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Mercy Day Mass Now Available for Viewing
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The pre-recorded Mercy Day Mass from Mercy International Centre is now available for viewing from this link.
The Mass is also accessible from the links on the homepage of the Mercyworld.org website in both the main messaging area and under ‘Featured News’.
A worksheet for younger students is available on the page with the Mass video.
The Mass this year includes contributions from different parts of the world. We hope that it will serve as a particular gift to those of you who face restrictions at this time and are unable to celebrate as you usually do on this special day.
Vision in Action
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MGA
‘Hope in a Time of Pandemic' Issue Spotlight (5): The Pandemic of Kindness
MGA’s recent publication, ‘Hope in a Time of Pandemic,’ has illustrated that amidst pain and suffering, there is human capacity for transformation, resilience, kindness and creativity. Through the inspiration of our foundress Catherine McAuley, the Mercy World has responded to this global crisis with compassion, hope and resilience…
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Stalls in the MIC ChapelPrayer
MIA Prayer Intention: For Responsiveness to the Needs of Others
From the Universal Prayer at Mercy Day Mass, Mercy International Centre
We pray for those in leadership who have the ability to influence our world in ways that protect those most vulnerable
-may they show Mercy in their actions.
We pray for those who seek a kind word, a gentle compassionate look or the patient hearing of troubles
-may we show Mercy in our actions…
Post your prayer in our online chapel
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Prayer
Mercy Day Greetings
Greetings from Congregations, Institutes and Ministries are linked to this item.
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MGP Segment Three 'Presence' Available 30 September
Having now explored the context for Mercy Global Presence as “global” and its spirit as “mercy,” in this third segment we centre our attention to presence – presence to, with and of God; presence of and to Earth; presence in ministry and in community; and presence to oneself and others.
Members' News
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The Burren, Co. ClareThe Congregation
Wilderness Sunday
The notion of Wilderness does not refer to any one concrete aspect of the Natural World. Rather it encapsulates all of it in some sense. When talking of Wilderness we could be referring to the rugged hills, the snow-capped mountains, the ancient forests, the vast deserts, the deep oceans, the misty bogs or lonely moors… Wilderness suggests them all…
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Sr Rosita with women & children in ArgentinaAmericas
A Look at the Culture of the Encounter
To celebrate Mercy Day 2020, the Institute of the Americas is sharing a five-part blog series focusing on Mercy’s response to the critical needs of our time.
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Aotearoa New Zealand
Sponsor’s Council to oversee PJP’s course
Two major milestones were reached at the latest meeting of the Sponsorship Committee working to establish a ministerial Public Juridic Person (PJP) to own and govern ministries established in this country by the Sisters of Mercy.
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l-r: Angela, Sue Mowbray with Home in a BoxNorth Sydney
Mercy Foundation Celebrating 30 Years at the Service of Human Dignity
On 24 September 2020, the Mercy Foundation celebrates 30 years at the service of human dignity.
For thirty years, the Mercy Foundation has helped communities across Australia respond to people in need. Following the closure of the Mater public hospital in 1990, the Sisters of Mercy North Sydney established the Mercy Foundation ensuring that the Congregation could continue their mission to alleviate poverty and address disadvantage, restoring dignity to people’s lives…
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The Congregation
Mercy Law Resource Centre provides free legal advice to 500 homeless families
‘Nearly 500 homeless families were supported last year by the Mercy Law Resource Centre, an independent organisation providing free legal advice and representation.
The centre’s clients included people forced to sleep rough or in their cars because local authorities refused them emergency accommodation; families with children forced to find their own emergency accommodation night after night; and Travellers in uninhabitable conditions as local authorities failed to carry out essential maintenance works…’
Source: The Irish Times
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Americas
Let’s Own and Overcome Racism with Mercy
Mary Pendergast rsm writes:
‘I am a white nun who not only believes that Black Lives Matter, but who also marches, petitions legislators, and educates myself to help bring about racial justice. So does my religious order — the Sisters of Mercy of the Americas — whose Rhode Island sisters have made overcoming racism a cornerstone of our mission…
The Sisters of Mercy will renew our commitment to anti-racism work and other justice issues on Sept. 24 — what we call Mercy Day, the anniversary of our founding — and we invite Rhode Islanders to join us. What should be our response to racism? I believe Sisters of Mercy can help point the way…’
Source: Providence Journal
To read the article in full, you may need to use the Journal site search and look for ‘Opinion/Pendergast’
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Join the Final Bilingual September Virtual Tour of Mercy International Centre
Sunday, 27 September, 11pm Dublin, 5 pm Peru.
Anna Nicholls rsm with Carmen Rosa Ccallomamani rsm
Season of Creation (4)
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Resource
Laudato Si’: Caring for Creation and future generations
In this latest issue of ad vitam, the webzine of the Canadian religious Conference (CRC), contributors renew their outlook on Laudato Si’ and current issues.
Read it online (interactive)
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Resource
Re-imagining the Promised Land - Green Christian Online Festival
‘Green Christian’s Re-imagining the Promised Land online Festival will inspire us to reimagine a good future for ourselves and all Creation. Join us as we craft a new narrative amid pandemic and planetary emergency.’
Details of the Free conference & speakers are attached
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Resource
7 Days of Creation Retreat
While designed as a resource in preparation for Season 2020, this resource could be well used to conclude the Season, offering a way to prepare users to go forward, able to better listen to and respond to the cry of Earth.
Mercy Matters
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International Days
27 September, World Day of Migrants and Refugees
Theme: ‘Forced like Jesus to flee’
‘It’s not about numbers, it’s about people. If we meet them, we’ll get to know them. And if we know their stories, we’ll be able to understand them.’
—Pope Francis, Message for the 106th World Day of Migrants and Refugees 2020
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FAct
On This Day
1846: Foundation to Chicago II - Superior M Agatha O'Brien (just professed)
1850: Foundation to Loughrea, Co Galway from Tullamore - M Joseph Delamere
1873: Foundation to Michigan from Brooklyn, New York - M Joseph Lynch
1875: Foundation to John's Hill, Waterford from Clonakilty - Margaret M Maher
1954: Foundation to Tacloban City, Phillipines from St Maries of the Isle, Cork
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Resource
May Hope Be Yours CD
‘Be God’s’, ‘May Hope Be Yours’ and ‘Easter Snow’ , music used in the Mercy Day Mass, are three tracks from the CD ‘May Hope Be Yours’ by Srs Marie Cox, Frances Kennedy and Patricia O’Donovan. Proceeds from the sale of their CD are donated to the Society of St. Vincent de Paul.
Purchase the CD for €15 plus postage through the MIC Gift Shop or from Aine McGoldrick rsm and support a most worthy cause.
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Digital Life
Join in a Virtual Taizé Prayer Experience
Join the Sisters of Mercy in Burlingame, California, who have created a monthly virtual Taizé prayer experience. September's offering is Prayer Around the Cross.
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Gospel
26th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year A
Matthew 21:28-32
'As we celebrate the fourth week in the Season of Creation, we might ponder again the ways in which Earth cares for us. Vineyards have provided nourishment for countless families in the ancient Mediterranean world since about 10,000 BCE. It is not surprising then that the biblical record frequently references vines and vineyards and that the vineyard becomes a metaphor for God’s “workplace”. ..'
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International Days
29 September, International Day of Awareness on Food Loss and Waste Reduction
‘This year we celebrate the first ever observance of the International Day of Awareness of Food Loss and Waste. It also comes during the global COVID-19 pandemic, that has brought about a global wake-up on the need to transform and rebalance the way our food is produced and consumed.’
Further Resources
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Worth Reading
Impact of COVID-19 on Women and Children: Mary Robinson
‘DUBLIN, Sep 16 2020 (IPS) - The impacts of crises are never gender-neutral and COVID-19 is no exception. The pandemic has resulted in increased rates of violence against women and has exacerbated challenges in accessing justice. Women are losing their livelihoods faster than men…’
Read the article here)
Worth Watching
A Tribute to All Nations
‘This is my song O God of all the Nations
A song of peace for lands afar and mine…’
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Worth Knowing
Pope Francis to Virtually Address UN General Assembly Confirms Vatican
Matteo Bruni, Director of the Holy See Press Office has confirmed that Pope Francis will address the UN General Assembly in a pre-recorded message. It is five years since he last addressed the United Nations.
The theme of this, the 75th General Assembly (22-26, 29 September), is ‘The future we want, the United Nations we need’, and there is a strong focus on the role of youth, and ensuring the UN remains relevant for future generations.
Watch the address given on 25 September, here)
Worth Reading
Holy See on water as crucial element for health of people and planet
‘Archbishop Ivan Jurkovič, Permanent Observer of the Holy See, addressing the 45th Session of the United Nations Human Rights Council on Wednesday says, "water is the most essential element for life, and the future of humanity depends on our capacity to guard it and share it."‘
Read the article here)
Worth Knowing
New wave of famine could sweep the globe, overwhelming nations already weakened by years of conflict, warn UN officials
‘The global hunger crisis caused by conflict – and now compounded by COVID-19 – is moving into a dangerous phase, the head of the UN World Food Programme (WFP) said on Thursday, stressing that without resources, a wave of famine could sweep the globe, overwhelming nations already weakened by years of instability.’
Read the article here)
Worth Knowing
Collective Trauma Summit 2020
David Whyte, Valerie Kaur, Pádraig Ó Tuama, Naomi Shihab Nye, Jane Hirshfield, Margaret Wheatley are just some of the familiar names among the 40 presenters & performers at Collective Trauma Summit 2020, a free event.
Registration by email is required.
Note: while attendance is free and those enrolled have 48 hours to view the presentations once these are given, the organisers are actively marketing the purchase of ‘Upgrade packages’.
Conference information can be found here)
Worth Watching
Nations United: Urgent Solutions for Urgent Times
‘19 Sep 2020 - Nations United is a special, first of its kind film, created by the United Nations on its 75th Anniversary and to mark five years since the adoption of the Sustainable Development Goals.
In the midst of a pandemic radically transforming our world, Nations United tells the story of the world as it is, as it was, and as it could be. It focuses on the solutions and action we need to tackle poverty, inequality, injustice and climate change.
Watch the film here (34:09)Send suggestions and contributions for the ‘Worth’ Section 2020 to: The Editor
The Bottom Line
‘Mercy promotes and does not mitigate justice… In mercy we accompany those whose rights are ignored….Mercy does not tire in its search for justice, and for that reason mercy always is inextricably linked to promoting the common good.
Mercy prompts us to see that we are all neighbors bound to the common good. Mercy helps us to recognize our neighbor who is excluded; the common good gives us the pathway to respond. Mercy is where we start; the common good is what we aim for.’ Read more
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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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