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MIA Staff Visits Coolock House
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MIA staff located in Ireland were graciously invited for a tour of Coolock House last week. Staff learned more about Catherine’s time in Coolock, prayed in Catherine’s room, and visited Mr. and Mrs. Callahan’s gravesite. We were most blessed by the warm hospitality of the Sisters in community at Coolock and valued sharing a cup of tea together.
Staff journeyed from Coolock back to Baggot Street and opened the red doors after almost two years of restrictions. As the doors are open again, we hope all in our Mercy community will consider planning a visit to Baggot Street soon!
Vision in Action
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Global Action
MIA’s International Women’s Day Event
Global Action
MIA’s International Women’s Day Event
The Mercy Global Action office collaborated with Sister Magdalene Musau, RSM to host MIA’s International Women’s Day event on 8 March. Sr. Magdalene is a Kenyan Sister of Mercy who shared her perspective as a Kamba woman from a collectivist culture.
During the event, Sr. Magdalene used a reflective, critical lens, to explore how people learn as children to identify themselves and relate to others and the world around them. The assumptions people develop contribute to the subconscious bias they carry, which can be manifested as discrimination against women. To create a society that is more inclusive of women, that truly sees, hears, and values them, Sr. Magdalene emphasized the need to break the bias, and to be intentional about celebrating our differences. Sr. Magdalene discussed the various roles that women play in our lives, as carers, healers, and nurturers; as teachers and spiritual directors; as dream-holders, leaders, and wisdom-providers. She invited participants to to reflect and converse on their own journeys. As participants shared, common themes of gratitude, strength, and healing emerged.
If you wish to purchase Sr. Magdalene’s book, ‘The Change You Want is Within You,’ please click here. 70% of the proceeds will go towards providing books for students in Kenya. We are also pleased to announce that the Mercy Global Action office will be sending US $800 to buy books for young people in Kenya, which will further Sr. Magdalene’s mission.
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Prayer
MIA Prayer Intention: The Feast of St. Patrick
Prayer
MIA Prayer Intention: The Feast of St. Patrick
Mercy International Association invites you to join us in celebration of our Irish heritage this St. Patrick’s Day. A prayer service celebrating the leadership of St. Patrick and the service of Catherine McAuley is available for all in our Mercy community to feel more connected to our foundation in Ireland.
St. Patrick first came to Ireland at the age of sixteen, transported from Britain to work as a slave minding sheep. Six years later he escaped, returning to his family and later visiting France where he became a Christian. He felt called by God to return to Ireland as a missionary, spreading God’s word and baptizing thousands of people. He later served as a Bishop in Ireland and is now one of Ireland's patron saints.
As we gather for this feast of St. Patrick, we are reminded of our own Irish roots in Catherine’s founding of the Sisters of Mercy here in Dublin. In celebration, MIA invites all those in our Mercy community to reflect on the leadership of St. Patrick in spreading God’s word, and the service of Catherine McAuley in helping those on the margins of our society beginning here in Ireland.
May this feast day bring you many Irish blessings!
Image: St. Patrick Window in the Baggot Street Chapel
Mercy Matters
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Fact
On This Day
16 March 1911: Foundation to Aurora, Illinois from Council Bluffs - M Magdalene Bennett
Contribute a fact from your Mercy congregation, institute, or federation, to our online archive.
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Mercy International Centre
Board of Directors: A Strategic Project
Most of the Directors were able to meet in person in Dublin for the February meeting, although some needed to attend by Zoom. A focus for the meeting was Strategic Planning. The Directors have reflected on and responded to what was heard from the Mercy World about future direction, particularly through the Mercy Global Presence programme, the Generative Conversation in September 2021, and before that the Mercy International Reflection Process (MIRP). The Strategic Planning document is available on the website here.
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Programmes
Lenten Spirituality Sessions
The Mercy world gathers virtually for spirituality sessions to journey through the Lenten season together. All are welcome to join MIA on each of the seven Wednesdays of Lent at 2pm Dublin Time (find your local time here; Please be mindful of Daylight Savings Time!). Speakers are available here. To register your interest in attending one or more virtual sessions, please complete the Google Form here. The live sessions are hosted in English and Spanish.
Further Resources
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Worth Knowing
REMINDER: Registration for Young Mercy Leaders
The pilgrimage will take place this year in person at Mercy International Centre, Dublin. The dates for our 2022 pilgrimage are as follows:
- Wed, 6 July - Sat, 9 July: Pilgrimage for third level college and university students.
- Mon, 11 July - Thurs, 14 July: Pilgrimage for high school and secondary school students.
The aim of this four day retreat is to provide participants with the opportunity to connect with individuals from around the world while learning more about Mercy leadership. Sessions will highlight stories of Mercy, provide leadership formation, and present Mercy initiatives across the globe. To register or express interest for your school group please email the H&S Team at programmes@mercyinternational.ie.
More Info (18+) More info (under 17))
Worth Reading
One Week Left to Register for the Suscipe Retreat!
MIA has a few placements available for Catherine’s Suscipe Retreat!
Mon, 28 March - Fri, 1 April: Spend a week at Mercy International Centre in Dublin, Ireland exploring Catherine, her suscipe, and her message to us today. This retreat will be facilitated by Mary Pat Garvin, rsm. Residential costings are €525 including accommodation and all meals. Non-residential (commuter) costings are €290 including lunch. To RSVP please email H&S Team member Máire Heart, rsm at programmes@mercyinternational.ie.
View Additional Details)
Worth Knowing
Spiritual Directors Retreat
Facilitated by Maria DiBello, rsm, this five-day retreat includes sessions for spiritual directors to explore more deeply what it means to listen for the movement of God in every day life. There will be intentional time for renewal to address the weight carried in spiritual accompaniment and training to explore new possibilities.
Residential: €675 (Accommodation & Meals Provided) Non-Residential: €400 (Lunch Provided).
Date and Time: Monday 2, May - Friday, 6 May
How to register: To RSVP for this event, please email programmes@mercyinternational.ie.
More Information)
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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