Mercy Global Presence - Invitation to Participate in Regional Conversations on Zoom
We are delighted at the number of responses already received for the first of the global reflections which is on MGP Poster One.
Sisters of Mercy, all members of the Mercy Family and all who seek to be channels of God's mercy in our world in this time, are welcome to register for one of the regional gatherings. The gatherings have been arranged at convenient times to enable broad participation, and with an openness to participants joining from across the regions as well.
We are now able to confirm the dates for the first four sessions being held in each of the three regions.
Vision in Action
Prayer
MIA Prayer Intention: For the Philippines
Three weeks of common prayer are underway in the Philippines (16 July-5 August).
Let us join our prayers with those of the Sisters of Mercy and members of the Mercy Family in the Philippines, ‘dedicated to the "national healing" of the country, overwhelmed by many challenges, including that of the coronavirus pandemic.’
Post your prayer in our online chapel
MGA
Mercy Global Action Emerging Leaders Fellows Present on Panel Highlighting the Five Fellowship Components
Twenty-five years ago the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action flagged twelve key areas where urgent action was needed to ensure gender equality and women’s empowerment across the globe. One of these areas was ‘Women in Power and Decision Making’. This indicator gave rise to the creation of the Mercy Global Action Emerging Leaders Fellowship…
In lieu of an in-person event in New York to mark Beijing+25 during the CSW, Fellows presented their experiences as Mercy Global Action Emerging Leaders to UN-based colleagues of MGA last month via Zoom…
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: 23 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
The Congregation
Who Gets Counted and Who Gets Left Out
Years ago, I read a book by Megan McKenna, Not Counting Women and Children...These past few weeks, as the coronavirus continues its insidious and deadly advance across the globe, McKenna's commentary came to mind and I wondered about the criteria used to decide who gets counted and who gets left out…
Source: Global Sisters Report
Americas
The Many Faces of Mercy in the Pandemic
Barb Giehl, Mercy candidate and registered nurse, features on the cover of the special Pandemic issue of iViva Mercy (PDF), the bimonthly publication of the Sisters of Mercy of the Americas generously shared by them here. Introducing the wealth of articles on the many faces of Mercy binding the community together is an historical piece (PDF) by Mary C Sullivan rsm on Catherine McAuley, the early Sisters, and epidemics/pandemics.
Mercy Global Presence (MGP)
COVID-19 'Good Reading': New Foundations in Mercy
This collection of resources, like the presentations on the New Foundations MGP theme, gives us ‘diverse and startling images of the realities around our world’ as well as being ‘signs of hope in response to what might appear to be overwhelming and hopeless realities’.
Sally Bradley rsm (r), Executive Director, with studentAustralia & PNG
Mercy Connect Creating Connections
Mercy Connect was established in 2008 to break down the barriers that refugee and asylum seeker students face as they settle into the Australian education system…
The interruption to the normal schooling caused by the COVID-19 pandemic over the last few months has been more detrimental to those students who were already experiencing difficulties – among them those from asylum seeker and refugee backgrounds.
GB Union
Living with the Coronavirus Pandemic 2020
How it has been for us — A few reflections under Lockdown. Little did we think that Lockdown would bring so many restrictions and last so long. The Scripture quote on our Mercy Calendar read: “Never grow tired of doing what is right.” (2 Thesalonians: 3:13) We keep trying like many others to live this quotation! We acquired a new vocabulary: “Wash your Hands” “Save Lives” “Stay at Home” “Protect the NHS” “Social Distancing” “Wear a Mask” “Sanitizing” and many more. We adjusted to a new way of using our time: developing computer skills, shopping on-line, live-streaming and learning a new way of being Church…
Americas
Mercy Doctor Discusses Loneliness
Loneliness can affect anyone at any age, and as COVID-19 restrictions continue, a Mercy doctor weighs in on the impact loneliness can have on both physical and mental health.
Dr. Rachel Fiori, psychiatrist with Mercy Fort Smith, says connecting with others is an essential part of a person’s overall well-being.
Mercy Matters
Resource
Mercy Partners: Reflections on 10 Green Commandments
Ten Green Commandments #4: Recognise that the abuse of Creation is Ecological Sin
Previously published: No 1 , No 2 , No 3 and Introduction
Fact
On This Day
1868: Foundation to Albury, New South Wales from Goulburn - M Ignatius Murphy
1873: Opening of St Saviours, Toowoomba, Queensland - M Rose Flanagan
1875: Foundation to Cedar Rapids from Davenport, Iowa
Contribute a fact from the story of your Mercy congregation, institute or federation, to our online archive.
Digital Life
These 10 super-useful Gmail add-ons will change how you work
‘It’s easy to intermingle Gmail with Zoom, Slack, Dropbox, and other services—and it’ll let you get more stuff done in way less time.’
Gospel
17th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year A
Matthew 13:44-52
The three parables and the summary statement in today’s gospel conclude Matthew’s parable chapter. In the first parable, the Matthean Jesus likens the kin-dom of the heavens, not just to “treasure”, but rather to treasure hidden in a field that someone, possibly a slave or day labourer, finds and hides before going joyfully to sell everything in order to buy the field and acquire the treasure...'
Prayer
Online Prayer Invitation from UISG
UISG has issued an invitation to prayer on 23 July at 3pm CEST (Your time here)
Meeting ID is: 897 8810 3343
Resource
Let’s Take Care of One Another Just as Our Saving God Cares for Us
On 29 June the leaders of UISG and USG in a joint letter shared ‘concerns and experiences amidst these uncertainties, to manifest our communion, and to offer insights for discernment in this time of great suffering for the whole of humanity’. As a follow up, last week Patrizia Morgante, UISG Communications officer, interviewed Jolanta Kafka rmi, President UISG and Arturo Sosa sj, President USG (30:46)
Further Resources
Worth Watching
'I'm Free'
Canadian quintet Sultans of String asked people to send in photos and depictions of what they are missing the most during lockdown. Their plan: ‘to create something that helps connect us all, provides some hope and joy, and helps us envision our future we can create when we get past this pandemic’. This is the result.
Watch/listen/reflect here
Worth Knowing
'Graced Crossroads: Pathways to Deep Change and Transformation'
‘Catholic religious communities, like many faith-based organizations, are at a crossroads. They are experiencing a seismic transition not only in their demographics but also in their identity, integrity, and relevancy, indeed, their very soul.’ Ted Dunn explores these Graced Crossroads addressing four central questions…
For details & how to purchase
Worth Knowing
A Care Package for Uncertain Times
‘A collection of podcasts, poetry, meditations and reflection for however you’re processing this moment.’
Dip into these resources here
Worth Reading
Liz Hoare's list of twelve great spiritual writers includes key extracts from each writer's best-loved books and suggestions for personal reflection or group discussion. Among the twelve are: Annie Dillard, Marilynne Robinson, Anne Lamott, Mary Oliver and Kathleen Norris.
Available on kindle.
Further details here
Worth Knowing
130 Million People May Face Chronic Hunger
‘On Monday, an annual report which tracks progress towards ending hunger was released. With it came devastating news: over 130 million more people may face chronic hunger by the end of this year.’
Ask World Leaders to Take Action! Caritas Internationalis Releases 2019 Annual ReportSend suggestions and contributions for the ‘Worth’ Section 2020 to: The Editor
The Bottom Line
‘“At the moment, with COVID-19, there is a move… to see things as much more interconnected: healthcare, environment, climate change, poverty, and exclusion,” she said.
The encyclical seems to have been “written for this crisis,” she continued, and “bears re-reading because the messages are so relevant now.” She emphasized that “Laudato Si’” shares a message of hope, not despair, and it communicates to readers that the situation is not helpless and that there is “something we can do.”
“It’s designed as a kind of call to action,” she added.’ Read more
Mercy eNews
The online newsletter of Mercy International Association is published weekly, 48 weeks each year and distributed to subscribers via email.
For more information on the directors click here
