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MGP Reflective Poster on 'Presence Of, To and With God'
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The first of the four 'Presence' posters of key images and quotes on the theme 'Presence Of, To and With God' and accompanying reflection guide is being released through Mercy eNews today.
A reminder that the materials for the first theme in Segment Four, ‘Integration’ will be released on 31 March.
Vision in Action
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MGA
Commission on Social Development Examines the Role of Digital Technologies on Well-Being of All
The 59th session of the Commission for Social Development (CSocD59) took place from 8 to 17 February 2021 at the United Nations Headquarters in New York, though most sessions were held virtually. The Commission is the advisory body at the UN responsible for the social development pillar of global development. This year, the priority theme of the Commission was “Socially just transition towards sustainable development: the role of digital technologies on social development and well-being of all.”…
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MGA
MGA Emerging Leaders Fellows Research Presentations and Graduation Video Now Online
The videos of the presentations given by the Mercy Global Action Emerging Leaders Fellows on 16-18 February are now online, along with their written research project and accompanying powerpoint presentations.
On Saturday, February 20th their graduation ceremony was held. The keynote presentation was given by the former President of Ireland, Mary Robinson.
Read the program here. View the graduation video here.
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Prayer
MIA Prayer Intention: Living Life with Dignity
1 March is Zero Discrimination Day which celebrates ‘the right of everyone to live a full and productive life—and live it with dignity’.
Let us pray that we will grow in respect and appreciation of difference: welcoming diversity, challenging injustice, addressing racism, defending human rights.
Post your prayer in our online chapel.
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Segment Three 'Presence' Reflective Posters
The second of the four 'Presence' collages of key images and quotes on the theme 'Presence To Earth' will be released through Mercy eNews next Wednesday, 3 March.
Members' News
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Americas
Happily Ever After
Julia Upton rsm writes: *‘No one's life journey is as smooth or simple as those fairy tales led us to believe. Throughout life's ups and downs, twists and turns, we need support and encouragement to maintain health — physical, emotional and spiritual—particularly in our later years. Rather than "happily ever after," we seek a more realistic and achievable goal: to live the best life possible all our days….’*
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Stock imageAustralia and Papua New Guinea
Catholic Religious Australia (CRA) Call for Equitable Distribution of Vaccines
Catholic Religious Australia (CRA), of which the four Australian Mercy Congregations are members, has released a statement opposing ‘the stockpiling of COVID-19 vaccines by wealthy nations and supports an equitable distribution of vaccines around the globe, particularly to developing nations.’…
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Brisbane
All Hallows' School - Mercy Action Commissioning Liturgy
At the start of each school year, the staff and students of All Hallows' School who are involved in the Mercy Action program, gather for a blessing on their work. The extensive social justice program is a core part of the School's co-curricular offerings and is supported by staff, students, parents and even past pupils who return to supervise some of the groups in a voluntary capacity…
Mercy Matters
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Resource
Ruth: An Earth Bible Commentary
‘This ecological reading of the book of Ruth by Alice M. Sinnott rsm (ANZ) takes into account the power of this short story to speak to the whole person by engaging each reader's emotions, imagination, memory, and reason. Sr Sinnott shows how the story of Ruth transcends geographical, spatial and historical boundaries by speaking to all concerned with the plight of the Earth…’ Published July 2020.
Order from Bloomsbury or Amazon. Part of the Earth Bible Commentary Series
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Resource
Growing Back Better
A Lent retreat of seven sessions with Margaret Silf.
‘We have all come through a year like no other in living memory, and now we have arrived in a new year, carrying all the hopes and dreams of a new beginning, but also the many fears and troubles of the year just passed. The season of Lent gives us a heaven-sent opportunity to reflect prayerfully on our recent experience and the difficulties and the possibilities it has set before us.’
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Resource
Religious Life for Our World: UISG & CTU Webinar
Panel discussion on the book Religious Life For Our World: Creating Communities of Hope by Maria Cimperman rscj. A Kindle version is available from Amazon.
Panel: Christine Mwale op, Catherine Jones smsm and Sr Maria. Moderator: Patricia Murray ibvm
Date: 24 February. Time: 9am (Chicago). Find out the time and date for your local area here
Zoom link is here
Meeting ID: 817 7325 8767
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Resource
Surprised by God: A Lenten Invitation to Reflect on God’s Surprising Nearness
Organised by the Religious Formation Conference USA and led by Dr. Chrissy Zaker from CTU Chicago.
‘In the middle of this winter’s darkness and social distance, in a period of Lenten renewal, we might find it hard to recognize God in our midst. Refining our skills of theological reflection is one critical way to attune our hearts to God’s presence.’
Date: 3 March. Time: 1pm (central) Find out the time and date for your local area here
The webinar is free. Registration is required. Further information and registration details are here
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Gospel
2nd Sunday of Lent, Year B
Mark 9:2-10
'The wilderness was the geographical and key symbolic focus of last week’s gospel story. This week, the focus is a mountain. Wilderness and mountain remind us that God’s Earth itself is the locus of mystery and grace, the place of Earth-divine encounter...'
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Fact
On This Day
1854: William McAuley, Catherine's nephew, married Jessie Tomkins, Colac
1856: Foundation to Buenos Aires, Argentina from Baggot St - M Evangelista Fitzpatrick
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
The Julia Tree: Growing hope, jobs, justice, and peace
The Julia Tree Challenge grows trees on Africa’s Great Green Wall. It is an ecosystem that also champions the education of girls, the empowerment of women, and peace and racial justice projects worldwide.
Learn how to support this initiative)
Worth Watching
'Journey to Your Heart'
Journey to Your Heart composed by Marie Dunne chf and sung by Patricia Bourke D'Souza
Watch/listen here)
Worth Reading
LCWR 'Update'
The March issue of ‘Update’, the monthly newsletter from LCWR (Leadership Conference of Women Religious) is now online.
Read 'Update' here)
Worth Knowing
UN offers science-based blueprint to tackle climate crisis, biodiversity loss and pollution
‘Without nature’s help, “we will not thrive or even survive”, the UN Secretary-General António Guterres said on Thursday, launching a major report on the environment.’
Read the article here Download the Report here (168pps))
Worth Knowing
Sacred People Sacred Earth
Sacred People Sacred Earth is the faith-climate justice day of global action being held at 11am local time everywhere (‘the eleventh hour’) on 11 March 2021.
Find out More & Sign the Statement here Document: 'Creative Ways to be involved from home' (in English & en español)Send suggestions and contributions for the ‘Worth’ Section 2021 to: The Editor
The Bottom Line
‘Do not be afraid of being fragile but think of Lent as the transformation from ashes to light, from what is leftover to fullness… as a time that is not penitential, but alive, not a time of mortification, but as revitalization. It is the time the seed is in the earth.’
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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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