The theme of the first Lenten Reflection in this six part series is Solidarity. You are invited to engage with it by:

• Reflectively reading the presentation ‘You are not alone’ by Jo Kennedy, rsm.
• Finding inspiration in the Scripture and Mercy Tradition
• Taking Action

This Reflection is suitable for both personal and group engagement.

Messages to Mary Reynolds rsm - Executive Director MIA

Guímís Beannachtaí na Féile Pádraig ar Shiúracha na Trócaire ar fud an domhain ar Lá Fhéile Naomh Pádraig. Guímís sonas agus sláinte orthu siúd atá as baile as Éirinn agus orthu siúd ar fad a mhaíonn fréamhacha ceilteacha trénár mbunaitheoir Catherine McAuley.

On this St. Patrick’s Day, we send greetings to Irish Sisters of Mercy all over the world and to all Sisters of Mercy who can claim Celtic roots through our foundress Catherine McAuley.
 
Messages to Mary Reynolds rsm - Executive Director MIA

Right now, people living in developing countries often lack access to water for drinking, growing and sanitation. Privatization by corporations and the diversion of the world's water supply for commercial interests are exacerbated by climate change, - a combination that leaves poor people hungry and ill.

The United Nations Environment Program has a dire warning: "The world's thirst for water is likely to become one of the most pressing issues of the 21st century..."

The international observance of World Water Day is an initiative that grew out of the 1992 United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED) in Rio de Janeiro. Access the World Water Day site here 

Details of the resource 'Water is free beverage' produced by MGC can be found here Order from Mercy Global Concern

Messages to Deirdre Mullan rsm - Director MGC

Over 110 Community leaders, Village Birth Attendants, and representatives of key stakeholder organisations (Government & non-government) from across North Fly District came together for 2 days in Kiunga last week. The Village Health Management Forum on 2-3 March was the first of its kind in Western Province and possibly even Papua New Guinea.

The Forum was initiated by Mercy Works Kiunga, specifically the coordinator of the Safe Motherhood program and sponsored by PNG Sustainable Development Program, North Fly Health Services Development Program, Ok Tedi Fly River Development Program and Ningerum Transport. A full report on the Forum proceedings will be released in the next month.

Messages to Maureen Sexton rsm

Sr. Lynda, Director of the charity ‘women@the well’ was honoured by the US Ambassador Louis Susman at a Toast to celebrate International Woman's Day. He selected her as Britain’s nominee for the International Women of Courage Awards.

The celebration was held at Winfield House the Ambassador’s residence in Regent’s Park, on Tuesday evening 8th March, the 100th anniversary of International Women's Day. It was a lovely, gracious occasion.

Messaghes to Lynda Dearlove rsm- Director

As stewards of the Institute’s future, the Institute Leadership Team initiated a one-year leadership development program last year.

Recognizing that less than 5 percent of the community will be under the age of 60 by July, 2011, a task force comprised of members from each Community leadership team and other advisors, was formed and the pilot program was launched in January 2010.

The first group of participants consisted of six sisters from each Community who met with mixed feelings. They were invited to complete a needs assessment, identify topics that would be helpful to them and a 360-degree assessment of their leadership skills. Gathering at monthly webinars and meetings with their mentors, the group concluded their program in Peru in November grateful for the opportunity and looking with new eyes at the possibilities of leadership. A second group began their program in January 2011.

 For more information on the leadership program contact Rey Friel, director of the first program

In 2011, the Brisbane Congregation of the Sisters of Mercy will celebrate 150 years of ministry in Queensland. As part of their sesquicentenary celebrations, the congregation will host a conference from September 21-23, 2011 entitled “The Challenges of Living Mercy”.

A CALL FOR ABSTRACTS – The Conference Committee invites you to participate in this opportunity for people with knowledge and experience of mercy matters and spirituality in a variety of settings.

We are calling for abstracts linked to the conference theme, Living Mercy: Past, Present and Future.

For further details: Andrew Beiers - Project Officer
 

1911: Foundation to Aurora, Illinois from Council Bluffs - M Magdalene Bennett
1922: Independence and Dubuque unite, Motherhouse at Dubuque, Iowa

The Spirituality section of the mercyworld.org website has a wealth of materials in video, audio, image and text formats. Over the coming weeks a selection of these resources will be highlighted in Mercy E-News

The song ‘Circle of Mercy’ by Jeannette Goglia rsm (Americas) is the inspiration for this reflection which features moments of Mercy Ministry in the day to day lives of people with whom we share Mercy in many of the 46 countries where Sisters of Mercy and their co-workers live and minister.

The video is 4 minutes 39 seconds in length. It can be played full screen by clicking in the symbol of the white square on the bottom right of the toolbar, next to the speaker icon. Remember to turn your speakers on.

This website has been established by the Brisbane (Australia) Sisters of Mercy to mark the sesquicentenary of the Sisters of Mercy in Queensland.
 

Followers – People who choose to view your tweets.
Following – People whose tweets you choose to view. Note that this is not like befriending someone on a social network. It’s more like perving from afar. In other words, Stephen Fry isn’t really your friend.
Retweet – Repositing another user’s tweet to your followers, generally because it’s particularly clever, stupid, funny or informative.
 

Source: The Big Issue no 375 1-14 March 2011