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Mercy Ethos July 2019 Programme 'A Wonderful Experience'
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Middle row L-R: Helen Hunter (Aus), Anne Francis (Ire), David Beaver (Aus), Marianne Bray (ANZ), Brooke Kilborn (Aus), Kerry O’Sullivan (Aus), Tony Hunter (Aus), Colette Smith (NL), Ashwin Pillai (Aus), Fiona Gray (Aus)
Front row L-R: Ilkin Il (Aus), Greg Thompson (Aus), Lila Galvin rsm (Aus), Jenny Smith (Aus), Steve Bryan (ANZ), Karan Smith (Aus), Lorraine McArthur (ANZ), Jennifer Chirgwin (Aus), Paula Cox (Aus)
Photographed in the new learning space in the Sacred Garden at Baggot Street
Editor: Twenty-eight staff and board members from Mercy education, health, aged care and spirituality ministries in Australia, Ireland, New Zealand and Newfoundland participated last week (29 July - 2 August) in a Mercy Ethos programme at Baggot Street.
'The Pilgrimage was a wonderful experience', said Sylvia Williams rsm, Chair of the Mercy Education Ltd Board. 'Our ISMAPNG pilgrims were from varied backgrounds - health, welfare and education, however the experience was enhanced by the involvement of other pilgrims from New Zealand, Ireland and Newfoundland. The cross-ministry as well as cross-country experience was inspiring.'
Lila Galvin rsm (ISMAPNG) agreed. 'This programme has been a wonderful opportunity to meet Mercy people from different parts of the world. Both the Young Mercy Leaders (YML) Pilgrimage at which I volunteered and the Ethos programme in which I participated have given me great hope for the future of Mercy.'
The first two days of the programme were spent exploring with the staff of MIC the stories of Catherine McAuley, and some of the early women of Mercy - Ursula Frayne, Vincent Whitty, Teresa White, Mary Ann Doyle, De Pazzi Delaney. Their stories were brought to life in spaces in the house particularly associated with them.
On Wednesday morning stories of Catherine's early years at Coolock House came alive in that location, while walking the streets of Catherine's Dublin that afternoon was a chance to experience the history and heritage of the area.
Mary Reynolds rsm had set the scene for this on Monday morning with her informative and well-received presentation on the religious and political history of Ireland in the time of Catherine. The screening that afternoon of ‘In God Alone’ in the house where many of the events occurred, made a particular impact on the programme participants.
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Presenters on the programme included Ann Mara from MECPATHS (Mercy Efforts for Child Protection Against Trafficking with the Hospitality Sector)who addressed the issue of Human trafficking, Colleen Swain via livestream on the work of Mercy Global Action and Breege O’Neill rsm on how Catherine’s style of leadership might be the inspiration for Mercy leadership today.
On Friday morning, Mary Reynolds rsm gave an overview of what was discovered during the Mercy International Reflection Process (MIRP) and encouraged the participants to engage in the Mercy Global Presence (MGP) contemplative process which commences in September. Anne Walsh then demonstrated to the participants how they could make the best use of the Mercyworld.org website and Mercy eNews for their lives and ministries, and invited and encouraged them to contribute their ministry stories to support the site's growth and relevance for the Mercy Family.
The remainder of the day was given to drawing the threads of the week together, with personal reflection and programme evaluation before final prayer brought the programme to a close.
The Ethos Programme will be offered twice in 2020. Reserve your place now!
Messages to: Anna Nicholls rsm - Leader, Heritage & Spirituality