Remembrance Day 2020 Liturgy
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From the Rule & Constitutions, Chapter 111, by Clare Augustine Moore
The pre-recorded Liturgy for Remembrance Day is now available for viewing from this link. It is also accessible from the the homepage of the Mercyworld.org website and from the online Library.
The Liturgy includes contributions from many different parts of the Mercy 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.
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From the Rule & Constitutions, Chapter 111, by Clare Augustine Moore
Vision in Action
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Join Us Today for a Good Cup of Tea
Yes, there is still time to join in a virtual good cup of tea event! Check the times and book in.
All are welcome to join an event at the time that suits you best.
Bookings close one hour before each event.
Prayer
MIA Prayer Intention: Let Us Remember
On this Remembrance Day, let us hold in our prayers:
Catherine, our deceased Sisters, partners-in-Mercy and members of the Mercy Family
We remember them;
those who died in the two World Wars and in conflicts since
We remember them;
Victims of coronavirus
We remember them;
Our deceased relatives, friends, and neighbours
We remember them.
Eternal rest grant unto them,
O Lord, and let perpetual light
shine upon them. May they rest in peace.
Amen.
Post your prayer at Catherine’s grave.
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MGA
Leading up to COP 26
At the beginning of the COVID-19 Pandemic outbreak, the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) made the decision to postpone the 26th Conference of Parties (COP 26) that was originally due to take place in Glasgow on November 9th of this year. Now, there is exactly one year until the most important international meeting on the climate emergency with the implementation of the Paris Agreement.
The postponement of COP 26 creates a challenge to keep up the momentum on climate action…
Members' News
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Americas
Teen Volunteers’ Hard Work Helps Rochester Food Pantry Reopen
‘When the food pantry at Bethany House prepared to reopen after a temporary closure brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic, a veritable army of young volunteers stepped forward to lead the way.
Armed with strong limbs, willing hearts and social media skills, they assessed the pantry’s needs, coordinated drives to re-stock its shelves and prepacked bags of food for families in need, all while following the new safety guidelines required during pandemic times…’
Source: Catholic Courier
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Aotearoa New Zealand
'Doing Works of Mercy': Scripture with Kathleen Rushton rsm
Kathleen Rushton rsm discusses mercy in Matthew 25:31-46. Sr Kathleen writes: ‘I ponder how we are living the works of mercy in Earth during this time of pandemic’.
Download the article here
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The Congregation
Members of the Southern Province Share Their Approach to the MGP Theme 'Presence of/with/to God'
Thankfully we had our session on Mercy Global Presence before the new Covid 19 restrictions came into play today, advising people to refrain from visiting other households. Due to social distancing still in place, we decided to have two sessions.
As we went through the Resources we felt it was necessary to make some adaptions to the content to suit our group here in Kinsale….
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Americas
Q & A with Sr. Patricia McCann: 'Be a thorn in the side of injustice'
Patricia McCann rsm recalls marching in Selma, Alabama, in 1965 and shares her thoughts about current racial events, protests and Black Lives Matter.
‘We have to continue to be a thorn in the side of injustice. We have to be focused on the social Gospel and be present where the hard stuff is happening. We need to still march when we can and, of course, pray…’
Source: Global Sisters Report
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ISMAPNG
Operation Sunshine Beams Hope for WA Foster Kids
‘A group of Year 12 Children, Family and Community (CFC) Mercedes College [Perth, Western Australia] students… spent their final weeks of secondary school producing soft cuddle blankets and sourcing items to include in their age and gender appropriate packs…
Teacher Sonya Roberts said this final project aligns with the school’s Mercy Service scheme.
“Packing these bags has given students an opportunity to put what we have learnt about social justice into action,” Mrs Roberts said…’
Source: The Record
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Aotearoa New Zealand
Carmel College Faith Cafe Diverting Compostable Packing Away from Landfill
One of the hallmarks of Catherine McAuley was her ability to engage others in the works of Mercy. This week a similar example is highlighted at Carmel College in Auckland.
In 2014, two Carmel College students attended the Australasian Mercy Secondary Schools Student Conference in Melbourne. They heard about a fair trade cafe that was run at another Mercy school…
Mercy Matters
Resource
Visit the Baggot Street Cemetery
Catherine McAuley was the first to be buried in this cemetery, consecrated at the time of her death in 1841, closed in 1884, now a sacred garden. The 49 Sisters who died at Baggot Street after Catherine are buried here. Find out something of their stories by visiting this sacred place, ‘unto all ages holy ground’ (William Kinsella).
Resource
Pray at the First Mercy Burial Place
Buried in the crypt of St Teresa’s Church, Grafton Street, Dublin are the first thirteen Sisters of Mercy who were laid to rest between 1831 and 1840.
Find out something of their stories by visiting the online crypt.
Resource
Remembrance Day 2020: Mary Wickham rsm
‘There seems so much and so many to remember this year, and so much one would want to forget. So much to regret, so much to honour and grieve. Such a volume of remembrance; such a scale of grief; such a deep well of what one would, if one could, forget…’
Download the Reflection here (A4)
Download the Reflection here (US Letter)
Resource
Book Launch: Mapping Faith Theologies of Migration and Community
The Format of the morning will include a presentation by Lia D. Shimada, editor of the book, and a short presentation by Sheila Curran rsm who contributed a chapter entitled Welcoming Refugees the Canaanite Woman and Breaking Down Borders. Presentations will be followed by a discussion.
The launch on zoom will take place on 25 November at 10am Irish time (Click here to see your local time).
Fact
On This Day
1841: Death of Catherine McAuley, Foundress of the Sisters of Mercy
1928: St Catherine's Orphanage transferred from Geelong to Highton - M Margaret Mary O'Brien
2011: Inaugural International 'Good Cup of Tea' Event
Contribute a fact from the story of your Mercy congregation, institute or federation, to our online archive.
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Gospel
33rd Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year A
Matthew 25:14-30
'In answer to my usual greeting, “G’day Muff, what are you up to?” my polymath brother-in-law, David (nicknamed Muff), would invariably reply, “Just contemplating the eternal verities!” The conversation that followed, usually over a glass of wine, would confirm the veracity of his response. Contemplating the eternal verities was a way of life for my brother-in-law until his all too early death 15 years ago...'
Further Resources
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Worth Playing
Jan Richardson: Stubborn Hope
In this latest episode of Kate Bowler’s ‘Everything Happens’ podcast, Kate and Jan Richardson talk about ‘the ways grief cracks us open and the ways blessing invites us to stubborn hope’.
Jan Richardson: Stubborn Hope)
Worth Reading
Artificial Intelligence: Pope's Prayer Intention for November 2020
‘Let us pray that the progress of robotics and artificial intelligence may always serve humankind.‘
Watch/Read the prayer hereWorth Watching
' Laudate Dominum'(Praise the Lord)
Cai Thomas sings Mozart's Laudate Dominum, accompanied by the London Mozart Players and Pegasus chamber choir, conducted by Robert Lewis.
Watch/listen here)
Worth Reading
A Creed for Today: Donal Dorr
Donal Dorr’s new boook is: ‘A Creed for today: Faith and Commitment for a new Earth Awareness’.
Four conversations are being held on zoom. (10, 17, 24, November and 1 December) at 730 pm Irish time (your local time here). There is no charge. Those who register will receive a link to the recordings.
To register for the book club, just email Noirin at info@macfd.ie
Fr Donal discusses his book here
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Worth Knowing
'Hunger for Hope: Prophetic Communites, Contemplation and the Common Good'- Simone Campbell sss
‘Hunger for Hope explores the quest for a justice that works for all, and explores what it means to be “holy” in today’s world.’
In kindle and paperback versions.
Read a review in Maryknoll magazine
Order from AmazonSend suggestions and contributions for the ‘Worth’ Section 2020 to: The Editor
The Bottom Line
‘Will we all meet in heaven? O what joy even to think of it.’
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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