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MGP Details of the Final Segment Now Online
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The fourth and final segment of the Mercy Global Presence process will be released through Mercy eNews on Wednesday, 31 March. In this fourth segment the integration of the three previous segments: ‘Global’, ‘Mercy’ and ‘Presence’ will unfold. An outline of the fourth segment is on the MGP microsite and linked to this item.
Commencing on Wednesday, 24 February, for four weeks through Mercy eNews, we will release the collage posters for each of the Presence segment themes, together with their accompanying reflection guides, a practice we established at the conclusion of the earlier segments. Some may like to use these posters for personal reflection during Lent. Others may find these an entry point into the process or theme. Some Congregations and Institutes are working still with the richness of the Presence themes which they ‘set aside’ during our creating a living cosmic Advent wreath time.
In these various ways may we be led into our final segment on 31 March.
Vision in Action
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Prayer
MIA Prayer Intention: Myanmar
We are all aware of the troubling events in Myanmar.
Cardinal Bo’s message to the people of Myanmar and to the international community is a powerful exercise of ecclesial leadership.
Now is the time to pray for the people of Myanmar. Let us keep them in our hearts and reflect on Cardinal Bo’s words.
Post your prayer in our online chapel.
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MGA
Global Forum for Migration and Development Fosters Dialogue and Partnerships for the Future of Human Mobility
This January, Cecilie Kern represented Mercy International Association and the NGO Committee on Migration at the 13th Global Forum for Migration and Development (GFMD), hosted virtually by the United Arab Emirates. The GFMD is an annual, state-led, informal and non-binding process, which helps shape the global debate on migration and development…
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MGA
Reminder: MGA Emerging Leaders Fellows Research Presentations, 16-18 February 2021
These research presentations will be conducted via Zoom on 16-18 February, 2021.
We invite you to attend any/all of these presentations. Each presentation lasts 45 minutes.
Videos of the presentations will be made available on the Mercyworld.org website through Mercy eNews on 24 February.
Members' News
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The Congregation
Water Alert
The Human Right to Water is under threat in a very serious way with the decision to trade water on Wall Street. According to reports by the joint Monitoring Programme for Water and Sanitation by the World Health Organization (WHO) and UNICEF released in December, 36% of the world’s population – 2.5 billion people do not have access to clean water. *“Water is the cradle and source of all life on earth, it is a sacred gift. We need to recognize that regardless of its commercial worth, water has a social, cultural, medical, religious and spiritual value.*” (Indigenous People’s Forum UN, 2014)…
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Source: https://www.facebook.com/catherinemcauleymedowieISMAPNG
History in the Making: New Catherine McAuley College Opens
Maitland-Newcastle Diocese, New South Wales, Australia, has welcomed its newest school, with the opening of Catherine McAuley Catholic College Medowie on 3 February.
The school is being constructed in six stages. The $42 million first stage comprises the chapel, early education centre and the two-storey main building, Coolock House, where screens on opening day displayed the message “History in the making”.
Artist Julie Squires’ sculpture of Catherine McAuley stands outside in greeting.
Source: Port Stephens Examiner
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Americas & Aotearoa New Zealand
Embraced by the Circle of Mercy
Cecilia Maher, founder of the Sisters of Mercy in New Zealand, wrote longingly to her community in Ireland, “Perhaps someday we’ll all be together – from Carlow and Pittsburgh and Auckland.” It was this same sense of care and connection that inspired the sisters in New Zealand to reach across the globe to offer support to the Mercy retirement communities in the United States…
New Resources for Lent (17 February-3 April) from Mercies & Other Sources
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Resource
Pre-Lenten Prayer Morning: I Will Lead Her Into the Desert
Centering Prayer program at Mercy Center Burlingame
13 February, 9:00-12noon. Live on zoom
Find out the time & date for your local area here
Details are here. Cost: By donation
Mercy Center is also offering an Ash Wednesday Reflection and 6-Session Lenten Art Project
Cost and registration details are here
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Resource
Lenten Talks: What Would Pope Francis Do?
To mark the eighth anniversary of Pope Francis' election, the Edinburgh Jesuit Centre will be hosting a series of talks, live and free each Tuesday in Lent, by prominent Catholic voices exploring the teaching of Pope Francis on various topics. Speakers will be: Austen Ivereigh, Imelda Poole ibvm MBE, James Martin sj, Christopher Lamb, Dr Lorna Gold and Gemma Simmonds cj.
Time: 730-830pm UK Time commencing 23 February
Find out the time & date each week for your local area here
Zoom Login Information:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/2365092814 or
Meeting ID: 236 509 2814
These talks will also be streamed on Facebook Live
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Give drink to the thirstyResource
Spiritual Reflections for Lent. Theme: The Beatitudes
Eight Sisters and Associates of the Institute of the Americas have been invited to reflect on the Beatitudes and how we can incorporate each into our own Lenten journeys. There will be additional reflections published for Ash Wednesday, Palm Sunday, Holy Thursday and Easter.
You can subscribe at this link to receive these reflections
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Resource
Lenten Reflection Guide 2021: Brothers and Sisters All
The annual Maryknoll Lenten Reflection Guide this year focusses on Pope Francis' Fratelli Tutti (‘Brothers and Sisters All’) in which Pope Francis models a sort of Lenten-style of “examination” of the challenges and social sins facing our world.
The Guide is available without charge for download in English and en español
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Resource
Resources from CAFOD
CAFOD (Catholic Agency for Overseas Development UK) has once again produced downloadable Lenten reflections and prayers including an interactive Lent calendar and Stations of the Cross, as well as Lent resources for children and Lent resources for young people.
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Resource
Women in the Shadows - a Lent Study Course on Exploitation of Girls and Women
Lynda Dearlove rsm MBE, Director of women@thewell is among those interviewed in this free online course shining a light on the suffering of marginalised women. While focussed on the exploitation of women in the UK, the modern slavery and exploitative situations addressed are widely applicable.
Mercy Matters
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Resource
11 February, World Day of the Sick
Kathleen Glennon rsm (The Congregation) wrote 'Healing and Wholeness', her second book, in 2010, *‘for those who are ill or for those who are dying and for their carers'.
*The book covers a variety of prayer forms to suit the diverse needs of users: Chants, Blessings, Prayers, Litanies, Psalm prayers, Meditations, Rituals in Sickness, Rituals around death. It can be
ordered from The Columba Press.
The Pope’s Message for World Day of the Sick 2021 can be read here: in English, en español
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Brenda Dolphin rsmResource
Women of Strength and Faith, Yesterday & Today
To mark St Brigid’s Day, the Embassy of Ireland to the Holy See invited Anne Lyons pbvm, (Postulator for the Cause of Nano Nagle), Brenda Dolphin rsm (Postulator for the Cause of Catherine McAuley) and Pat Murray ibvm (Executive Director UISG), to take part in a panel on ‘Women of Strength and Faith, Yesterday & Today’. Dr Patricia Kieran, Lecturer at Mary Immaculate College, Limerick was the moderator.
The recording of the webinar can be watched here (1:15:50). Following the introductions by Ambassador Derek Hannon, Patricia Kiernan explains the program (4:06 -8:14). Sr Brenda’s talk is available from 27:48-43:20.
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Gospel
6th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year B
Mark 1:40-45
'We all seek to be part of family and community because we are social beings who need to engage with others and with our environment. Some are deprived of choice in this respect. Repeated name-calling and labelling is an age-old strategy of exclusion. “Illegals” is a label that excludes some of the most vulnerable people in today’s world ...'
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Fact
On This Day
1832: First Annual Charity Sermon preached for the House of Mercy, Baggot St
1898: Foundation to Shanklin, Isle of Wight from Leeds.
Contribute a fact from the story of your Mercy congregation, institute or federation, to our online archive.
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12 February, Lunar New Year
Saturday, 12 February will be the first day of 4718 on the Chinese calendar (also called the Lunar New Year and the Spring Festival) in this, the Year of the Ox.
We wish all members of the Mercy Family who celebrate this day a very happy New Year.
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Resource
Mercy Prayer Book Ordo 2021 Now Available
The Ordo prepared for us by the authors of the Mercy Prayer Book expired at the end of November. The Institute of the Americas Prayer and Ritual Committee has created a downloadable monthly calendar-style Ordo for the remainder of this liturgical year…
Further Resources
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Worth Knowing
We use 6.8 billion face masks a day. Researchers want to turn them into roads
‘And the roads could be even stronger than traditional roads, according to new research in the journal ‘Science of the Total Environment.’’
Read the article here)
Worth Watching
For Women Who Are Victims of Violence : February 2021 Prayer Intention of Pope Francis
‘Let us pray for women who are victims of violence, that they may be protected by society and have their sufferings considered and heeded by all.’
Watch the prayer video here)
Worth Watching
Sydney Children's Choir Perform Ola Gjeilo’s 'The Ground'
Recorded to raise awareness of the continuing struggles of bushfire-affected communities.
Remembering the enormous losses experienced in communities as a result of the Perth, Western Australia bushfires last week
Watch/listen here)
Worth Knowing
Citizens Call for a Gender-Equal World: A Roadmap for Action
‘ First-of-its-kind international survey by Women Deliver and Focus 2030 finds that the global public overwhelmingly supports gender equality, and a resounding majority is ready for their governments to take action.’
View resultsSend suggestions and contributions for the ‘Worth’ Section 2021 to: The Editor
The Bottom Line
‘The more we see each other from afar, the more we see our differences. The more we look each other in the eye, the more we see our own reflection. Our common humanity.
This is why coming together, for dialogue, for understanding, is more important than ever.
Dialogue sparks understanding. Understanding inspires tolerance. And tolerance leads to respect. This virtuous chain can make peace and fraternity possible. For believers – no matter their creed – and for non-believers alike.’ Read more
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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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