Author: Roz Parr
This Is Your Life
St. Hildegard of Bingen: A Visionary
The records we have of the long life of Hildegard of Bingen (1098-1179) defy the term “dark ages.” This German Benedictine abbess lived to be 81, despite many illnesses. According to well-preserved records, she was a visionary, a theologian, architect, artist, musician, scientist, environmentalist, homilist, letter writer, feminist and activist. She was acclaimed a saint in the years after her death, but was not formally canonized and declared a Doctor of the Church until 2012, by the German-born Pope Benedict XVI, formerly Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger.
IRA Is No Climate Justice Bill
By Marianne Comfort, Sisters of Mercy Justice Team member – This summer, many of us were pleased when President Biden signed the Inflation Reduction Act into law. After months— no, years—of advocacy by a broad array of groups, Congress had finally passed significant investments in the transition to a clean energy future. And at a time when there seemed little to celebrate with legislation, it could be easy to see this as a victory.
Why Do Our Schools Celebrate Mercy Day?
By Sister Regina Ward, Associate Director for Mission Integration, Mercy Education — Mercy Day is the anniversary of the opening of the first House of Mercy by Catherine McAuley and her two companions, Anna Maria Doyle and Catherine Byrn, on September 24, 1827. Many sisters who attended Mercy schools remember having a day off on September 24, most likely because the sisters who worked in the school considered it a feast day and would take the day to celebrate Catherine and her legacy.
Prayer for Mercy Day 2022
Join us in prayer as we celebrate Mercy Day!
Celebrate Mercy in Ministry
By Sister Mary Waskowiak — We celebrate our call to ministry, and we say AMEN! So, what called each of us —sister, associates or companion—to Mercy? Who and what continues to call us, individually and as a community? To what does our fourth vow of service call us at this time in our individual and Institute lives?
Dancing, Singing, Circling
We celebrate Mercy in music with “Dancing, Singing, Circling.” Composed by Sister Claudette Schiratti, the song rejoices in Mercy and the ways joy can ease life’s burdens.
Celebrate Mercy in Justice
On September 24, we will celebrate the 195th anniversary of the day Catherine McAuley opened the doors of the House of Mercy on Baggot Street. This began her ministry of serving the poor, the sick, and those in need of education. Today we Celebrate Mercy in Justice with two reflections from two Sisters of Mercy!
A Works of Mercy Cross
By Sister Celeste Marie Nuttman — It was a joy and challenge when a Mercy sister asked me to make a cross for Taizé prayer. When many more such requests came from Mercy and from others, each was a call to prayer, conversation with those commissioning it, research and design. I chose to use the San Damiano cross as my “jumping off point” for design and as I moved along to 10 more crosses, I had the opportunity to develop my own visual theology of the resurrection and of our vow of service.
Attention and Encouragement, an Informal Education
By Sister Anna Regina Gakuhi — In my ministry at St. Joseph Mercy Hospital in Jamaica, I work with a group of men and women in the dietary and housekeeping departments. Most of these staff members have not completed their formal education. I engage with them to help them improve their skills, which helps improve their performance. Not only does this result in quality service and products, but it also boosts self-esteem and creates a joy in work as they each serve to their best capacity.
Celebrating Mercy in Poetry
As we continue to “Celebrate Mercy” in a wide variety of ways, today Sister Mary Bilderback shares her gift of poetry and reflection!