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Lent: a Time for Renewing Faith, Hope and Love
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‘In these times of trouble, when everything seems fragile and uncertain, it may appear challenging to speak of hope. Yet Lent is precisely the season of hope when we turn back to God who patiently continues to care for his creation which we have often mistreated (cf. Laudato Si’, 32-33; 43-44)…
In Lent, may we be increasingly concerned with “speaking words of comfort, strength, consolation and encouragement, and not words that demean, sadden, anger or show scorn” (Fratelli Tutti, 223). In order to give hope to others, it is sometimes enough simply to be kind…’
Message of Pope Francis for Lent 2021
Vision in Action
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Prayer
MIA Prayer Intention: Ash Wednesday 2021
Prayer
MIA Prayer Intention: Ash Wednesday 2021
O God, you ask of us repentance and conversion of life. At the beginning of this holy season may we embrace the fullness of our life in Christ Jesus.
- Create in us new hearts, O God
In a world of violence and denial of basic human dignity, may we be lights in the darkness:
- Create in us new hearts, O God…
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MGA
MGA Looks Forward to Celebrating the Graduation of the Inaugural Group of Mercy Emerging Leaders on World Day of Social Justice
MGA
MGA Looks Forward to Celebrating the Graduation of the Inaugural Group of Mercy Emerging Leaders on World Day of Social Justice
World Day of Social Justice is celebrated annually on February 20. It’s recognition calls for the promotion of sustainable development, social inclusion, the eradication of poverty, gender equality, human rights, peace, and the provision of social protection and employment for all. This year, MGA will commemorate the events alongside the final immersion of the inaugural group of the Mercy Global Action Emerging Leaders Fellowship…
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Segment Three 'Presence' Reflective Posters
The first of the four 'Presence' collages of key images and quotes on the theme 'Presence Of, To and With God' will be released through Mercy eNews next Wednesday, 24 February.
Members' News
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Brisbane
All Hallows' School Celebrates its 160th Anniversary
In Brisbane, a state of Australia that is 162 years old, celebrating the 160th anniversary of All Hallows' School is no small feat. Amid the uncertainty of COVID regulations we were blessed to be able to gather to celebrate the start of the year with our annual Inaugural Mass on Friday 29 January. This event was also the launch of our 160th year celebrations which remind us of the incredible legacy of the Sisters of Mercy at our school…
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Aotearoa New Zealand
'Staying on Track': Scripture with Kathleen Rushton rsm
Kathleen Rushton rsm explains the significance of the story of Jesus’ baptism and testing in Mark 1:9-13. Sr Kathleen writes: ‘According to our situations, we will have different places and spaces for reflection time. Guided by the Spirit, we can reassess if we are being true to our Christian calling or if activity, consumerism and noise are distracting our focus and energy’.
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Americas
‘Catherine’s Cupboard’ Counters Hunger at Catholic College
‘A pantry at a local Catholic college is reaching food-insecure students, while creating a new model for addressing hunger on campus.
For the past five years, Catherine’s Cupboard at Gwynedd Mercy University has been providing students with an array of non-perishable groceries, grab-and-go portions and even household items. Thanks to the recent addition of refrigeration units, selections also include fresh foods…’
Source: CatholicPhilly.com
More New Resources for Lent (17 February-3 April) from Mercies & Other Sources
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Resource
Knowing Jesus: Lenten Retreat
‘Walk with us through Lent and Easter and really come to understand and love Jesus. We will ponder Gospel stories, reflect on their meaning and see how startlingly relevant Jesus is to living a truly human life in the 21st Century.
This retreat, produced in Scotland by the Society of Jesus is open to all throughout the world.’
Available online without charge
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Resource
Lenten Talks by Australian Biblical Scholars
Each week during Lent this group of accomplished guides: Mark O’Brien op, Mary Reaburn nds, Chris Monaghan cp, Mary Coloe pbvm, will work together to explore the readings for the week.
Live and free on zoom
7:00-8:00pm AEDT
Find out the time & date each week for your local area here
Registrations are welcomed at any time during the series and videos will be made available on the site in the week after the live event.
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Resource
Mercy Meatless Mondays
Everyone in the Mercy community is invited to participate in Mercy Meatless Mondays throughout Lent. By choosing vegetarian options for two days each week, instead of just on Fridays as is traditional for many Catholics, we commit ourselves to a healthier planet. The Lenten edition of the resource includes 14 delicious, meatless recipes submitted by Mercy Earth Challenge participants.
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Resource
Arts & Faith: Lent
Enter into a visual prayer experience this Lent with Arts & Faith: Lent. Use the video commentaries to take a new look at this season of spiritual renewal through the lens of sacred art.
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Resource
Sandhurst Diocese Lent 2021 leaflets
These leaflets for each week of Lent, Palm Sunday and Easter invite reflection on excerpts from Pope Francis’ book, ‘**Let us Dream’** together with insights and suggestions for action. Free to download.
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StocResource
Laudato Si' Lent 2021: A Journey of Hope.
A journey of ecological conversion through Reflection Repentance and Renewal from the Global Catholic Climate Movement via weekly fasting themes.
Mercy Matters
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Resource
Galilee Spirituality Centre Programmes, Ireland
Among the online programmes on offer is The ‘Hope Springs’ series of Lenten programmes featuring Elizabeth Davis rsm (9/3), Carol Barry (16/3) and Niamh Morris (23/3) online from 7:30-9:00pm. Cost €5 per session. Currency converter
Find out the time for your local area here for the 9 March programme with Sr Elizabeth.
While the time of day is the same, you will need to check the date for your local area for the two other Lenten programs.
Book at info@Galilee.ie and make payment online here
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Gospel
1st Sunday in Lent, Year B
Mark 1:12-15
'Lent comes around each year and presents us with its usual challenge to take stock of our lives, to see more clearly what is in our hearts and to discover what might be calling us out of our comfort zones. It is a time to consider how we might respond to the pain of the world and of its inhabitants. ..'
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Fact
On This Day
1995: Ministry to women in original convent, Grafton
Contribute a fact from the story of your Mercy congregation, institute or federation, to our online archive.
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International Days
21 February, International Mother Language Day
‘International Mother Language Day recognizes that languages and multilingualism can advance inclusion, and the Sustainable Development Goals’ focus on leaving no one behind.’
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Resource
Online Programs at Cranaleith Spiritual Center, USA
Among the programs on offer is the Evening of Contemplative Prayer - Online/Virtual with Maria DiBello rsm. Cost: free-will offering.
Time: 7:00 - 8:30pm
Find out the time for your local area here. This is a recurring event - see dates here held at the same time, but you will need to check the date each time for your local area
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Digital Life
The Ultimate iPad Productivity Guide: 24 Ways to Work Smarter and Faster
‘Here’s how to use an iPad like a laptop, wrangle your documents, automate tasks with shortcuts, and more.’
Further Resources
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Worth Knowing
Seven Weeks for Water 2021
‘The 2021 Seven Weeks for Water takes us on a pilgrimage of water justice in North America. We will explore globally familiar places: Flint, Michigan, representative of the many American cities with drinking water contaminated by lead; Standing Rock, where the Dakota Sioux have successfully fought the destruction of sacred waters by the Keystone Pipeline, and the Navajo Nation, where lack of water for handwashing has heightened the toll of the COVID pandemic in the Southwest’
Find out more)
Worth Playing
'Be Merciful O Lord'
‘Be merciful O Lord Ps 50 (Ash Wed & Lent)’ is among the music Michael Herry fms has written for Lent and which can be heard here. The sheet music is available for download here
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Worth Knowing
New Book by Seán McDonough SSC
‘In his new book Robots, Ethics and the Future of Jobs, well-known environmentalist and author Seán McDonagh demonstrates that the same tools that we use to connect, protect and support us can also be put to use in ways that have a huge negative impact on our privacy, our freedom and our life choices.’ Order from Messenger Publications
Watch the interview with Fr Seán recorded for MIRP)
Worth Watching
Life in a Day 2020
‘What can happen on a single day on Earth? Experience the once-in-a-decade landmark documentary film capturing the stories of people across the globe on 25th July 2020. Life in a Day is a stirring film about love, death, heartbreak, and hope that looks beyond geography and circumstance to explore what connects us as humans.’
Watch the trailer (1:52) Watch the entire film (1:25:52)Send suggestions and contributions for the ‘Worth’ Section 2021 to: The Editor
The Bottom Line
‘The year 2021 is a time that must not be wasted. And it will not be wasted if we can work together with generosity and commitment. In this regard, I am convinced that fraternity is the true cure for the pandemic and the many evils that have affected us. Along with vaccines, fraternity and hope are, as it were, the medicine we need in today’s world.’ 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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