Prayers through the intercession of Venerable Catherine McAuley are requested for the intentions of Sheila Crimmins, Madonna Simmons, Nathan Doyle and all those whose names are on our prayer list.

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

Mercy International Association held its second gathering of the Soup and Substance Lenten programme on 1st March 2012. In the second session, Mary Ryan rsm, a member of the Congregation of the Sisters of Mercy (Ireland), led the group through a reflective meditation on the Way of the Cross, juxtaposed with the life and death of a trafficked woman named Liliana. Mary also presented the personal stories of survivors of human trafficking as told to the United Nations.

Mary Ryan rsm works through Ruhama with women who have been trafficked and advocates against human trafficking through APT: Act to Prevent Trafficking.

Messages to: Mary Purcell
 

The abuses of the extractive industries are a major issue for Sisters of Mercy in many countries. In previous issues of e news we outlined the struggles of communities with the gold mining industry in Peru, which is responsible for contaminating the water supply with their extraction methods. Problems concerning hydrofracking in the USA, Canada, Ireland and England were raised. In this issue, we are examining the coal seam gas mining industry in Australia.

Deirdre Gardiner rsm and Carmel Heagerty rsm report from Australia on the worries expressed by communities in their country with coal seam gas mining and the potential impacts that this industry will have on water security, food production, environment and health. They are asking sisters, partners and associates to write to their local politicians asking them to take account of the concerns raised.

Messages to : Carmel Heagerty rsm, Institute Justice Co-ordinator
 

Catherine wrote ‘The principal aim of this congregation is to educate poor girls, to lodge and keep poor young women until they can provide for themselves in some suitable way, and to visit the sick poor.’ [Letter late 1833-early 1834]. Touched by God’s mercy and compassion and fired by the inspiration of the Gospel and Catherine McAuley, we give expression today to that same concern for women.

Catherine would certainly support the theme of this year’s International Women’s Day: Empower Women - End Hunger and Poverty.

In 1975, during International Women's Year, the United Nations began celebrating 8 March as International Women's Day.

The day is about celebrating the vital role women play in enhancing church and society,while recognising that significant barriers to achieving women's equality continue to exist. Let us join together as Mercy to make a difference, think globally and act locally, making every day International Women's Day to ensure that the future for women and girls is bright, equal, safe and rewarding.

Messages to: Mary Reynolds rsm
 

Nga mihi atawhai - greetings to all in mercy! ‘Let us be concerned for each other, to stir a response in love and goodworks.’ With this quote, from the Letter to the Hebrews, Pope Benedict begins his Lenten message for this year, inviting Christians around the world to recognise that they are bound in solidarity with the world’s needy, and to overcome by deeds of love the ‘spiritual anesthesia’ which can numb us to their suffering.

In good time for this Lent, Sr Anna Nicholls and two young friends, Nicole Smit and Jess Orpwood, have launched a project to raise funds for the education ventures of the Sisters of Mercy in Samoa and Tonga. The trio have returned to Christchurch after working at Paul VI College in Samoa, aware that even a small amount of funding goes a long way. They have decorated candles with messages for Lent and Easter, selling them under the title ‘Giving Light’, which picks up on a phrase of Catherine McAuley in her Retreat Instructions, where she recommends that our prayerful reflection should make us like lamps “kindled with the fire of divine love, sharing and giving light to all.”

Messages to: Anna Nicholls rsm
 

Sisters from Eltham, Wanstead and Brentwood joined the Hornchurch Community on Saturday 25th February for a special afternoon to mark the beginning of Lent.

A local Catholic folk group called ‘Meditation’ came to St Mary’s Convent to perform “The Journey”, a selection of music and scripture readings following the life of Jesus. It was hoped that this performance in their own Chapel would be a meaningful experience for the Sisters in care, who are less able to get out and about. Everyone was delighted that the whole Community came together with neighbouring Sisters to share in this Lenten Reflection.

Messages to: Institute of Our Lady of Mercy Great Britain
 

On Saturday, March 3, sisters and friends from across Australia gathered to witness the final profession of Helen Glasheen rsm. This was an historic occasion as Helen is the first woman to make her final commitment within the Institue of Sisters of Mercy of Australia and Papua New Guinea.

Messages to: Helen Glasheen rsm

Please pray for all those in Guyana affected when overnight rains flooded some coastal area of the country including the site of St. Joseph Mercy Hospital. Clean up and damage assessment began on 1st March.

Messages to: Pat Kenny rsm

The Formation Commission of Latin America and the Caribbean sponsored a four-day retreat outside Lima, Peru, on February 16-19, 2012. Led by Sister Mary Pat Garvin (Americas), 12 sisters from CCASA Community (Americas), Newfoundland and Ireland explored ways to strengthen their ministry in vocation promotion and the many phases of the formative journey.

Messages to: Mary Anto rsm

Fire heavily damaged Mount St. Joseph Preparatory School, a Mercy-sponsored school in Mandeville, Jamaica, on Saturday evening, February 25. Fortunately, there were no injuries. Built in 1934 as a convent, no sisters lived there but the building contained apartments used by staff members from two schools and the Mandeville Diocese. The school lost the kindergarten section of two classes, its library and 25 computers. Those classes moved to a hallway this week.

Messages to: Ray Maria McNamara rsm

Mar 07, 1857: Foundation to Melbourne, Victoria from Perth, Western Australia - M Ursula Frayne

Mar 07, 1961: The foundation stone for the new St Mary's Convent in Wellington was blessed. Sisters took up residence in 1963

 

The 150mm–high candles come in two designs, for the seasons of Lent and Easter. The Lenten version bears the call from the prophet Joel, inviting people to return to God with full hearts. The Easter candle announces with alleluias that Christ is risen.

The candles are available for $20 NZD each, plus $4 NZD postage.

from:
Giving Light
1/672 FerryRoad
Woolston, Christchurch 8023
Aotearoa New Zealand

or by email: orders@givinglight.co.nz
 

Mount Saint Agnes Theological Center for Women is founded on the Direction Statement of the Institute of the Sisters of Mercy of the Americas: to commit our resources in solidarity with women seeking fullness of life and equality in church and society.

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