If you are experiencing difficulties viewing this email click here to view in your browser.
just Mercy - Online Newsletter of the Sisters of Mercy of Australia and Papua New Guinea
24 September 2013 |  Issue 1

Sister Berneice Loch rsm, Institute Leader, extends a greeting to all on this Feast of Our Lady of Mercy and a welcome to the first edition of ‘just Mercy” – the on-line newsletter of the Institute of Sisters of Mercy of Australia and Papua New Guinea.

Recently the ‘newer’ members of the Institute gathered for a week of reflection, formation and sharing in Papua New Guinea. Kaye Evans rsm, Director of Initial Formation for the Institute provides this account of a very special time.

Institute Staff members recently gathered in Apollo Bay to explore the story of Mercy. Natalie Acton shares the experience.

A large number of Sisters gathered in Sydney on Saturday, 7 September for the first Launch of the revised and recently approved Constitutions and Directory of the Institute of Sisters of Mercy of Australia and Papua New Guinea.

On Sunday, 11 August, 2013 Mai Nguyen-Doan made her First Profession as a Sister of Mercy in the Institute of Sisters of Mercy of Australia and Papua New Guinea. Here Mai shares the journey that brought her to this day.

The combined work of Mercy Health Foundation and Mercy Health was recently recognised with a celebration at Government House in Melbourne, hosted by the Honourable Alex Chernov AC QC, Governor of Victoria, and Mrs Elizabeth Chernov.

Mercy Connect is a volunteer program that helps refugee school students adjust to life in Australia. For students adjusting to a new language, different social rules and educational practices, school can be a daunting place.

Meet Caroline Ong, a Sister of Mercy recently returned from studying overseas. Here Caroline shares some of her story.

The story of Mercy is constant yet ever-changing and this can been seen clearly as Pat Lynch rsm shares the most recent part of her life as a Sister of Mercy.

Elizabeth Young rsm made her First Profession of vows as a Sister of Mercy in 2010. She is currently living and ministering in Port Augusta, 300km north of Adelaide, South Australia. Such work offers many insights, one of which she shares here.

The story of the Sisters of Mercy is, to quote our Foundress, shot through with a marked providential guidance and the patronage of Our Lady of Mercy is a prime example of this. Madeline Duckett rsm reflects on the richness of our link with Mary, the Mother of Mercy.

Following the request of the Australian government and the decision by the PNG government to accept refugees, two Sisters of Mercy offered insights into the reality of such a decision in light of the difficulties the people of PNG are themselves experiencing.

Patricia Powell rsm invites us to discover the riches contained in the concept of community and the relationship therein to the whole of creation.

These words from Pope Francis given to the Brazilian Bishops during World Youth Day are significant for us as we celebrate Mercy Day.
"We need a church capable of rediscovering the maternal womb of mercy. Without mercy we have little chance nowadays of becoming part of a world of wounded persons in need of understanding, forgiveness, and love."

Devotion to Mary, Mother of God and Mother of Mercy has always been an integral part of the way of life of a Sister of Mercy. This is seen in the words of the Original Rule written by Catherine McAuley and the newly received Constitutions of the Sisters of Mercy of Australia and Papua New Guinea.

We hope you value this email. However, should you no longer wish to receive this eNewsletter,
please unsubscribe via the following link: unsubscribe