Tomorrow, March 22nd is World Water Day. International World Water Day is held annually on 22 March as a means of focusing attention on the importance of freshwater and advocating for the sustainable management of freshwater resources. 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 to locate information and campaign materials on this year's theme "Water and Food security".

The World Council of Churches has developed resources on water (Prayer, Reflections and practical hints) for the 7 weeks of Lent. Go to – in English; in Spanish

Details of the resource 'Water is free beverage' produced by Deirdre Mullan rsm can be found here.

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

Mercy International Association held its fourth gathering of the Soup and Substance Lenten programme on 15th March 2012. Tanya Jones, a member of the Fermanagh Fracking Awareness Network spoke to the group about the process of hydrofracking and its effects on the earth; risks and real dangers associated with hydrofracking; the response of the local communities and the responsibility on us all to act to curb the abuses of the extractive industries. You are invited to view the video of Tanya’s presentation on Hydrofracking—Should we be concerned?

 Messages to Mary Purcell - Assistant Director Mercy Global Action

Editor: A report on hydrofracking in Ireland previously posted on the mercyworld.org website, can be found here. A recent MGA case study on hydrofracking from Australia, including reflections on the impact of coal seam gas mining using Catholic Social Teaching, can be found here.

Prayers through the intercession of Venerable Catherine are requested for the intentions of Daniel and all those on the MIA Prayer list:

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

Editor: Maureen Limer rsm from Sunderland, UK  has been working as an Education Co-ordinator in the Diocese of Rumbek since 1993. In an article published  in 2007  on mercyworld.org and cited in the 8th October 2007 Mercy E-News, Maureen wrote of " children learn[ing] under trees, sitting on stones, and it is largely to the credit of the Church and a few NGO's that some new or renovated pre-war buildings are currently in use. Staffing these schools presents a bigger problem: not only are there virtually no qualified teachers to be found but often the education of those willing to try is barely beyond Primary level." She went on to say that a visit from delegates of USIG in 2006 proposed the establishment in South Sudan of a Teacher Training College," a joint venture with volunteers from any Religious Congregation interested. Perhaps there are Mercies out there waiting to be asked?"

In an article published last week on The Congregation's website and linked to this item, Felistas Kingori rsm recounts her visit to South Sudan to assist Maureen Limer to set up a residential house in the anticipated Teachers Training College. Writes Felistas,"..Sr. Maureen Limer has been in Sudan for many years and so the seed of Mercy has long been planted there. The challenge is to the rest of us, Sisters of Mercy- where else do we wish to plant the seed of Mercy? The God who invited us to our different missions will continue to direct us where He wishes us to serve. Let us pray for the Religious congregations that have gone on mission to South Sudan... We can support their missions through prayer and we will have helped in the growth of bringing the compassionate face of God (mercy) to the nation of South Sudan."

In that October 2007 article Maureen spoke also of the work of Cathy Solano rsm (ISMAPNG). Cathy worked in the Sudan from 2005-2007 and returned there last week. When Maureen concluded her 2007 article she asked for " Blessings on all who read this and remember us from time to time". It is timely to repeat her request.

Further information about Sisters of Mercy ministering in and on behalf of the people of Sudan can be accessed here.

Messages to: Felistas Kingori rsm - The Congregation
                          Maureen Limer rsm -  English Federation & S Sudan.

Editor: ' Anniversaries are celebrated because they enable us “be drawn into the circles and spirals of storytellers and storytelling", writes Caitlin Conneely rsm. ' Spoken or unspoken, stories are powerful containers for the energy of our lives. We live out of our stories and we respond over and over to their influence.' Thus began Caitlin's keynote address at the Brisbane Congregation's Living Mercy conference, organised to celebrate the sesquicentenary of the Sisters of Mercy in 2011.

We are grateful to the conference organisers and to Caitlin for permission to post the text of this keynote address in the Spirituality section of the www.mercyworld.org website. The keynote is linked to this item.

Messages to Caitlin Conneely rsm

Editor:  The Path of Mercy : The life of Catherine McAuley by Mary C Sullivan rsm is now available.
North America, Australia and New Zealand residents are invited to order from: Catholic University Press of America . Residents of Ireland, UK and Europe are reminded about the Special offer: €30/£27 plus free postage if ordered prior to 30 April 2012 from  Four Courts Press Dublin. See details and download order form here. Alternatively, you can order online at the special web price plus postage.

The biography is also available from the Mercy International Centre Gift Shop.

Mercy High School Baltimore is in the second year of an innovative program with Mercy Medical Center Baltimore that gives students first-hand exposure to working in a medical environment. Students follow a special curriculum with rigorous math and science classes, take regular trips to Mercy Medical Center and meet with medical professionals in a variety of settings.

Bringing two mercy ministries together in this way is enabling the next generation of Mercy healthcare professionals, says Carol Crist, faculty coordinator of the program, " to have lots of real world exposure to medicine, and this will shape how each student views her future in the medical field.”

Messages to Carol Wheeler rsm - President Mercy High School

Editor: Share stories of Mercy partnerships in ministry in Mercy E-news.

I had the privilege of participating in the Living Mercy: Past, Present and Future Conference in Brisbane, Australia in September 2011. During my stay in that beautiful country I met with many of my old Mercy friends who spent time in Mercy International Centre. I wish to share one of the highlights of the visit with you. While visiting with the sisters in Kyneton I discovered that they had recently met with what we believe to be the closest living relative of Catherine McAuley. Her name is Mary Rose McAuley. Mary Rose is the grand-child of Willie McAuley and is a great grandniece of Catherine's. She is the daughter of Willie's youngest child Arthur Lewis and his wife Elizabeth. Anne Hetherington kindly arranged a meeting for us in Brisbane. It was a wonderful experience. Some photographs of Catherine’s relatives accompany the news item on mercyworld.org.

Messages to: Caitlin Conneely rsm

Editor: Other relatives of Catherine made a pilgrimage to Baggot Street in 2010. Read the report of their visit and look for the family resemblance!

The Mercy Through the Years calendar which is the basis for the 'Mercy Facts' section of the mercyworld.org website holds no record of any significant Mercy activity occuring on March 21st in any year since the foundation of the Sisters of Mercy.

We welcome your contribution of the details of a significant Mercy event that occurred in your regional community, Congregation or Institute on March 21st in any year, or on any other date!

Submit the details online here or send them to mercyenews@mercyinternational.ie

The Story of Mary Ann Doyle - first Companion of Catherine McAuley, by Bonaventure Brennan rsm.

This book has been reprinted by request and is available by e-mail: bbrennan2@oceanfree.net

Mercy Center for Women (MCW) was founded by the Sisters of Mercy in January 1994 to provide long term (up to 1 year) transitional housing and support services to homeless women with or without children. MCW was founded by combining the services of two agencies, Hope House, a transitional housing facility for women and children, and Grass Roots Opportunities for Women, an advocacy center.

In celebration of St Patrick's Day on March 17th, Irish Central published a list of the top 100 common Irish surnames with a little explanation of where these names come from.

Source: Irish Central