Author: Diane Smyth

February Associates Newsletter is Now online

Posted on by Diane Smyth

“Kitty’s Chronicle” is a monthly newsletter distributed to all Mercy Associates. Each month the latest  issue is posted online in the Associates section of our website. The newsletter contains news and views, requests for prayers and material for reflection.

Download the February issue

Prayers for the Sick, Resources from the Wisdom Circles, Items of Interest, Important Dates,Key 2026 events in Newfoundland and Labrador,  Good News Stories, an archival moment and a delicious recipe for Dressed-Up Bacon Mac and Cheese, are among the many topics covered in our latest issue.

Visit the Associates section of our website to find out about Becoming an Associate and the Associate Program.

World Cancer Day – February 4

Posted on by Diane Smyth

World Cancer Day is celebrated each year on 4 February. The 2025-2027 campaign theme “United by Unique” places people at the centre of care and their stories at the heart of the conversation.

Cancer is more than just a medical diagnosis – it’s a deeply personal matter. Behind every diagnosis lies a unique human story – stories of grief, pain, healing, resilience, love and more. That’s why a people-centred approach to cancer care that fully integrates each individual’s unique needs, with compassion and empathy, leads to the best health outcomes.

Many of us have been touched in some way by cancer in members of our families, our communities, our ministries, our networks.

Let us each remember in our prayers in a special way today all who are living with cancer and remember in our memories those who are no longer among us.

Post your prayer in our sacred space.

El Día Mundial contra el Cáncer se celebra cada año el 4 de febrero. El tema de la campaña 2025-2027, «Unidos por lo único», sitúa a las personas en el centro de la atención y sus historias en el centro del debate.

El cáncer es más que un simple diagnóstico médico: es un asunto profundamente personal. Detrás de cada diagnóstico hay una historia humana única: historias de dolor, sufrimiento, curación, resiliencia, amor y mucho más. Por eso, un enfoque de la atención oncológica centrado en las personas, que integre plenamente las necesidades únicas de cada individuo, con compasión y empatía, conduce a los mejores resultados de salud.

Muchos de nosotros nos hemos visto afectados de alguna manera por el cáncer en miembros de nuestras familias, nuestras comunidades, nuestros ministerios, nuestras redes.

Recordemos hoy de manera especial en nuestras oraciones a todos los que viven con cáncer y recordemos en nuestros recuerdos a aquellos que ya no están entre nosotros.

Publica tu oración en nuestro espacio sagrado.

Remembering Sister Mary Antonio Egan, Founder

Posted on by Diane Smyth

February 1 is the anniversary of the death of Sister Mary Antonio Egan.  She was front and center in all the major events that shaped the new foundation on Newfoundland’s west coast in the first two decades of its history – the founding of St. Michael’s Convent on Sandy Point in  August of 1893, the move to St. George’s, the opening of  St. Michael’s Academy, the welcoming of the first resident students, the reception of new members into the community.

In 1917 on the death of Sister M. Joseph Kelly, who had been a member of the first General Council of the new congregation of the Sisters of Mercy of Newfoundland, Sister M. Antonio replaced her on the Council.

After 24 years on the west coast, she moved to St. Bride’s Convent in St. John’s to take up her new responsibilities, along with teaching duties at St. Bride’s College. She also served for one year as superior of St. Clare’s Working Home for Girls.

Sister Mary Antonio died on February 1, 1939, at the age of 87 years.

We are blessed to have had such a faith-filled, trusting and mission-focused woman as Sister Mary Antonio.  We thank God for her and for our many Mercy ancestors for the wonderful legacy of Mercy that we have inherited.

El 1 de febrero es el aniversario de la muerte de la hermana Mary Antonio Egan. Ella estuvo al frente y en el centro de todos los acontecimientos importantes que dieron forma a la nueva fundación en la costa oeste de Terranova durante las dos primeras décadas de su historia: la fundación del convento de San Miguel en Sandy Point en agosto de 1893, el traslado a San Jorge, la apertura de la Academia San Miguel, la bienvenida a las primeras alumnas residentes y la recepción de nuevos miembros en la comunidad.

En 1917, tras la muerte de la hermana M. Joseph Kelly, que había sido miembro del primer Consejo General de la nueva congregación de las Hermanas de la Misericordia de Terranova, la hermana M. Antonio la sustituyó en el Consejo.

Después de 24 años en la costa oeste, se trasladó al convento de St. Bride en St. John’s para asumir sus nuevas responsabilidades, junto con las tareas docentes en el St. Bride’s College. También fue durante un año superiora del Hogar de Trabajo para Niñas de Santa Clara.

La hermana Mary Antonio falleció el 1 de febrero de 1939, a la edad de 87 años.

Somos afortunados por haber tenido a una mujer tan llena de fe, confianza y centrada en la misión como la hermana Mary Antonio. Damos gracias a Dios por ella y por nuestros muchos antepasados de la Misericordia por el maravilloso legado de la Misericordia que hemos heredado.

Feast of St. Brigid – January 1

Posted on by Diane Smyth

Brigid of Kildare is the patron saint of healers, poets, artists, dairy workers and midwives. One of the three great patronal saints of Ireland, she is also known as a model of equality, an environmentalist and an icon of Christian womanhood.

Interest in Brigid rekindled in the 1990s, and in 2023 the Irish government proclaimed her feast day, February 1st as a national holiday.

Learn more about Brigid in this newly released video (21:28)

Brigid de Kildare es la santa patrona de los curanderos, poetas, artistas, trabajadores lácteos y comadronas. Es una de las tres grandes santas patronas de Irlanda y también es conocida como modelo de igualdad, ecologista e icono de la feminidad cristiana.

El interés por Brigid se reavivó en la década de 1990 y, en 2023, el Gobierno irlandés proclamó su festividad, el 1 de febrero, como fiesta nacional.

 

Year of St. Francis 2026-2027

Posted on by Diane Smyth

Pope Leo XIV has proclaimed a special Jubilee Year (10 January 2026 – 10 January 2027) coinciding with the 800th anniversary of the death of St Francis of Assisi.

This is a photo of a stained glass portrait of St. Francis.

While noting previous jubilee celebrations related to the works of St Francis – such as the eighth centenary commemorations of the first Nativity scene,  his composition of the “Canticle of the Creatures” and his receiving of the stigmata – the decree stated that “2026 will mark the culmination and fulfillment of all previous celebrations”, emphasising its significance.

Remarking that “Our time is not very different from that in which Francis lived and precisely in the light of this his teaching is perhaps even more valid  and understandable today”, Pope Leo continues “When Christian charity languishes, ignorance  spreads like immorality, and those who exalt concord among peoples do so more out of selfishness than out of a sincere Christian spirit; when the virtual  takes over the real, disagreements and social violence are part of everyday life  and peace becomes more insecure and distant every day, this Year of St. Francis  spurs all of us, each according to our possibilities, to imitate the poor man of Assisi, to form ourselves as far as possible on the model of Christ”…

  • Read the decree in full here

El papa León XIV ha proclamado un Año Jubilar especial (del 10 de enero de 2026 al 10 de enero de 2027) que coincide con el 800 aniversario de la muerte de San Francisco de Asís.

Si bien se han celebrado anteriormente jubileos relacionados con las obras de San Francisco, como las conmemoraciones del octavo centenario del primer belén, su composición del «Cántico de las criaturas» y la recepción de los estigmas, el decreto afirma que «2026 marcará la culminación y el cumplimiento de todas las celebraciones anteriores», subrayando su importancia.

Tras señalar que «nuestra época no es muy diferente de aquella en la que vivió Francisco y, precisamente a la luz de esto, su enseñanza es quizás aún más válida y comprensible hoy en día», el papa León continúa: «Cuando la caridad cristiana languidece, la ignorancia se extiende como la inmoralidad, y quienes exaltan la concordia entre los pueblos lo hacen más por egoísmo que por un sincero espíritu cristiano; cuando lo virtual se impone sobre lo real, los desacuerdos y la violencia social forman parte de la vida cotidiana y la paz se vuelve cada día más insegura y lejana, este Año de San Francisco nos impulsa a todos, cada uno según sus posibilidades, a imitar al pobre de Asís, a formarnos en la medida de lo posible según el modelo de Cristo»…

  • Lea el decreto completo aquí

Pray with Pope Leo

Posted on by Diane Smyth

Pray with the Pope is a global initiative of the Pope’s Worldwide Prayer Network 

With the first prayer intention of the year, Pope Leo XIV invites us to rediscover the transforming power of God’s Word, the Word in which “we find the light that guides our steps.”

Learn more about the process here

Rezar con el Papa es una iniciativa mundial de la Red Mundial de Oración del Papa.

Con la primera intención de oración del año, el papa León XIV nos invita a redescubrir el poder transformador de la Palabra de Dios, la Palabra en la que «encontramos la luz que guía nuestros pasos».

Reza con el Papa

Seeds of Mercy Retreat, September 5-7, 2025

Posted on by Diane Smyth

For the past five years an important part of our Mercy Associate ministry has been a yearly weekend Retreat which is held in September. We rent a house in a community which can accommodate eight to ten people. We use our private vehicles and travel as a group.

From 2021 to 2025 we have held our retreats in the following communities in Newfoundland and Labrador:

2021 –Woody Point

2022 –Herring Neck

2023 –West Bottom

2024 –Cox’s Cove

2025 –Tilting, Fogo Island

This year, September 2025, 8 (eight) of our associates attended the retreat (one associate came from Deer Lake and one from St. John’s). We arrived at the community of Farewell at 10:30 a.m. to catch the ferry to Fogo Island. It was a beautiful day, and we very much enjoyed the ferry ride. Upon arrival we went to the famous Fogo Island Inn, where we had scheduled a tour. We enjoyed the tour and our tour guide was wonderful. Associate Geraldine Drover then gave us a tour of the community of Tilting, which was her hometown. After settling at the B&B we rented, we enjoyed a relaxing meal. We had prepared all our meals beforehand. Then we had a delightful evening of fellowship after an adventurous and full day.

We began Saturday by gathering for brunch; and then prepared ourselves for the Spiritual Program that was to follow. The Retreat was facilitated by our Mercy Associate, Sarah Mercer. The chosen theme was “Mercy”. Discussion focused on how we can show mercy to others in our lives and how we can be instruments of mercy to our family, our parish and our community at large. Our afternoon retreat ended with attending Mass in the community of Joe Batt’s Arm. The choir and parish priest appreciated our participation with the singing. We certainly felt the presence of the Holy Spirit in our group.

God works in strange ways! In mingling with some parishioners after Mass, we discovered that the choir leader had roots in the community of Coachman’s Cove – which is a small community near our home, Baie Verte. She was related to one of our associates and they had never met. What a blessing! What a beautiful union it was! We believe this was one of God’s miracles to us!

Once back at the B&B, we enjoyed another lovely meal together. The evening brought laughter and relaxation. It was quite a day! Sunday morning was a flurry of activity as we headed home. Geraldine Drover was off to St. John’s, Anna Hoven to Deer Lake and the rest of us to Baie Verte.

It was a fantastic weekend of “God is Good”! We are already anxiously awaiting and planning next year’s retreat!  Amen!

Ellie Gavin, Group Facilitator

Seeds of Mercy, Associates

Baie Verte, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada

 

January Associates Newsletter is Now Online

Posted on by Diane Smyth

“Kitty’s Chronicle” is a monthly newsletter distributed to all Mercy Associates. Each month the latest  issue is posted online in the Associates section of our website. The newsletter contains news and views, requests for prayers and material for reflection.

Download the January issue

Prayers for the Sick, Resources from the Wisdom Circles, Items of Interest, Important Dates, Presentation Sisters 250th Anniversary celebrations, an archival moment and a delicious recipe for Cauliflower/Broccoli/Turkey casserole, are among the many topics covered in our latest issue.

Visit the Associates section of our website to find out about Becoming an Associate and the Associate Program.

Remembering Our Newfoundland Mercy Story 38:
Sister Mary Baptist Tarahan

Posted on by Diane Smyth

Anastasia Catherine Mary Tarahan was born in St. John’s on May 5, 1832, daughter of Mary and Thomas Tarahan. She was the first Newfoundlander and the first of the three Tarahan sisters to enter the Sisters of Mercy in Newfoundland. She had been denied admission by Bishop Fleming because of being “native born” but his successor, Bishop Mullock did not share his views regarding local vocations and willingly accepted Anastasia for the Sisters of Mercy. So, it was with great delight that the fledgling Mercy community of four sisters welcomed her on December 8, 1854.

Anastasia was received into the novitiate on July 2,1855 and given the name Sister Mary John Baptist. Sister M. Francis Creedon presided over the reception ceremony although she was very ill at the time. Her death two weeks later on July 15 left the four remaining young sisters – M. Vincent Nugent, M. Francis Xavier Bernard, M. Elizabeth Redmond and M. Baptist Tarahan – in a very precarious situation. A letter from the four was quickly sent to the superior at Baggot Street, informing her of Sister M. Francis’ death and pleading for help. In this letter the grief and desolation of the little community is almost palpable and their request for assistance is very clear: “to prevent a convent which promises to give such glory to God from failing, for want of a few nuns capable of governing it.” The letter can be found in the Archives of the Sisters of Mercy in Dublin, but as far as is known, it was never acknowledged and no sisters were sent from Ireland to help the situation.

The very day of Sister M. Baptist’s entrance on December 8, 1854, Immaculate Conception Orphanage was opened at Mercy Convent to take care of young girls whose parents had died during the frequent epidemics that afflicted St. John’s in the 1800s. Sister M. Baptist was undoubtedly involved in this ministry as well as in the school and in visitation of the sick in their homes.

Sister M. Baptist was professed on August 15, 1857. She spent the whole of her religious life at Mercy Convent and was assistant to Sister M. Francis Xavier Bernard at Mercy Convent for much of that time. She and Sister M. F. X. Bernard accompanied the founding community to Brigus in September of 1861.

Sister M. Baptist died on March 25,1867 just ten short years after her profession as a Sister of Mercy. She was 35 years of age. She is buried in Belvedere cemetery.

Anastasia Catherine Mary Tarahan nació en St. John’s el 5 de mayo de 1832, hija de Mary y Thomas Tarahan. Fue la primera habitante de Terranova y la primera de las tres hermanas Tarahan en ingresar en la Congregación de las Hermanas de la Misericordia en Terranova. El obispo Fleming le había denegado la admisión por ser «nativa», pero su sucesor, el obispo Mullock, no compartía su opinión sobre las vocaciones locales y aceptó de buen grado a Anastasia en las Hermanas de la Misericordia. Así, la incipiente comunidad de cuatro hermanas la acogió con gran alegría el 8 de diciembre de 1854.

Anastasia fue admitida en el noviciado el 2 de julio de 1855 y recibió el nombre de hermana Mary John Baptist. La hermana M. Francis Creedon presidió la ceremonia de recepción, aunque en ese momento estaba muy enferma. Su muerte dos semanas después, el 15 de julio, dejó a las cuatro jóvenes hermanas restantes —M. Vincent Nugent, M. Francis Xavier Bernard, M. Elizabeth Redmond y M. Baptist Tarahan— en una situación muy precaria. Las cuatro enviaron rápidamente una carta a la superiora de Baggot Street, informándole de la muerte de la hermana M. Francis y suplicándole ayuda. En esta carta, el dolor y la desolación de la pequeña comunidad son casi palpables y su petición de ayuda es muy clara: «evitar que un convento que promete dar tanta gloria a Dios fracase por falta de unas pocas monjas capaces de gobernarlo». La carta se encuentra en los archivos de las Hermanas de la Misericordia en Dublín, pero, por lo que se sabe, nunca se respondió a ella y no se envió a ninguna hermana desde Irlanda para ayudar en la situación.

El mismo día de la entrada de la hermana M. Baptist, el 8 de diciembre de 1854, se inauguró el Orfanato de la Inmaculada Concepción en el Convento de la Misericordia para cuidar de las niñas cuyos padres habían fallecido durante las frecuentes epidemias que asolaron St. John’s en el siglo XIX. Sin duda, la hermana M. Baptist participó en este ministerio, así como en la escuela y en las visitas a los enfermos en sus hogares.

La hermana M. Baptist profesó sus votos el 15 de agosto de 1857. Pasó toda su vida religiosa en el Convento de la Misericordia y fue asistente de la hermana M. Francis Xavier Bernard en el Convento de la Misericordia durante gran parte de ese tiempo. Ella y la hermana M. F. X. Bernard acompañaron a la comunidad fundadora a Brigus en septiembre de 1861.

La hermana M. Baptist falleció el 25 de marzo de 1867, solo diez años después de su profesión como hermana de la Misericordia.

Pope Leo: Peace is a Shared Responsibility

Posted on by Diane Smyth
In his Christmas Urbi et Orbi address, Pope Leo XIV renews his plea for peace dialogue, and responsibility, turning to those regions where violence and instability continue to claim innocent lives, reminding the world that it is both God’s gift and humanity’s shared responsibility.

Prayers for peace

The Pope prayed for “justice, peace, and stability for Lebanon, Palestine, Israel, and Syria,” and urged that the promise of peace rooted in righteousness be renewed. He appealed in a particular way for Ukraine, asking that “the clamor of weapons cease,” and that all those involved, with the support of the international community, find the courage to engage in “sincere, direct, and respectful dialogue.”

Remembering conflicts that risk being forgotten, Pope Leo XIV expressed closeness to the victims of war and violence in Sudan, South Sudan, Mali, Burkina Faso, and the Democratic Republic of Congo, as well as to all those who suffer as a result of injustice, political instability, religious persecution, and terrorism.

The Pope also prayed for Haiti, calling for an end to violence and progress along the path of peace and reconciliation. He also invoked peace for Myanmar, asking that the country be guided towards reconciliation and hope, especially for its younger generations. Turning to Latin America, he encouraged those with political responsibilities to give space to dialogue for the common good, rather than to ideological and partisan divisions.

The Pope also prayed for the restoration of the “ancient friendship” between Thailand and Cambodia, and entrusted to God the peoples of South Asia and Oceania, who have been severely affected by recent natural disasters, calling for renewed commitment to assisting those who suffer….

  • Read the complete address here
  • Post your prayer for peace in our sacred space here

En su discurso Urbi et Orbi de Navidad, el papa León XIV renueva su llamamiento al diálogo por la paz y a la responsabilidad, dirigiéndose a aquellas regiones donde la violencia y la inestabilidad siguen cobrándose vidas inocentes, y recordando al mundo que la paz es tanto un don de Dios como una responsabilidad compartida por la humanidad.

Oraciones por la paz

El Papa rezó por «la justicia, la paz y la estabilidad para Líbano, Palestina, Israel y Siria», e instó a que se renovara la promesa de paz basada en la justicia. Hizo un llamamiento especial por Ucrania, pidiendo que «cese el estruendo de las armas» y que todas las partes implicadas, con el apoyo de la comunidad internacional, encuentren el valor para entablar un «diálogo sincero, directo y respetuoso».

Recordando los conflictos que corren el riesgo de caer en el olvido, el papa León XIV expresó su cercanía a las víctimas de la guerra y la violencia en Sudán, Sudán del Sur, Malí, Burkina Faso y la República Democrática del Congo, así como a todos aquellos que sufren como consecuencia de la injusticia, la inestabilidad política, la persecución religiosa y el terrorismo.

El Papa también rezó por Haití, pidiendo el fin de la violencia y el avance por el camino de la paz y la reconciliación. También invocó la paz para Myanmar, pidiendo que el país sea guiado hacia la reconciliación y la esperanza, especialmente para sus generaciones más jóvenes. En cuanto a América Latina, animó a los responsables políticos a dar espacio al diálogo por el bien común, en lugar de a las divisiones ideológicas y partidistas.

El Papa también rezó por el restablecimiento de la «antigua amistad» entre Tailandia y Camboya, y encomendó a Dios a los pueblos del sur de Asia y Oceanía, que se han visto gravemente afectados por las recientes catástrofes naturales, pidiendo un compromiso renovado para ayudar a quienes sufren…

  • Lea el discurso completo aquí
  • Publique su oración por la paz en nuestro espacio sagrado aquí