Mr. Ban Ki- moon, Secretary- General of the United Nations, delivered a strong message to Rio+20 delegates at the commencement of the third round of 'informal-informal' negotiations on the Zero Draft of the Outcome Document.

“Rio +20 is a once-in-a-generation opportunity,” he declared. “It is your collective responsibility to seize it. Nobody expects countries to sacrifice national self-interest. But keep in mind: our individual self-interests are interdependent, interconnected.

It is important – it is essential – that everyone be prepared to rise above national or group interests. More and more in today’s world, the global interest is the national interest. There is no difference between global and local. We must be united for the global common good – united for humanity."

To view the webcast, click here
To read Ban Ki- moon's written statement, click here

Messages to: Aine O'Connor rsm - MGA at the UN

Editor: With only 15 days to Rio+20, it might be time to revisit the Conference website. Add your voice: What aspects of a sustainable lifestyle do you enjoy? Show visitors to the site/delegates in pictures. What message would you like to echo to the world? Add your message or Agree on a message.
 

Mercy International Association has chosen the battle against human trafficking as one of its key areas of focus and has been engaged in a variety of projects on a global basis, providing safe houses for victims of trafficking, lobbying for improved national and supranational legislation, and engaging in advocacy and educational campaigns in order to raise public awareness.

In the United States, Mercy Investment Services has achieved considerable success using its corporate voice, launching a letter campaign, and partnering with other faith based groups to place pressure on companies to implement policies that will eliminate any engagement with human trafficking in their supply chains...

MGA will examine the successful strategy employed by Mercy Investment Services in order to determine its strengths and to assess whether it can be applied in other countries where Mercy operates, beginning with Ireland...

Further details and the Terms of reference are linked to this item.

Messages to: Siobhán Margolis - MGA Intern

Editor: Additional resources: Ending Modern Slavery - Modern Slavery is a crime that victimizes as many as 27 million men, women, and children around the world.Why U.S. Centers Foreign Policy On Women -The most pressing global problems cannot be solved without the participation of women. 2011 Human Rights Reports Overview - Reports assess each country’s situation against universal human rights standards.

Prayers through the intercession of Venerable Catherine are requested for the intentions of all those on the MIA Prayer list: and in particular, those whose names are newly added: M. Ellene Egan rsm, Ann Farrell, Walter Sullivan, David Dwyer, Joseph Wilkins.

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

"There is a strong universal call for the acceptance and implimentation of the Rights of Nature by all Nations, " writes Catherine Gibbons rsm. " You, as a Mercy sister or associate or colleague, can be part of this call by adding your signature as an individual to the Global Alliance for the Rights of Nature. The goal of the Alliance is ' to steer the course in defining Rights of Nature, Rights of Mother Earth as the Foundation for Sustainability and to promote all action that is undertaken (at Rio) to be addressed in harmony with nature."'

Messages to Catherine Gibbons rsm - MGA Intern

Are you travelling to the Eucharistic Congress next week? Do you know anyone who might be?

The Canonisation Committee of The Congregation of the Sisters of Mercy - committed to making Catherine known and loved - invites all visitors to the International Eucharistic Congress (June 10 -17) to visit the Venerable Catherine McAuley stand (stand no.141) at the Eucharistic Congress Exhibition Centre (Royal Dublin Society).

Mercy International Centre is offering free tours of Catherine's House for the duration of the Eucharistic Congress, Visitors are most welcome at Baggot Street to see through the house and pray at Catherine McAuley’s grave.

Reports on the preparation for this event were featured in Mercy E-news Issues 461 (9 May) and 456 (4 April). A follow up report will be published in Mercy E-news after the event.

Further details are linked to this item.

Messages to:
Anne Hannon rsm - Vice postulator Europe and Africa, The Canonisation Committee
Mary Reynolds rsm - Executive Director MIA

Editor:  In 1956 the Sisters of Mercy went to Kenya in response to the invitation of the then Archbishop of Nairobi, Dr. J.J. Mc Carthy, CSSP. The invitation he extended was to set up a hospital for Kenyans and for the education of the girl child. Today the Sisters are present in sixteen communities and are engaged in diverse works. Read about their work here.

In a report posted on the CEIST website and linked to this item, the former Principal of Mercy College, Woodford, Mary Killeen, shares her reflections on her visits to Kenya and the wonderful work of the Sisters of Mercy in the places she visited.

" Having retired from Secondary Teaching in 2009 I am now in the middle of my second visit to Kenya (pop. 42 million) and will soon have spent three months here. Though based in the Capital, Nairobi I have also lived with Irish Mercy Sisters in two remote rural areas, Chepareria and Nuu, while giving lessons in the local Polytechnic schools..."

Messages to: Mary Killeen 

Editor: In Issue no. 455 ( 28 March) of Mercy E-News, we reported on the standing ovation for the Sisters of Mercy on Thursday, 15 March on the Kansas Senate floor, following the passage of a resolution honoring their health care ministry to the state of Kansas for the past 125 years.

This week we report on the honor paid for Memorial Day (30 May) to 79 deceased Sisters of Mercy in Fort Scott's St Mary Cemetery by the Kansas Mercy Associates who, for the last ten years, have conducted a prayer service and set out flowered crosses at each sister's grave for Memorial Day.

'In explaining their actions, Mercy Associate co-leader Doloris Sonntag said, " Our passion to widen the circle of God's mercy calls us all to mutual accountability and responsibility for the gift of mercy, uniquely expressed in the life and spirit of Catherine McAuley, foundress of the Sisters of Mercy. By living as Mother Catherine McAuley advocated in our daily lives, we strive to be mercy to all..."

Source: Fort Scott Tribune

Messages to: Kansas Mercy Associates c/- Pat Kenny rsm - Institute Communications

Editor: Eco-Congregation Ireland (ECI) defines itself as "encourag[ing] churches of all denominations to take an eco approach to worship, lifestyle, property and finance management, community outreach and contact with the developing world." The site offers a wealth of resources to assist in taking an eco approach.

'God’s Creation – Our Responsibility?’ is the theme of Eco-Congregation Ireland's inaugural conference (September 14-15) at which Mary Kate Hagan rsm will be a workshop facilitator.

In the first of the two part series on Soul Waves Radio, ECI Chairperson Catherine Brennan SSL looks at the theology that reinforces the Christian imperative to live in harmony with God’s creation. She begins by explaining that this idea is not new, but that it was always part of Christian teaching. Her interview is 5'46" in length.

Three Sisters of Mercy work closely with Soul Waves Radio - Clare Gunning rsm is the Administrator and Marie Stuart rsm and Ailish O'Brien rsm are on the Board of Directors. The Congregation of the Sisters of Mercy also lend financial support to the company.

Messages to: Miriam Gormally - Director of Soul Waves Radio

On Wednesday, May 30, CBS Evening News highlighted the ministry of Karen Schneider rsm, a pediatric emergency room physician who travels to countries such as Haiti and Guyana to provide medical treatment to those most in need.

To view the video, click here

To read about her work in Haiti after the 2010 earthquake and support her ministry, click here

Messages to Karen Schneider rsm c/- Pat Kenny rsm - Institute Communications

The Sisters of Mercy, South Central Community encompasses a vast geographic expanse that includes 18 states, Guam and Jamaica. However, our sisters live and minister outside of these geographic boundaries, going wherever there is the need to bring God's mercy to others

Please hold in prayer the South Central Community who will gather in Assembly June 21-24 2012.
We pray that the Spirit will be with them as they gather and set direction for the Community and elect the new Community Leadership Team.

Messages to: South Central Community c/- Myra Joines - Communications Director
 

The 31st annual Mercy Secondary Education (MSE) Conference (hosted by McAuley High School and Mother of Mercy High School in Cincinnati, Ohio) will be held October 5-6 at the Millennium Cincinnati Hotel. The theme of the conference is “Compassion and Service: Inspiring Servant Leadership in the Queen City (ie Cincinnati).”

Mary Waskowiak rsm, past President of the Institute of the Sisters of Mercy of the Americas (2005-2011) and newly appointed first Director of Development for Mercy International Association, will be the keynote presenter with a presentation entitled, “Laying the Foundation: Mercy Mission of Compassion and Service”.

Access the cover letter and conference brochure here.

Messages to:  Laura Held - Chairperson MSE Conference Committee

“For the past 125 years, women, just like those here today, have sought a Catholic education that is enriched by a knowledge and love of God, one that empowers them to be strong, resilient women, women who are able to take up any role or position in our world and yet are keenly aware of those who need our concern and help," said John Davidson, Principal of St Aloysius College, in his address to the past and present St Aloysius College community on the occasion of the Mass to celebrate 125 years of Mercy education.

A report of the celebration is linked to this item.

Messages to: John Davidson - Principal St Aloysius College

Editor: On May 22,  Irenaeus Chekouras rsm, 90, president of St. Xavier (SXU) from 1972 to 1982 and a member of the Sisters of Mercy for 69 years, died. In announcing her passing, SXU President Christine Wiseman said (in part):

" Many of us knew Sister Irenaeus during her tenure as president of Saint Xavier College from 1972 to 1982, but all of us loved her as President Emerita. Her history with Saint Xavier spanned many years and covered a broad spectrum of responsibilities..

Whatever her role, Sister Irenaeus served this University with stately grace and an informed, decisive style...

But above all else, she loved her students and the challenge of teaching them all. Until the end, she remained a tireless advocate for women and children in transition and actively supported the Institute of Women Today, where she also served as a trustee. Her dedication, energy and commitment to excellence will be greatly missed.."

The complete announcement by SXU President Christine Wiseman is linked to this item.

The report in the Chicago Tribune can be accessed here

Messages to: Pat Kenny rsm - Institute Communications

Editor: Over recent weeks we have reported on the outcomes of letter writing campaigns by Sisters of Mercy of the Americas and Aotearoa New Zealand. This week we report on the work of The Congregation of Sisters of Mercy's efforts.

On Friday, May 25, 2012, a group comprised of Presentation Sister Maureen O’Connell and Kate Egan, (Presentation Ecology Officer) along with Mercy Sisters Nora Burke and Susan DeGuide, paid a visit to the Customs House in Dublin, Ireland.

While there they met with Dominick O’Brien and Aidan Kinch of the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government. The purpose of the meeting was to follow-up on the letters that were sent to this office urging them to support the Zero Draft document and its initiatives for the Rio 20 Conference on Sustainable Development. (June 20 – 22, 2012 in Brazil)

The two gentlemen were very welcoming and affirming as they shared with us their ideas of how the 20 Irish representatives of both government and NGOs, who will attend the conference, could support the agenda. Both men have been part of the working party on the document for the UN and are familiar with Sr. Aine O’Connor, Director of Mercy Global Action at the UN. Some from the Irish delegation include Minister for the Environment Phil Hogan, Irish Aid reps, Irish Doctors, and a former President of Ireland, Mary Robinson...

A full report is linked to this item.

Messages to: Susan DeGuide rsm - Congregational Leadership Team, Mercy Global Action

Editor: In Issue 457 of Mercy E-news (11 April) we reported on the planning by the Conference for Mercy Higher Education (CMHE) and the Mercy Institute Justice Team of a "Justice Immersion Experience" for students.

Thirty-two students and staff from nine different Mercy colleges and universities were in Washington, D.C. from May 20 - 24 to learn first-hand  from the Sisters of Mercy Institute Justice Team about advocating for social justice issues.

Students had the opportunity to visit and lobby legislators on the Development, Relief, and Education for Alien Minors (DREAM) Act.

Marianne Comfort, member of the Institute Justice Team writes in the Connect with Mercy blog, "The enthusiasm and commitment to social justice demonstrated by students at Mercy colleges and universities last week gives me great hope for the future..."  To read her account of the visit, click here

Messages to:
Moya Dittmeier - Executive Director, Conference for Mercy Higher Education (CMHE)
Marianne Comfort - Educator, Institute Justice Team

Read a press release about a Notification from the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith regarding Just Love: A Framework for Christian Sexual Ethics by Sister Margaret Farley, RSM.

Read a statement from Sister Margaret Farley, RSM
Read a statement from Sister Pat McDermott, RSM

Messages to: Pat McDermott rsm - President, Institute of Sisters of Mercy of the Americas

1879: Foundation to Dubuque, Iowa from Davenport - M Dorothy Mulqueeny
1883: Foundation to Tulla, Co Clare from Birr - M Anastasia Beckett

The Mercy Spirituality Series was originally developed as an online resource for Mercy groups to use in faith-sharing or group reflection. It can be helpful as an introduction series for those interested in Mercy life, e.g., inquirers, associates, MVC, ministry co-workers—or as an opportunity to deepen one’s own immersion in Mercy spirituality.

A reminder that if you or your Mercy community or ministry would like to order copies of the next limited print run (20 copies per order is the minimum @ $3 per copy), orders must be placed by June 15. There has been an excellent response to this invitation to date.

Sample pages from the booklet can be viewed here

Full details of the publication and order forms are linked to this item.

Messages to Barbara Wheeley rsm

The Many Faces of Mercy is a booklet about the Mercy Community – women who minister to bring about a better world. The booklet complements an earlier work, Where in the World Are My Sisters? by addressing from where in the world do my Sisters come?

The cost is $3 plus postage and the proceeds from the sale of the booklet will go towards providing scholarships for children in the developing world.

There has been a very strong response to this publication and only a limited number of copies remain.

The flyer is linked to this item.

For further information contact Deirdre Mullan rsm

The story of Mercy in this province is one that is rich in history and tradition, steeped in and shaped by the unique culture of Newfoundland and Labrador, the most easterly province of Canada.

Mac Users  this guide is promoted as "All the tips, tricks, and insights you need to become a master at using your Mac". See if you agree.

Source: Tecca Weekly