After causing massive damage in the Bahamas, Cuba, Haiti and Jamaica, Hurricane Sandy has now struck the east coast of the United States leaving ten states declaring a state of emergency, 16 people reported dead and 5 million people without power. Worst hit appear to be New York and New Jersey.

The Institute office of the Sisters of Mercy of the Americas advised us four hours ago (AEST) that everyone is safe. They have begun assessing how some ministries and community residences have been affected by the storm. Pat McDermott rsm concludes her message " We are most grateful for the emails of prayerful support that we have received from across the Mercy world. As always in a time of particular challenge, such support reminds us of what a blessing it is to be part of the global Mercy family!"

MIA joins with our Sisters, Associates, Co-workers, Colleagues and Partners in Ministry in the United States in praying for the safety and wellbeing of all those resident in the path of the storm and for courage and energy for all those who have been affected by its impact, to venture forward.

Messages to: Mary Reynolds rsm - Executive Director MIA
Messages to Pat McDermott rsm - Institute President

Prayers with the intercession of Venerable Catherine are requested for the intentions of: Patricia O'Keefe and all those who have asked us for prayers.

Messages to:
Anne Hannon rsm - Vice postulator Europe and Africa
Sheila Carney rsm - Vice postulator Americas
Caroline Ryan rsm - vice postulator Australia, New Zealand, Philippines

Among those celebrating Jubilees this past year was MAST, the Mercy Association in Scripture in Theology. Many Sisters and Associates around the world know us principally for The MAST Journal, but that publication is just part of our story. The larger story has linked Mercy around the globe and fostered more conversation and collaboration than we ever imagined...

Messages to: Julia Upton rsm

Editor: The Journal is published three times a year by the Mercy Association in Scripture and Theology. Subscription inquiries should be sent to Eloise Rosenblatt rsm

Meánscoil Mhuire (The Mercy College), Newtownsmith, Galway proudly celebrated the 75th Anniversary of its founding the weekend of 28th & 29th September 2012 with a 2 day celebration opened by President Michael D Higgins.

In our celebrations we are joined by hundreds of past students and of course current students, together with past and present teachers, to celebrate the achievements and the high quality of educational provision at Meánscoil Mhuire for generations of Galway girls.

The school was founded in 1937 to provide Secondary Education for girls of Galway city and its hinterland, in the Mercy tradition, as inspired by the Congregation’s foundress, Catherine McAuley...

Messages to: info@mercygalway.ie

Editor: Meánscoil Mhuire is this week's featured website

In a heart -warming article in the Union Leader, the ministry of Angie Whidden rsm RIP who died last week, aged 86, was recounted and celebrated . Her deep faith and practical action with the support of her prayer group "convinced future-Mayor Bob Shaw to lend them a Winnebago RV. The budding activists started serving soup to the homeless in front of the Carpenter Center on Christmas Eve 1979.

New Horizons Soup Kitchen eventually followed along with a shelter and food pantry.

“She knew about the poor that she wanted to help, and she just did it. Whatever happened, happened,” said Sister Thomas Norris, a longtime friend of Sister Angie.

“We had no money, but we got along by the grace of God. He gave us the things we needed,” Sister Thomas said..."

Messages to: Pat Kenny rsm - Institute Communications Office

Source: Unionleader.com

SPRINGFIELD, Mo.– Mercy’s focus on patient care has earned it a national top spot. Modern Healthcare magazine has announced that Mercy Hospital Springfield has won the 2012/2013 Consumer Choice Award.

Researchers from the National Research Corporation, the largest consumer survey on health care in the U.S., asked Springfield consumers which local hospital they liked best, specifically asking about overall quality, image and reputation, and quality of doctors and nurses. They ranked Mercy Hospital Springfield as their first choice for:

Best Overall Quality
Best Image/Reputation
Best Doctors
Best Nurses

Messages to: Sonya Kullman - Media Contact Mercy Springfield

On 18th October, at the monthly meeting of ACRATH (Australian Catholic Religious Against Trafficking in Humans), two Mercy members of the group, Therese Power and Carole McDonald, invited all members to participate in Catherine’s Good Cup of Tea event. Most of the members of the group are members of Religious Congregations and so are slightly familiar with the name and work of our Foundress, Catherine McAuley. For the benefit of all, we commenced with a brief introduction about Catherine, her work and her dying wish that the Sisters care for each other after her death, by sharing a comfortable cup of tea - the beginning of one of our cherished community traditions. During our break time, we all enjoyed a delicious Morning Tea provided by Therese and Carole. Participants were happy to support the ongoing work of Mercy International Centre at Baggot St, by giving a small donation.

Messages to: Carole McDonald rsm

Editor: Share the stories (and images from your Good Cup of Tea Event. Find suggestions and resources for holding a Good Cup of Tea Event here
The October issue of Stop Trafficking is available for download here


 

Catherine’s spirit was nourished by her life of prayer. She once said, “We cannot ever forget that of all other gifts prayer must come from God”. She reminded those who would share her life and charism to cultivate a contemplative attitude to life, because she knew from experience that out of a contemplative heart would flow compassionate service for those in need...

The complete reflection by Patricia Bell rsm is linked to this item.

Messages to: Cathy Edge rsm - Institute IT Support and Website Co-ordinator

In an interesting article this past week in a California paper, the issue of how religious congregations in caring for our aged sisters provide a model of care for seniors, is addressed.

' "We want to model for the world how to grow old gracefully and how to take care of elderly people," said Michelle Gorman rsm.

 "We want our sisters to go up and enjoy the place and not wait until they're ill and have to go straight to skilled nursing. We want them to know that their life is more than their ministry and good work." '

Source: The Sacramento Bee

Messages to: Pat Kenny rsm - Institute Communications Office

MAST’s next meeting will be held June 14-16, 2013 at College of Saint Mary in Omaha, Nebraska.
If you would like to attend, receive more information on becoming a member, or be added to the MAST mailing list, please contact the association’s Executive Director.

Messages to: Aline Paris rsm
College of Saint Mary, 7000 Mercy Road, Omaha, Nebraska 6801, USA

Dierdre Gardiner rsm of the Catholic Religious Australia (CRA) Justice Group provides an update on the efforts and advocacy of many Australian religious men and women in protest of coal seam gas mining and on the environmental and health concerns surrounding this issue.

Source: Catholic Religious Australia newsletter

Messages to: Deirdre Gardiner rsm

Editor: Dubbed 'The most destructive industrial project on earth' (Canada's tar sands - image gallery) shows the environmental effects of one industrial project.
Source: Daily Mail

1866: Foundation to Bathurst, New South Wales from Charleville, Co Cork
1866: Foundation to Nashville, Tennessee from Rhode Island - M Clare McMahon
1982: Sisters of Mercy commence housing ministry at Monte Cecilia House, Auckland - Sisters Mary Foy, Chanel Peacock, Kathleen O'Halloran

If you are making preparations for November 11th, the Mercy Spirituality Series offers wonderful reflections on living the charism.

Details of each of the topics are linked to this item

Meánscoil Mhuire was founded by the Sisters of Mercy in 1937. A Mercy education brings with it the prospects of a fulfilled future and a prosperous career.

Tripping over power cords running everywhere? Here are some ways to deal with that problem.

Source: The Age