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Mercy Global Action Emerging Leaders Fellows
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Mercy International Association hosts Global Fellowship Project - Programme for Future Female Leaders
The Mercy International Centre in Dublin hosted the final leg of the 2023 Global Mercy Emerging Leaders Fellowship programme, following prior events in Siam Ream in Cambodia (Immersion Experience) and New York in the United States (Human Rights and Advocacy training). The programme takes place on an annual basis and this year included participants from Kenya, Canada, New Zealand, US, Australia and the Philippines.
The MIA-MGA Emerging Leaders Fellowship is a transformational experience for women who are passionate about advancing Mercy and Justice. The Fellowship programme has been designed to stimulate creative and critical thinking, promote collaborative leadership and personal reflection leading to a compassionate and communal response to current concerns of our world with a particular focus on the Displacement of Persons and Degradation of Earth as identified by the Mercy Global World.
As part of the culmination of their programme in Dublin, the participants made presentations built around the themes mentioned above.
“We are privileged in Dublin to be able to host this group of exceptional young women, from across four continents, who are set to become leaders of the future around the world and to make a decisive and meaningful contribution to major societal issues.” said Sr. Patricia O’Donovan, CEO, Mercy International Association.
Vision in Action
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Refugee Health
Mater’s new initiative, the Multicultural Health Coordination Program
Refugee Health
Mater’s new initiative, the Multicultural Health Coordination Program
Up to 1000 people from refugee and migrant backgrounds will benefit from improved access to healthcare services thanks to a new initiative from Mater and the Queensland Government. Source: The Catholic Leader.
Mater is Queensland’s largest not-for-profit healthcare provider and is committed to the provision of refugee health services, including the operation of the Mater Refugee Complex Care Clinic for the last 21 years. The clinic has ensured that refugees and asylum-seekers who lack entitlement to Medicare are still able to access essential health services.
The Queensland Government has contributed almost $930,000 to enable Mater to integrate dedicated nurses in 10 GP surgeries in Brisbane, Ipswich and Logan – ensuring adults and children from multicultural backgrounds receive coordinated, early and appropriate medical care.
Queensland Health Minister Shannon Fentiman said “Mater’s program is a great example of community-based healthcare services delivering outcomes for communities closer to home.”
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Mercy Collaboration
Travelling Pots Programme
Mercy Collaboration
Travelling Pots Programme
Recently the Carmel and Rosmini Young Vinnies leaders held a Travelling Pots session with the help of our Youth Coordinator, Savi.
Carmel and Rosmini senior students and teachers took part in this event which was held at Rosmini College.
Travelling Pots is an event where our schools come together to cook meals for those who are less fortunate, with the students making 86 mince and pasta meals.
We are very grateful to have had this opportunity where we could contribute to the community, and we thank the teachers and volunteers who gave up their time to make this event happen.
Anna Cho, Year 13
Mercy Matters
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Fact
On This Day
JULY 26th
1838
House opened at Booterstown - M Ursula Frayne
1898
Orphanage opened, Broken Hill, New South Wales
1954
Establishment of Union of Sisters of Mercy of Australia - M Patricia O'Neill
August 4th 1873
CELEBRATING 150 YEARS!
The arrival of the first Sisters of Mercy in Rockhampton, Queensland
Contribute a fact from your Mercy congregation, institute, or federation, to our online archive. It is amazing to discover all the connections in Mercy
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Mercy International Association
Mercy International Association Staff Day in Baggot St.
A momentous and enjoyable meeting of Mercy International Association (MIA) staff took place on July 19th last . This was the first time in recent years that all staff members, (Mercy International Centre and Mercy Global Action), were in the same physical location,
The day started with a good cup of tea followed by prayer in the chapel.
The meeting (facilitated by Sr. Margaret Endicott rsm) was an opportunity for the full MIA team to get to know one another and to explore what is means to work together under a “virtual roof” The MIA Vision Statement was reflected upon and teased out with a view to develop goals so that the team could bring it to life over the coming year.
In the afternoon the team were lead in a process to see where these goals would link with the eight themes of the “Opening Doors” project
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Mercy Heritage
Australian Headmasters visit St Mary’s Convent, Handsworth
On Thursday 15th June, St Mary’s Convent received two Headmasters of Australian Catholic schools as visitors. Mr Gibson is the Principal of Sacred Heart Primary School in Mildura, opened by the Sisters of Mercy in 1906. Mr Keenan is the Principal of St Luke’s Primary, Shepparton, Victoria - about two and half hours drive from Melbourne. Both were keen to visit Mercy houses to learn more of the heritage of Catholic education in the UK & Ireland and, specifically, to be inspired by the example of Catherine McAuley. Whilst at St Mary’s they were given a guided tour of the heritage centre and met Jenny (Archivist) and some of the Sisters. Since their return to Australia, we have received messages of thanks from them: ‘The hospitality displayed on our visit to your convent modelled what Catherine tried to do with offerings of drinks and food...I enjoyed the opportunity to learn more about the Mercy charism and walk the streets and buildings that Catherine walked once. Through my visit I built a great sense of Catherine’s life and the many challenges she faced. Understanding more about Catherine’s leadership, decision making, her relationship with Jesus and how this informed her was most valuable.’ Mr Gibson ‘*We thoroughly enjoyed our visit with you. The link to educating and caring for people was common as we shared our stories. Catherine McAuley’s legacy is still very strong!*’ Mr Keenan
By Jenny Smith Archivist
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Heritage & Spirituality
College of St Mary Omaha Heritage Visit
On Saturday, July 22nd, Mercy International Centre welcomed a group of alumni from St. Mary's College in Omaha.
The group began their time in Baggot Street with a reflective viewing of the story of Catherine McAuley's life: In God Alone. Sr. Máire Hearty, who facilitated the day, then led the group on a tour of the House, Sacred Garden and the newly opened interim Heritage Space. The participants were encouraged to allow their hearts to be touched as they moved through the day, noticing the call to transformation in their own lives. After a cup of tea and some good conversation about the morning's activities, the group had a workshop on Catherine and Leadership. They were encouraged to focus on Catherine's gospel vision of mercy and again to connect it with the reality of their own lives. Participants were inspired and energised hearing Catherine's story while being present in the First House of Mercy.
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Heritage & Spirituality
Mercy International Association announces the redevelopment of the heritage room at Catherine's House
Mercy International Association is delighted to announce the commencement of the design phase for the major redevelopment of the Heritage Room at Catherine’s House. The new heritage room will be completed by May 2024 to celebrate 30 years of Mercy International Association.
This innovative project will include a state of the art touchscreen where visitors can explore the history of Catherine’s House, its extensive archival database and listen to lively and engaging audio stories from Sisters past and present.
Commenting on the project the CEO of Mercy International Association Sr. Patricia O’ Donovan said: “This is a very important project for Mercy International Association. The new Heritage Room will combine expert design and technology to offer a unique heritage experience where visitors can engage with fascinating stories and artefacts from Catherine’s Houses and its remarkable history.”
Please click on the link below to view the brief video on the initial phase
Further Resources
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Worth Reading
Food for Education (FFE) Program
The Food for Education program is critical to providing a balanced diet to poor and needy school-going children which would in turn enable them to increase their attention span hence better academic achievement. One of the MELF fellows carried out research on the influence of FFE on needy children within Mukuru slums, Nairobi County, Kenya. This FFE program is one of many being carried out in conjunction with Mukuru Promotion Centre (MPC), Nairobi, Kenya. MPC works with the people of Mukuru Informal Settlements to enable their access to healthcare, education and social rehabilitation. Through its networks, the Sisters of Mercy are raising their voice and affirming their commitment to stand in solidarity with impoverished people in Mukuru
Mercy Mukuru Mukuru Feeding Programme)
Worth Watching
Celebration of Final Vows in Bermondsey, London
Dear Sisters & Associates,
It is with great joy that Sr. Patricia Bell and the Community in Bermondsey and the Leadership Team of the Institute of Our Lady of Mercy, invite you to join with us as Sr Nicole Keenan makes her Final Profession, on Friday 11 August at 11 am (GMT) in the Most Holy Trinity Church Dockhead, Bermondsey, London via the live - stream link which is attached below.
Nicole came to England from New Zealand in 2005. She was working in London and attended the local parish in Dockhead, where she will make her Final Profession. In 2015, Nicole received an email from her cousin in New Zealand asking if she wanted to learn more about her ancestors. In the course of that investigation Nicole made some amazing discoveries which started her on her journey to Mercy.
On 11th August 2023, Nicole will be making her Final Profession with the Institute of Our Lady of Mercy, in the parish where it all began.
In the coming weeks, let us keep Nicole and her family in prayer, as she prepares for this special day.
View Nicole's Final Profession Ceremony Read about Nicole's Journey to Mercy){kind=logo}
Worth Knowing
World Day Against Trafficking in Persons 2023
“The campaign for World Day Against Trafficking in Persons is held on July 30th each year. People trafficking and modern day slavery is a worldwide problem. The aim of the international day is to raise awareness of the global problem, to encourage vigilance in recognising trafficking of people and to gain support for its prevention.
The latest UNODC Global Report on Trafficking in Persons highlights the trends and “calls on governments, law enforcement, public services, and civil society to assess and enhance their efforts to strengthen prevention, identify and support victims, and end impunity”. (UN.org)
World Day against Trafficking in Persons 2023)
Mercy eNews
The online newsletter of Mercy International Association is published fortnightly, 24 weeks each year and distributed to subscribers via email.
For more information on the directors click here
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