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MGP 'New Foundations in Mercy' Resources Are Now Online
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Visit the MGP microsite to access the resources for the fourth theme of our current ‘Mercy’ segment: ‘New Foundations in Mercy’.
Presenters for June are: Elizabeth Davis rsm (Newfoundland, Introduction), Dennis Horton (Aotearoa New Zealand, Theological Imaginings), Sophie Snowball (GB Federation, Artistic Inspiration), Anne Maria O’Carroll rsm rsm (The Congregation, Grassroots Ministry), Marianne Comfort (Americas, Mercy Global Action), Members of Mercy Focus on Haiti (Americas, Distinct Voice), Mary Ann Nolan rsm (Americas, Reflective Prayer).
Vision in Action
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'The Future is in Our Hands' (Syria)-Joel Bergner.Used with permission
Prayer
MIA Prayer Intention: A World of Solidarity in Justice
Prayer
MIA Prayer Intention: A World of Solidarity in Justice
As we prepare to direct our focus to the theme ‘New Foundations in Mercy’, may these words of Jean-Pierre Ruiz from our prayer for displaced persons continue to inform our prayer and action:
“Imagine into being a world of solidarity in justice. In that world, barriers of brick and barbed wire no longer keep people apart; the walls of xenophobic words that make people strangers to each other come crumbling down, and the differences between us lead not to intolerance and distrust but to graced growth in shared understanding that makes for authentic human flourishing’.
Post your prayer in our online chapel
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Fleeing like Jesus: Commemorating World Refugee Day
Fleeing like Jesus: Commemorating World Refugee Day
The United Nations annually commemorates World Refugee Day on the 20th of June. This year we are called to focus on knowing the people who undertake dangerous journeys, fleeing their homes in search of safety.
In “To Know in Order to Understand” [**in English; in Spanish**], a joint statement from Faith-Based Organizations (FBO’s) across the world, Mercy International Association-Mercy Global Action joins the voices of many others advocating for refugees and internally displaced persons (IDPs).
Members' News
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Yolanda Otero (L) and Sr Suzanne (R)Americas
Love and Courage in East Harlem: Then and Now
Before the coronavirus devastated New York City, I spent several days with Sister Suzanne Deliee in East Harlem. I went with her to Little Sisters of the Assumption (LSA) Family Health Service, a social service agency where she works, and CREA (Centro de Recursos Educativos para Adultos), an adult learning center on whose board of directors she serves…
My hope is that the photos—taken before social distancing—speak to the ongoing love, courage and resilience of East Harlem’s Spanish-speaking immigrant people, and to Sister Suzanne’s commitment to them. We share this story in honor of World Refugee Day, as the people portrayed here are refugees from hunger, instability and violence in their home countries, and they seek new beginnings…
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The Congregation
Mercy University Hospital Cork says thank you for all the support during this pandemic
‘The Mercy University Hospital has thanked the public for the extraordinary level of support it has received locally and nationally during the Covid-19 crisis to date.
In a new video, released on social media, staff from the hospital detail how the outbreak has impacted the hospital, and describe how volunteers, civic partners, colleagues, agencies and the wider community of Cork has supported the hospital during this time.’
Source: EchoLive.ie
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Americas
Sisters of Mercy of the Americas Laud SCOTUS Decision on DACA
The Sisters of Mercy of the Americas laud the Supreme Court’s decision rejecting the president’s effort to end the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program, ruling 5-4 that the administration’s rescission of the program was “arbitrary and capricious.”
At a time full of much uncertainty, we must rejoice in this decision as a victory for justice and humanity. Young people brought to the United States know no other home. Many have pursued educational and vocational goals and are now making significant contributions to their communities…
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(L) Lisa Griffith rsm, Regina Ward rsm (R)Americas
Women Religious, Inspired by Protests, also See Long Road Ahead
‘Wanting to do something more is what prompted Mercy Sisters Lisa Griffith and Regina Ward, leaders in the Mercy Education System of the Americas, to take part in two protests near where they live in Silver Spring, Maryland. One of the protests was student-led, another involved kneeling in silence for about three minutes at a major intersection, the amount of time Floyd was said to be no longer alive while still under the knee of police officer Derek Chauvin…’
Source: Catholic San Francisco
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ISMAPNG
A Desire for Freedom
The Karen [an ethnic group from Burma (Myanmar)] students at St Mary’s campus of Catherine McAuley College, [Bendigo, Victoria], gathered to record the powerful song ‘A Desire for Freedom’, a contemporary song by the Karen artist Chally. The song is sung in the S’gaw Karen dialect and the translation …was done by the students.
Attached is a reflection on the song’s purpose, meaning and significance. Written in their own words, the summary is a compelling reflection on what is important to them.
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Aotearoa New Zealand
Behind the Scenes of Vatican Art and Architecture
This is the second part of the online presentation given by Christopher Longhurst for the Mercy Spirituality Centre, Auckland. Beate (Manager)advises that it is a ‘stand alone’ session so all are welcome. The focus is on the old and new Saint Peter’s Basilica, the Sistine Chapel, papal art galleries at the Vatican Museums, and Raphael’s rooms in the historical Apostolic Palace.
Mercy Matters
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Gospel
13th Sunday on Ordinary Time, Year A
Matthew 10:37-42
What price are we prepared to pay to create a just, equitable and healthy planetary community? That question is at the heart of today’s gospel reading… We seem to be at a turning point in world history, with a climate crisis, a pandemic that has claimed the lives of some 410,000 people and a new consciousness of the discrimination and violence experienced by people of colour…
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Resource
Prayer for Peace of Mind
This short video prayer (2:33) for peace of mind and heart, asks God for inner peace and comfort. Uplifting images of birds flying around a tranquil lake accompany the text.
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Fact
On This Day
1888: Foundation to St John Baptist, Tralee from Killarney - M Elizabeth O'Riordan
1888: Foundation to Midhurst from Brighton
1888: Foundation to Cooktown, Queensland from Dungarvan - M de Sales Meagher
1942: Wellington experienced a major earthquake. The brick Convent at Brougham Street was severely damaged. None of the Sisters were harmed.
Contribute a fact from the story of your Mercy congregation, institute or federation, to our online archive.
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Resource
Re-imagining the Future: Meeting with CLAR (Latinamerican Confederation of Religious)
Recording in English and in Spanish of the webinar held 12 June.
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International Days
International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking
The theme for the 2020 International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking “Better Knowledge for Better Care” emphasizes the need to improve the understanding of the world drug problem and how in turn, better knowledge will foster greater international cooperation for countering its impact on health, governance and security.
Further Resources
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Worth Watching
Ave Maria (Schubert)- Cello & Piano
Marnie Laird (Piano) and Patrick Laird (Cello) are Brooklyn Duo . They cover popular music on classical instruments.
Watch/listen here)
Worth Watching
Presentations on Diversity and Consecrated Life Available Online
The Center for the Study of Consecrated Life, has made freely available videos of Barbara Kraemer OSF and Michel Andraos from their 8-9 May conference, Engaging Our Diversity: Interculturality and Consecrated Life . Presentations run 30 to 40 minutes each. Watch:“We Belong To One Another” Barbara Kraemer, OSF, PhD and “Interculturality: Challenges and Opportunities for Ministry“ Michel Andraos, PhD
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Worth Knowing
The Art of Reading and Praying Scripture
A series of 4 x 1-hour modules examining different methods of reading Scripture. Each module will focus on a different methodology for the reader to come to know and pray using the Divine Word of God.
A free course from the Australian Marists
Enrol here)
Worth Knowing
Aggravating Circumstances: How coronavirus impacts human trafficking
‘The coronavirus is not only claiming hundreds of thousands of lives, but is also causing a global economic crisis that is expected to rival or exceed that of any recession in the past 150 years.’
A publication of Global Initiative
Download the publication here)
Worth Reading
How Humanity Unleashed a Flood of New Diseases
‘What do Covid-19, Ebola, Lyme and AIDS have in common? They jumped to humans from animals after we started destroying habitats and ruining ecosystems.’
A New York Times feature
Read the article here)
Worth Reading
Pope Francis: Message for Fourth World Day of the Poor
15 November 2020
‘Keeping our gaze fixed on the poor is difficult, but more necessary than ever if we are to give proper direction to our personal life and the life of society…We cannot feel “alright” when any member of the human family is left behind and in the shadows…’ (#3,#4)
Read the message here)
Worth Knowing
Coronavirus and Peru
On Sunday, June 14, 2020, the Archbishop of Lima, Monsignor Carlos Castillo, presided over the Eucharistic celebration of the Solemnity of Corpus Christi in the Cathedral Basilica of Lima behind closed doors and with the moving frame of more than 5,000 photographs of those who had died from Covid-19 in Peru. View the video here (SPA)
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Over 70% of the indigenous Peruvian community of Cantagallo Island have tested positive for coronavirus. This is how they are surviving lockdown.
Read the article hereSend suggestions and contributions for the ‘Worth’ Section 2020 to: The Editor
The Bottom Line
‘I sometimes think that capitalism is a catastrophe constantly being mitigated and cleaned up by mutual aid and kinship networks, by the generosity of religious and secular organisations, by the toil of human-rights lawyers and climate groups, and by the kindness of strangers.
Imagine if these forces, this spirit, weren’t just the cleanup crew, but were the ones setting the agenda.’
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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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