Author: Diane Smyth

Jubilee 2025

Posted on by Diane Smyth

Preparations are underway in Rome for the celebration of the year of Jubilee on October 8-9, 2025. This is an event that ordinarily occurs every 25 years, the last one being in 2000. Pope Francis also called an extraordinary Jubilee year in 2015, the Year of Mercy.

In his Sunday Angelus address of January 21, 2024, the Pope designated 2024 as a special year of prayer in preparation for the upcoming Jubilee.
The theme of Jubilee 2025 – Pilgrims of Hope – is intended to offer hope to a broken world, suffering the impacts of war and violence, widespread displacement of people, a climate emergency, the ongoing effects of the Covid19 pandemic and a host of other critical problems.

Millions of pilgrims are expected to converge on Rome for this special Jubilee celebration.
Further information on the Jubilee year can be found on its official website

En Roma se están llevando a cabo los preparativos para la celebración del año jubilar los días 8 y 9 de octubre de 2025. Se trata de un acontecimiento que se produce ordinariamente cada 25 años, siendo el último en el año 2000. El Papa Francisco también convocó un año jubilar extraordinario en 2015, el Año de la Misericordia.

En su discurso dominical del Ángelus del 21 de enero de 2024, el Papa designó 2024 como un año especial de oración en preparación para el próximo Jubileo.
El tema del Jubileo 2025 -Peregrinos de la esperanza- pretende ofrecer esperanza a un mundo roto, que sufre los impactos de la guerra y la violencia, el desplazamiento generalizado de personas, una emergencia climática, los efectos actuales de la pandemia Covid19 y una serie de otros problemas críticos.

Se espera que millones de peregrinos acudan a Roma para esta celebración especial del Jubileo.
Encontrará más información sobre el año jubilar en su sitio web oficial

Solidarity Sunday – March 17

Posted on by Diane Smyth

This coming Sunday, the 5th Sunday of Lent, is designated as Solidarity Sunday, a day that Catholic communities in Canada unite and collect funds to support the work of Development and Peace – Caritas Canada.

It is, in effect, our faith communities’ way of being in solidarity with those who are actively working for peace and justice around our world.

Solidarity Sunday also gives all of us an opportunity to stand in solidarity with all of humanity who hold the same dream for justice, peace and freedom.

Let us pray for all involved in Development and Peace- Caritas Canada and for all those they help through their community-building efforts and their promotion of sound economic and social development projects.

El próximo domingo, 5º domingo de Cuaresma, se celebra el Domingo de la Solidaridad, día en que las comunidades católicas de Canadá se unen y recaudan fondos para apoyar la labor de Desarrollo y Paz – Caritas Canadá.

Es, en efecto, la manera en que nuestras comunidades religiosas se solidarizan con quienes trabajan activamente por la paz y la justicia en todo el mundo.

El Domingo de la Solidaridad también nos brinda a todos la oportunidad de solidarizarnos con toda la humanidad que tiene el mismo sueño de justicia, paz y libertad.

Recemos por todos los implicados en Desarrollo y Paz – Caritas Canadá y por todos aquellos a los que ayudan a través de sus esfuerzos de construcción comunitaria y su promoción de sólidos proyectos de desarrollo económico y social.

St Patrick’s Day Greetings

Posted on by Diane Smyth

On this St. Patrick’s Day, we send greetings to Irish Sisters of Mercy, Associates, Partners in Ministry and Friends of Mercy all over the world and to all Sisters of Mercy and the extended Mercy Family, who can claim Celtic roots through our foundress, Catherine McAuley.

About St. Patrick

Little is known about the life of St. Patrick. Even his birthplace is uncertain, some sources placing it in England, others in Scotland or Wales. According to his autobiographical Confessio, he was taken from his home and sold into slavery in Ireland, where he worked as a shepherd. Patrick himself said that he first truly discovered God was with him during this lonely and difficult time. After six years he escaped, returned to his family, became a cleric and came back to Ireland to spread the Christian faith. Known as the “Apostle of Ireland,” he was never canonized by the Church but was declared a saint by popular acclaim. On March 17, the presumed day of his death, he is remembered and honoured all over the world. We invoke his intercession today for all Christians, especially for missionaries and for those who are facing persecution for their faith.

En este Día de San Patricio, enviamos saludos a las Hermanas de la Misericordia irlandesas, Asociados, Colaboradores en el Ministerio y Amigos de la Misericordia en todo el mundo y a todas las Hermanas de la Misericordia y la Familia de la Misericordia ampliada, que pueden reclamar raíces celtas a través de nuestra fundadora, Catalina McAuley.

Sobre San Patricio

Poco se sabe de la vida de San Patricio. Incluso su lugar de nacimiento es incierto: algunas fuentes lo sitúan en Inglaterra, otras en Escocia o Gales. Según su Confessio autobiográfica, fue sacado de su casa y vendido como esclavo en Irlanda, donde trabajó como pastor. El propio Patricio dijo que descubrió por primera vez que Dios estaba con él durante esta época solitaria y difícil. Al cabo de seis años escapó, volvió con su familia, se hizo clérigo y regresó a Irlanda para difundir la fe cristiana. Conocido como el “Apóstol de Irlanda”, nunca fue canonizado por la Iglesia, pero fue declarado santo por aclamación popular. El 17 de marzo, presunto día de su muerte, se le recuerda y honra en todo el mundo. Invocamos hoy su intercesión por todos los cristianos, especialmente por los misioneros y por quienes sufren persecución a causa de su fe.

New Ministry for Sister Rosali

Posted on by Diane Smyth

Our Sisters are now living in Huarmey, in the Ancash region, further north in Puerto Eten, Chiclayo region and further north in Chulucanas, Piura region. Chulucanas is a town in Piura Region, Peru. It lies in the Piura Valley just north of the confluence of the Charanal River with the Piura River. Chulucanas is the administrative seat for both Chulucanas District and Morropón Province. The town is famous for its pottery. 

Sr Rosalie with two of her students

Sr. Rosali has moved to Chulucanas where she has begun to teach a class of twenty three-year-old children.

School opened on March 1 and classes began on March 11. Rosali was welcomed to live with a community of Sisters of Mercy who are members of the Carribbean, Central and South American unit of the Sisters of Mercy of the Americas.

We thank the Sisters of Mercy with whom Rosali is living and who welcomed her into their community.  We thank them for their loving support and encouragement.

We support and encourage Rosali in these many changes in her life. Rosali has taken on living in a new house of Mercy (she does know the Sisters of Mercy she is living with) in a new location at a distance from all that she is familiar with. Each day she must travel twenty minutes or more to get to the school using two moto-taxis. Her teaching position is in a poor school with twenty little ones in her class. She will have a teacher assistant to support her.

We keep Rosali in our prayer and in our hearts as she takes on these new and demanding challenges. She has so much to give to her new community and to the little ones in her class.  We look forward to hearing wonderful stories of their growth and achievement.

 

 

View of the school
First day at school
Classrooms
School from a distance

Nuestras Hermanas viven ahora en Huarmey, en la región Ancash, más al norte en Puerto Eten, región Chiclayo y más al norte en Chulucanas, región Piura.Chulucanas es una ciudad de la región de Piura, Perú. Se encuentra en el valle de Piura, al norte de la confluencia del río Charanal con el río Piura. Chulucanas es la sede administrativa del distrito de Chulucanas y de la provincia de Morropón. La ciudad es famosa por su alfarería.

Dónde viven nuestras Hermanas en Perú
Where our Sisters live in Peru

La Hna. Rosali se ha trasladado a Chulucanas, donde ha empezado a dar clase a una clase de veinte niños de tres años.

La escuela abrió el 1 de marzo y las clases empezaron el 11 de marzo. Sor Rosali fue acogida para vivir con una comunidad de Hermanas de la Misericordia que son miembros de la unidad del Caribe, Centro y Sudamérica de las Hermanas de la Misericordia de las Américas.

Agradecemos a las Hermanas de la Misericordia con quienes Rosali está viviendo y que la acogieron en su comunidad. Les agradecemos por su amoroso apoyo y aliento.

Apoyamos y animamos a Rosali en estos muchos cambios en su vida. Rosali ha asumido vivir en una nueva casa de la Misericordia (conoce a las Hermanas de la Misericordia con las que vive) en un nuevo lugar a una distancia de todo lo que le es familiar. Cada día debe viajar veinte minutos o más para llegar a la escuela utilizando dos moto-taxis. Su puesto de profesora es en una escuela pobre con veinte pequeños en su clase. Tendrá una ayudante que la apoye.

Mantenemos a Rosali en nuestras oraciones y en nuestros corazones mientras asume estos nuevos y exigentes retos. Tiene mucho que dar a su nueva comunidad y a los pequeños de su clase. Esperamos escuchar historias maravillosas de su crecimiento y logros.  

Looking to the Stars at Mercy Centre for Ecology and Justice

Posted on by Diane Smyth
Sr Mary Tee and with other avid star-gazers

The night was perfect: it was a clear, crisp and “stellar” evening in St. John’s! The atmosphere was perfectly still and just right for star-gazing.

The CBC weatherman told viewers that it was a perfect night to see the stars and dotted his weather map with them.

Members of the St. John’s Centre Royal Astronomical Society set up their telescopes and high-powered binoculars to view the moon and stars and other treasures of our expansive universe. Adults and children gathered in the garden of the Mercy Centre for Ecology and Justice on Mount Scio Road at 6:00 p.m., waiting patiently as the scientists set up their delicate, yet powerful instruments.

Craters and mountains on the moon were quite visible – yet, no one saw the man-in-the moon! Other planets and constellations of stars could easily be seen. Even the space station came into view.

Looking to the stars

Stargazers appreciated the effort of the Astronomical Society to provide this special opportunity.

Deep appreciation to Sister Mary Tee, Coordinator of the Mercy Centre for Ecology and Justice, and her committee for making this possible. We hope to have another opportunity to look to the stars.

Growing Food to Share at Mercy Centre

Posted on by Diane Smyth

If you cut across the diameter of an apple you will see a five- pointed star at its centre. Many of the blossoms that turn into the vegetables and fruits that we eat are also shaped like five pointed stars. To the Mercy Centre for Ecology & Justice, the five pointed star is a symbol that we are all connected in a reciprocal relationship with nature and the universe.

Produce harvested from the MCEJ Garden

The mission of the  Mercy Centre for Ecology & Justice is to promote the interconnectedness and interrelatedness of all creation and to live in a spirituality flowing out of the sacredness of all creation.

From its beginnings in 2003, the Mercy Centre quickly identified a need to connect low-income families in the St. John’s area with fresh, healthy locally grown produce. Organizers also saw the opportunity to engage youth in growing food. The result has been a six year community gardening initiative that is still thriving today. Mercy Centre organizers see physical connection with the land as a practical expression of their mission.

“The first purpose was to engage youth in organic gardening so that they could learn the skills of gardening; skills that were traditionally known to their elders but were being lost”, reflects Sister Mary Tee, coordinator of the Mercy Centre for Ecology & Justice. “The second purpose then was to engage youth so that they could experience what it means to be a contributing member of the larger community and help feed those in need. The third purpose was to offer a healthy respect and appreciation for the land so that youth could see themselves as part of all creation and all creation as part of them; and then with such awareness of the mysteries and miracle of life in a tiny seed, a greater wisdom and consciousness could be found.”

Over the years thousands of pounds of fresh food have been donated to food banks and meal programs by the Mercy Centre’s gardeners. This was made possible by the generous support of several farmers in the area who shared their acreage and contributed their expertise.  From 2003 – 2009, prior to the Mercy Centre establishing its current home on Mount Scio Road, garden land was donated by farmers Colin Lester, Hector Williams, Robert Walsh, and the Searl Family.

Starting in 2006 the Mercy Centre began partnering with the Association for New Canadians (ANC) to provide access to land to participants in the Association’s language training program, many of whom were new residents to Canada who brought with them a wealth of knowledge on food production. That relationship continues today and ANC participants often visit to tend their plants, harvest fresh food for their families, and participate in events like presentations and workshops on food security and food skills given by the Food Security Network(FSN). In 2012 a new initiative was started called Growing Health, a partnership with Nature NL to connect consumers of mental health services with gardening at the Mercy Centre, based on the belief that working in and with nature does wonders for the mind, body, and soul. Through the project dozens of new visitors have experienced what the Mercy Centre has to offer.  A new greenhouse and composting toilet were added in 2012.

The Mercy Centre for Ecology & Justice offers other impactful programs beyond the garden, including public education on the New Universe Story, a three-week nature-based summer camp for children, an annual fair trade Ten Thousand Villages Sale, and a youth choir that addresses social justice issues called Music and Song to Right the Wrongs. To support all of that amazing work, the Mercy Centre for Ecology and Justice formed its first Board of Directors in 2012.

Article courtesy of the Food Sharing Network

It’s Irish Heritage Month!

Posted on by Diane Smyth

In 1922 the House of Commons designated March as Irish Heritage Month.  The intent of this designation is to celebrate Irish Canadians’ contributions to Canada’s story and to provide an opportunity to learn more about Irish Canadian history. If you’re Irish, this is your month to celebrate!

In her message marking Irish Heritage Month Minister Khera said ” This month, let’s reflect on the resilience, creativity and spirit of the Irish diaspora.”

On our website we tell the stories of  60 Sisters of Mercy who left Ireland  between 1842  and 1907 , all aged between sixteen and twenty years, to minister with the people of Newfoundland and of the works of mercy carried out by the Sisters of Mercy of Newfoundland celebrating their
continued contributions to our country.

Watch Minister Khera’s message

En 1922, la Cámara de los Comunes designó marzo Mes de la Herencia Irlandesa. El objetivo de esta designación es celebrar la contribución de los irlandeses canadienses a la historia de Canadá y ofrecer la oportunidad de aprender más sobre la historia irlandesa canadiense. Si eres irlandés, ¡este es tu mes para celebrarlo!

En su mensaje con motivo del Mes de la Herencia Irlandesa, la ministra Khera dijo: “Este mes, reflexionemos sobre la resistencia, la creatividad y el espíritu de la diáspora irlandesa”.

En nuestra página web contamos las historias de 60 Hermanas de la Misericordia que dejaron Irlanda entre 1842 y 1907 , todas con edades comprendidas entre los dieciséis y los veinte años, para ejercer su ministerio con la gente de Terranova y de las obras de misericordia llevadas a cabo por las Hermanas de la Misericordia de Terranova celebrando sus continuas contribuciones a nuestro país.

Traducción realizada con la versión gratuita del traductor DeepL.com

International Women’s Day

Posted on by Diane Smyth

March 8, International Women’s Day, is a global day celebrating the social, cultural, economic and political achievements of women.  It also issues a call to action for the acceleration of greater parity in our world.

The theme of this year’s International Women’s Day is Inspire Inclusion.  This is very much in sync with the thrust of our second Chapter direction, “welcoming diversity and inclusion in creation, and in community and ministry.”

Let us be open to carry forward the theme and intent of this day.

 

 

El 8 de marzo, Día Internacional de la Mujer, es una jornada mundial que celebra los logros sociales, culturales, económicos y políticos de las mujeres. También hace un llamamiento a la acción para acelerar una mayor paridad en nuestro mundo.

El tema del Día Internacional de la Mujer de este año es Inspirar inclusión. Esto está muy en sintonía con el impulso de la dirección de nuestro segundo Capítulo, “acoger la diversidad y la inclusión en la creación, y en la comunidad y el ministerio”.

Estemos abiertos a llevar adelante el tema y la intención de este día.

 

The Sisters of Mercy Latin America and Caribbean Conference

Posted on by Diane Smyth

The Latin America and Caribbean Conference (Sisters of Mercy) was held virtually on February 23 and 24 with participation by  over thirty five sisters from  various Central and South American communities.  The Leadership Team of the Sisters of Mercy from St. John’s, Newfoundland also participated.

The thrust of the group was centered in the theme of the Synodal of Walking together as Mercy: Listening and discerning in the Holy Spirit.  Emphasis was on inclusion and openness – the Synodal journey is for the whole people of God.  “Through Baptism we are all responsible for the mission of the Church.  There is space for all and each has a part of the truth.  In the past a synod was seen as an antidote for when life in the church grew static and  needed to be shaken up.  In the third millennium synod  the Church is being called to conversion- conversion of mind, heart and attitude which can lead to change in political, social and religious structures.”  Understandings of “ power” also have influence and cause change in  how one behaves in relationship to the other: power against, power within, power without, power over, power with, power for, power to . . . to care, to support, to accompany.

Participants were invited to reflect and to share in a small group on their experience of a situation in Church that was not synodal and also on a situation in the Church that was synodal.  Participants also shared their experience and the situation in their country or area.  The sessions had time of prayer, reflection and sharing as well as artistic expression and body movement that energized.

Congratulations to the organizing committee of LACC 2024.  The next conference will be in 2027 in Peru.

La Conferencia de América Latina y el Caribe (Hermanas de la Misericordia) se celebró virtualmente los días 23 y 24 de febrero con la participación de más de treinta y cinco hermanas de varias comunidades de América Central y del Sur.  También participó el Equipo de Liderazgo de las Hermanas de la Misericordia de St. John’s, Terranova.

El impulso del grupo se centró en el tema del Sínodo de Caminar juntas como Misericordia: Escuchar y discernir en el Espíritu Santo.  Se hizo hincapié en la inclusión y la apertura: el camino sinodal es para todo el pueblo de Dios.  “Por el Bautismo todos somos responsables de la misión de la Iglesia.  Hay espacio para todos y cada uno tiene una parte de la verdad.  En el pasado, un sínodo era visto como un antídoto para cuando la vida en la Iglesia se volvía estática y necesitaba ser sacudida.  En el sínodo del tercer milenio, la Iglesia está llamada a la conversión – conversión de mente, corazón y actitud que puede llevar al cambio de las estructuras políticas, sociales y religiosas”.  La comprensión del “poder” también influye y provoca cambios en la forma de comportarse en relación con los demás: poder contra, poder dentro, poder fuera, poder sobre, poder con, poder para, poder para… cuidar, apoyar, acompañar.

Se invitó a los participantes a reflexionar y compartir en un pequeño grupo su experiencia sobre una situación en la Iglesia que no era sinodal y también sobre una situación en la Iglesia que sí lo era.  Los participantes también compartieron su experiencia y la situación en su país o zona.  Las sesiones tuvieron tiempo para la oración, la reflexión y el intercambio, así como para la expresión artística y el movimiento corporal que energizaron.

Felicitaciones al comité organizador de LACC 2024.  La próxima conferencia será en 2027 en Perú.

Prison Ministry-Sister Margie Taylor

Posted on by Diane Smyth

Sister Margie Taylor relates a few of her recent experiences with some whom she has accompanied.

“Sister Margie, a woman’s got to do what a woman’s got to do to survive.”   With these words, a woman described how she was involved in the sex trade industry in order to meet her basic needs.  In 2001, I first became involved in a ministry as a prison chaplain for women.  The crimes the women were charged with at that time involved shoplifting, theft, possession of drugs or driving without a license.  But today the face of crime has changed and the challenges are monumental.

Many of the people with whom I journey are marginalized by the stigma of mental illness.  This may manifest itself as depression, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, anxiety, or personality disorders.  The stigma coupled with SHAME is cited as the number one reason why individuals do not seek help.  In late April 2023, I journeyed with a woman whom I referred to as “the woman in the tent.”  Amidst freezing cold temperatures, she chose to sleep in a small pup tent by our Basilica because she felt safe there.  I kept showing up until I won her trust, learned her name and was able to see her move to better accommodations where she felt safe once more.

One author in writing of our capital city refers to it as Rock, Paper, Sex.  Rock as the name of our city, paper as money utilized in the sex trade industry and sex for the demand itself.  Yes, today a woman’s got to do what a woman’s got to do to survive. The key is in asking ourselves: “How can we mind our mental health and address this issue so people can stand TALL because TALL is a TALL order?”

-Margie Taylor, rsm

La hermana Margie Taylor relata algunas de sus experiencias recientes con algunas de las personas a las que ha acompañado.

“Hermana Margie, una mujer tiene que hacer lo que tiene que hacer para sobrevivir”. Con estas palabras, una mujer describió cómo se había involucrado en la industria del comercio sexual para satisfacer sus necesidades básicas. En 2001, me involucré por primera vez en un ministerio como capellán de prisiones para mujeres. En aquella época, los delitos de los que se acusaba a las mujeres eran hurtos, robos, posesión de drogas o conducir sin carné. Pero hoy el rostro de la delincuencia ha cambiado y los retos son monumentales.

Muchas de las personas con las que viajo están marginadas por el estigma de la enfermedad mental. Esto puede manifestarse como depresión, trastorno bipolar, esquizofrenia, ansiedad o trastornos de la personalidad. El estigma, unido a la VERGÜENZA, se cita como la razón número uno por la que las personas no buscan ayuda. A finales de abril de 2023, viajé con una mujer a la que me refería como “la mujer de la tienda”. En medio de temperaturas gélidas, eligió dormir en una pequeña tienda de campaña junto a nuestra Basílica porque allí se sentía segura. Seguí apareciendo hasta que me gané su confianza, aprendí su nombre y conseguí que se mudara a un alojamiento mejor donde volviera a sentirse segura.

Un autor, al escribir sobre nuestra capital, se refiere a ella como Piedra, Papel, Sexo. Roca como nombre de nuestra ciudad, papel como dinero utilizado en la industria del comercio sexual y sexo por la propia demanda. Sí, hoy una mujer tiene que hacer lo que tiene que hacer para sobrevivir. La clave está en preguntarnos: “¿Cómo podemos cuidar nuestra salud mental y abordar este tema para que la gente pueda mantenerse en pie porque TALL es una orden TALL?”.

-Margie Taylor, rsm