All members and friends of the Mercy network are welcome to publish Mercy Day greetings on the mercyworld.org website. Greetings - text only- should be sent to mercyenews@mercyinternational.ie by September 21st to make sure they are published in time for Mercy Day.

Se invita a todos los miembros y amigos de la red de la Misericordia a publicar saludos del Dia De La Misericordia en la pagina Web. Saludos - en formato de texto solamente - deben ser enviados a mercyenews@mercyinternational.ie de aqui al de septiembre para cerciorarse de que sean publicados a tiempo para el Dia De La Misericordia.

Messages to: the Editor

The killing of 34 and the wounding of 78 strikers by police on 16 August at a South African platinum mine is a tragedy for South Africa.

MIA joins with our Sisters, Associates and Co-workers in South Africa in mourning the loss of life, in praying for peaceful interaction and resolution to this conflict situation, and for the recognition of the necessity of just wages and working conditions for all peoples.

Messages to: Mary Reynolds rsm - Executive Director MIA

Editor: Readers of Mercy E-News are invited to post their prayer intentions online in the sacred spaces on this site; Catherine's Tomb and the Baggot Street Chapel. We also invite readers to share with us how you are taking the weekly MIA prayer intention into your communities and ministries eg through inclusion in other newsletters, prayer leaflets, staff prayer and in other creative and reflective ways.

'Why are we doing this [ie canonisation]? Many among us have articulated reasons. Mary Ann Stevens in a 1989 article weighing the pros and cons of canonization makes this argument on the pro side. “We need people who are mysteries –whose lives wouldn't make sense unless God exists…those who will give us hope and strength for resistance against all that does not breathe and breed life.” ' Sheila Carney rsm, Vice postulator. To access the complete article, click here.

Prayers through the intercession of Venerable catherine McAuley are asked for the intentions of all those who have asked us for prayers. In particular, please pray for Brother Matthew, cfc, John Foody whose names are newly added to our 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

Because of the special significance of 11/11/11, we designated the 11th November, 2011, the 170th anniversary of Catherine’s death, as the day for the ‘Good Cup of Tea’ event. It was, of course, a reminder of Catherine’s caring concern for others even in her last moments : ‘Be sure the Sisters have a good cup of tea when I am gone’.

This year, we are suggesting that there be a season in which the ‘Good Cup of Tea’ events might be held, and that the season extend from September 24th (Mercy Day) to December 12th (Foundation Day, which this year falls on 12/12/12). The event could be run by groups at a time and on a date convenient to them.

Please begin to plan for this year’s event. Tell your friends, start the preparations and let us know about your plans.
For stories about last year’s events, click here
Visit the Good Cup of Tea microsite frequently to keep up with information and resources for the event.

Messages to: Mary Reynolds rsm - Executive Director MIA

Join other Mercy Secondary School students from around the world July 16-19, 2013!

From the evening of Tuesday 16 July until the afternoon of Friday 19 July 2013, students from Mercy Secondary schools will travel tio Mercy International Centre in Dublin, Ireland. These Mercy pilgrims wuill undertake their journey in the light of the story of Catherine McAuley. Students who participate in this pilgrimage will emerge with a deeper appreciation of our Mercy tradition:past, present and future.

Cost: Euro 250. Covers programme costs, food and transportation between meeting site (Mercy Secondary School, Inchicore) and Mercy International Centre. Accommodation to be arranged by school delegations.

To download the conference flyer, click here.

Messages to: Mary Kay Dobrovolny rsm - Assistant Director Heritage & Spirituality

Jean Stokan, director of the Institute Justice Team (IJT), writes a moving account of a visit to Capitol Hill by a Jesuit priest from Honduras who brought attention to the violence and human rights abuses going on in his country.

Messages to: Jean Stokan - Director  IJT

On August 16, 2012, Stage 3 of the Mercy Heritage Centre exhibition "Works of Mercy “ was blessed and opened. In her address, Sandra Lupi rsm, Congregation Leader reminded those present of how Mother Vincent Whitty, one of the founding women, 'longed to serve God as a missionary. Within a month of their landing in the colony, the sisters were visiting the poor and sick in their homes, had opened a school and had permission to visit the government hospital...'

Sr Sandra concluded, 'Like Catherine McAuley who established her house of Mercy in Baggot Street among the wealthy, we can take the opportunity through our Mercy Advocacy project to bring the human face of suffering into the vision and consciousness of our society. We can in a myriad of ways challenge ourselves and others to share resources, to open our country and our hearts to the “suffering poor” of today’s world.'

Messages to: Sandra Lupi rsm - Congregation Leader

Editor: The Sisters of Mercy Brisbane Congregation newly created website is this week's featured Mercy website

Misericordia, or “heart of mercy” in Latin, has operated since 1921 to serve those with mild to profound developmental disabilities, many of whom are also physically challenged.

Under the leadership of  Rosemary Connelly rsm, Misericordia provides a continuum of care and a network of services for each one of its children and adults. " We believe, we accept, we love each person and we are better people because they have touched our lives," says Sr Rosemary.

For her vision and ability to inspire, the state fair named Connelly an “Illinoisan of the Year.” Gov. Pat Quinn presented the honor and proclaimed Aug. 13 as “Sister Rosemary Connelly Day” throughout the state.

In the article linked to this item, we read of one family's experience of Misericiordia's love of their child as gift.

Source: WesternSprings

Messages to: Rosemary Connelly rsm - Executive Director Misericordia

SPRINGFIELD, Mo.—Usually when you hear about a vehicle going into a building, someone is having a bad day. That wasn't the case at Mercy Orthopedic Hospital Springfield.

Crews lifted an SUV into the building. It had to happen now, before walls get in the way and workers close up the structure. The vehicle will be part of patients’ rehabilitation at the new facility. “Returning to routine activities—like getting into a car—can create anxiety for patients after major knee and hip replacement surgeries, “ said David Globig, Mercy Springfield vice president of operations. “The car will assist our orthopedic team in ensuring every patient is comfortable before they return home.”...

Messages to: Sonya Kullman - Mercy Springfield Communities Media Contact

...In the mid-nineteenth century, many people of the area [Downpatrick], as well as all over Ireland, were suffering from the ravages of the great Famine. Hundreds of people were homeless, destitute and suffering from disease and malnutrition. Though some charitable organisations were doing their best to cope with the situation, there was need for much more help, ideally a group of people who could dedicate themselves to caring for the poverty-stricken, sick and the homeless. The Rev. Bernard McAuley knew of a group of religious women who had committed themselves to this very work – the Sisters of Mercy, a community founded in the 1820s by a saintly and dedicated Dublin woman, and his namesake, Catherine McAuley.

Incidentally, history records that, after his ordination, the Rev. Bernard McAuley said his first Mass in the House of Mercy in Baggot Street, Dublin, in 1828, on which occasion he met the foundress of the Sisters of Mercy, Catherine McAuley...

From the article by Marie Duddy rsm tracing the story of Downpatrick Foundation.

Messages to: Marie Duddy rsm

1853: Foundation to Roscommon from Limerick - M Vincent Hartnett
1861: Foundation to Philadelphia - M Patricia Waldron
1872:Foundation to Burnley from East London
1979: Foundation to Dunmore, Co Galway

The Mercy International Centre (MIC) Gift Shop offers a range of notecards on Mercy themes, suitable for Mercy Day and all occasions when a handwritten note would be particularly appreciated by the recipient.

A sample of the stock available is linked to this item.

Shop online or in person at MIC, 64A Lwr Baggot Street, Dublin

We are women Religious who experience the loving mercy of God.

As followers of Jesus, we acknowledge our frailty and giftedness in participating in God’s mission of mercy, particularly among those who suffer injustice, pain and oppression within a culture of violence.

Get to know your iPhone a little better with useful shortcuts and tips on getting longer battery life, troubleshooting common problems, and much more.

The Editor's favourite: How to Type Faster on Your iPhone
You will need: An Apple iPhone, Your thumbs, A knowledge of shortcuts, iPhone OS 3.0 (this particular video is a little dated, but the tips remain useful).