG, Distinct Voice), Adele Howard rsm (ISMAPNG, Reflective Prayer). Jennifer Grove from College of St Mary, Omaha. Nebraska has contributed a scientific response.

MESSAGES TO: MGP Guiding Group
Mercy Global Action Celebrates the 50th Anniversary of Earth Day

MGA

Mercy Global Action Celebrates the 50th Anniversary of Earth Day

On April 22nd, we celebrate Earth Day’s 50th Anniversary with the theme “Climate Action” amid the complex reality of a global pandemic. Our global efforts in social distancing have reduced emissions leading to reports of clearer air, cleaner water, and a healing ozone. While these observations show that we can turn the tide and prevent catastrophic climate change, the lesson comes at the high price of human life, isolation, and increased hazardous medical waste…

MESSAGES TO: Amanda Carrier rsm MGA Intern
More Virtual Tours of Mercy International Centre on Offer

Events & Programmes

More Virtual Tours of Mercy International Centre on Offer

There has been a great response to these tours. Tours are offered on 23 and 24 April with additional tours now offered on 28 and 30 April.

Sessions provide opportunities for participants to ask questions throughout the presentation.

MESSAGES TO: Anna Nicholls rsm Head of Heritage & Spirituality
MIA Prayer Intention: Prayer for Our Earth

Prayer

MIA Prayer Intention: Prayer for Our Earth

Each Earth Day since the release of Laudato Si’, and during the Season of Creation, we have prayed the Prayer for Our Earth. This Earth Day, let us pray it again.

Download the prayer in English, in Spanish

Post your prayer in our online chapel.

MESSAGES TO: Berneice Loch rsm CEO MIA
MGA Contributes to Statement by NGO Working Group to End Homelessness on 'COVID-19 and Homelessness'

MGA

MGA Contributes to Statement by NGO Working Group to End Homelessness on 'COVID-19 and Homelessness'

The NGO Working Group to End Homelessness has released a statement regarding COVID 19 and Homelessness The statement, linked below, was revised with Mercy Global Action's collective input.

MESSAGES TO: Colleen Swain MIA-MGA Leadership Development and Advocacy Associate

Members' News

The Empty Tomb: Our Reason for Existence

The Congregation

The Empty Tomb: Our Reason for Existence

The Congregation

The Empty Tomb: Our Reason for Existence

‘…Perhaps the wide and varied challenge from the COVID-19 pandemic invites us to walk still more closely with Christ. This is the risen Christ who remains in and with us even as we face the many challenges in this moment. The tomb may be empty, but we must look beyond the absence in order to experience the Presence…’

Source: Global Sisters Report

'New Ways of Seeing': Elaine Wainwright rsm La Mulata by Diego Velázquez. National Gallery Dublin.
Public Domain

ISMAPNG

'New Ways of Seeing': Elaine Wainwright rsm

ISMAPNG

'New Ways of Seeing': Elaine Wainwright rsm

In her interpretation of the Emmaus story in Luke 24:13‑35, Elaine Wainwright rsm suggests we open our eyes to see resurrection in the world around us. Sr Elaine writes: ‘At the heart of the Emmaus story is an urging towards a deeper faith: to recognise and discern, not just to see. Like Cleopas and companion we need to open our eyes to what is before us…’

Download the article here

Virginia Hasson rsm RIP

Americas

Virginia Hasson rsm RIP

Americas

Virginia Hasson rsm RIP

Sister Virginia died on April 9, 2020. Her influence was felt around the globe, from her birthplace in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, to Thailand and Southern Africa. … As an education coordinator for Jesuit Refugee Services (JRS) for six years, she ministered at camps for Cambodian, Vietnamese and Sudanese refugees and started an overseas tutorial program to further their education. She also served as a consultant to the JRS International Office in Rome and as a program officer for six countries in Southern Africa…

Mercy Earth Challenge

Americas

Mercy Earth Challenge

Americas

Mercy Earth Challenge

The Institute Justice Team is launching a year-long Mercy Earth Challenge (MEC) as the fifth anniversary of Pope Francis’ encyclical Laudato Sí approaches. We introduce this challenge amid constant reminders of how interconnected our world is, including a global coronavirus pandemic and global climate crisis. We are aware of the need both to respond as individuals and to examine systems at play.

MESSAGES TO: Marianne Comfort Institute Justice Team

Mercy Matters

Earth Day 1970 - 2019: No Time To Waste

Resource

Earth Day 1970 - 2019: No Time To Waste

‘The first Earth Day was in 1970. What's one of the biggest changes our planet has seen since then? Earth's population has grown by 4 billion people! We produce more than enough to feed everyone, but food is not distributed evenly. Shockingly, one-third of the food produced is lost or wasted. And that means so are the resources used to produce it, which add greenhouse gas emissions. Find out how you can be part of the solution.’

Third Sunday in Easter, Year A James Tissot (French, 1836-1902). The Pilgrims of Emmaus on the Road . Brooklyn Museum. Public Domain

Gospel

Third Sunday in Easter, Year A

Luke 24: 13-35

'Extraordinary things can happen if we open ourselves to the presence of a stranger on life’s journey. That seems to be a key element in today’s gospel passage from the well-known and well-loved Emmaus story...'

On This Day

Fact

On This Day

1894: Foundation to British Guiana from Midhurst, Sussex - M Antonia Chambers/M Ursula Grenn

1969: Foundation to Carisbrooke from Shanklin, Isle of Wight

Contribute a fact from the story of your Mercy congregation, institute or federation, to our online archive.

10 Best Google Doc Add-ons To Create Amazing Documents

Technical Tip

10 Best Google Doc Add-ons To Create Amazing Documents

‘There are a number of Google Doc add-ons you can enable that’ll extend the base of features available in Google Docs. [Here are] are ten of the best ones.’

Feeling Stressed and Anxious? This Sister Psychologist has Some Tips for You

Resource

Feeling Stressed and Anxious? This Sister Psychologist has Some Tips for You

Editor: Last week we included a link to the webinar presented by Maryanne Loughry rsm on 1 April organised by UISG. This article in Global Sisters Report lists some ‘takeaways’ from the webinar.

The video of the second webinar held 21 April can be viewed here.

Easter with an Amazonian Face

Resource

Easter with an Amazonian Face

Seven reflections on resurrection from participants of the Amazon Synod, one for each week of the Easter season.

Further Resources

'Imagining Leadership in a Global Community'

Worth Reading

'Imagining Leadership in a Global Community'

The latest issue of the UISG Bulletin (no. 171) includes an article by Patricia Murray ibvm, Executive Secretary UISG

Read the article here
Harrowed: notes from an urban garden

Worth Reading

Harrowed: notes from an urban garden

I started it at the age of 64. I’m 67 now. The garden brings me satisfaction, beauty, astonishment, joy. The garden also requires an inordinate amount of worry and work.

When I started out, I thought simply to put my creative energy into arranging a bunch of plants. I didn’t know the garden would overtake my life.

I didn’t know the garden would help teach me how to order my day, pray, let go, love my neighbor, die.'…’

Read the article here
'Update'

Worth Reading

'Update'

The May issue of ‘Update’, the newsletter of LCWR is now online

Read the newsletter here
What Does Earth Day Have To Do With Human Trafficking?

Worth Reading

What Does Earth Day Have To Do With Human Trafficking?

On April 22 people around the world will celebrate the 50th anniversary of Earth Day to demonstrate their support for protecting our environment. But what does protecting our environment have to do with human trafficking?

Read the article here
Lockdown Thought

Worth Reading

Lockdown Thought

‘Encourage us to be
hospitable in our bubbles
patient with home schooling
creative in spending our day
informed about our national participation
sensitive to the grief of loss in our country and world
praying for the sick
grateful for those recovered
relieved of unnecessary worry
hopeful in our lockdown
Risen Christ.’

Each day Ann Gilroy rsj, editor of TuiMotu, shares a ‘Lockdown Thought’ : reflection, humour and a blessing. Above blessing is from Day 21.
Subscribe here

Pope Francis shares his vision for Covid-19 aftermath

Worth Reading

Pope Francis shares his vision for Covid-19 aftermath

‘Pope Francis has presented “a plan for the rising up again” of humanity in the midst of a global crisis that has brought the world’s peoples and the economy to their knees…’

Read the article here

Send suggestions and contributions for the ‘Worth’ Section 2020 to: The Editor

The Bottom Line

‘If you have a garden and a library, you have everything you need.’

⁠—Cicero

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