Prayers with the intercession of Venerable Catherine McAuley are asked for all whose names are in our hearts and on our prayer list. In particular, we pray for: Araluen Mary Kelly, Georgina Wright, Kathleen Quinn, Martha Baranec, Jane, Sister Carol Ellis, Liam, Nuala and Mary, Bishop Michael Putney and all those whose names are on the MIA prayer list.

Anne Hannon rsm - Vice postulator Europe and Africa
Sheila Carney rsm - Vice postulator Americas
Caroline Ryan rsm - Vice postulator Australia & PNG, Aotearoa New Zealand, Philippines

The tragic deaths of more than 370 people last Wednesday in Bangladesh, under the rubble of a building which housed six factories making clothes for dozens of US and European brands, makes this now the deadliest disaster in the garment industry in known history. These workers were denied their right to refuse dangerous work: they were (reportedly) told they would lose a month’s pay if they didn’t report to work the day after cracks appeared in the walls. With earnings of as as little as $38 a month, what choice had they?

As we pray for those who perished, let us keep in mind our social responsibility as we purchase clothing, by informing ourselves of its source. Consider signing the petition to H&M, Walmart and Gap - the largest buyers of clothing from Bangladesh.

Messages to: Mary Reynolds rsm - Executive Director MIA

MIA and The Congregation of the Sisters of Mercy in Ireland (as part of a broader Intercongregational group – The Future We Need) have commenced lobbying decision makers in Ireland in relation to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) which are being discussed at the United Nations. The SDGs will replace the Millennium Development Goals in 2015 and the Sisters of Mercy are working to have many of the principles to which we are committed included. The Irish submission was sent this week to the Minister for Environment and the Minister for Development at the Department of Foreign Affairs and we hope to follow up with a meeting with the Ministers and officials in the Departments.

The full submission is attached here (PDF)

Messages to: Mary Purcell – Assistant Director Mercy Global Action
 

A new leadership team has been elected for the Institute of Our Lady of Mercy Great Britain. Colette Cronin rsm (Institute Leader), Jean Frances Fitzpatrick rsm (Assistant Institute Leader), Sue Randall rsm, Barbara Jeffery rsm, Joan Breen rsm and Anne Hewitt rsm will take up their appointments on 1st September 2013.

We thank you for your prayers and support throughout our Chapter event.

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

On Friday, April 26 a ribbon cutting ceremony was held with representatives from the City of Hartford and the State of Connecticut to celebrate the completion of the exterior renovations of St. Elizabeth House, part of Mercy Housing and Shelter Connecticut, which this year celebrates thirty years of working to empower homeless persons to become independent so they may live and work with dignity and respect.

In an article published in the Hartford Courant online, Colleen Corriveau, director of Fund Development, Mercy Housing and Shelter Corporation, traces the history of this National Historic Landmark property which needs interior renovations to become, in the words of its Executive Director, Patricia McKeon rsm,  'a beautiful place helping people to move out of homelessness'.

Messages to: Colleen Corriveau

Editor: Mercy Housing and Shelter Connecticut is this week's featured website

The title of this poem by Menna Elfyn (translated from the Welsh by Tony Conran) is its key and an indication of the conversion experience undergone by the poet in both. There are two voyages recounted: the night passage across the Irish Sea, and the poet’s voyage of self-appraisal and appreciation of her fellow traveller...

Messages to: Mary Wickham rsm

Organizations like the United Nations have long asserted that the empowerment of young women can have a profound effect on the global economy and the social and political landscape, particularly in the developing world. Since 2009, students at Mount Saint Mary Academy (MSMA) New Jersey have worked to assist young women in other parts of the world in perhaps the most impactful way possible, through the gift of an education...

Messages to: Lisa D. Gambacorto rsm - Directress MSMA

Margaret Farley rsm, Emeritus Professor of Christian Ethics at Yale University's Divinity School, was the featured guest on Wednesday 24 April 2013 on Radio New Zealand: National. Sr Margaret offered commentary on dialogue in the church today and Vatican criticism of her book, 'Just Love: A Framework for Christian Sexual Ethics' in an interview on Radio New Zealand.

Click here to listen (25'32")

Messages to: Margaret Farley rsm c/- Pat Kenny rsm Institute Communications Office
 

Mercy Sister Valentina Sheridan received the 2013 Second Century Award at Saint Joseph’s Hospital in Atlanta. The award, which will be given annually at the hospital, is to be named in her honor as the Sister Valentina Sheridan Award.

Sister Val, as she is known, is the director of mission integration at the hospital. She began at Saint Joseph’s as director of pastoral care in 1994 and held that position for 13 years...

Read the citation and watch the video interview with Sister Val.

Messages to: Valentina Sheridan rsm

1855: Foundation to Kilrush from Birr - M Anastasia Beckett/M Vincent Egan
1862: Foundation to Clara, Co Offaly from Tullamore - M Gertrude Dunne
1880: Foundation to Jamaica, West Indies from Cincinnatti

An updated form for Sisters to order pins and pendants from the New York source can be downloaded here.

Mercy Housing and Shelter Corporation provides housing assistance and supportive services to persons who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless. Mercy works to empower its clients to become independent, so they may live and work with dignity and respect. Mercy seeks to end homelessness by advocating for changes in the social systems that perpetuate homelessness. Mercy welcomes and serves all in need in the tradition of the Sisters of Mercy , who founded the organization in 1983.

David Pogue is the personal technology columnist for the New York Times and a tech correspondent for CBS News. In this short video posted this week on TED, Pogue shares 10 simple, clever tips for computer, web, smartphone and camera users.
Video runs for 05:44 minutes. Well worth viewing.