Mercy International Association at the UN joined with Franciscans International and Food & Water Watch to deliver a statement on the need to address fracking concerns within human rights obligations at the 7th Meeting of the 24th Regular Session of Human Rights Council.

The intervention was made on September 11th at the Cluster Interactive Dialogue session with the Special Rapporteur on the implications for human rights of the environmentally sound management and disposal of hazardous substances and wastes and the Special Rapporteur on the human right to safe drinking water and sanitation...

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

We continue to pray for Syria and her people and give thanks that US military action against Syria has been averted - for now. In this we are conscious of the persuasive power of public opinion when voices are joined together. May we continue to raise our voices in unison for peace and security for all peoples, particularly the most vulnerable.

Together with the Sisters of Mercy of the Americas, we are deeply mindful of their fellow citizens who lost their lives or were injured in the shooting yesterday at the Washington Navy Yard and of those who are missing and feared dead in the raging floodwaters of Colorado.

Messages to: Mary Reynolds rsm - Executive Director MIA

Prayers with the intercession of Venerable Catherine McAuley are asked for all whose names are in our hearts and on our prayer list, especially those whose names are newly added: Grandma Renee and Rami, Lynda Jamison, Carol Maloney, Peter McCrohan, Bill Smith, Colin La Motte.

Messages to:
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

Editor: The article by Brenda Dolphin rsm, Postulator 'Update on the Cause for Catherine McAuley's Beatification' can be read here

Next week Mercy e-news (Issue 533) will be published on Mercy Day, Tuesday, 24 September. Publication will be timed to coincide with celebrations at Mercy International Centre.

• Invitation to Post your Mercy Day Greetings Online (Final reminder)

All members and friends of the Mercy network are invited to send your greetings for posting online for this day. Greetings will be posted online as they are received.Greetings - text only- should be sent to mercyenews@mercyinternational.ie by 23 September to make sure they are published in time for Mercy Day. Read the greetings here

• Invitation to Celebrate Mercy Day at Baggot Street (Final Reminder)

Sisters, Associates and Friends of Mercy are invited to celebrate the Eucharist at midday on the feast of Our Lady of Mercy, Tuesday, 24 September, at Mercy International Centre, 64A Lower Baggot Street, Dublin. Further details can be read here

Messages to: the Editor

In 1999 research was undertaken in Limerick City to access unmet needs. As a result Bedford Row Family Project was established as a Mercy/Franciscan joint initiative to respond to the needs of families affected by imprisonment.

The project set up a hospitality centre in Limerick Prison which offers support and refreshments to families as they visit their loved one. This centre has become the humanising aspect of an institution that has as its focus security and containment...

Messages to: Bernie O'Grady rsm

Editor: Bedford Row Family Project is this week's featured Mercy website

Forty-one women religious (age 60 and below) and associates representing 14 different women religious congregations participated in the first session of the Collaborative Leadership Development Program (CLDP), the outgrowth of the Mercy Leadership Development Program...

Messages to: Kathleen Wade - Program Director

Catherine McAuley Westmead’s long awaited school chapel was blessed and opened on 12 September by Bishop Anthony Fisher OP, Bishop of Parramatta. The whole school gathered in Mercy Square to attend Mass for the first time in the new Mercy Chapel. The chapel will offer students a place of prayer, worship and adoration on the school campus.

We thank Sister Anne Sekul of the Sisters of Mercy of the Americas who most generously allowed the school to reproduce her beautiful icon of Catherine McAuley for one of the chapel windows. This window joins another window in the chapel showing another great woman of faith, Australia’s own Saint Mary of the Cross MacKillop.

We also thank our own Parramatta Sisters of Mercy who most generously donated the tabernacle and sacred vessels for the chapel. Engraved around the base of the chalice are the words, ‘Convent of Mercy, St Claire’s Epping’. 24th September 1926’.

Messages to: Jacqui Hamilton -School Development Officer

Purpose: To raise consciousness and awareness of the issues surrounding Fracking, particularly in the New Zealand context. New Zealand has had fracking for the last twenty years, primarily in the Taranaki region.
How this will be achieved:
Sending a kitset to all Mercy Organisations within the month of September (Mercy Month).
In the kitset :
• Introductory letter containing information as to why Sisters of Mercy are doing this.
• Fact sheet
• Reflection resource they could possibly use
• Poster (drawn by a Mercy student)
Organisations will be encouraged to take a photo and perhaps write so that we can get it on the website and Mercy E-news
Bridget Crisp rsm talked to Carmel College senior students (2 classes) about Mercy Global Action and our present action on Fracking – relating it to scripture, and catholic social teaching. The students are preparing for an internal assessment that goes toward a national grade - where they have to choose and research a Catholic organisation and what advocacy that they do (related to catholic social teaching). Hopefully some students will pick this up for their research.

Messages to: Bridget Crisp rsm
 

The Institute Justice Team, as part of a Washington, D.C.-based group concerned about the negative impact of extractive industries on creation, helped draft a statement of principles for extractive industries, governments and financial institutions involved in mining operations. The statement includes three principles for those involved in extractive industries: commitment to human rights and environmental justice, transparency and public accountability and consultation with local communities.

To read the full statement and principles underpinning it, click here

Messages to: the Institute Justice Team

Sister Colette and the Leadership Team of the Institute of Our Lady of Mercy, GB, send grateful thanks to all who sent greetings and good wishes on their election. You are all held in thought and prayer. May Our Lady of Mercy shower many graces and blessings on you.

Messages to: Marion McCarthy rsm

1828: Catherine McAuley sold Coolock House and estate to Henry Brooks
1846: Foundation to Chicago from Pittsburgh - M Frances Warde

Endorsed by Nobel Peace Laureate John Hume, this booklet can be used as a catalyst for change in classrooms, church gatherings, and community meetings or for individual quiet reflection as we ponder our shared destiny as human beings.

Cost $3 or €2 per copy. Bulk orders welcomed.

Orders to Deirdre Mullan rsm - Executive Director The Partnership for Global Justice

Download the flyer here

Bedford Row supports families of prisoners. Crime and imprisonment affects all of us and causes a lot of pain and distress in society. In our work with families, children are our most important priority.

Why? Because we believe in a world beyond imprisonment...

'...Besides not falling for the download-the-free-app trick, what other protections should you consider for your mobile device?'

This article provides a number of suggestions for both iOS and android owners.

Source: The Age