MIA joins in wishing that the athletes of the 204 countries participating in the 30th Olympiad experience fraternity, fairness and individual achievement, and invites our readers and website visitors to pray with us that these days of competition will be a witness to all of the possibilities for peace, understanding and reconciliation amongst all peoples.

Messages to: Mary Reynolds rsm - Executive Director

Last year on or around November 11, the 170th anniversary of Catherine McAuley's death, Mercy groups throughout the world joined in an international 'Good Cup of Tea' event, gathering in their ministry places and homes, schools, hospitals and parishes. The images and reports received and published on the website show that these gatherings were occasions of hospitality, mutuality, education and celebration.

This year MIA invites the members of the Mercy network to "Gather Again with Catherine" for a good cup of tea to celebrate the life and legacy of Catherine McAuley and to raise funds for the ongoing work of Mercy International Association. You might do this as your Mercy Day celebration.

Further details will be published in forthcoming issues of Mercy E-news and updated resources will be posted on the mercyworld.org website.

We invite you to register your event details on the website and to provide us with a report and images after the event for publishing on the website.

Messages to: Mary Reynolds rsm - Executive Director MIA

Renowned author, lecturer and engaged citizen, Dr. David Korten insists that " Providing for our human needs while bringing ourselves into balance with Earth, our living home, depends on creating a New Economy that works in symbiotic partnership with the biosphere's structure and dynamics to optimize the health and well-being of all. "

To learn what this economy would consist of read : Rio+20: A Defining Choice

How can we create an economy that serves the health and well-being of both people and the planet?
Follow the Earth's lead says Korten in the same article.

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

GENEVA (ILO News) – Visitors thronging London for the Olympics might come across huge, brightly coloured gift boxes that promise passers-by a better life, only to reveal the harsh realities of human trafficking on the inside.

The art installations are part of the Gift Box campaign that aims to raise awareness about human trafficking, a crime which affects every country in the world in one way or another....

Read the full report linked to this item.

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

A new report, entitled, "No Future without justice," written by some key civil society leaders offers important perspectives on sustainable development. This civil society reflection group has a great deal to say about questionable and failed models of development and about blindness to human rights. They also share their perspectives on the post-Rio agenda, including moving us towards Global Sustainability Goals; redirecting policies toward present and future justice; and, strengthening democratic governance at national and global levels.

Read their executive summary here
Read the full report here

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

Mercy International Association and Presentation Justice Network will hold a meeting at the  Herbert Street Conference Center at MIC on 28th August to report back on the Rio + 20 Conference and our lobbying efforts in Ireland.

Aine O Connor rsm will speak on her experience of the Rio + 20 Conference. Trocaire and other religious Congregations in Ireland have been invited to attend.

Messages to: Mary Purcell rsm - Assistant Director Mercy Global Action

A self catering area has been established at Mercy International Centre. The area has two single bedrooms, one with an en-suite and the other with its own nearby bathroom. Facilities include: a kitchenette, sitting room, wireless internet, washing machine/dryer, iron, ironing board and car parking. The chapel is available for use.

A booking for one person gives exclusive use of the area.

The area is ideal for making a private retreat, for enjoying a few quiet days in Dublin or for any reason!

Cost (minimum stay 3 nights) for 2012 & 2013:
3 nights  - 1 person €225, 2 people €375; 4 nights - 1 person €300, 2 people €500;
5 nights  - 1 person €375, 2 people €625; 6 nights -  1 person €450, 2 people €750
7 nights  -  1 person €525, 2 people €875.

Messages to: Madeleine O'Hanlon - Receptionist 
 

It is the ordinary members of the faithful who bring to the attention of the institutional Church the fact that such and such a person has lived his/her life of Christian virtue in a way that goes beyond what would be expected of an ordinarily good person.

Brenda Dolphin rsm Postulator. To access the complete article, click here

Prayers through the intercession of Venerable Catherine McAuley are requested for the intentions of all those on the prayer list and, in particular those whose names are newly added to the list: Rita Winkelmuller.

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

MIA is undertaking research into the human and environmental impact of natural resource extraction and extractive industries. The research aims to better understand the Mercy involvement and concern with these industries at both a national and international level.

Having established the work being done at grassroots and national level, we would aim to agree common lobbying points for international lobbying based on the experiences documented in the case studies developed in the research. It is also intended as an education piece and will inform congregations across the world how Mercy sisters are identifying with difficult issues on the ground and working with local communities to help them in their struggles.

The research will focus on the following issues:
1. Introduction - Natural resource extraction and extractive industries
2. Geographical, political, social, economic and environmental factors.
3. Mercy at the Grassroots of the extractive industry abuse impact
4. Mercy at the UN
5. Mercy Investment Services
6. Conclusion and future focus.

Further details are linked to this item.

Messages to: Betty Lacey - MGA Intern

M. Magdalena Frisby rsm died peacefully in the loving care of the Sisters, Matron and Staff in Catherine McAuley House, Beaumont, Dublin on Saturday 14th July 2012, having moved there from Booterstown, Dublin on Monday 28th May 2012.

Mercy International Association owes a great debt to Sister Magdalena.

When Mercy International Centre opened in 1994, it inherited  precious collections of artefacts associated with Catherine McAuley. These included a large collection of her letters, many items of personal memorabilia, and a number of gifts received by her from supportive friends and benefactors, as well as furniture and other goods which she brought with her to Baggot Street in 1827. In addition,  it inherited an outstanding and beautiful collection of the art and calligraphy work of Sr. Clare Augustine, contemporary of Catherine McAuley, as well as the published drawings of Sr. Clare Agnew, who produced vivid depictions of the early works of Mercy.

Much of these collections owe their wonderful preservation to the loving care of Sister Magdalena.

Today hundreds of pilgrims from around the world visit Baggot Street annually and continue to be nourished and inspired by the collections she so lovingly preserved and tended...

Messages to Angela Bugler rsm

 

Jackie Walsh rsm, age 59, a member of the Mid Atlantic Community, died tragically on Monday, July 9, 2012, in Water Mill, New York.

A  guest reflection from Camille D'Arienzo rsm a journalist, author, radio commentator, and Sister of Mercy living in the Diocese of Brooklyn, N.Y was published on 25 July in America magazine.

The tribute to Sr Jackie, funeral homily and final reflection on the Mid Atlantic Community website are linked to this item.

Messages to: Mid Atlantic Community c/- Debbi Della Porta, Director of Communications

The Congregation of the Sisters of Mercy of Newfoundland, together with other religious congregations, NGO and police force members are part of the Newfoundland and Labrador Human Trafficking Committee. The aim of the committee is to end Human Trafficking through public awareness, services to trafficked persons, advocacy, and resources and training support to law enforcement..

In March 2012, the Institute Of The Blessed Virgin Mary Canadian Province (Loreto Sisters) sponsored a conference of all organizations/individuals interested in the issue of Human Trafficking.

The conference proceedings are included in a detailed report linked to this item.

Messages to: Margie Taylor rsm - Member, MIA’s Working Group on Opposing Trafficking

Students from Craigmore's Catherine McAuley School have used a donation from a local bank to help needy people in their community in a very hands-on way.

Students work in the school's vegetable patch to learn about health, nutrition and sustainability.

Once the vegetables are harvested, the students turn them into soup they give to the Centacare community service every week to distribute to local underprivileged people.

Messages to: Georgia Dennis - Principal

Editor: Catherine McAuley school is this week's featured website

On the 17th July 2012 Rose Therese Corcoran rsm celebrated her 100th Birthday at the Mater Hospital Convent in Dublin. The excitement of this extraordinary event started during the weeks before the actual day arrived. Her many friends and relatives began calling and gifts and flowers began to arrive. One very special friend sent 100 roses along! By the time the day dawned the Convent was festooned with roses and balloons to mark the occasion...

Apart from two years spent working in Alabama U.S.A. in 1961, Sr. Rose Therese has spent her entire working life looking after the sick as a Ward Sister in the Mater. Consequently she is known and loved far and wide. She loves to sit and reminisce about caring for the sick ‘during the War’ and other notable events during her long life. She has a very clear memory and follows current events from day to day. She loved every minute of the Birthday celebration and all the birthday cards will be a great reminder of it in the days ahead.

The complete account can be accessed here.

Messages to:  Rose Therese Corcoran rsm c/- Eugene Nolan rsm

(Cincinnati; July 27, 2012) – Mercy Health, which provides quality care with compassion in your neighborhood, announces that Mercy Health – Clermont Hospital is again earning national recognition for exceptional care. The hospital is rated among the 100 Great Community Hospitals in a new independent study from Becker’s Hospital Review, a premier national publication that provides the latest news and analysis on hospitals and health care systems.

Messages to: 

Fourteen months after an EF5 tornado ripped through Joplin, taking 161 lives and injuring hundreds, area residents can feel a little more closure. Complete demolition of St. John’s Mercy Hospital’s seven-story west tower started JUly 26, marking a significant step in the community’s recovery...

As demolition continues at the old hospital, Mercy is caring for patients at Mercy Hospital Joplin and construction is underway at the new Mercy Hospital Joplin, which is expected to open in 2015. Earlier this summer, Mercy revealed plans for the old hospital grounds, which include an elementary school and a park.

Messages to: Nancy Corbett - Mercy Media Relations Director, Marketing and Communications

1836: First reception at Tullamore - M Catherine Locke, M Clare Delamere

1873: St Philomena's School opened in Te Aro, Wellington

Stories of Forgiveness explores the challenges of extending and accepting forgiveness. Rather than provide a formula for this process, it describes many individuals who have struggled with hurts and have found freedom through letting go of resentment.

Details of how to order the audiobook are linked to this item

Catherine McAuley School was established in 1996 and has a rich Catholic tradition based on the values of our patron Catherine McAuley, founder of the Sisters of Mercy.

Stay dust-free with this simple trick to clean your screen.

Source: Tecca Weekly