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MGP 'Presence in Ministry & Community' Resources are Now Online
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Stock image used under licence
Visit the MGP microsite to access the resources for the third ‘Presence’ theme: ‘Presence in Ministry & Community’.
Presenters for November are: Elizabeth Davis rsm (Newfoundland, Introduction and Theological Imaginings), Michael Pacto rsm (Philippines, Artistic Inspiration), Marie O’Dea rsm (Great Britain Union, Grassroots Ministry), Cecilie Kerns (Americas, Mercy Global Action), Michelle Goh rsm (ISMAPNG, Distinct Voice), Marian Ladrera rsm (Philippines, Reflective Prayer).
Stock image used under licence
Vision in Action
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Paula Anamani rsm welcoming participants to Region One GatheringMGP
Further Opportunities: Creating A Living Cosmic Advent Wreath
70 participants from Australia, Aotearoa New Zealand, Philippines, USA, Canada (Newfoundland), Peru, Ireland and Guam shared deeply from their personal and small group reflections at the Region One Gathering yesterday..
There are two further opportunities to participate in Advent Gatherings this week.
Should you wish to attend, it will be simplest now to email me directly the Gathering (Region Two or Three) you would like to participate in and I will send you the link.
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Image: Share FoundationPrayer
MIA Prayer Intention: Remembering the 'Roses in December' Martyrs
December 2nd marks the 40th anniversary of the martyrdom of the ‘Roses in December’ martyrs (pictured), Dorothy Kazel, OSU, Maura Clarke, MM, Ita Ford, MM and Jean Donovan.
In our prayers this week, let us join with their families and religious congregations, LCWR, the Share Foundation, and all commemorating their deaths, in celebrating the gift of these four women and all who dedicate their lives to working for justice in El Salvador and throughout the world.
Post your prayer in our online chapel.
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MGA
16 Days of Activism against Gender Based Violence
On November 25, the UN Commemorated the International Day of Eliminating Violence against Women. This day marks the beginning of the 16 days of activism against Gender-Based Violence which takes place every year beginning on November 25 and ending on December 10, Human Rights Day. To participate in MIA Global Action’s advocacy for these days, join us on twitter at @MIAGlobalAction…
The focus of this week’s contribution is to recognise violence against women in the form of Human Trafficking…
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Send in Your Christmas Greeting
As we bring this year to its conclusion, we invite you to share a Christmas greeting with the global Mercy community.
Send in your greetings - text or text and image - by Tuesday, 15 December. The last issue of Mercy eNews for 2020 will be published on Wednesday, 16 December. Email: mercyenews@mercyinternational.ie
Members' News
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Image: Annual Report CoverThe Congregation
Aisling Centre's 30th Anniversary Fittingly Marked with Receipt of Queen's Award
‘Wednesday last was certainly a momentous day in the history of the Aisling Centre as it celebrated 30 years of service to the local community by officially receiving the coveted Queen's Award for Voluntary Service.
The Aisling Centre learned last year it was to be awarded the highest honour for voluntary effort for an organisation and hence it was fitting that the occasion of their 30th anniversary was marked by the formal presentation of the award by Her Majesty’s Lord Lieutenant of County Fermanagh, The Viscount Brookeborough KG…’
Source: The Impartial Reporter
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Americas
Portland Sisters Support New McAuley Residence in Northern Maine
“Hurra for foundations, makes the old young and the young merry”
-Catherine McAuley
In a spirit of thanksgiving, the sisters who reside at St. Catherine’s Residence in Portland, Maine, embraced Catherine’s words about the joy of new foundations when they learned of a new McAuley Residence in Bangor, two hours by car to the north. The home is be able to accommodate 10 women in recovery from addiction, along with their children. It is already at capacity and currently has five infants who under four months of age—and one on the way!…
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Brisbane
Ignition Mission - Fuelling Justice for Mission
Each year the students of All Hallows' School support a single whole-school fundraising project. The 2020 Whole School Project, Ignition Mission, aimed to provide a new people mover vehicle for the Romero Centre, a ministry of Mercy Community in Brisbane, to replace the van the School purchased through project funds in 2014.
The Romero Centre is an organisation which aims to provide a welcoming sanctuary for the most vulnerable and marginalised people such as refugees seeking asylum…
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Brisbane
'Dirty Laundry Day' and Adderton Everywhere: Highlighting Justice and Social Issues in Surprising Public Spaces
During the 16 days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence, Adderton: house & heart of mercy, an initiative of the Sisters of Mercy Brisbane Congregation, continues a three-month activation of the ‘Dirty Laundry Day’ project … an exhibition of T-shirts painted by survivors with messages about domestic and family violence (DFV)…
Read the press release here
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ISMAPNG
Shoots of Hope for All Creation: Veronica Lawson rsm
Sr Veronica writes: ‘Prophecy is the voice that God has lent to the silent agony, a voice to the plundered poor, to the profaned riches of the world.” Abraham Heschel wrote these words in The Prophets: An Introduction over half a century ago. I have pondered his words for almost 50 years and have marvelled at their constantly contemporary ring.'..
Download the article here
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Source: YouTube clipResource
“God is with Us!”: Larretta Rivera- Williams rsm
In her presentation, “God is with Us!”, Sister Larretta talks about recognizing God and strengthening faith despite challenges. Challenges like the injustices of racism, COVID-19, health care and poverty. She asks, “So what do we do with the fear, the uncertainty, the anger, the outrage? How do we turn fear into courage, uncertainty into confidence, despair into hope and defeat into victories?”
Mercy Matters
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RESOURCE
Keeping Connections and Keeping Connected in Uncertain Times
Liz Murphy rsm (The Congregation) and Carol Zinn ssj were the invited speakers for this Webinar hosted by the DAVY Group. They shared their insights and learnings around the importance of keeping connections and keeping connected during these trying times. The aim of this webinar was to bring a message of hope to those stewarding and leading. Recording length 1:10:00
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Digital Life
How to Look Good on Zoom
We’re all spending time on Zoom and other video conferencing programs. Here are some useful tips about lighting, camera set up and personal appearance
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Resource
Advent's Holy Season of Silence, Darkness, Waiting Gives Way to the Light of Christmas
Deirdre Mullan rsm (The Congregation) is one of GSR’s (Global Sisters Report) ‘life panelists’ - addressing the unique, challenging and very specific lives of women religious around the world. Sr Deirdre is among the ten life panelists asked by GSR this week to write a personal reflection or prayer on Advent or Christmas.
Her reflection is linked to this item
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Facts
On This day
1884: Death of M Aloysius Brady, Foundress of Downpatrick, Northern Ireland
1884: Foundation to West Texas
1963: Carmel College, a secondary school for girls, is opened on Auckland's North Shore - Sister M Justine Gillies
Contribute a fact from the story of your Mercy congregation, institute or federation, to our online archive.
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Gospel
2nd Sunday of Advent Year B
'The first verse of Mark’s gospel evokes the opening words of Genesis and thus situates the saving presence of Jesus the Christ in relation to the creation of earth and of all earth beings. The whole of Mark’s story of Jesus is presented as a beginning...'
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Resource
Ten Green Commandments: No. 10
Bi-monthly this year, Mercy Partners has published a ‘Mercy Moment’ on one of the 10 Green Commandments. This month’s publication is no.# 10 (final): Cultivate ecological virtues
The complete set can be downloaded here
Previously published individual commandments: Introduction and numbers one, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine
Further Resources
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Worth Playing
'Come Lord': Margaret Rizza
‘Come, Lord,
Come, Lord.
Come, Lord, come to your people,
you are the light in our darkness.
Come, Lord, give to us your peace…’
Complete lyrics here
Listen here)
Worth Knowing
Online Album Launch
Marie Dunne chf, whose songs including ‘A Candle for You’ and ‘Before the Dawning’ we have enjoyed during this year, has a new instrumental album, ‘Whispers of Hope’. It will be launched by Liam Lawton on
3 December at 7pm Dublin time. Check your local time here.
To register your attendance, email: events@veritas.ie
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Worth Reading
Pope Francis: A Crisis Reveals What Is in Our Hearts
‘To come out of this pandemic better than we went in, we must let ourselves be touched by others’ pain.’
The article is adapted from the Pope’s new book ‘Let Us Dream’. A review of the book can be read here
Read the article)
Worth Knowing
UN appeals for $35 billion to help world’s ‘most vulnerable and fragile’ in 2021
‘A record 235 million people will need humanitarian assistance and protection next year, a near- 40 per cent increase on 2020 which is “almost entirely from COVID-19”, the UN’s emergency relief chief said on Tuesday…’
Read the news item hereSend suggestions and contributions for the ‘Worth’ Section 2020 to: The Editor
The Bottom Line
‘Am I willing to suffer with the people here, the suffering of the powerless, the feeling impotent? Can I say to my neighbors I have no solutions to this situation; I don’t know the answers, but I will walk with you, search with you, be with you. Can I let myself be evangelized by this opportunity? Can I look at and accept my own poorness as I learn it from the poor ones?’
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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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