)
)
)
MELF Cohort Five announced on International Women's Day
)
We were delighted to announce the details of Cohort Five of the Mercy Global Action Emerging Leaders Fellowship (MELF) to mark International Women's Day on 8th March.
Cohort Five are: Angela Howard-McParland and Tatiana Díaz (USA); Sr. Aura Matalines rsm and Floravel Ambas (Philippines); Josie Ruawhare and Kilisitina (Tina) Vaeatangitua rsm (New Zealand); Sr. Mary Kanyi rsm (Kenya); Pamela McLoughlin and Siobhán Kenny (Ireland); and Saska Sertimer (Guyana).
MELF seeks to build upon the capacities of women and provide effective tools to be agents of change in their own communities and in the greater society.
Click on the link to meet Cohort Five and find out more about what their programme entails.
Mercy In Action
)
MELF Cohort Four at UN CSW69 in New York
MELF Cohort Four at UN CSW69 in New York
The sixty-ninth session of the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW69) took place at the United Nations Headquarters in New York from 10 to 21 March. Cohort Four of the Mercy Emerging Leaders Fellows were in New York in attendance at CSW69 as part of their second immersion experience and they have shared some of their observations and impressions of the event.
)
Mercy Global Action
Expressions of interest open for MGA's World Social Summit Task Force
Mercy Global Action
Expressions of interest open for MGA's World Social Summit Task Force
Expressions of Interest are open for the upcoming Mercy Global Action World Social Summit Task Force, to commence in late April/early May 2025. The Task Force will focus on issues relating to poverty eradication, decent work and social inclusion, ahead of the Second World Summit for Social Development in November.
)
Our Priority Justice Issues for 2025
Our Priority Justice Issues for 2025
This year, we will continue to focus on our priority justice issues: Water, Migration, and Women’s Leadership. We look forward to advancing the Mercy Water Justice Coalition and launching two new Task Forces in preparation for the greatly anticipated Second World Summit for Social Development and COP30 in November. Read the latest MGA Newsletter and subscribe to keep up to date.
)
MELF Cohort Four fellows present updates on their research projects
MELF Cohort Four fellows present updates on their research projects
The women of Cohort 4 of the Mercy Global Action Emerging Leaders Fellowship have been giving updates and receiving feedback on their research projects this week in New York. The individual research project is one of the core components of the MELF programme. Each Fellow has chosen a pertinent justice issue related to the Degradation of Earth and/or the Displacement of Peoples.
Mercy Matters
)
Fact
On This Day
27 March 1922
Amalgamation of New Mexico/Arizona, San Diego, Los Angeles and San Francisco to form Burlingame community.
29 March 1883
Death of Mother Vincent Haire, Foundress of Brooklyn.
30 March 1956
Foundation to Nairobi from Dublin - Mother Imelda Collins.
)
Heritage
Marking the 35th anniversary of Catherine McAuley being declared Venerable
Wednesday 9th April 2025 will mark the 35th anniversary of Catherine McAuley being declared Venerable. We will be sharing a prayer service from Mercy International Centre to mark the occasion which will be available to all in advance of the day. We will also be sharing a video update from Sr. Brenda Dolphin rsm, Postulator for the Cause of Canonisation on where the process is at.
)
Heritage
Preservica - two more offerings from the work of Clare Augustine Moore
From 9th April (to coincide with the 35th anniversary of Catherine being declared Venerable) we will be adding more offerings from Clare Augustine Moore to our Preservica Heritage Portal. Clare Augustine’s artwork is utterly amazing and we will be inviting you to look at the images from two perspectives, namely from a reflective stance and from an art appreciation stance. We will offer prompts to facilitate this.
)
Opening Doors Update for March
Opening Doors is part of our response to the challenges facing Mercy today. After wide-ranging consultation, five themes emerged as significant to our Mercy companions: Action for Justice, Communications, Formation, Structures and Youth Engagement.
We share an update with you on the work of the various Advisory Groups and Committees as well as some of the visitors we had to MIC in March.
)
Heritage
Staff from St. Anthony's Girls' Catholic Academy visit MIC
We welcomed a wonderful group of staff from St. Anthony's Girls' Catholic Academy in Sunderland, England to Mercy International Centre in March. The group spent the day with us and had the opportunity to experience our rich heritage and something of the life and ministry of Catherine McAuley. They have shared their experience in this article.
)
Communications
Sr. Berneice Loch features on Episode Two of Mercy Echoes Podcast
Our guest on Episode Two of our Mercy Echoes Podcast is Sr. Berneice Loch rsm from Australia. She joined the Sisters of Mercy in Rockhampton in 1964 and is a former CEO of MIA. She talks about her life and ministry and reflects on the importance of kindness and hope in our world.
Further Resources
)
Worth Reading
Mercy Moment
We invite you to check out our #MercyMoment which is a pause for thought we share each day on our Instagram and Facebook pages.
Read){kind=logo}
Worth Reading
Prayer for the Pilgrimage to the Holy Door
The Jubilee Year continues apace with lots more events taking place during March and coming up in April. This is a good prayer resource if you are heading to Rome or leading a group there during the year. It is the official prayers for the pilgrimage to the Holy Door.
Read)
Worth Reading
Pittsburgh Mercy Sisters feature in oral history project
Mercy Sisters Sheila Carney and Patricia McCann featured in an oral history project with SLB Radio which prominently mentions Catherine McAuley. The project, underwritten in part by a grant from McAuley Ministries, is a great example of engaging young people in preserving these important stories.
Pic credit: SLB Radio
Read)
Worth Watching
Nightingale’s Nuns And The Crimean War
The English Catholic History Association recently hosted a Zoom talk about the Sisters of Mercy who went to the Crimea with Mother M. Francis Bridgeman in 1855. Fr Terry Tastard speaks about the daily realities faced by the nuns who nursed with Florence Nightingale in the Crimean War.
Watch)
Worth Reading
Lenten Reflections from the Sisters of Mercy of the Americas
During this sacred season of Lent, we are invited to deepen our faith and prepare our hearts for the joy of Easter. Through these daily scripture reflections written by Sisters of Mercy of the Americas and Mercy Associates, you are invited to discover the grace and strength to walk with Christ in his suffering so that we may rejoice in his resurrection.
The reflections are available in English and Spanish.
Read)
Worth Reading
A Merciful and Compassionate Presence
As she packs her bags to return to Central Queensland from Brisbane, Sister Carolyn Hunt has reflected on her time journeying with sisters concerning their health and wellbeing. This interview was conducted by John Rochester, Communications Manager, ISMAPNG.
Pic shows: Sister Carolyn (left) and Maryanne Hargraves
Read)
Worth Knowing
Young Mercy Leaders' Pilgrimage 2025
The closing date for receipt of all applications for the Mercy International Association Young Mercy Leaders' Pilgrimage 2025 has been announced as Wednesday 30 April. Our gathering this year will focus on secondary school (high school) students and will take place from 1st to 4th of July.
Knowing)
Worth Reading
Lent 2025 reflection series from MIA
We continue to share reflections each week for Lent from our MELF Fellows. The reflections are speaking to the interlocking themes of Mercy, Justice and Hope and are available on our website and on our social media pages.
Read)
Mercy 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
)