One of the founding intentions of Mercy International Association was to link creatively all the branches of Mercy worldwide, facilitating communication among the various parts. To this end, the website www.mercyworld.org was launched in 2000 and the following year, e-news was published for the first time.

From the beginning, Anne Walsh played a major and significant role in the development of the web and in the production of e-news. Since 2000, Anne has visited many parts of the Mercy world and has got to know a large number of Mercy personnel. She has experienced a wide variety of Mercy ministries and met and talked with the people served by these ministries. Through this, she has developed a deep understanding of Mercy charism, culture and networks. All of this facilitated her in the public portrayal of the Mercy face to the world, particularly through the medium of e-news.

Over the last few weeks, we have greatly missed Anne’s experience and expertise but we are happy to announce that MIA has employed Anne for the production of e-news and for web content management of www.mercyworld.org.

We welcome Anne and look forward to working with her in our task of living, telling and supporting the Mercy story.

Articles for e-news can be submitted to Anne Walsh at mercyenews@mercyinternational.ie.

Messages to:  Mary Reynolds rsm - Executive Director MIA
 

On January 10, 2012, the co-chairs and the United Nations Bureau of the Commission on Sustainable Development (UNCSD) released the long awaited Rio+20 Zero Draft of the Outcome Document entitled “The Future We Want”.

These twenty pages serve as the basic negotiating text for the June 2012 UN Conference on Sustainable Development in Rio.

In preparation for the initial discussion on the Zero Draft of the Outcome Document, Mercy Global Action (MGA) at the UN worked with other NGO colleagues to critique and assess the text.

A report on MGA's initial impressions of the text and efforts with other NGOs at lobbying is linked to this item. A list of further resources available online is included.

Messages to:  Áine O’Connor rsm - Mercy Global Action Coordinator at the UN

Editor:   Sisters of Mercy worldwide are reaching out to world leaders urging that they support an ethical framework for the Zero Draft of the Outcome Document for Rio+20. To this end, the Institute of the Americas Leadership Team  has sent a letter to President Obama requesting his support.

When Mary Carmody rsm returned to Ireland after her Earth Literacy course at the Genesis Farm in New Jersey, USA, she felt compelled to do something locally, (think globally, act locally), to raise awareness of the relationship between all expressions of life. She was then approached by the parish priest of Baltinglass, Co. Wicklow – Fr. Tommy Dillon, who told her that ‘there is an acre of land out there, if you want to do something with it” and so began Tearmann Community Garden and Wildlife Area. An account of its development, including interviews with Mary Carmody rsm and members of the community, is linked to this item.

Messages to:  Betty Lacey - MGA Intern

Editor: A video clip on the Tearmann Community Garden (4.53 minutes) featuring an interview with those in the attached report, makes a wonderful companion piece to this written account.

Nellie McLaughlin rsm's book "Out of Wonder - the Evolving story of the Universe" is this week's featured Mercy resource. It can be purchased from the MIC bookshop.

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, Associates, Partners in Ministry and Friends of Mercy over the world and to all Sisters of Mercy and the extended Mercy Family, who can claim Celtic roots through our foundress Catherine McAuley.

Messages to:  Mary Reynolds rsm - Executive Director MIA
 

Prayers through the intercession of Venerable Catherine are requested for the intentions of the following persons and all those on the MIA Prayer list:
John and Paul Sant, a Grandfather, Mary Ann Scofield rsm, Meg Keenan, Mary Clare Lynch, Len Wehrmeister, Rev John J Slovikovski.

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

Mercy International Association held its third gathering of the Soup and Substance Lenten programme on 8th March 2012.

In the third session, Carmel Bracken rsm and Kathleen Glennon rsm, two members of the Congregation of the Sisters of Mercy (Ireland), led the group through a reflective process on the new story of the universe and the interconnectedness of all forms of life.

The powerpoint, video, handout and reflective questions used with those present are linked to this item.

Messages to:  Mary Purcell - Assistant Director Global Action

Last Thursday marked the 101st International Women's Day. We were reminded of how Catherine would certainly support the theme of this year’s International Women’s Day: Empower Women - End Hunger and Poverty.

At this time of particular mindfulness of conditions for women, the investigation by the Independent on Sunday to mark International Women's Day unearthed some surprising results which may be of interest to our readers.

The "best" place to be a woman, taking into account politics, education, employment and health indicators says the Independent on Sunday, is Iceland. The" best" place for economic participation and opportunity for women is the Bahamas...

Taking 20 scenarios, the investigation explores the 20 "best places" to be a woman today. The report of that investigation is linked to this item. It reminds us that, sadly, there is a long way to go to achieve equality for women.

The 2012 World Development Report on Gender Equality and Development finds that women's lives around the world have improved dramatically, but gaps remain in many areas. The authors use a conceptual framework to examine progress to date, and then recommend policy actions.

 Messages to Mary Reynolds rsm - Executive Director MIA

Sisters of Mercy of the Americas lobby President Obama to Reconsider Support for Pipeline Segment

The Sisters of Mercy have been speaking out regularly with concerns about the proposed Keystone XL pipeline, which would carry dirty tar sands from Alberta, Canada to refineries on the Gulf Coast. While President Obama rejected a permit for the section crossing from Canada through the U.S., he is now supporting a small pipeline portion to carry a glut of oil between Cushing, Oklahoma, and Port Arthur, Texas.

The Sisters of Mercy of the Americas have been asking their supporters to contact President Obama to express concern about this section of pipeline and promises to expedite its approval process. Sisters of Mercy in other parts of the world who are concerned about abuses of the extractive industries could modify this letter and lobby in their own Congregations.

Messages to: Mary Purcell - Assistant Director Mercy Global Action

The City of Erie issued a proclamation honouring Mercyhurst University on achieving university status during city council's regular meeting on Wednesday, March 7th.

Mercyhurst Provost Dr James Adovasio accepted the proclamation on behalf of the university from City Councilman Robert Merski.

After more than a year of navigating the application process, Mercyhurst received word from the Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) of its favorable decision on January. 23rd evident in s its new name and Mercyhurst University logo.

The logo, done in the traditional colors of blue, green, black and white, incorporates the college shield; the Mercy Cross, which symbolizes the founding Sisters of Mercy; and the Carpe Diem motto and date of founding.

Messages to: Mary Daly -  President's Liason to the Board of Trustees
 

On Sunday, March 11th, Mary Scullion rsm, executive director of Project H.O.M.E., was honored with the St Katharine Drexel National Justice Award. A video clip of the presentation (14.34 minutes) can be accessed here.

On March 22nd Mary and Joan Dawson McConnon, Project H.O.M.E's co-founders, will accept Mercyhurst University's Archbishop Oscar Romero Award presented for "living the call of faith and justice in an extraordinary manner."

Project H.O.M.E., founded in 1989,  empowers people to break the cycle of homelessness, address the structural causes of poverty, and attain their fullest potential as members of society.

Having begun as an emergency winter shelter, the agency has grown to operate nearly 500 housing units for formerly homeless people and two businesses that provide jobs for them, as well as helping to rebuild low-income neighborhoods. Project H.O.M.E. also educates the public about the realities of homelessness and poverty and advocates for more just and humane public policies.

Messages to:  Mary Scullion rsm and Joan Dawson McConnon

Editor: Project H.O.M.E. is this week's featured Mercy website.
A video interview with Mary Scullion rsm filmed at Project H.O.M.E. in 2009 can be found here on the mercyworld.org website.

"How rapidly the days, weeks, and months are passing. Another month ended, that seemed but a few days begun. If we have not forfeited the friendship of almighty God, but have been trying to love Him more and more, and to serve Him faithfully, they were blessed days for us."

Letter to de Sales White February 28, 1841

These words of Catherine recall for me just how quickly the days of Lent are passing and how fast Easter is approaching. To help us keep focussed during our Lenten journey some further words of Catherine may be helpful. The reflective presentation is linked to this item.

Messages to Camilla Hunt

The March 2012 edition of Te Kete Atawhai Mercy Basket is now online.

Among the riches within this edition, in an article titled Mercy: excellence achieved when all are winners Jane Holloway, the recently appointed principal of St Mary's Ponsonby, reflects'...how you deal with people – that’s what makes us merciful, ensuring that people different from us are valued.

Mercy is about working together to see that we mend relationships, build a bridge and move on in a really positive way helping each other and building community. Mercy helps that, because it’s about empathy, compassion, understanding. It’s that whole thing about trying to get a win-win solution which everyone can share.” '

Messages to Katrina Fabish rsm - Congregation Leadership Team

1992: Final profession of Angelina Mitre, first in Panama

Out of Wonder takes the reader on a journey through life in the Universe from its initial ‘flaring forth’ to the present day; in so doing, she presents a passionately-argued case for the need to care for the Earth, which has supported life for aeons.

The book can be purchased from Mercy International Bookshop.

Project H.O.M.E. empowers people to break the cycle of homelessness, address the structural causes of poverty, and attain their fullest potential as members of society.

"We currently have spacecraft in orbit around the Sun, Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, and Saturn. Several others are on their way to smaller bodies, and a few are heading out of the solar system entirely. Although the Space Shuttle no longer flies, astronauts are still at work aboard the International Space Station, performing experiments and sending back amazing photos. With all these eyes in the sky, I'd like to take another opportunity to put together a recent photo album of our solar system -- a set of family portraits, of sorts -- as seen by our astronauts and mechanical emissaries"

Source:  The Atlantic