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International Day of the Girl Child 2020:
Deirdre Mullan rsm
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Theme: My Voice, Our Equal Future
Every year on 11 October, the International Day of the Girl Child, UNICEF works with girls to amplify their voices and stand up for their rights. This year, with the Covid-19 pandemic causing havoc across the globe, the commemoration is different.
On this day, we recall the Beijing Declaration of 25 years ago… The conference culminated in the adoption of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, the most comprehensive policy agenda for the empowerment of women.
The Platform for Action remains the most progressive blueprint ever for advancing the rights, not only of women but also girls…
Vision in Action
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MGA
Season of Creation and Global Youth Climate Action
As the Season of Creation comes to an end and the feast of Saint Francis of Assisi approaches, the Mercy World celebrates the beauty, wisdom and generosity of all Creation. The theme of the 2020 Season of Creation is ‘Jubilee for the Earth: New rhythms, new hope’, highlighting the radical new ways of living with Creation which are needed post-pandemic. During this time of renewal, we express gratitude, love and a commitment to care for all living things. The COVID-19 pandemic reminds us of our shared nature and the interconnectedness of Earth and people…
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MIA
Reminder: Cookie Notice Updated Information
From Tuesday, 6 October, changes in data protection guidance in Ireland mean that we have needed 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 details are linked to this item.
We are also taking this opportunity to update our Privacy Notice.
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Prayer
MIA Prayer Intention: COVID-19 Prayer Circle
A few days ago we learned that one million people have now died from COVID-19. That number continues to climb with 5,000 people said to be dying each day and many more being infected.
As we absorb this grim milestone, we are reminded of the invitation from the Sisters of Mercy Parramatta to join them each evening at 6:30pm your local time in a global Mercy circle of prayer.
Post your prayer in our online chapel
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Mercy Global Presence
Join us on the journey as we centre our attention in this third segment to 'Presence' with the first theme - 'Presence of/with/to God' - now underway
Members' News
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Americas
Mary Reilly rsm ‘Roars’ for Women and Girls
I am a 90-year-old nun who has spent my life working to empower women and girls, especially those who are poor. The song for my burial will be “I Am Woman” by Helen Reddy. Its’ opening line—”I am woman, hear me roar!”—inspires me. For as the song also says, “It’s wisdom born of pain.”
Over my 72 years as a Sister of Mercy, I have been transformed into a feminist…
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Stock imageThe Congregation
Strabane Mercy Centre For The Homeless, Johannesburg, South Africa
Strabane Mercy Centre is situated in downtown Johannesburg. When we celebrated our Centenary in 1998, Johannesburg was a far cry from being the major tourist attraction in South Africa. The city centre had become quite derelict, businesses moved out to the suburbs and soon, because of crime and other factors, it became a no-go area… After much discernment by the Sisters of Mercy, it was decided that the greatest need at that time was a place of safety for the homeless, and so Strabane Mercy Centre for the Homeless was set up as part of our Centenary project .
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ISMAPNG
Living in Grace and Peace: Veronica Lawson rsm
Veronica Lawson rsm explains 1 Thessalonians 1:1-5 as a blessing and an encouragement to be gospel people in the Earth community. Sr Veronica writes, ‘As gospel people today, we are called to bring that grace and peace to our world, “not in word only, but also in power and in the Holy Spirit and with full conviction”.’
Download the article here
Mercy Matters
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Digital Life
Book 'Engaging Our Diversity: Interculturality and Consecrated Life Today': Online Event
Join Maria Cimperman rscj, Director of the Center for the Study of Consecrated Life at CTU Chicago, one of the co-editors of the book, for a book launch and conversation with some of the authors on 13 October 7:00-8:15 pm CDT (Your time here)
A free online event. Registration is required
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Digital Life
UISG: Conversation online on Fratelli Tutti
Topic: ‘What is Pope Francis thinking about the Church and how is St Francis guiding the way?
October 8 from 2pm-4pm Rome time. (Your time here)
Speaker: Fr Augusto Zampini
Zoom link
Meeting ID: 831 5084 0735
Passcode: 294241
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Resource
Addressing Anti-racism
During Mercy Week St Joseph’s College Maine, USA, addressed the Institute’s Critical Concern ‘Anti-racism’ with guests addressing a focus question. Here are links to the video recordings of each of the four events: (1) ‘What is Systemic Racism? (2) ‘What is Anti-Racism?’ (3)’What is White Privilege?’ (4) Faculty Panel
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Fact
On This Day
1864: Foundation to Tipperary from Limerick - M Catherine McNamara
1989: Mercy Union Foundation - Stechford, Birmingham
1880: Death of M Clare Augustine Moore, artist
Contribute a fact from the story of your Mercy congregation, institute or federation, to our online archive.
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Gospel
28th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year A
Matthew 22:1-14
'The increasing wealth of the few and the growing divide between rich and poor, particularly in the developing world, are challenging us all to consider our attitudes to the planet’s resources and to the economic system that maintains that imbalance. The economic divide is highlighted by the vulnerability to pandemic of those rendered poor and homeless in our world. Today’s gospel brings a warning...'
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Resource
Ten Green Commandments No 7.
Bi-monthly this year, Mercy Partners is publishing a Mercy Moment on one of the 10 Green Commandments. This month’s publication is no.#7:
Learning a new way of dwelling in our common home.
Previously published: Introduction and numbers one, two, three, four, five, six
Further Resources
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Worth Knowing
International Day of the Girl Summit, 10 October
The Girl Rising IDG Summit is a free globe-spanning virtual event on Saturday, October 10, 10am GMT-10pm GMT (Your time here)
Program & Registration Details here)
Worth Reading
Fratelli Tutti: On Fraternity & Social Friendship
The Encyclical letter released 4 October, Feast of St Francis of Assisi
Read the encyclical letter here Watch a Short Summary of the Encyclical (4:53))
Worth Knowing
Human Trafficking & Migration Virtual Summit
‘UNL (University of Nebraska-Lincoln) presents cutting-edge, innovative, presenters talking about different human trafficking issues, research and our role in reducing trafficking. The month-long program (1-30 October) has a number of presentations, interviews, panels, films and talkbacks.
Each of these programs will be uploaded by midnight on the previous day. Free to all.’
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Worth Watching
Holy See urges “integral ecology” to reverse biodiversity loss
‘“Acknowledging that every living being has intrinsic value and purpose and, as such, must be cherished, is a shared responsibility involving everyone’s talents.” Hence, “restoring a harmonious relationship with nature is a crucial challenge that calls us to act with urgency,” said Vatican Secretary for Relations with States.’ See Statement.
Watch the video here (4:25))
Worth Watching
Search Me, O God
Heartstrings Cello Ensemble consists of young cellists dedicated to providing concerts and performances to benefit domestic and international missions. They believe that their music can be a tool to positively impact the global community.
Watch/listen here)
Worth Reading
Statement of Holy See at High-Level Meeting on Twenty-Fifth Anniversary of Fourth World Conference on Women
Statement focusses on four key areas: lifting women out of Poverty, need for Education, investing in Health Care, addressing Dehumanization and violence.
Read the Statement hereSend suggestions and contributions for the ‘Worth’ Section 2020 to: The Editor
The Bottom Line
‘Catherine McAuley hoped in a future she could not see in the mid-1800s, but she set a direction for her life toward that sense of more, knowing the sky was large and the Earth was not flat. She worked creatively and sacrificially for a future in which she would not live, but one where poor women and children would have their dignity recognized and respected. Catherine took steps to realize her dream, working for a future inspired by her faith and her sharp focus on a purpose greater than herself: the necessity of providing education to poor women and children if they were to have a real future.’
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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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