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Beginning this New Year: Berneice Loch rsm
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As I to write to all in our Mercy World at the beginning of this New Year, I cannot help but reflect on how much our circumstances have changed since this time last year. Yet the mission of Mercy to which we are called to contribute does not change. The Works of Mercy, including the 8th Work of Mercy, Care of our Common Home, are as relevant today as they were when Catherine McAuley was first responding to her particular call to do the Spiritual and Corporal Works of Mercy…
Vision in Action
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MIA
A Message from Elizabeth MacNeal, Head of Heritage and Spirituality
MIA
A Message from Elizabeth MacNeal, Head of Heritage and Spirituality
On the 1st of January, I officially started my position as Head of Heritage and Spirituality at Mercy International Association. After relocating to Ireland from the United States, my first two weeks were spent in quarantine on the top floor of Baggot Street. This time provided a unique opportunity to transition in the quiet, to envision what the future might hold, and to draw closer to Catherine…
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MGA
Formal Education Transforms Human Life in Papua New Guinea
MGA
Formal Education Transforms Human Life in Papua New Guinea
Marking International Education Day, 24 January
In the past in Papua New Guinea (PNG) formal education was not recognised as vital as it is today. When formal education was first introduced in the 1960s and 1970s in PNG, only the boys were allowed to go to school. Girls were to stay at home with their mothers…
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Prayer
MIA Prayer Intention: For All Suffering In This Pandemic
Prayer
MIA Prayer Intention: For All Suffering In This Pandemic
Words of Catherine:
The simplest and most practical lesson I know - my dear Sister de Sales - is to be good today - but better tomorrow. Let us take one day only in hands - at a time, merely making a resolve for tomorrow. Thus we may hope to get on - taking short careful steps, not great strides.
—Catherine McAuley to Sister M de Sales White, Bermondsey.
(The Correspondence of Catherine McAuley 1818 – 1841.)
We hold in prayer all who are suffering in this pandemic…
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MGA
MGA Welcomes Collaboration with Newly Appointed Special Rapporteur on the Human Rights to Safe Drinking Water and Sanitation
MGA
MGA Welcomes Collaboration with Newly Appointed Special Rapporteur on the Human Rights to Safe Drinking Water and Sanitation
Mr. Pedro Arrojo-Agudo, was appointed the Special Rapporteur on the Human Rights to Safe Drinking Water and Sanitation on November 1st, 2020.
In December, Mr. Pedro Arrojo-Agudo hosted a public consultation online to begin an open dialogue with civil society partners and discuss his mandate. In his consultation, Mr. Arrojo-Agudo highlighted the activities and priorities of the first three years of the mandate…
Members' News
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Americas
Sisters of Mercy of the Americas Condemn Violence at U.S. Capitol
The Institute Leadership Team of the Sisters of Mercy of the Americas strongly denounces the violence and disrespect exhibited on Wednesday, January 6, by insurgents who stormed the U.S. Capitol…
Please join the Sisters of Mercy in prayers for healing, peace and unity to surround the United States and all who live here…
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The Congregation
News Uncertainty In Peru
“Those who suffer injustice must firmly defend their rights to safeguard their dignity, a gift from God. Forgiveness does not mean impunity…” (Fratelli Tutti)
Peru has been one of the countries in the Latin American region most affected economically and the COVID-19 pandemic caused the collapse of the health system. The total number of deaths, according to official figures was 36,000 at the end of November 2020. However, some analysts point out that the total number of fatalities could be between 80,000 and 100.000…
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Aotearoa New Zealand
Sisters of Mercy to Serve as Sponsor of Whānau Mercy Ministries
At the October meeting of the Sponsorship Committee, the Leadership of Ngā Whaea Atawhai o Aotearoa Sisters of Mercy New Zealand approved the canonical statutes for its Ministerial Public Juridic Person (MPJP).
This opens the way for the establishment of Whānau Mercy Ministries, which will assume responsibility for the ministries to be transferred to the new Trust by the Sisters of Mercy.
Mercy Matters
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Gospel
3rd Sunday in Ordinary Time Year B
‘Most of the gospel readings for this year are from Mark's story of Jesus. As with any story, it is best to read it from beginning to end, attending to the story line, to indications of habitat and of time, to all the actors or characters in the story, human and other-than-human. While the main character or actor is Jesus, there are other characters and character groups that claim our attention…’
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Resource
Mercy Center Burlingame Programs
Spiritual direction and Spiritual formation certificate programs - 100% online in 2021.
Mercy Center Burlingame has been engaged in the formation of spiritual directors for more than 35 years.
Applications are being accepted until January 31, 2021.
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International Days
The 2021 Human Trafficking Prayer Calendars & Toolkit
This toolkit provides suggestions on how you can celebrate and educate others on National Slavery and Human Trafficking Prevention Month in the USA and the annual World Day of Prayer, Reflection, and Action against Human Trafficking on 8 February.
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Resource
Reviewing Your Prayer - Keeping A Reflective Journal
‘This resource is helpful if you wish to review your prayer or start keeping a prayer journal.’
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Resource
10 Spectacular Stargazing Events to Watch in 2021
According to National Geographic, ‘The year ahead offers many heavenly delights, including close planetary encounters, dazzling meteor showers, and a “blood moon” eclipse.’
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Fact
On This Day
Contribute a fact from the story of your Mercy congregation, institute or federation, to our online archive.
Further Resources
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Worth Knowing
Pope Francis’ Theology of Attraction: Stephen Bevans svd
‘In this talk, long-time CTU professor Steve Bevans, SVD will speak of Francis’s vision of “a God who attracts,” “a Church that attracts,” and “a message that attracts,” outlining how this vision is embodied in the coming curial reform.’
Live & free on Zoom at 3:00pm on 24 January. Find out the time & date for your local area here
Learn more and register here)
Worth Reading
'Hope in times of the pandemic:' Canadian Religious Conference
‘This issue of ad vitam brings to light some reflections and outlooks on the experiences within consecrated life in the face of the pandemic.’
Download the issue here (PDF, 24 pps))
Worth Knowing
Realising the Vision of Laudato Si'
Live & free on Zoom 21 January 2021 from 2-4pm Rome time. Find out the time & date for your local area here.
Speakers include Fr Joshtrum Kureethadum, Coordinator of the Sector of “Ecology and Creation” at the Vatican Dicastery, author of Ten Green Commandments. This book was the inspiration for the Mercy Partners ‘Mercy Moment’ series in 2020.
Learn more and register here)
Worth Watching
A Conversation on the Crisis of Climate Feedback Loops
On 9/10 January, Mind & Life Institute hosted a free online event featuring the Dalai Lama, Greta Thunberg, and leading scientists to explore steps for addressing this urgent set of challenges. The discussion was grounded in a new series of educational films, freely available in 20 languages, “Climate Emergency: Feedback Loops,” narrated by Richard Gere.
Access the videos & additional resources here)
Worth Watching
Pope's prayer Intention for January 2021: At the service of human fraternity
‘Let us pray that the Lord may give us the grace to live in full fellowship with our brothers and sisters of other religions…’
Watch the prayer video here)
Worth Watching
'A Simple Change of Heart' - By Carrie Newcomer
‘The Greatest Revolution Is A Simple Change of Heart’
Words and Music by Carrie Newcomer
Watch/listen here)
Worth Reading
LCWR 'Update'
The January issue of ‘Update’, the monthly newsletter from LCWR (Leadership Conference of Women Religious) is now online.
Read 'Update' hereSend suggestions and contributions for the ‘Worth’ Section 2021 to: The Editor
The Bottom Line
‘…this is
where we have come with our age
our knowledge such as it is
our hopes such as they are
invisible before us
untouched and still possible’
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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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