)
)
)
Mercy Global Presence Segment Three: 'Presence' Begins Today
)
Stock image used under licence
We begin Segment Three in this time of continuing global vulnerability with the first of our ‘Presence’ themes —Presence of/with/to God.
Presenters for September are: Elizabeth Davis rsm (Newfoundland, Introduction), Mary-Paula Cancienne rsm, (Americas Theological Imaginings), Marilyn Brown rsm (The Congregation, Artistic Inspiration), Maura Walsh rsm (The Congregation, Grassroots Ministry), Amanda Carrier rsm (Americas, Mercy Global Action), Agnes Hunter rsm (The Congregation, Distinct Voice), Josephine Davies rsm & Cathy Edge rsm (Great Britain Institute, Reflective Prayer).
Stock image used under licence
Vision in Action
)
Prayer
MIA Prayer Intention: 1 October, International Day of Older Persons
During this COVID-19 pandemic we have all been conscious of the vulnerabilities and special needs of the elderly. Today is an opportunity to celebrate the special gifts that older people bring to us with the wisdom of their years. Pope Francis has reminded us that ‘Life is a gift, and when it is long it is a privilege, for oneself and for others. Always.’
Let us continue to give thanks for those enjoying their seniority, respect them and learn from them. For those among us who are elderly, may we know ourselves to be ‘a storehouse of wisdom’.
Post your prayer in our online chapel
)
All Hallows School Brisbane choirEvents & Programmes
Mercy Day Mass 2020
The Mercy Day Mass 2020 remains available in the Newsroom in the ‘Events & Programmes’ section.
The video has also been added to our online library where it can be searched for under the categories ‘Celebration Days’ and ‘Sisters of Mercy’.
)
MGA
‘Hope in a Time of Pandemic’ Issue Spotlight #6 -Food and Water
COVID-19 has revealed innumerable inequalities and deeply rooted systemic injustices in areas such as physical and mental health, mobility, political institutions, and housing. Two vulnerable areas most vital to the survival of people and Earth are the supply of food and water. Stories featured in Mercy Global Action’s COVID-19 Response Task Force report ‘Hope in a Time of Pandemic – Responding to COVID-19 through a Mercy Lens’ reveal both the challenges and resilience of communities experiencing water shortages and food insecurity during the Pandemic.
Cookie Notice: Important Information About Changes We Are Making on Our Website
)
MIA
Changes in Data Protection Require Your Consent
From Tuesday, 6 October, changes in data protection guidance in Ireland mean that we need to make changes to our Cookie Notice. Cookies are small text files placed on your computer when you visit a website. These assign your device a unique identifier.
The first time you visit the Mercyworld.org website after Monday 5 October you will see the cookie notice - extract pictured above. Aside from appearance, the main change is that we will now require your consent for all non-essential cookies to be placed on your device.
)
MIA
Types of Cookies on Our Website
We have two types of cookies on our site that while important, are non-essential. Functional cookies enhance your experience of the website while Performance cookies allow us to see how well our website is performing.
On the new cookie notice on our website you will have the option to consent to the use of functional and performance cookies or to reject their use - as shown above.
To opt in to both types, click the ‘Accept All’ button.
To reject both types, click the ‘Reject All’ button. You can also opt in to each type individually, by selecting the switch and pressing the ‘Save Settings’ option.
){kind=icon}
MIA
Changing Your Preferences
Once your preferences have been made and saved, the cookie notice will not appear again on that device for 6 months (180 days). However, if you switch to another device, you will need to repeat the process.
You can change your cookie preferences at any time by clicking the icon - as shown above. This icon appears on the right hand side of your screen, and when clicked, will reopen the cookie settings menu.
We are also taking this opportunity to update our Privacy Notice.
Members' News
)
The Congregation
Let us be Bearers of Hope in the Midst of Pain and Suffering
As the world grapples with responding to the COVID-19 pandemic, with its devastating consequences for individuals and communities, a major question occupies my mind: What critical opportunity does this story of tragic suffering and loss present for theological reflection?
This story is painful. I have been reflecting on it contemplatively, and with the mind of Jesus, trying to see God's presence in this crisis.
Source: Global Sisters Report
)
The Congregation
Calling for an End to Fossil Fuels in Africa
Editor: 4 October concludes the Season of Creation when we are reminded to act together for the climate. Throughout this Season we have highlighted resources to assist us all to collaborate and celebrate. In Mercy eNews Issue #881 (26 August) we featured the collaboration between Sisters of Mercy and Franciscans in Kenya. This week we are again delighted to showcase their partnership, with a video from an event last month against fossil fuels featuring Mercy students as the singers and dancers.
We thank Rose Macharia rsm for bringing it to our attention and for the inspiration it offers in reminding us all of what can be achieved when we work together.
)
Orb mosaic in front of AddertonBrisbane
Reflection Garden 'Magnolia Place' at All Hallows' School Dedicated and Blessed
On 10 September All Hallows’ School’s new reflection garden, Magnolia Place, was dedicated and blessed. This garden, situated on the land of Adderton, the convent of the Brisbane Sisters of Mercy, provides space for quiet reflection and prayer and is a place where we remember past All Hallows' students who have died while still students at the School.
Magnolia Place was an idea born from the profound grief our School community experienced in 2017 when we lost our AHSisters Emily DelDot and Emily Pham. The garden was named by the Seniors of 2019 after the floral symbol of the School, the magnolia…
)
Americas
Sisters of Mercy in Jamaica Receive International Award
‘KINGSTON, Jamaica— The Sisters of Mercy in Jamaica received the 'Best Use Of Music To Support Sustainability' award from the Music Cities initiative yesterday.
The award celebrates innovative and successful ideas in the field of music and sustainability, particularly those that use music as a core component in tackling one or more of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)…’
Source: Jamaica Observer
)
Americas
Latest Issue of MAST Journal Available
The latest issue (Vol. 27, No. 1) of The MAST Journal was recently published. This volume, guest-edited by Mary-Paula Cancienne, R.S.M., is a collaborative effort between The MAST Journal and the Conference for Mercy Higher Education.
Contributors to this latest issue are: Greg Baker, Mary-Paula Cancienne rsm, Timothy Muldoon, Elizabeth Davis rsm, Jayme Hennessy, Jennifer Reed-Bouley, Kristin Mattson, Johann Vento, Theresa Ladrigan-Whelpley, Moya K. Dittmeier.
)
North Sydney
Angela Reed rsm Receives Mercy Foundation Award
Sr Angela Reed rsm PhD is the recipient of the Mercy Foundation’s Cath Leary Social Justice Award for 2020.
The Mercy Foundation’s Social Justice Award was established in 1996 to mark the United Nations International Year for the Eradication of Poverty. In 2014, the Mercy Foundation Board changed the name of award to recognise the significant social justice work made by long term Board member, the late Cath Leary. Cath died after a short illness and well before her time, in June 2014.
The Cath Leary Social Justice Award is given each year to an exceptional individual or organisation that has made a significant contribution to social justice in Australia…
Season of Creation (5)
)
Resource
Prayer Video for the Feast of St Francis 2020
‘God of all creation,
through your goodness you have given us the earth as our home.
We are grateful for all the wonders of the world
which so clearly proclaim your glory…’
A resource from Catholic Health USA (0:41)
)
Image source: https://www.cbcew.org.ukResource
In Search of St Francis of Assisi - Film
This full length (1:00:19) free film, a ‘Biographical Chronicle’ was released December 2019. It commences with the Canticle of Creatures (0:00 -2:11) which could be used as a short reflection. Franciscan scholars interviewed include Ilia Delio osf and Daniel Horan ofm
)
St. Francis' Sermon to the Birds. (13th Century fresco)Resource
The Healing Power of Love in Action: Creation Care in a Time of Pandemic and Partisanship
‘The 2020 Feast of St. Francis program is framed around St. Francis’ famous prayer, the Canticle of Creatures, to illuminate our current journey from the pandemic, from indifference to climate change, from political partisanship, to a place of healing through God, with each other and with Creation…’
Past Feast of St. Francis event packages from Catholic Climate Covenant are also available for direct download.
Mercy Matters
)
International Days
2 October, International Day of Non-Violence
Alarmingly, many countries have reported an increase in domestic violence and intimate partner violence during the COVID-19 pandemic. On this day, established to disseminate the message of non-violence, let us use every means at our disposal, including through education and public awareness, to do all we can ‘to build a better future for all’ (UN Secretary-General António Guterres)
)
Digital Life
5-minute meditation: Zurbarán's 'A Cup of Water and a Rose' | National Gallery
This five minute mindfulness video explores the lines, textures and reflections in Zurbarán's painting, which encourages quiet contemplation by finding significance in everyday objects.
)
International Days
5 October, World Teachers' Day
On this World Teachers’ Day, let us remember all members of the Mercy family engaged in education, not only in kindergartens, schools, colleges, and universities, but all who facilitate human development, support and empower others and enhance their progress as contributing members of our globalised world.
)
Fact
On This Day
1874: Eltham Convent founded from Bermondsey - Sr Camillus Dempsey
2002: Te Ukaipo Mercy Initiatives for Rangatahi begins in Auckland - Sister Mary Foy.
Contribute a fact from the story of your Mercy congregation, institute or federation, to our online archive.
)
Gospel
27th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year A
Matthew 21:33-43
‘Today is a triple celebration. It is the 27th Sunday in Ordinary Time, the Feast of St Francis of Assisi and the closing Sunday in the Season of Creation. At the invitation of Pope Francis, we have focused for five weeks on the call to integral ecology, on hearing and responding to the cry of the Earth and the cry of the poor. Among the most abandoned of Earth’s “poor” are those who are still enslaved…’
)
Resource
A Great Woman and Her Time
An eight part, two-hour audio series produced in 2018 by Graham A. Peck, historian, in collaboration with WXAV, 88.3, the radio station of Saint Xavier University.
This program is a newly discovered addition to our online library.
Further Resources
)
Worth Reading
Members of Mercy
‘Update’
The October issue of ‘Update’, the newsletter of LCWR is now online. This issue focusses on the recent Assembly
Read the newsletter here)
Worth Knowing
Global religious leaders urge end to “broken state of European migration”
A dozen global and regional religious organizations released an advocacy statement on the situation of migrants and refugees in Europe that defines their calling as Christians to “welcome the stranger,” and urges the creation of a world in which “we become human together.”
Read the Advocacy Statement)
Worth Reading
Women religious want sisters’ voices heard in post-pandemic planning
‘The International Union Superiors General…launched their #YouAreMySister campaign Sept. 24…Loreto Sister Patricia Murray, UISG executive secretary, said in a statement. “Sisters are uniquely placed to help address the most pressing issues in poor communities brought about by the pandemic because we are already at the center of community development efforts. But too often we are not being listened to.”…
Read the article)
)
Worth Reading
Stop Trafficking Newsletter!
Education is the key to the prevention of children becoming victims of human trafficking. This month’s issue (Vol. 18 No. 9) focuses on human trafficking education in America’s schools.
Read the issue here)
Worth Knowing
Laudato Si' Guidelines Released in Multiple languages
The Vatican has now released its first-ever guidelines for the Church to implement Laudato Si’ to celebrate the fifth anniversary of the publication of Laudato Si’. Originally released in Italian, now available in multiple languages.
Download the document in English hereSend suggestions and contributions for the ‘Worth’ Section 2020 to: The Editor
The Bottom Line
‘Give thanks for all things and practice a life of respect, but also of sacrifice, asceticism, simplicity, and a general ethic of making the world a better place because we are here…If we want a tangible way to get started, begin with little things. Give thanks for the food that we eat. Pray for our family and friends and the whole world. Help clean up the trash that gets thrown away. Make the world a cleaner and livable place. The little things are important and should not be neglected. Before God, all things matter.’ Read more
)
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
)
)
)
)
)