The Sisters of Mercy in Newfoundland are a Congregation of 124 sisters involved in global action in Canada, Peru, Kenya and Zambia.
Newfoundland’s vision for Global Action stems from their Chapter Proclamation of 2009 as follows:
- We believe that the Mercy charism embraces the interconnectedness of women, suffering people and Earth. We commit ourselves to explore this interconnectedness, to accept responsibility for care of Earth, and to venture new ministries among women, youth and suffering people.
- We believe that the Mercy charism embraces right relationships with God, self, others, Earth and the life-enhancing nature of diversity. We commit ourselves to deepen our relationship with God, to nurture the quality of relationships within our congregation, to work in partnership with others, and to grow in our understanding and acceptance of diversity in all of life.
- We believe that the Mercy charism embraces the energy and influence of mercy presence in the church, in the world and in all creation. We commit ourselves, in our leadership for mission, to be a personal and corporate presence in struggles for justice and equality.
Sisters of Mercy of Newfoundland (2009)
The following profile features an example of Sisters of Mercy of Newfoundland embodying their vision in St. John’s, Newfoundland.
Sr. Mary Tee is Director of the Mercy Centre for Ecology and Justice located in St. John’s, Newfoundland.
The Mercy Centre for Ecology and Justice focuses its energy and resources toward the unfolding of the vision to live a spirituality flowing from the sacredness of all creation and to work in solidarity with others for the restoration of ecology and justice in the world and in all creation.
In collaboration with partners internationally, nationally and locally, it promotes eco-justice through the exploration of new and practical ways to participate, as co creators with God, in God’s ongoing creation, to sustain the gift of life and enhance the well being of Earth’s sacred community. It promotes awareness of a mutually enhancing relationship between the human and the natural world with an appreciation of reciprocity and interdependence of the one life we all share. It provides experiences, resources, and educational opportunities to expand awareness of the intrinsic value and integrity of all creation. It promotes the involvement of youth in the ministry of ecology and justice.
The centre works to engage the sisters, associates and others, especially youth, in its many projects and activities. The centre serves as facilitator, advocate, educator and prophet in the many aspects of ecology and justice.
The building (pictured at right) is situated on an acre of land that has fruit trees and berry bushes around the perimeter and fertile soil that has seen two crops of vegetables in the past two summers. The garden is a project of the Centre in collaboration with a group of “new Canadians” and students of St. Bonaventure’s College. The produce is shared with the food banks and other groups.
The Assembly was the culmination of our charism journey over the past year wherein we as individuals, communities and/or circles entered into a theological reflection process to explore and deepen our sense of the Mercy charism.
Each area opened with three voices speaking to the issue – the voice of Scripture, the voice of Catherine McAuley and the voice of contemporary experience – and following a time of quiet reflection and dialogue in small and large groups, we attempted to discern what these voices were saying to us as a Congregation and what is the new place to which we are being called.
To assist us in our exploration we were very fortunate to have had with us Sister Mary Sullivan, RSM of Rochester, New York, who was the voice of Catherine; and Sister Carmelita Murphy, OP as facilitator for the whole assembly. Prior to the assembly, we were privileged to have Sister Mary Sullivan share with us, our Associates, friends and family members on the life and spirit of Catherine.
In its designation, the College noted that the award “honours distinguished physicians, surgeons and others for outstanding performance in a particular vocation or a specific area of professional activity. The 2008 recipients are exceptional individuals whose contributions through their commitment to human rights, leadership and collaboration at all levels of society are exemplary”. Sister Elizabeth received the award in recognition of her leadership in health services and health education.
The Gathering Place is housed in the former Mercy Convent School, located in the heart of St. John’s. It is a registered charity governed by a Board of Directors with members from the Leadership Teams of the two congregations and from the community at large. The programs and services are offered through a
Beginning with Catherine McAuley’s Suscipe as a means of enkindling and sustaining their own gift of self to God and others, they moved to “Centered in Mercy” and the process of formation. Their topics included the use of autobiography in discernment, indicators of human maturity across cultures, accompaniment in initial formation and developmental growth plans that build on the strengths of women discerning a life in Mercy. “I recognized once again,” observed Sister Mary Anto (CCASA/Peru), “that it is my own growth and development that helps me help others.” Sister Liz Brennan (Newfoundland) said, “Our days together reaffirmed my commitment to this ministry and opened new ways of understanding the formative process.”
In 1959, Pope John XX111 asked the Superior Generals of Religious Congregations and Bishops of the world to send missionaries to Latin America. The church of Newfoundland, Canada was one of the first to respond to the call.
The presentation took place at McAuley Convent, St John’s, where a number of Sisters had gathered for this event. A brief ritual which included a blessing of water was prepared and led by Sr. Mona.
This date marks both the establishment of the Congregation of the Sisters of Mercy of Newfoundland and of the first community of the Sisters of Mercy in the New World. Read more about those first Mercy Sisters (and the 57 young Irish women who went from Ireland to join the Newfoundland Congregation between 1842 and 1907) in the book “