MIA joins with the Sisters of Mercy of the Americas in shared concern and prayer for the people of Moore, Oklahoma, where at least 51 people have been killed, many others injured and the path of destruction of the tornado has left residents without homes and public facilities. We are also conscious of our Sisters, Associates and those in Mercy ministry in Oklahoma.

Let us remember them and their needs in our prayers.

Messages to: Mary Reynolds rsm - Director MIA

Editor: Twenty Sisters of Mercy live in Oklahoma – with all but one in Oklahoma City itself, and the other Sister in Ardmore. Twenty-four Associates live in Bixby, Choctaw, Edmond, Guthrie, Muldrow, Norman, and Oklahoma City. A lot of these towns circle around Moore as many, including Moore, are on the outskirts of Oklahoma City. It would appear, however, from the news reports that it was the city of Moore that felt the full impact of the tornado. Our information is that all Institute Sisters and Associates are safe.

The Leaders and the Board of Directors of Mercy International Association came together for their Annual General Meeting (AGM) at Baggot Street from 11-14 May 2013.

Speaking after the AGM, Pat McDermott rsm, President of the Institute of the Sisters of Mercy of the Americas and Chairperson of the M.I.A. Board of Directors said, “The wonderful thing about our meetings is that the M.I.A. Leaders and the Board of Directors have the opportunity to come together, to check- in with each other and to find out if there’s anything new in each other’s thinking.” Reflecting on the significance of this annual event in the Mercy calendar Sr Pat continued, “We find it so important to discover how each Congregation is trying to integrate the story of M.I.A. into their Congregational activities and projects and to find out if there are any special projects or initiatives that are happening in a particular country or area, which others can benefit from and make a connection to M.I.A..."

Messages to: Mary Reynolds rsm - Executive Director MIA

A week of  training in policy and advocacy for Mercy Sisters and their associates involved in justice work has just concluded in New York.
Called the " U.N. Experience" it was led by  Áine O’Connor rsm MIA Global Action representative at the UN, aided throughout the week by Mary Purcell, Assistant Director Mercy Global Action, Rita Parks rsm (Americas) and  Sheila O’Dea rsm (Newfoundland).  Speaking about the experience, Mary Purcell explained, “Our aim was to encourage Sisters working at grass roots level in justice issues to gain the skills required to lobby their governments about the policies that affect the issues they are working on...”

Messages to: Mary Purcell - Assistant Director Mery Global Action

Editor: A report by the Institute Justice Office(IJO) entitled 'Sisters of Mercy Join Other Faith Groups in Immigration Reform Advocacy' outlines the leadership role being given by the Institute on this critical concern. The item below offers a personal perspective on this issue, renewing the call for prayer echoed by MIA last week in the prayer intention.

I would like to particularly ask for your prayers on behalf of immigrants at this critical time in the United States.
The United States Congress is in the process of debating comprehensive immigration reform. Right now, the legislation is in committee in the Senate.
Three hundred amendments have been submitted. Rejection and/or acceptance of certain of these amendments can make the legislation better or worse (from our perspective.)
Discussion and debate on immigration reform legislation will probably continue through the summer before the passage of any final legislation.

Some legislation will probably pass on this issue but will it be a good bill, assisting our immigrant brothers and sisters rather than making life more difficult?
And, I would say pray for those who are hard hearted, those who lack compassion for those less fortunate.
And pray for the conversion of those who are motivated by the belief in white supremacy or motivated by fear of the world changing around them.
Some of the anti-immigrant groups were founded by white supremacists.

Messages to: Marilyn Gottemoeller
 

WASHINGTON (CNS) -- Human trafficking is so widespread that congregations of women religious are uniting in a nationwide effort to limit its reach. The effort will focus on broader education about sex and labor trafficking, legislative advocacy for stricter laws and penalties for traffickers and wider support for victims through much-needed social services and employment. "It's a stronger voice," said Mercy Sister Jeanne Christensen, justice advocate for the Sisters of Mercy West Midwest Community in Kansas City, Mo. "Coming together in one group helps to concentrate the voice and the power in a good sense..."

Source: The Georgia Bulletin

Messages to: Jeanne Christensen  rsm - Justice co-ordinator Mercy WMW

Sisters and friends gathered at Mercy House in Upper Riccarton on 10 May to celebrate the 100th birthday of Sister Mary Clement. Mary Clement was born in Limerick, Ireland and with three companions travelled by boat to Villa Maria, in Christchurch New Zealand, in 1930. She made her vows on 11 May 1933 and so this year also marks her 80 years as a professed Sister of Mercy. M Clement is known for her faithfulness to prayer and always showing kindness with extraordinary anticipation of others’ needs...

Messages to: Katrina Fabish rsm - Communications Contact, CLT

The Mercy Community at St Mary's Handsworth invite Mercy e-news readers to  consider a Mercy Sabbatical spending time following Catherine’s dream of a different world – from Dublin to London and to Birmingham.

As part of that sabbatical time, they suggest you: Experience, Treasures of the Mercy Journey in Birmingham Sunday 7th – 13th July 2013, facilitated by the Team at St Mary’s. Cost £490.00 (all inclusive).

Further details are linked to this item.

Messages to: The Director, St Mary's Community

1850: Foundation to Cobh from St Maries of the Isle, Cork - M Josephine McCarthy

Offering intellectual support for spiritual lives. Check out the resources: lectures, prayers, publications and research papers, freely available on the Mount Saint Agnes website.

We are women called to live the Gospel, inspired by our Foundress to make 'Mercy' the business of our lives, and challenged by our decision to have always a preferential option for the poor.

A new geographic analysis of millions of tweets provides a remarkably broad view of humanity, by language, location and other factors

Source: Smithsonian Magazine online