Mercy Day Mass
This Friday, 24 September, the Mercy world will celebrate The Feast of Our Lady of Mercy affectionately called Mercy Day. While we are not able to gather here at Baggot Street this year due to COVID, Mercy International Association wishes each of you every blessing as you celebrate the anniversary of our beloved House of Mercy opening the doors for the first time! We hope the resources below will help bring our celebrations closer together, even while physically distant:
- Watch the Mercy Day Mass filmed at Baggot Street with contributions from all over the Mercy world.
- Download the Mercy Day Mass Booklet in English or Spanish to participate in the virtual celebration.
- View a Spanish translation of the reflection, offered by MIA staff member Máire Hearty rsm.
Vision in Action
Global Action
MGA Welcomes New Intern Leah Schiffman!
Global Action
MGA Welcomes New Intern Leah Schiffman!
Hello! My name is Leah Schiffman and I'm the new MGA Intern. I'm thrilled to be part of an organization that promotes justice and human rights around the world. I am a recent graduate of the University of Minnesota with a double major in Political Science and Global Studies. Throughout my educational career, I have discovered the importance of international human rights and the actors that make it possible, like Mercy Global Action. In this position, I hope to learn more about policy and human rights work and contribute to MGA's mission.
As a native of Chicago, I have grown up appreciating the significance of community and community building. While international work is undeniably crucial to change in our world, I think some of the most important work has come from local, grassroots organizations. My love of my own Chicago neighborhood inspired me to create an Instagram photojournalism page called "Residents of Rogers Park." I thought it was important to document my neighborhood and its residents because this past year and a half has been plagued with problems, from the Covid pandemic to police brutality to inequities in vaccine distribution. This photo series, and the people I interviewed for it, enabled me to realize that we aren't divided by our differences but by our lack of conversation and understanding. Through its mission and its past work, Mercy clearly understands the importance of not only working on the global level but of working with and for the communities it is trying to promote and protect.
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Prayer
MIA Prayer Intention: Celebrating the Feast of Our Lady of Mercy
Prayer
MIA Prayer Intention: Celebrating the Feast of Our Lady of Mercy
Sisters, Associates, and Friends of Mercy are invited to celebrate the opening of the first House of Mercy, Baggot Street, in 1827.
Mercy International Association celebrates Mercy Week 2021 with the theme Opening Doors to an Emerging Future. As we emerge from a time of global crisis and pandemic, we are mindful of our call to continue Catherine’s legacy and vision into the future. World leaders have called us to Build Back Better and justice advocates have challenged us to find new solutions and systems which support both people and planet. These calls challenge our Mercy world to open our doors wide and explore what is possible for the future.
To explore this theme through our Mercy Spirituality, a prayer service has been created by Mercy International Association. The prayer service is available for use in English and Spanish by all in our Mercy Community. You can find additional copies, US Letter and A4 sizes, on our Mercy Day webpage here.
Members News
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Great Britain
New Leaders elected for the Union of Sisters of Mercy of Great Britain
Great Britain
New Leaders elected for the Union of Sisters of Mercy of Great Britain
Sr Philomena Bowers, leader of the Union of Sisters of Mercy of Great Britain, reports that a successful Chapter was held after many months of delay due to the pandemic. A new leadership team was elected and will take office on 1 November 2021. Mercy International Association would like to extend a warm welcome to Srs Geraldine Lawlor (Leader), Margaret Jones, Mary McGrath, Annette McCartan, and Johanna Moloney as they step into their leadership roles.
We thank Philomena for the wonderful contribution she has made to MIA through her leadership, and wish Geraldine and her team every blessing as they respond to the demands of leadership in these challenging times.
Ireland
Season of Creation Reflection from the Sisters of Mercy Integrity of Life Group
Ireland
Season of Creation Reflection from the Sisters of Mercy Integrity of Life Group
The Congregation of the Sisters of Mercy have prepared a reflective resource for all in our Mercy community to use during the Season of Creation.
The Congregation thanks the Sisters from Integrity of Life Group who contributed to this lovely reflection to assist us in deepening our relationship with all creation.
To view the text and imagery reflection, please click here to the Congregation’s website.
Mercy Matters
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Fact
On Mercy Day (Special Edition): 24 September
1827: House of Mercy on Baggot Street opens
1838: Foundation to Limerick, 1839: Foundation to Naas, 1861: Mater Misericordia Hospital Dublin formally opens, 1886: Foundation to Croydon, 1887: Foundation to Doncaster
Contribute a fact from your Mercy congregation, institute, or federation, to our online archive.
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MIA News
Share a Mercy Day Message
For many years, members of the global Mercy community have sent in their Mercy Day greetings for posting on our website. Click below to read MIA’s 2021 Mercy Day message and send in your own greeting!
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prayer
26th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year B
“Sometimes we act and speak as though we humans have the monopoly on access to the power of God even if, in fact, we have no such monopoly. In today’s gospel Jesus seems to be telling his disciples that God works through people of good will, irrespective..”
Further Resources
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Worth Watching
Sunita Narain: We have to build a climate-resilient world to end human suffering from climate change
3-minute video: The world’s climate crisis means we are seeing more intense storms, rising sea levels, increased drought, and more human suffering. In an appeal on the behalf of the United Nations, Sunita Narain explains why and how we can build a climate-resilient world.
Watch the Video)
Worth Knowing
Vatican Museums Collection: The Works of Mercy #9
Explore the masterpieces in the papal collections accompanied by the words of the Popes. Today, view The Works of Mercy #9.
Read More)
Worth Watching
New Meditation Resource from CHAUSA
Catholic Health Association of the United States offers Meditative Reflections. Listen to I will Not Be Afraid for 1 minute 52 seconds to recenter yourself.
Listen to the Meditation)
Worth Knowing
National Migration Week 2021
National Migration Week 2021 takes place September 20-26 with the Vatican's celebration of the World Day of Migrants and Refugees on Sunday, September 26. Towards an ever wider “we” is the theme chosen by the Holy Father for the 107th World Day of Migrants and Refugees (WDMR). An appeal to build a universal “we” —may this be achieved first and foremost within the Church, called upon to create communion within diversity.
View the ResourcesMembers of Mercy
Members of Mercy International
Members of Mercy International Association share the passion of their foundress, Catherine McAuley, to bring mercy to people who are poor, sick and uneducated.
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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