This week we are suspending publication of the Mercy International Research papers on Being Mercy in the Twenty- First Century in order to share with you a presentation made by Mary Kay Dobrovolny, Assistant Director Heritage and Spirituality during the recent Holy Week retreat at Mercy International Centre on the theme of Women and the Passion.

The article presents Mary Magdalene as an icon for celibate loving and apostolic mission, using the resurrection story found in the Gospel of John.  The passage in the Gospel of John speaks of a love and intimacy between Mary Magdalene and Jesus. 

After exploring the gospel portrayal where Mary Magdalene is the first to encounter the resurrected Jesus and receives the commission to 'go and tell,' the article notes some insights from the gospel reading regarding celibate loving and apostolic mission for vowed women religious. 

This is a timely article, not just because of the Liturgical Season but also  when as Mary Kay points out ‘we are called not to be overwhelmed by the  extent of brokenness in our world (or in our Church or in ourselves), not to let ourselves be paralyzed by grief and despair’.

Messages to Mary Reynolds rsm - Executive Director MIA

The Organ in the chapel is a very precious part of the heritage of Mercy International Centre. Built in 1844 by William Telford, a leading nineteenth century organ builder, it was added to over the succeeding decades. After a century of service, it was in need of serious repair but this proved very difficult. This led to a decision to alter its mechanism but fortunately the original console of 1844 was left untouched and this made possible the re-construction of the organ in 1998.

Messages to Mary Reynolds rsm - Executive Director MIA

Prayers are requested for the intentions of the following persons and all those whose names are on the MIA prayer list: Paul Walker, Leighanne Mansfield, Josephine Sweeney, Nicholl family, The Coffey families, Nuala and Rita, Peter McDevitt (24), Teresa Corcoran (30), Evelyn Halpin-Hill, Tim Byng, W.W.O'Bryan.

Messages to:
Anne Hannon rsm - Vice postulator Europe and Africa
Sheila Carney rsm - Vice postulator Americas
Mary Duffy rsm - Vice postulator Australia, New Zealand, Philippines

Two Reports from MGC have been added online:
Report no 1, April 2010 - Message for World Autism Awareness Day 2010 (English and Spanish)

Report no 2, April 2010 - Urban Health Matters

Messages to Deirdre Mullan rsm - Director MGC

In a 1979 Chapter, some Sisters of Mercy in Ireland reflected on a line in their Constitutions which states, “Mercy urges us to be with and for the poor and distressed, working for social justice and well being, seeking to bring rich and poor together in mutual love and service.”  Based on their communal theological reflection, the Chapter body decided to send sisters to a developing country.  Thus, in December 1982, four sisters left Ireland to live and minister in Brazil.

Messages to Mary Kay Dobrovolny rsm - Assistant Director Heritage & Spirituality

The Sisters of Mercy of the Union (GB) meet in Chapter during Easter week to review their mission and elect a Leadership Team for the next five years.  The Theme of the Chapter is: Hearts Centred in God. 

Please remember us in prayer. 

We pray: 'God of Mercy, look on us with love and compassion and then we shall be able to do anything you wish us to do, no matter how difficult to accomplish or painful to our feelings. Amen.
Our Lady of Mercy, pray for us
Venerable Catherine, pray for us'

Messages to Sisters of Mercy of the Union c/- Angela Moroney rsm

There was an atmosphere of great joy and celebration at St. Joseph's Church when family, community, friends and Sisters of Mercy gathered for the conferring of Sr Dympna's Papal award: Pro Ecclesia et Pontifice. The Pro Ecclesia is an award of the Roman Catholic Church for exceptional services to a broader, larger sector of society than the parish community.

Messages to Sr. Dympna c/- Cathy Edge rsm

Sisters of Mercy and their partners in mission in this country are being invited to 'free fall' into the heart of God, whose creative love is transforming the world.

The call comes from Sr Anne Campbell, elected as Congregation leader by Sisters of Mercy from New Zealand, Tonga and Samoa at their Chapter in Christchurch last September.

She told Mercy Focus that she has been inviting sisters in the Congregation to make a conscious pilgrimage together, 'to free fall into the lavish goodness of God.'

Taken from Mercy Focus – Volume 11 Issue 1
17 March 2010

Messages to Anne Campbell rsm Congregation leader

This week we recall and remember:
The Foundation to Los Angeles from Michigan (7 April)
Foundation to Auckland from Carlow (9 April)
Catherine McAuley declared Venerable (9 April)
Opening of St Anne's Mercy Hospital, Mt Lawley, Western Australia (10 April)
Foundation to Carlow from Baggot St (11 April)
Foundation to Longford from Baggot St (11 April)

Reflexology bring out the inner beauty and vitality of the body. This book is a compendium of what Sr. Brega has been teaching to her students, in addition to the "hands on" practice taught in her classes.

Companions in Mercy are men and women who seek to walk a path marked out by Jesus and by Catherine McAuley.

Responding to the call of the Gospel, they choose to make a commitment to God:

inspired by the charism of Mercy
manifested by a life of service and prayer
supported by community relationships
sealed with a vow of mercy

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