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Earth Day - It's Still On: Suzanne Gallagher rsm
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The fiftieth anniversary of Earth Day on April 22, 2020 will always be associated with the Coronavirus Crisis. Despite major cancellations throughout the world, Earth Day is still on. This pandemic, a global tragedy, has multiple causes most of which are still speculative and the effects of which will not be understood for years, but the relatedness of Earth Day and crisis is not new. The first Earth Day in 1970 was developed as a response to environmental crises…
Vision in Action
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Aerial view of degraded landscapeMGP
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.
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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…
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Events & Programmes
Mercy Ethos and Mercy Education: January 2021 Programme
With travel restrictions and the significant impact of COVID-19 across the world, the Mercy Ethos programme to be offered by Mercy International Centre in September 2020 will not run. While there will be Mercy Ethos programmes offered in 2021, the Education Programme which we had planned to offer at the start of January 2021 will now be a general Ethos one…
Download the flyer here. Reserve your place here.
Please ensure you register by 1st November if you are intending to participate as there is a minimum of 10 people required for the programme to run.
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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.
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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.
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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.
Members' News
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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
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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
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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…
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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.
Mercy Matters
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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.’
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James Tissot (French, 1836-1902). The Pilgrims of Emmaus on the Road . Brooklyn Museum. Public DomainGospel
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...'
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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.
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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.’
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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.
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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
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Worth Watching
A Candle For You
Marie Dunne CHF originally composed this song to remember Missing persons. Last week Sr Marie released this video clip to recognise that the word ‘Missing’ has taken on a different meaning with COVID-19. She writes: ‘Many are missing their loved ones. Many have lost loved ones. I hope that this song, along with the newly created video, will offer hope and courage during this time of pain and uncertainty.’
Watch/listen here)
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)
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)
Worth Reading
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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)
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
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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 hereSend 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.’
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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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