Prayers are asked for the intentions of all those whose names appear on the MIA prayer list, linked to this item, and in particular for those most recently added: Jody Kearney rsm.

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

The main goal of MIA’s global action is to develop a programme based on the grassroots stories of Mercy work throughout the world, which is firmly rooted in theological reflection for social action and which will develop policy and advocacy positions to influence change though the national and international decision making bodies, primarily the EU and the United Nations...

Messages to Mary Purcell - Assistant Director Global Action

Editor: The Fifth Institute Chapter opened on June 20, 2011, at St. Xavier University in Chicago, Illinois. See article in Mercy E-News no 417 (07 June 2011) regarding process and invitation to join in the Chapter prayer over these coming Chapter days. The following report has been received from the Chapter gathering:

'Mary Waskowiak, RSM, president of the Institute, convoked the Chapter after formally welcoming sisters, associates, companions and volunteers who are attending.

“Our timing could not be better! One week ago we celebrated Pentecost and yesterday we celebrated the Feast of the Trinity,” she said. “May these feasts serve as icons, as welcomed
thresholds, into the work we are called to do together. May we give human expression to the sacred qualities of unity and diversity as celebrated in these feasts.”

Sister Mary invited delegates and participants to take a look back and consider that six years ago, none of the current Communities existed. Now two have elected their second leadership teams. One month from today the Institute will celebrate the 20th anniversary of its foundation. This year, Mercy also celebrates the 180th anniversary of the foundation in Dublin.

“Today, we are approximately 8,000 Sisters of Mercy in 13 congregations serving in 47 countries around the world,” Sister Mary said. “Truly, we are global Mercy! I want you to know that we have received letters from Mercy leaders around the world, promising prayer and support for us at this time.”

“Our world, our church, our planet—and some say religious life itself—are in crisis. It is in this crisis and chaos that we come together, praying that we can touch the Spirit brooding over these troubled waters,” she said.

“The question continues before us: What risks are we willing to take on behalf of our life together and our service to those who are suffering? God is here. … Let us begin the discernment and the work of this Fifth Institute Chapter.” '

Messages to Pat Kenny rsm - Institute Communications
 

On June 9, 2011 the newly-renovated chapel of St. Clare’s Mercy Hospital was re-opened .

Sister Elizabeth Davis, Congregational Leader, gave a beautiful reflection on the sacredness of space, noting how the chapel at St. Clare’s has been such a source of blessing over the past sixty years. Since the chapel is dedicated to Our Lady of Mercy, the soloist gave a lovely rendition of Schubert’s ‘Ave Maria’. A reception followed during which guests, staff and volunteers could reminisce and simply marvel at the beauty of the place.

Messages to Madonna Gatherall rsm - Communications Contact

Among our apostolates as novices in the Novitiate in Nakuru, visiting the elderly and the sick is the main ministry on Sunday afternoon. We visit the surrounding villages. These people are squatters who left their ancestral lands many years ago and have met new people whom they live with as neighbours and friends. It is quite challenging in the villages because there is so much desperation. Young people both male and female have turned to alcohol for comfort; prostitution is on the rise while others are dying of AIDS.

Messages to the Novices, Nakuru, Kenya c/- Liz Fletcher rsm -  Provincial

Editor: It is now a month since the tornado hit Joplin. The following extract is linked to the article that appeared in the Kansas City Star on June 18th which draws on the memories and reflections of three dozen people who were in the hospital during the tornado and its immediate aftermath.

"Looking back, they remember the quiet — like a last, deep breath before death.For the watching world, the image of the hollowed shell of St. John’s was ground zero...

 For the watching world, the image of the hollowed shell of St. John’s was ground zero. For 115 years, the hospital system created by the Catholic order of the Sisters of Mercy healed the community’s illnesses and injuries. In seconds, the nine-story symbol of the city’s strength and caring, built and expanded since 1968, would stand gravely injured itself.

Yet in many ways, the story of what happened inside the walls of St. John’s might better stand as a microcosm of the horrors, heroism and humanity that played out across Joplin that night..."

Messages to Pat Kenny rsm - Institute Communications

On Saturday, June 25 at 9:30 a.m. the public is invited to join more than 400 Sisters of Mercy along with leadership and members of the Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights, the Eighth Day Center for Justice, and the Chicago Archdiocesan Office of Immigrant Affairs on the grounds of Saint Xavier University in Chicago to take a stand against deportation of immigrants.

Messages to the Institute Justice Team

The June 2011 edition of The Bilum, the magazine of Mercy Works Limited,  is available online in PDF format or you can download individual stories, linked to this item.

Our cover story outlines how we are strengthening our efforts in Papua New Guinea’s remote Western Province. Since 2003, Mercy Works has been supporting a number of community development projects in the Diocese of Daru-Kiunga. This year, however, sees those individual projects linked and resourced under the umbrella programme, Mercy Works Kiunga.

Messages to Mercy Works Ltd

On Sunday 5th June, Ascension Day, the Sisters of Mercy Brisbane Congregation gathered in All Hallows' Chapel to celebrate the 60, 50 and 40 years of Religious commitment of their Jubilarians.

Sandra Lupi rsm, Congregation Leader, welcomed the Archbishop of Brisbane John Bathersby DD, Father Frank Gerry SVD, and Father Jerome Watt O. Carm as celebrants, and the twenty-two Jubilarians present. She invited the Sisters to reflect on ‘Our gift as Sisters of Mercy is to know God’s loving kindness and to share it with others’.

Messages to Mary Lawson rsm

1927: Death of M Clare Dunphy, Foundress of Parramatta, from Callan

Visit Catherine's House, the first house of Mercy built by Catherine McAuley in response to the needs of the poor of Dublin and to the Mercy family from all over the world.
 

"Apple currently has more than 350,000 applications available, with more than 10 billion downloads to date. Then there are the apps compatible with Android, Blackberry, Windows and Nokia devices.

To help you sort the gold from the dross, we have created a list of the best 100 apps to enhance the life of the modern phone, iPod touch or tablet user."

Source: The Age