Celebrating Mercy in Adelaide South Australia (ISMAPNG)

December 12, 2015

On Saturday 12 December 2015, the Mercy Sisters of South A Community, South Australia, held a wonderful event called 'Celebrating Mercy' in Adelaide. It concluded the Year of Consecrated Life, commenced the Extraordinary Jubilee Year of Mercy and commemorated our Mercy Foundation Day.

The Organising Committee with keynote speakers
L-r: Marie Ralph rsm, Veronica Lawson rsm, Tess Flaherty rsm; Duyen Nguyen rsm; Kate Conley rsm, Maddie Kelly

Each Sister was given the opportunity to invite two guests - her family members, colleagues or friends who have inspired, walked or journeyed with her in Mercy. About one hundred and eighty people gathered at the Pavilion on the Park, blessed with a magnificent view of the garden, so appropriate in the discussions of our Earth Home and Mercy.

L-r: Tamara Smith, Helen Ayliffe, Pat Fox rsm

We began the day with a beautiful PowerPoint show prayer, created by Sisters Tess Flaherty and Anne Foale, based on Pope Francis' prayers for the Earth and for the Year of Mercy.

The whole congregation was 'captured' by Sr Veronica Lawson's inspirational talk and input on Mercy as God's Embrace. We were then moved on to Mercy in Action by a Young Mercy and Justice coordinator from St Aloysius College, Maddie Kelly.

L-r: Barbara Broad rsm, Rosemary Day rsm, Elizabeth and Michael Day

Everyone had a chance to share his/her own experiences of giving and/or receiving mercy. Each story was gracefully listened to and treasured. For example, from an elderly woman, a small act of mercy as a young man offered to help her onto a bus. From an Aboriginal woman, the giving and receiving of mercy as students visited her Homeland. From a teacher, the beauty of nature enabled healing for her adopted mother.