Poster One—'Faith Traditions and Mercy'
The first of the Segment Two posters —'Faith Traditions and Mercy'— and accompanying guide for individual/group reflection is released today, together with an invitation to all members of the Mercy Family to participate in regional conversations on Zoom on the poster themes following each poster’s public release.
The release dates for the remaining posters and accompanying guides are:
5 August, 19 August, 2 September. The flip book of all four posters and accompanying guide will be released on 16 September.
Position: Head of Heritage and Spirituality Mercy International Association
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MIA
Mercy International Association (MIA) is seeking to fill the position of Head of Heritage and Spirituality. The person holding this position is a member of the MIA Executive Team sharing leadership responsibilities for MIA, and taking specific responsibility for
· Liturgical and prayer activities for MIA which foster a robust and relevant Mercy Spirituality.
· The programmes delivered at and by MIA;
· Heritage displays, heritage items and in particular MIA Archives.
MIA
The successful applicant will have a strong foundation in the Gospel as well as the spirit and legacy of Catherine McAuley. A valuing of diversity and inclusion, particularly through enthusiastic embrace of our multicultural and multilingual reality, will be expected.
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MIA
The ideal candidate will have skills and experience in adult education, programme development, delivery and review; liturgical leadership; and simultaneous management of a variety of projects. Organisation and communication skills are essential, and appreciation of the use of electronic media for communication will be an advantage.
Vision in Action
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Prayer
MIA Prayer Intention: Walking the Path of Mercy
God of Mercy, you share your name with us and invite us to witness to your mercy in our world. In a world so in need of mercy, help us to respond with sensitivity, warmth, compassion and action. Encourage us to walk boldly in the path of mercy knowing that you journey with us as companion and guide. We ask this in Jesus’ name. Amen.
From MGP Reflective Prayer ‘New Foundations in Mercy’
Post your prayer in our online chapel
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MGA
Meet the New MIA- MGA Team Members
Siobhán Golden is the new MGA Intern; Cecilie Kern has been appointed to the newly created position of join Mercy Global Action as the Global Policy and Research Advocate.
Their biographies are linked to this item.
Events & Programmes
Virtual Tours of Mercy International Centre in July or August
A further opportunity to take a tour if you haven’t already made a virtual visit:
Dates: 16, 23, 28 July; 4, 11, 17, 20, 26 August
Contact Sr Anna if you are interested in organising a special tour for your school, university, staff or community group in July or August.
Members' News
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Americas
Learn the Story of Mercy Focus on Haiti
Mercy Focus on Haiti (MFOH) has told its story as part of the Mercy Global Presence series, "Distinct Voice: New Foundations." The story of MFOH began as a lunch-table conversation at the Institute Chapter in 2011. Its first members were from each of the former six Institute Communities, a tradition that continues today. Learn how, in solidarity and collaboration with the Haitians, this work continues in the spirit and tradition of Catherine McAuley
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Americas
Sisters' $1,000 Grants Help Families and Nonprofit Staff Impacted by COVID-19
‘A national initiative to give 1,000 sisters $1,000 each to help those hit hardest by the COVID-19 pandemic had its start with just one congregation: the Sisters of Mercy of the Americas…
Mercy Sr. Tina Geiger, a recipient of one of the first grants, knows one unexpected bill or one missed paycheck can change everything for a family. She sees it happen all the time…’
Source: Global Sisters Report
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ISMAPNG
Finding New Ways of Supporting During COVID-19
Stella Maris Seafarers Centre in Mackay, [Queensland] is the Catholic Church’s missionary work to seafarers whether they are on merchant or coal ships berthing at the three ports at Mackay Harbour, Dalrymple Bay and Hay Point Coal Terminals about 40kms south of Mackay. The Mackay’s Stella Maris Seafarers Centre has been caring for the spiritual, social and material welfare of all seafarers without distinction of colour, race or creed since it was built in 1995.
I have been a volunteer at Stella Maris Mackay for the past five years…
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Brisbane
Mater becomes Queensland’s largest Catholic not-for-profit healthcare provider
Mater across South-East, Central and North Queensland has come together to legally merge as one—beginning a new era in health as the state’s largest Catholic not-for-profit healthcare provider.
The merger [sees] Mercy Health and Aged Care in Central Queensland, Mater Health Services in North Queensland, and Mater Misericordiae Limited in South East Queensland join forces under one Mission to serve the community and provide compassionate care to those who need it most…
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Aotearoa New Zealand
PJP Journey on Track Despite Lockdown
Despite three months of Covid-19 lockdown, the process of moving towards the establishment of a Ministerial Public Juridic person (PJP) has not been delayed, says project facilitator and Australian Sister of Mercy Marg Endicott. She spoke to Karanga Atawhai after the latest online meeting of the Sponsorship Committee on June 18…
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The Congregation
Do Disturb Radio Broadcast
Do Disturb, a radio documentary on the issue of modern day slavery, was broadcast in Ireland on 5 and 11 July.
The programme produced by Patricia Baker and made with MECPATHS (Mercy Efforts for Child protection Against trafficking with the Hospitality sector) is about the importance of increasing public awareness and understanding that no matter how overwhelming this global issue is, there is something we can do to bring about change.
Play the programme here (46:34)
Mercy Matters
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Digital Life
Google Will Delete Your Data by Default—in 18 Months
From 24 June, Google has made the previously opt-in auto-delete feature the norm.
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Gospel
16th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year A
Matthew 13:24-35
‘Experienced gardeners or farmers or bakers might take issue with Jesus’ choice of images for God’s empire or kin-dom of the heavens. They may be singularly unimpressed by the methods of the farmer-gardener-God presented in today’s gospel reading…’
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Fact
On This Day
1855: Death of M Francis Creedon, Foundress of Newfoundland
1874: Alderney Convent, Channel Islands founded from Guernsey - Sr Francis Tadman.
1891: Death of M de Sales Gorry, first Queensland postulant and first Rockhampton Superior
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International Days
18 July, Nelson Mandela International Day
An invitation to take action in our local communities and inspire the change that needs to take place.
‘A fundamental concern for others in our individual and community lives would go a long way in making the world the better place we so passionately dreamt of. … It is so easy to break down and destroy. The heroes are those who make peace and build. ...’
Nelson Mandela, Soweto, 12 July 2008
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Resource
An Introduction to Mercy in the Christian Scriptures
Elizabeth Dowling rsm, presenter of the Theological Imaginings for the MGP Segment One theme ‘Incarnate God in Cosmos and in Person of Jesus’, gave this presentation on Zoom recently to members of ISMAPNG.
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Resource
Two Webinars Offer a Broader Vision of Religious Life in the West
Further Resources
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Worth Reading
How moments of pause can open us to new possibilities
‘“Time is greater than space,” proposes Pope Francis. “It helps us patiently to endure difficult and adverse situations, or inevitable changes in our plans. It invites us to accept the tension between fullness and limitation, and to give a priority to time.” When I first read Evangelii Gaudium (The Joy of the Gospel), I did not appreciate the depth of the pope’s point. As I comply with social distancing, the tensions of time and space are more palpable. The pandemic reveals many aspects of our social order, injustices, priorities, and common lives that we previously did not notice…’
Read the article hereWorth Watching
'The Mission'
The late Ennio Morricone conducts the main theme from ‘The Mission’ - Concerto di Natale (Concert for Christmas) 2012 - in Assisi.
Watch/listen here)
Worth Reading
Global Acceleration Framework to speed up water and sanitation access for all
‘A new mechanism launched on Thursday aims to speed up action so that people everywhere will have access to water and sanitation by the end of the decade, in line with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).’
Read the article here)
Worth Watching
Webinars on human rights, ethics and climate change.
During the 44th Regular Session of the UN Human Rights Council (30 June - 17 July), the Lutheran World Federation co-hosted a series of three webinars on human rights, ethics and climate change.
Details & links to the archived webinars are here:
Webinar One, Webinar Two, Webinar Three
Photo by Markus Spiske on Unsplash
Send suggestions and contributions for the ‘Worth’ Section 2020 to: The Editor
The Bottom Line
‘Every major faith tradition holds that mercy is essential to its life, requires many words to reflect its depth, is a name for God, is one of the qualities of God lived by people every day, and is integrally connected to creation and to earth.’
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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