Take Five with Sr Anne Lyng RSM

In our latest interview, where we invite you to get to know the staff of Mercy International Association, we feature Sr Anne Lyng RSM who is our new Co-Ordinator for Opening Doors.

Anne sat down with MIA's Brenda Drumm to respond to our Take Five Questions.

Brenda: Can you tell me a little bit about yourself and where you are in the world?

Sr Anne: I am a Sister of Mercy, originally from Cavan but entered in Newry, Co Down, where I am based for many years.  After I left secondary school I worked in Health Insurance and then felt called to religious life.  I have a keen interest in current affairs, reading and spirituality.  I follow the GAA (Gaelic football and hurling) fortunes of my native county – and that leaves me used to living in hope of greater things annually!

Brenda: Can you tell us a little bit more about your life and ministry?

Sr Anne: My initial training was in education, and I worked for many years in second level schools where I became involved in immersion projects.  I believe in the value of these for life-long learning for both students and staff.  These are an opportunity for everyone to learn in a different way and as the imminent writer John O’Donohoe states there is an irreversibility of awareness – you cannot un-see what you have seen.  The impact is etched on you forever and the benefits of exposure to another culture are immense.

Zambia

I lived and worked in Zambia for a number of years and I have seen and lived firsthand another culture and have been exposed to both the beauty and the struggles of the Zambian people

Administration

For six years I was involved in internal administration and as a result, I have a greater appreciation of the complexities of our structures and also the great generosity of sisters through the years

Ministry as Pastoral Worker

I spent seven years as a Pastoral Worker in the Archdiocese of Armagh.  This was a challenging role as I witnessed the hunger and thirst of people on the ground for adult faith development and their quest for greater involvement in the life of the church.  I had many opportunities to work as a team member to try to advance adult faith development

Brenda: What is your new role?

Sr Anne: Recently I was appointed as Co-Ordinator of the Opening Doors Project.  This project endeavours to provide creative ways for an expression of Mercy Charism and the spirit of Catherine McAuley – our foundress – to be present now and into the future.  Many people may wonder what ‘charism’ is but, in my lived experience, it is a particular stance that I/we adopt in any encounter with people and situations.  It seeks to bring compassion to all our endeavours and to find new ways of helping people to feel better about themselves and the world.  In the Opening Doors Project my focus is on Youth and Formation.  This new role allows me to use my previous learnings and experience again but in new and challenging context.

Brenda: What is happening for you in Mercy International Association at the moment?

Sr Anne: This is an exciting time to move into this international aspect of the Mercy world.

The bicentenary of the opening of Baggot Street is only two years away and this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to be creative as we endeavour to bring the message of Catherine McAuley to another generation of people who hunger and thirst for mercy.

Brenda: What is your favourite quote and why?

Sr Anne: In this context, my favourite quote is from Catherine McAuley:

“The poor need help today, not next week”

In my experience this has been the hallmark of a lot of our responses to social issues since our foundation.  There is a ‘hands on’ approach of Sisters of Mercy and those who are our associates and colleagues.  The poor are evident today as they were in 1827 – our challenge is to respond creatively.

ENDS

Thanks Sr Anne for your generous sharing - it's been great to let our Mercy Family get to know you a little bit more.