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#Mercy200Stories: Working Together For Kids - Mercy Beyond the Hospital Walls
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We are delighted to introduce the second story in our #Mercy200Stories series which features the Working Together for Kids initiative which is based out of Werribee Mercy Hospital, a general hospital providing comprehensive care in the south western region of Melbourne, Australia.
Dr Kathy McMahon tells the story of the delivery of paediatric assessment and care directly within primary schools that host Community Hubs. These hubs support families from migrant and refugee backgrounds and offer a trusted point of connection through programs such as English classes, playgroups and parenting support.
Speaking about the initiative Dr Kathy says: "By providing healthcare in this familiar setting, we remove barriers that so often prevent families from engaging with hospital-based services.
"This approach is deeply aligned with the Mercy charism and the enduring spirit of Venerable Catherine McAuley, responding practically and compassionately to unmet need. Rather than asking families to navigate complex systems, Working Together for Kids adapts the system to the community. It is healthcare that meets people where they are."
Mercy Global Action
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Mercy Global Action
Mercy at the ECOSOC Youth Forum
Mercy Global Action
Mercy at the ECOSOC Youth Forum
The MGA Team recently attended the ECOSOC Youth Forum, which took place at the UN in New York from the 14-16th April, focusing on bringing young leaders together to share their efforts around the world and lead the way forward for development. The theme of the 2026 Forum was "Innovate, Unite and Transform: Youth Shaping the Road to 2030".
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Mercy Global Action
Mercy Water Justice Survey - Deadline Friday, 1st May
Mercy Global Action
Mercy Water Justice Survey - Deadline Friday, 1st May
We’re quickly approaching the deadline for the Mercy Water Justice Survey, which is on Friday, 1st May. In preparation for the upcoming UN Water Conference in December, we are mapping all of the ways Mercy is involved in Water Justice worldwide. Please take the time to fill out our survey if you, your organization, or your ministry is involved in Water Justice.
Mercy Matters
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Fact
On This Day
26 April 1813
Birth of Juliana Hardman, first Superior of St Mary’s Convent, Handsworth.
29 April 1841
Death of Catherine’s nephew, James McAuley.
6 May 1840
Foundation to Galway from Baggot St - M Teresa White.
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Heritage
Heritage Corner with Caroline Thompson
In our Heritage Corner this month we take a look at Teresa Mulally, the founder of the Presentation Convent in George's Hill where Catherine undertook her training. Teresa was a woman after Catherine's own heart. She had been a successful business woman but after the death of her parents had resolved to devote her life and her resources to helping those made poor in Dublin.
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Spirituality
What can be said about good will and hope this Easter Season
Caroline Thompson shares a spiritual reflection on what can be said about goodwill and hope this Easter Season when we are confronted on a daily basis with the horror of war and violence. How can we celebrate new life when when we seem to be surrounded by division and hatred?
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200th anniversary of First House of Mercy
We want your #Mercy200 Stories
#Mercy200Stories is one of our key projects marking the 200th anniversary of the founding of the first House of Mercy by Catherine McAuley on 24 September 1827. This global storytelling project is an invitation to the Mercy World to gather and share 200 stories that reveal Mercy in action, Mercy in place, and Mercy as lived experience across the world today. Share your stories with us today!
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200th anniversary
New Heritage Webinar Series: The Path to the First House of Mercy 1827
The Path to the First House of Mercy 1827 is the theme we have chosen for a new Heritage Webinar series that will be delivered by Mercy International Association. Self-registration is open now for the first three webinars which will be offered by Caroline Thompson in May, June and July, online via Zoom.
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Opening Doors
Announcing our new Opening Doors Book Club
We are delighted to announce our new Opening Doors book club which will meet online once a month. We are in the process of putting together a longlist of books on topics such as Catherine McAuley, climate justice, water, poverty, migration, social history. We might choose a memoir that tells the story of a refugee journey and we will also feature poetry and prose books. We'd love your suggestions!
Further Resources
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Worth Reading
Follow our daily #MercyMoment
We invite you to follow our daily #MercyMoment on our website and on our social media (Facebook and Instagram). Our daily pause for reflection is available in English and Spanish and offers an inspiring, thought-provoking quote from the Mercy World and beyond. You can access all our reflections in our FLICKR archive too!
Worth Reading)
Worth Knowing
Catherine McAuley Symposium in New Zealand
From 13–15 December 2026, Whānau Mercy Ministries and Te Herenga Waka – Victoria University of Wellington will host a three-day Catherine McAuley Symposium at Rutherford House. Inspired by the 200th anniversary of the opening of the first House of Mercy (1827), the symposium will explore the impact of religion across education, healthcare, and social services, grounded in Catherine McAuley’s intent “to serve God faithfully.”
Worth Knowing)
Worth Reading
Impact of the Mercy Girl Effect Movement
Mercy Girl Effect (MGE) is a global “mercying” movement associated with Sisters of Mercy. It was originally known as “Girls Leadership Conference” and rebranded as Mercy Girl Effect in 2007 by Sister Deirdre Mullan and Ms. Eileen Killeen. The movement brings together students — mostly girls — from “Mercy” high schools across the United States and in Ireland. In recent conferences, dozens of students and chaperones from across those countries attended and then were responsible for activities in their schools.
Worth Reading)
Worth Reading
New book by Anna Burke RSM invites us to return to the heart
The Living Image (Returning to the Heart) is the new book from Anna Burke RSM, an Irish Sister of Mercy who has written widely on spiritual reflection. We are delighted to announce that Sr Anna will feature on the next episode of our Mercy Echoes Podcast. The Living Image is available now from Messenger Publications.
Worth Reading)
Worth Reading
‘Even just one of these children’ announced as theme of World Migrants Day
The World Day of Migrants and Refugees will focus this year on minors on the move, recalling the duty to welcome each one of them as the Gospel teaches us. “Even just one of these children” is the theme that Pope Leo XIV has chosen for the 112th edition of the day, which will be marked on Sunday, 27 September 2026. The title is a reference to Matthew 18:5: Whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me. With this choice, the Holy Father intends to express the Church’s concern for minors directly involved in migration, recalling the duty to welcome each one of them as the Gospel teaches us.
Worth Reading)
Worth Reading
Pope at Regina Caeli: Don't let 'thieves' rob your joy and peace
As he prayed the Regina Caeli on Sunday 26th April, Pope Leo XIV invited the faithful to trust the Lord, and warned against letting ourselves be deceived by 'thieves' who seek to destroy our joy by leading us astray. The Holy Father said: "We must ask ourselves: Who do we want to guide us in life? Which “thieves” have tried to break into our fold? Have they succeeded, or have we managed to ward them off?"
Worth Reading)
Worth Knowing
New book and exhibition to honour Sister Mary Bilderback’s life and legacy
Sister Mary Bilderback, a Sister of Mercy of the Americas, who died in 2025, will be honoured this spring with the publication of her book, A Common Wealth of Light: A Collection of Writings and Art. The poems, lyric essays, journal fragments and artwork featured in the collection reflect a multitude of perspectives and dimensions, drawing from Mary’s immersement in literature, philosophy, science, ecology, spirituality, and religion. The collection invokes a profound reverence for all of creation, asking the reader to examine human impact on the planetary whole, and to commit to regenerative action.
Worth Knowing){kind=logo}
Worth Knowing
Logotipo del 200.º aniversario ya disponible en español
El logotipo oficial del 200.º aniversario de la Fundación de la Primera Casa de la Misericordia de Catherine McAuley en el 64A de Lower Baggot Street, Dublín, en 1827, fue presentado por la Asociación Internacional de la Misericordia (MIA) el pasado mes de febrero. Nos complace poner el logotipo a disposición en español. El logotipo destaca nuestro patrimonio y nuestra historia, al tiempo que renueva nuestro compromiso de responder a las necesidades de nuestro tiempo con confianza y esperanza.
Worth Knowing)
Mercy eNews
The newsletter of Mercy International Association is published monthly and distributed to subscribers via email. If you have any queries about the newsletter, please contact mercyenews@mercyinternational.ie
For more information on the directors click here
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