Sisters of Mercy and partners-in-Mercy are invited ‘to be guardians of the Door of Mercy, keepers of the in-between place of Mercy’ in this coming year of Mercy (8 December 2015 – 20 November 2016).

‘Pope Francis says that, in this coming Year of Mercy, “the Holy Door will become a Door of Mercy through which anyone who enters will experience the love of God.” The logo for our Mercy International Reflection Process, unfolding during this Year, is centered on the red doors of Baggot Street. In a profoundly mystical way, these red doors connect all our doors of Mercy – in our convents and houses, in our places of ministry, in holy places around us, in Earth which nourishes us, in the cosmos which holds us in communion, and in the hearts of all Sisters of Mercy, Associates and Partners-in-Mercy…’

‘El Papa Francisco dice que, en este Año de la Misericordia, «la Puerta Santa será una Puerta de la Misericordia, a través de la cual cualquiera que entre podrá experimentar el amor de Dios». El logotipo para nuestro proceso internacional de reflexión de misericordia, que se desarrollará durante este Año, se centra en las puertas rojas de la Calle Baggot. En una forma profundamente mística, estas puertas rojas conectan todas nuestras puertas de Misericordia – en nuestros conventos y casas, en nuestros sitios de ministerio, en lugares santos en derredor nuestro, en la Tierra que nos alimenta, en el cosmos que nos sostiene en comunión y en los corazones de todas las Hermanas de la Misericordia…’

NB:This video and/or text are suggested for inclusion in the ‘Called to the Ministry of Mercy’ Ritual for Opening Doors of Mercy on (or around) 13 December. The Leader and Participants copy of the ritual in both English & Spanish, full colur & black and white are available for download here

On the night of April 27, 2015 Sister Margie arrived home to Mercy Convent from her regular meeting at Stella’s Circle with a bouquet of flowers and about a   dozen cards thanking her for her volunteer work with their Monday night group “Just Us”.

• Thank you for all your support, love and kindness… You have been there for the laughs and the tears
• Your value and worth here at “Just Us” group is so precious, needed and appreciated
• Thank you for all your blessings that you pass on to others
• The work you do means so much to so many
• Your spirit lifts me up and gives me hope
• You are one of a kind and there’s no one like you or will ever be
• Thanks for being here.  Your presence seems to bring some peace and calm
• Thanks for all your warm words…  your devotion gives us all so much hope
• Thank you for being here for me and taking time to listen and be a friend.
• Here at “Just Us” we are so grateful to be blessed with such a special volunteer and lady.

Truly Margie is spreading Catherine’s charism and the Gospel message through her ministry.

Contact:  mtaylor@bellaliant.com

“My heart is smiling”

My heart is smiling”, said an instructor from the Centre for Nursing Studies on the occasion of a

“Shower” and welcome given to thirteen LPNs from Jamaica. On Tuesday night, January 13, 2015, many parishioners from the Basilica of St. John the Baptist as well as instructors and staff from the Centre for Nursing Studies and the LPN Program gathered at the new LPN Centre on Blackmarsh Road in St. John’s to greet 13 Jamaican women who have come to St. John’s to work as LPNs.  A few years ago the Centre for Nursing Studies set up a program in Jamaica to train men and women as LPNs. In order to work in Canada they had to come here for 3 months to get their accreditation.  To help with this process the Mercy and Presentation Congregations have given accommodations to some girls for their 3 months stay, usually at McAuley Convent and Presentation Motherhouse and one stayed at Mercy Convent.  The new “state of the art” long term care facility the government built in St. John’s is short staffed so some of the Jamaicans were invited to come here to work.

Sister Margie Taylor, RSM, initiated the project

The shower was initiated by Sister Margie Taylor, RSM and with the assistance of the Basilica Community Builders word spread to various groups who were delighted to help and what a response was given. There were about 100 people in attendance.  Each girl received a toaster, iron, frying pan, cutlery, tablecloths, coffee maker or kettle, sheets, towels and face clothes, as well as household knick-knacks like tea towels, oven gloves, peering knives, spatulas, etc., etc. Delicious food was served as well.  It was great and the girls were so appreciative.  All of the above items were new.  Margie has also brought to their apartments second hand sheets, comforters and towels she had received from Mercy Associates and hotels.  The girls came to the shower on the city bus but 13 parishioners took them home as they could never take public transportation with all the gifts they had received.  What an evening!  We are deeply appreciative to all who helped make the project such a success.

 

The Sisters at Mercy Convent enjoy a visit from one of the Jamaican LPNs who has returned to St. John’s with her husband.

Message to: rryan@bellaliant.com  mtaylor@bellaliant.com

Two special events were held in St. John’s – both to honor the ministries of the Sisters of Mercy.

It is coincidental that in the formalities of both events the song Standing on The Shoulders was sung.  The song reflects on the strength and courage of those whom we followed in life and ministry and recognized that we are the shoulders upon which others will stand as they go forward.

St. Patrick’s Mercy Home

The Most Reverend Martin Currie, Archbishop of St. John’s, presided at a Mass at St. Patrick’s Mercy Home in the morning of this Week of Elder Care.  The celebration recognized the commitment of the Sisters of Mercy at the home for the past fifty-six years.

In her speech Sister Elizabeth Davis, Congregational Leader, described how the Sisters of Mercy responded to a vision of a former archbishop, P.J. Skinner, to establish a home for the elderly population by taking on the staffing and administration of the home.  She commended the dedicated staff and volunteers who worked with the sisters to provide the warmth and care that makes St. Patrick’s a “home”.

The music in the liturgy was lead by a group of women who were former students of the sisters at Holy Heart of Mary High School.

All were invited then to a lovely lunch and a celebration cake.

The Gathering Place

This is also big week for The Gathering Place.  The Gathering Place is a newly renovated and redeveloped community centre initiated by both the Presentation and Mercy Sisters in 1994 in response to the needs of the poor in the downtown area of the city.  In the beginning The Gathering Place was based in a vacant school building of the Sisters of Mercy and provided meals and time and space for social activities for the guests.  Various programs like literacy education, art, music, health and social services were added.  The Presentation Sisters were partners in the administration and coordination of this project.  The volunteer corps came from the various churches in the centre city area.

In 2012 a major financial campaign to renovate the building and to enhance the programs of the Gathering Place was undertaken with a goal of 7 million dollars.  At this date 6 million dollars have been raised through the hard work of the gift team and the generosity of people – thousands of dollars from  large multinational companies and a five dollar bill from a passer-by!

In the reconstruction phase basic services continued and were available through a nearby spirituality centre owned by the Presentation Sisters, The Lantern.  The life and the spirit of The Gathering Place continued in its temporary home until they moved home to the completely renovated space in late September.

Events of this week honored the guests, the founders, the volunteers, the donors, the media and the general public – all who are associated with The Gathering Place.

What a blessing for the poor and isolated of downtown St. John’s!

Shawls for Comfort and Consolation

From September 26-28, 2014, a retreat known as Rachel’s Vineyard will be held in St. John’s. This weekend is a beautiful opportunity for any person who has struggled with the emotional or spiritual pain of abortion. The retreat is a very specific process designed to help men and women experience the mercy and compassion of God. It is also an opportunity to surface and release repressed feelings of shame, guilt and grief. Each of the participants will receive a prayer shawl as the weekend begins. These shawls have been knit by a number of our Sisters – Mona Rumboldt, Madeline Kehoe, Eileen Penney, Maura Mason, Maureen O’Keefe, Anita Best, Colette Ryan, Rosemary Ryan. As each shawl was knit, prayers for wholeness and holiness were knit with each stitch. Sister Margie is a member of the team for this retreat and is especially grateful to all the Sisters who have helped in this project. The retreat will be facilitated by Dr. Martha Shuping from the United States. Please keep the team and the participants in your prayers during the weekend of the retreat.

Messages to:   mtaylor@bellaliant.com

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“I needed some help and you gathered here with me”

The Gathering Place opened its doors in 1994 and offers services to people who are homeless or live in less than desirable housing conditions, are often unemployed or do not have adequate social supports.  The goal is to foster among Guests independence, self-respect and dignity. While those who come for programs and services now live in St. John’s, many have come from across Newfoundland and Labrador and some from outside the province.

Founded by the Presentation Sisters and the Sisters of Mercy in response to the needs of those coming to their doors seeking food, the Gathering Place now provides many programs and services including meals, foot care, a clothing supply boutique and hair care service.  Through collaboration with other agencies, guests of Gathering Place have access to housing experts, nurses and social workers.  Guests can avail of advocacy, literacy and computer programs.  Inner-city churches have assisted the venture since its beginning, and many other service organizations, church groups, foundations, corporations and individuals make financial and in-kind donations towards the ongoing operation.

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 volunteer-driven operation led by a leadership team (an administrator and two Sister co-directors) and two employed staff members.  More than 150 volunteers ensure that programs and services are consistently available.

“We are on the move!!!”

In late 2010, the Board of Directors led a one-year strategic planning process to assess the quality of work being done at The Gathering Place and to determine whether the ministry was still needed. Advice was sought from guests, volunteers and representatives from many agencies interfacing with and related to concern for the Guests.  Throughout the consultation process, there was unfailing support for the work, a conviction The Gathering Place provides an essential service which must be maintained.  The Gathering Place was encouraged to do “more of the same” and to enhance programs where possible. It was strongly recommended that renovations to the facility would broaden the range of services provided and ensure continuation into the future.

To facilitate the renovations project begun in September 2012, programs were relocated to The Lantern, a spirituality centre owned by the Presentation Sisters near The Gathering Place.  Despite limitations of space there, many programs continued to be available to the Guests. A fundraising campaign to finance the complete renovation of the facility was initiated with a goal of $7,000,000 ($5M for renovations and $2M for endowment).  To date, the campaign has reached the $5.6M mark thanks to the donations and efforts of many corporate, community and church groups and individuals as well as municipal, provincial and federal governments.  Eco-friendly and energy-efficient guidelines were adhered to in developing an accessible, safe and versatile facility.

Programs and Services

The programs and services of The Gathering Place returned to the totally renovated and enlarged space in September 2014.  The re-designed facility better meets the needs of the Guests.  Increased capacity for noon meal and breakfast programs accommodates the ever-increasing numbers of people who are in need of food.  A laundry room has been added, and showering facilities will help those who experience restricted access to showers in their boarding houses.  There are quiet spaces where guests can read, listen to music and think.  An elevator makes all areas fully accessible.   A clothing supply program provides shoes, clothing and household items.   Volunteer seamstresses help guests with minor repairs and adjustments to clothing.  Computers and computer training are available to allow guests to access many government services available online only.  Education and training in health and wellness are offered.  A mailroom gives guests a fixed address where they can receive correspondence.  Programs such as art, jewellery-making and crafts not only develop creative talents but may be a source of a little pocket money for the artists and artisans.

Deep Gratitude

Deep gratitude is extended to the Presentation Sisters, the Sisters of Mercy, the Board of Directors, the Project Team, the Gift Team, the project manager, contractors, tradespersons and donors (government, corporate and personal) for making this venture possible.  Special thanks go to the Guests who have been patient and understanding with the ongoing renovations and to the staff and volunteers who have continued to serve guests throughout these two years of transition.

We ask God’s blessing as we look forward to moving back to new space and enhanced programs.    We pray that all involved will be energized and excited by the potential to make even greater things happen at The Gathering Place!

Like us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/gatheringstjohns .  Visit our website at www.gatheringstjohns.ca .  Email us at specialproject@gatheringstjohns.ca .  Or call us at 1-709-753-2351.