Power lines were felled, leading to loss of electricity so that a sense of complete helplessness settled over the affected areas. By evening the most frightening reality was evident – that hundreds of small rural communities were completely isolated 
as bridges were taken off their foundations, and large portions of highways were washed out for hundreds of kilometers. One elderly man who went out his driveway to check a neighbour’s property was swept off his feet by rushing water and washed out to sea. People needing dialysis were taken aboard helicopters to distant hospitals.
Eventually, coping with Igor became a story of the triumph of the human spirit. To the extent that Igor destroyed, to that same extent did the care and compassion of people for each other increase and prove stronger than the power of any hurricane. People risked their own lives to quickly rescue others from their homes as rising water levels threatened not only property but life itself, to share the contents of their cupboards, to do almost the impossible to obtain medical care for the sick and elderly. Government, church groups, power companies, health care facilities, everyone was mobilized to protect and care for the endangered and to stabilize the situation. Armed Forces laid down their weapons to help rebuild bridges and communities.
attended a very informative and inspirational event on October 2, 2010. In her welcoming remarks, Sister Elizabeth Davis quoted a definition of health which comes from the Australian aboriginal community, “Health does not just mean the physical well-being of the individual but refers to the social, emotional, spiritual and cultural well-being of the whole community. This is a whole-of-life view and includes the cyclical concept of life-death-life”. 
The official blessing of the Mercy Centre for Ecology and Justice located in the lovely Pippy Park area of St. John’s took place today. 
In her book Sister Kathrine set the story of St. Clare’s within the larger story of the Sisters of Mercy, the founding of the Congregation in Ireland in 1831, the foundation of the Newfoundland mission in 1842, the founding moment of the hospital in 1922 and the service and commitment of so many sisters and staff over the past 88 years. 
of the Sisters of Mercy, brought greetings on behalf of the Sisters, noting that it was an evening to celebrate an author, a book, a ministry and a place of healing. In her remarks, Sister Elizabeth paid tribute to Sister Kathrine as a woman of Mercy, noting that her legacy to our province and to our Church is a rich and deep one, citing especially her giftedness as a musician, her leadership within the community at large and within our Congregation. as a social activist, and as a historian. Referring to The Mustard Seed, Sister Elizabeth noted that it is a rich history of St. Clare’s and our city’s health care system. She described it is a significant accounting of a ministry which we have held precious from the first years of our coming to Newfoundland to this day – the healing ministry. Sister Elizabeth concluded by saying that we celebrate a place of healing, St. Clare’s Mercy Hospital, and the women and men who have carried out their work over the past eighty-eight years, the many professions and disciplines and support positions which have been and remain the heart and spirit of this place of healing.
One of the pieces that they sang, Salve Regina, was composed by Sister Kathrine. They were thrilled to have been invited to honor Sister Kathrine and the publication of her book.
Bob the Builder may have competition! During July, 2010 four homes(duplex) are being built in St. John’s, Newfoundland by Cabot Habitat for Humanity. Sister Betty Morrissey is a member of the volunteer team and goes to the construction site each morning at 7:30 (weather permitting) to give of her time and talent. After a couple of hours she then takes up her ministry in pastoral care at St. Clare’s Mercy Hospital.
Hennebury, administrator of St. Clare’s Mercy Hospital, ‘was concerned that dying patients would receive the care, comfort and compassion that they needed.’ Her response to this need was to open a ten-bed palliative care unit at St. Clare’s. Sister Elizabeth Davis, congregational leader of the Sisters of Mercy, also spoke of Sister Mary Fabian “who held the vision of bringing a palliative care unit to Newfoundland, of St. Clare’s Board and staff who had the wisdom to endorse that vision, and of Laurie Anne O’Brien and her team who had the courage to implement the vision against many obstacles.” She continued to say that the Sisters of Mercy at St. Clare’s were the holders of the vision in many ways over the past thirty years. Others who brought greetings included Louise Jones on behalf of Eastern Health, Dr. John Lewis, and Dodie Glynn, Director of the Palliative Care Unit at the Miller Centre.
refreshment, renewal and companionship; the rosemary herb as a token of healing power, hope and remembrance; and a quilt, symbolizing the love, care, and comfort given and received by all who are touched by palliative care. 
