Save the Date: Catherine's Remembrance Mass
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November 11 marks 180 years since Catherine McAuley’s death. In 2021, we will celebrate Remembrance Day in Catherine’s house on Baggot Street.
Mercy International Centre would like to extend a warm invitation to all who are able to join us in the Chapel at Baggot Street for Mass on Thursday, November 11. We will celebrate Remembrance Day Mass at 11am followed by light lunch in the dining room. If you are able to attend the mass and lunch, please RSVP to Máire Hearty at mairehearty@mercyinternational.ie.
For those in our Mercy community who will be celebrating Remembrance Day outside of Ireland, please check next week’s enews for MIA’s Remembrance Day Prayer Service.
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Vision in Action
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Global Action
The International Day for The Eradication of Poverty 2021
Global Action
The International Day for The Eradication of Poverty 2021
The International Day for The Eradication of Poverty is commemorated on 17 October 2021. What once was a singular protest in 1987 at the Trocadero in Paris became an international day where we represent and uplift those who suffer from extreme poverty, violence, and hunger.
The theme for this year is “Building Forward Together: Ending Persistent Poverty, Respecting All People and Our Planet.” The concept of “building forward” arose as the consequences and harsh realities of the COVID-19 pandemic were revealed. Due to the pandemic’s economic repercussions, there are 71 to 100 million people living in poverty (World Bank). Although this number is alarming, this is just a small fraction of the 1.3 billion people experiencing poverty across the world.
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Prayer
MIA Prayer Intention: Consulting Hopes and Dreams
Prayer
MIA Prayer Intention: Consulting Hopes and Dreams
Just a few weeks ago, MIA gathered for a generative conversation. We envisioned a future vibrant with Mercy and imagined new ways of connecting across the world. In this same spirit, we offer our prayer intention into the loving hands of God, who we trust to guide us and protect us as we consult our hope for an emerging future. In the words of Pope John XXIII we pray…
“Consult not your fears, but your hopes and your dreams. Think not about your frustrations, but about your unfulfilled potential. Concern yourself not with what you have tried and failed in, but what it is still possible to do. Now is the time to put aside past and present setbacks and failures and look with confidence to a new day called tomorrow.”
May each of us look to tomorrow with confidence in You. May we find the strength to set aside failures and meet the new dawn with hope. Amen.
Members News
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Australia
McAuley Community Services for Women Wins Local Hero Award, Australia
Australia
McAuley Community Services for Women Wins Local Hero Award, Australia
McAuley Community Services for Women CEO Jocelyn Bignold OAM was chosen as a Westfield Local Hero at Westfield Airport West. Jocelyn’s dedication to women and children was recognised as one of three top finalists.
Jocelyn has spent her career working in support of women and children who have experienced family violence and women who have experienced or are at risk of homelessness. She is a passionate and dedicated advocate for the cause and is a leader in the sector - specifically in advocacy for system change. She is a true inspiration to those she meets and to those who work at McAuley Community Services for Women. Jocelyn has led McAuley’s impact through her leadership and focus on the end goal - helping women and children find safety and building a safe and independent future.
This award along with your support has helped to secure a $10,000 grant which will boost the McAuley Learning Support program.
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Americas
Sister Mary de Sales White: Unwavering Nomad
Americas
Sister Mary de Sales White: Unwavering Nomad
Sr. Noel Keller shares a wonderfully written, reflective biography of Sister Mary de Sales White. The full text is available here.
Jane White was born in County Wexford, Ireland in 1813. She entered Baggot Street on June 7, 1836, receiving her habit and the name Mary de Sales on January 25, 1837, the same day her older sister, Teresa White, professed her vows. Both sisters were among Catherine’s earliest companions, and they travelled with her on numerous occasions. Professed in January 1839, de Sales was one of two sisters Catherine lent to the Bermondsey Foundation in England in 1840 when Bishop Griffiths requested seasoned sisters be sent there. Indeed, the day after they left, Catherine confessed to Frances Warde: “I feel quite deserted this morning—dear Sister de Sales has been my mother for some time, plaiting my coifs, etc., etc. May God Bless them [she and Sr Xavier O’Connell] and receive the offering to His greater glory.”
Mercy Matters
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Fact
On This Day
1828: Georgiana Moore (later M Clare) joined the community at Baggot St as resident worker and governess.
Contribute a fact from your Mercy congregation, institute, or federation, to our online archive.
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Member News
St. Mary's Primary School Writes New School Song
St Mary's Primary School, Eltham, UK has worked hard to produce their own school song. We think you will agree there is plenty of talent there! Watch the video of their new school song sung by current Mercy students!
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prayer
29th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year B
“In the kingdom of God movement established by Jesus, there is no place for domination or for any exercise of power over others. In today’s gospel story, this is a lesson that James and John, the sons of Zebedee, clearly need to learn...”
Further Resources
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Worth Knowing
MIA Seeking Computer Donations
MIC is organising a new programme at Baggot Street to teach computer skills to women experiencing homelessness. To increase the number of participants we are able to host, we are seeking donations of old laptop computers that you are no longer using. All laptop donations will be reset and wiped of your personal information. For more information or to connect about donating your computer, please contact Siobhán Golden at programmes@mercyinternational.ie.
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Worth Watching
MGA Signs Multi-Faith Declaration for COP26
MGA signed a multi-faith declaration asking world leaders and politicians at the COP26 Summit in Glasgow to: 1. commit to the agreements made at the Paris Summit in 2015; 2. commit to working together to ensure the continuation of life on earth; 3. commit to climate justice for all; and, 4. listen to the voices of ordinary people everywhere who are crying out for real, visionary, and immediate climate action.
View the Video Statement)
Worth Watching
New Meditation Resource from CHAUSA
Catholic Health Association of the United States offers Meditative Reflections. Listen to I Find Rest for 1 minute 47 seconds to recenter yourself.
Listen to the Meditation)
Worth Reading
Infographics: SDGs & UN Human Rights mechanisms from a Feminst Perspecitve
The Wome’s Major Group created a series, “SDGs & UN Human Rights mechanisms from a feminist perspective”, in infographics. The infographics were written by Diyana Yahya and designed by Naadira Patel of SSWW and are available in English, Spanish, and French.
View the InfographicsMembers 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