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Another Successful Mercy Ethos Programme at Baggot Street
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21 leaders from Mercy ministries in Australia, Ireland and Newfoundland participated last week in a Mercy Ethos Pilgrimage to Baggot Street, ably facilitated by Anna Nicholls rsm.
The first two days of the programme were spent exploring the stories of Catherine McAuley, and some of the early women of Mercy. Participants were immersed in these stories by Mary Reynolds rsm (Ursula Frayne), Margaret Roche (Teresa White), Annette Schneider rsm (Clare Agnew), Emma Hogan (Mary Ann Doyle), Anna Nicholls rsm (Georgiana Moore, Elizabeth Moore, Clare Augustine Moore). Their knowledge and insight brought these Mercy women who surrounded Catherine alive in spaces in the house particularly associated with them.
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. Brenda Dolphin rsm, Postulator for the Cause of Catherine McAuley, built on this background in her presentation, outlining Catherine’s story with warmth and insight, emphasising her personal qualities and commitment to education, before tracing the history of the Cause and the potential healing credited to Catherine. In her engaging presentation, Breege O’Neill rsm challenged the leaders on how Catherine’s style of leadership might be the inspiration for Mercy leadership today.
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Welcome to Baggot Street!
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Anna Nicholls rsm welcoming participants into the programme
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Assembling for the trip to Glendalough
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Outside Catherine's room
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Margaret Roche (2nd from left) leading first group on walk through Catherine's Dublin
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Anna Nicholls rsm (far right) leads the second group on the walking tour
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Participants at work
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Participants at work
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Ann Mara & JP O'Sullivan from MECPATHS
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MIA-MGA Team on screen from New York
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Sr Angela, Marian (top), Colleen (bottom)
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Brenda Dolphin rsm
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Mary Reynolds sharing insights
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Participants at work
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Participants
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Participants
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Participants
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While Mercy International Centre was the base for much of the programme, participants had the opportunity to explore, learn and reflect in other parts of Dublin central to Catherine’s story: the streets of Dublin, Coolock House and Georges Hill, and to spend time at Glendalough, founded by St Kevin in the 6th century and one of the most significant monastic sites in Ireland.
The contemporary work of Mercy were addressed by Ann Mara and JP O’Sullivan from MECPATHS (Mercy Efforts for Child Protection Against Trafficking with the Hospitality Sector)) on the issue of Human trafficking and Angela Reed rsm, Colleen Swain and Marian Gardner via livestream on the work of Mercy Global Action.
Anne Walsh gave the final presentation of the week, demonstrating the depth of material in the Mercyworld.org website. Highlighting the online materials related to the people, places and spaces participants had experienced during the weeek, Anne showed how they could make the best use of the site 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.
Messages to: Anna Nicholls rsm - Team Leader Heritage & Spirituality