Young Mercy Leaders' Pilgrimage to Dublin
We were delighted to welcome more than 50 young people and chaperones to Catherine's House in Dublin during the last week of July for the Young Mercy Leaders' Pilgrimage 2024. The students from Mercy Universities across the USA got to hear several inputs from our guest speakers. They also got to experience the Walking Tour of Catherine's Dublin and to take part in a traditional Irish Ceili.
Mercy In Action
Mercy Global Action
MELF Cohort Three in Dublin to present their research
Mercy Global Action
MELF Cohort Three in Dublin to present their research
The third and final overseas immersion of Cohort Three of the MGA Emerging Leaders took place in Dublin in July.
The Fellows had the pleasure of staying at Catherine’s House, now Mercy International Centre, the first house of Mercy built by Catherine McAuley to address the needs of Dublin’s poor.
Upon their arrival, the Fellows enjoyed a historical tour of the house, led by Sr. Margaret Daly, as well as a day trip to the beautiful landscape of Glendalough, an early monastic settlement founded by St Kevin in the 6th century.
The Fellows attended a mesmerising Riverdance performance, enjoyed many traditional Irish meals together, visited Irish development organisation, VITA, and listened to an insightful presentation about Catherine McAuley's leadership style by Sr. Patricia O' Donovan, CEO of MIA. They also made a trip to Coolock House, where Catherine McAuley experienced a formative period of her life, living with and caring for the Callaghan family for over twenty years.
The Fellows also presented their research projects on Mercy justice issues, developed over the course of the 12-month program. These presentations, as well as the Fellows’ reports and resources, are now available for viewing on the MIA website!
We invite the Mercy World to dig into these rich presentations and put the Fellows’ hard work into action in your communities.
Mercy Global Action
Sending good wishes to MELF Cohort 4 as they head to Cambodia
Mercy Global Action
Sending good wishes to MELF Cohort 4 as they head to Cambodia
We send our good wishes to our MELF Programme Fellows for the first of their three international engagements and encounters.
The group will be going to Siam Reap, Cambodia from 16 - 25 September for their induction and a retreat at the Metta Karuna Reflection Centre.
We send our prayers and blessings with them as they go. We will hopefully have pictures and details from their experience in the September issue of Mercy eNews.
The ten women who form the fourth cohort of the Mercy Global Action Emerging Leaders Fellowship (MELF) 2024-25 are as follows:
- Charlotte Cummings from New Zealand
- Jewellyn Enemecio from the Philippines
- Mai Nguyen Doan from Australia
- Elizabeth Blom from Australia
- Sarah Terry from South Africa
- Fozia Gulab from Pakistan
- McKenna Smith from the United States
- Luciah Njogu from Kenya
- Jessica Marshall from Australia
- Teresa Vaughan from New Zealand
You can read more about them on our website.
A Small Breath of Hope
A Small Breath of Hope
This is Esther. She is the 9th of 10 children in her family born into the poverty of rural Haiti. She’s a Mercy Beyond Borders High School Scholar. On a good day, her family eats one hot meal of rice, but sometimes they must make do with a little bread.
Despite the poverty and hunger, the threats of gang violence, the need to live apart from family, and the extra work required of her, Esther ranks 1st in her high school class and hopes to earn a university scholarship.
Read more about Esther's story and other stories of hope on the the Mercy Beyond Borders website.
Mercy Matters
Fact
On This Day
August 29
1882
Convent opened in Boorowa, New South Wales from Goulburn.
1983
Foundation to Kipkelion, Ireland from Kerry Union.
Mercy
Mercy Day 2024
Lots happening for Mercy Day 2024
Mercy Day 2024 will be celebrated on Tuesday 24 September.
We will have Mass from Catherine's House and there's a wonderful new poem from Mary Wickham RSM written especially for the day.
CEO Recruitment
Seeking candidates for the position of CEO of Mercy International Association
At the request of the Board of Directors, Sister Patricia O'Donovan, current CEO of Mercy International Association, is assuming leadership for Opening Doors - a worldwide project to imagine a new future for Mercy.
The Association is now seeking candidates for the position of CEO. MIA operates from offices located at Mercy International Centre in Dublin. The successful candidate will be offered a renewable term of three years.
To receive a copy of the role description or to seek more information, please contact Sister Sheila Carney, Board chair - sheilacarneyrsm@gmail.com.
Applications will be accepted until Tuesday, 1 October 2024 with interviews taking place on Friday 8 and Saturday 9 November 2024
Heritage
Mercy Heritage on view for Culture Night 2024
Mercy Heritage will be on show on Culture Night on Friday 20 September.
On September 20 the doors of Catherine’s House on Baggot Street in Dublin will be open from 4.00pm until 8.00pm for guided tours, an opportunity to view the heritage centre and our exhibition entitled Catherine McAuley and the Mission of Mercy. We will also have an organ recital on our beautiful Telford Organ in our chapel with thanks to some of the students from the Royal Academy of Music.
Education
Mercy Education Board of the Americas welcomed to Dublin
We were delighted to welcome the Mercy Education Board of the Americas to Mercy International Association in Dublin last week. They were with us for their Board Meeting and to have the opportunity for some reflective time in Catherine’s House.
The group were able to take some time out from their meetings to visit the Heritage Centre and to complete the Walking Tour of Catherine’s Dublin. Avril and Sister Phil also gave them a demonstration in scone making.
It is always wonderful for us to be able to open our doors and offer hospitality to Mercy Groups from across the world.
Education
Mercy by the Sea Spring Sabbatical
Mercy by the Sea has announced a Spring Sabbatical for women religious that will take place from 16 March to 4 May 2025 in Madison, CT.
This will be a time of rest, prayer and reflection, solitude, and community with sisters from various places and religious communities.
The Sabbatical will be limited to 10 persons who will enjoy the beauty of being on Long Island.
Registration will open in September.
Further Resources
Worth Reading
Mercy Moment
We have introduced a new Mercy Moment each day on our Instagram and Facebook pages. The reflection is offered in image format and is a quote about mercy. They are well worth taking a moment to pause and read - a little #mercymoment each morning.
ReadWorth Reading
Sister Ann Mc Kenna's link to Simone Biles
Read this wonderful article by Mark Patinkin of the Providence Journal about the link between Sister Ann Mc Kenna and Olympian Simone Biles.
ReadWorth Watching
Season of Creation Prayer Service
The Season of Creation begins on 1 September and runs until 4 October, the Feast of Saint Francis of Assisi. A worldwide prayer service will take place live online on 1 September. You can watch it from wherever you are in the world.
Watch live on 1 SeptemberWorth Reading
The Economics of Mercy
Sr Mary Wickham shares a beautiful new poem with us for sharing ahead of Mercy Day 2024 on Tuesday 24 September, entitled 'The Economics of Mercy'.
ReadMercy eNews
The newsletter of Mercy International Association is published monthly and distributed to subscribers via email. If you have any queries about the newsletter, please contact mercyenews@mercyinternational.ie
For more information on the directors click here