Poster Two: "Mercy & Degradation of Earth'
The second of the Segment Two posters —'Mercy & Degradation of Earth'— and accompanying guide for individual/group reflection are released today.
Regional conversations on Zoom on the poster theme will be held on 11, 12 and 13 of August. 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. A short report on the first series of gatherings can be read below.
First MGP Regional Gatherings, 28-30 July
MGP
Gathered from Across the Globe...
Over 200 Sisters and partners-in-Mercy from Australia, New Zealand, Newfoundland, Cambodia, Papua New Guinea, Ireland, Peru, Kenya, South Africa, Philippines, United Kingdom and the United States, participated in one or more of the three regional gatherings held last week on the theme ‘Faith Traditions & Mercy’.
MGP
At One 'Table of Mercy'...
To emphasise the global nature of the events, the decision was taken for these first gatherings to conduct the conversation as a whole group - to share with each other at one ‘Table of Mercy’. At future gatherings we plan to have a mix of small breakout rooms and large group conversations.
MGP
An Experience of Mercy Global Presence...
The experience of meeting anew or, for some Sisters, meeting up again after many years, was exciting and joyful.
The sharing at each gathering was reflective and open. The opportunity to see, listen and hear from each other was historic and memorable.
Vision in Action
Mercy International Centre
Mercy Day at Mercy International Centre 2020
It will come as no surprise to learn that it will not be possible to gather as usual this year because of the pandemic restrictions on travel and gatherings. However, there will be Mass in the Baggot Street Chapel at 12 noon Dublin time (Your time here) on Mercy Day, 24 September. The Mass will be live-streamed through the Mercyworld.org website and everyone is invited.
So mark the date and time in your calendars now, invite others to put the date in their diary and join in - perhaps by physically gathering with you on the day if social distancing regulations in your place allow . Details on how to connect in and where to download the liturgy leaflet will be available in Mercy eNews in the coming weeks.
Mercy Global Action
10 Years of the Human Right to Water and Sanitation
The year 2020 commemorates ten years since the adoption of UN resolution 64/292 which “recognizes the right to safe and clean drinking water and sanitation as a human right that is essential for the full enjoyment of life”. Mercy Global Action recalls the 2010 UN Resolution on the Human Right to Water and Sanitation and calls on UN Member States worldwide to reaffirm the human right to water and sanitation at all levels of society…
Events & Programmes
Tour of MIC to Be Offered in English then Spanish Translation
A tour of Mercy International Centre in English and Spanish will be conducted on 15 August. The explanation will be offered first in English by Anna Nicholls rsm then in Spanish translation by Margaret Milne rsm.
There are additional tours on offer in English during August…
MIA Prayer Intention: End to Nuclear Weapons
This week we mark the 75th anniversary of the detonation of nuclear bombs during World War II in Hiroshima (August 6) and Nagasaki (August 9). We join with all those who pray for a peaceful world.
Post your prayer in our online chapel.
Messages to: Berneice Loch rsm - CEO MIA
Members' News
Image source: CC-BY-SA-2.5,2.0,1.0. GNU
The Congregation
John Hume – A Northern Man with a Global Reach!
John Hume, Derry man and global peacemaker died today, August 3, 2020.
One of the greatest leaders of modern Irish history, John was a proud northerner who was very proud of his Derry roots. As a young teacher in Derry during the worst of the troubles, I often used John’s words to help our young navigate the hatred and sectarianism, which was part and parcel of daily life in Derry…
Parramatta
McAuley Students Represent Australia in Space Design Competition
A team of 11 Catherine McAuley [Westmead, New South Wales] students has represented Australia in the International Space Settlement Design (ISSD) Competition which took place over four days this past weekend. Originally planned to take place in Florida, USA the competition was moved to an online format due to Covid. It is an industry simulation game with teams given the task of designing a habitat for researchers on Mars….
Image source: YouTube
Americas
Mercy College President Challenges Institutions of Higher Education to Address Systemic Racism
Mercy College [New York ] President Tim Hall has penned an Op-Ed titled, “Where Does Systemic Racism Live on College Campuses?” to address the failure of Colleges and Universities to help end systemic racism and ensure equal success for all students. Through adopting specific practices throughout its student’s educational experience, Mercy College has seen the achievement gap for students of color shrink to record lows in under 10 years…
Stock image
Americas
Solar Power Improves COVID-19 Care at Nigerian Hospitals
One of Mercy Investment Services’ Environmental Solutions Fund investments is playing an important role in addressing the COVID-19 pandemic in Nigeria…
Mercy Investment Services’ investment in Starsight is one of 23 Environmental Solutions Fund investments dedicated to cleantech, water, green buildings, and sustainable agriculture and forestry. Learn more about the fund and the impact of its investments.
ISMAPNG
The Rejuvenation of St Ann's Garden at Emmanuel College, Warrnambool
Just outside the Chapel, the rejuvenation of St. Ann’s garden has recently been completed. The addition of coloured glass into the existing frame that forms a backdrop to the statue, has added an interesting new dimension. The glass captures the reflection of the statue, the stonework, the trees in the background and, depending on the time of the day, the sunrise and sunset. The light, the colours and the reflections change depending on the time of day and where you stand and view the garden…
Brisbane
Mater Hospital's $52m Centre Opens Its Doors
‘Mater Hospital Townsville’s new $52 million Mercy Centre has officially opened, bringing state-of-the-art operating theatres and cutting-edge technology to North Queensland communities…
Mater CEO Peter Steer said…it had been 75 years since the Sisters of Mercy founded Mater Private Hospital in Townsville and the new centre provided a roadmap for going forward…’
Source: Cath News
Mercy Matters
Technical Tip
10 Google Keep Tips & Tricks to Be a More Productive Learner
‘10 Google Keep Tips & Tricks to Be a More Productive Learner…’
Fact
On This Day
1865: Foundation to Bangor, Maine from New Hampshire - M Gonzaga O'Brien
1866: St Mary's Chapel opens on St Mary's Convent site in Ponsonby Auckland.
1883: Foundation to Sandgate from Brisbane, Queensland - M Borgia Byrne
M. Bernard Dickson
Fact
On This Day cont.
1894: Foundation to Sandgate from Brisbane, Queensland - M Borgia Byrne
1895: Death of M Bernard Dickson, Crimean nurse, Foundress of Wellington
Contribute a fact from the story of your Mercy congregation, institute or federation, to our online archive.
Resource
Webinar: Reconnecting in faith with Creation, Land and Water
This World Council of Churches (WCC) webinar held 28 July, ‘explored the ways in which we tie our faith to living responsibly on earth. Participants explored together why and how a sustainable future must be based on the interdependency of the whole creation, not an anthropocentric understanding in which human beings are the dominant species.’
Resource
Stillness Exercise
‘This resource may be helpful for those finding that their prayer is hindered by distractions. You may also like to try the audio resource Preparing for Prayer’
Gospel
19th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year A
Matthew 14:22-33
'Right now, our planet is battered by the waves of pandemic. Our church also knows what it means to be “battered by the waves”. Over its two millennia history, there have been periods of discrimination and persecution against its members. Countless church members have died for their faith, while others have been and are being denied the freedom to practice their religion. ..'
Further Resources
Worth Watching
'Shalom'
‘Dan Forrest's "Shalom", written for SATB choir as a way to share peace to one another during the pandemic and racial injustices of 2020 (available September 2020), is performed here in a Vocal Duet version, with piano and optional violin.’
Watch/listen here
Worth Knowing
Climate Justice with and for Children and Youth in Churches. Get Informed, Get Inspired, Take Action
The World Council of Churches has produced this 30 page resource kit of suggestions and good practices.
Free to download
Download it here
Worth Reading
LCWR Annual report
The 2019-2020 LCWR (Leadership Conference of Women Religious) Annual report ‘Imagining Leadership in a Global Community’ is now online.
Read it here
Worth Knowing
Lifestyle changes could delay or prevent 40% of dementia cases – study
‘Addressing 12 factors such as excessive drinking and air pollution exposure may have significant effect, experts say’
Dementia was one of the issues named in MIRP under the theme ‘Displacement of Persons’.
Read the article here
Worth Reading
'It gives you a sense of pride': what four people learned from quitting plastic for a month
‘Planning ahead is the easiest way to reduce your plastic waste – but for Plastic Free July participants, there have been some surprising outcomes too’
Read the article here
Worth Knowing
Take a virtual journey through marine ecosystems under threat
‘Step into the shoes of a tourist, fisher person and a sea turtle to see how human development is impacting the world’s oceans in a new series of online journeys from UNEP (UN Environment Programs)’
Take the journeySend suggestions and contributions for the ‘Worth’ Section 2020 to: The Editor
The Bottom Line
‘That’s how real life is lived: not in op-eds and Twitter feeds, but rather in a thousand tiny exchanges, acts of forbearance, and forgiveness….It’s shared wonder…It’s the small sacrifice…a shared moment…That’s how real life is lived. And I wonder as well if this isn’t the way real change takes place, because what do we really have to offer one another except a welcome, a lovely garden, a place at the table?’ 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
