Author: Diane Smyth

Associates and Sisters Celebrate 30th Anniversary

Posted on by Diane Smyth

On Saturday, 27 April 2024 about fifty sisters and associates gathered in the Recreation Hall to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the establishment of the associate relationship. 

After a welcome by Sisters Maureen O’Keefe, co-coordinator of the associates and Diane Smyth, Congregational Leader, Sr. Monica Hickey presented a brief history of the founding of the associate relationship in Newfoundland.  With song and prayer the associates re-committed themselves in Mercy, remembered associates who had died, and celebrated their 30th anniversary with cake and refreshments.

Watch the video of the celebrations.

Después de una bienvenida por parte de las Hermanas Maureen O’Keefe, co-coordinadora de los asociados y Diane Smyth, Responsable de la Congregación, la Hna. Monica Hickey presentó una breve historia de la fundación de la relación asociada en Terranova. Con cantos y oraciones, los asociados volvieron a comprometerse en la Misericordia, recordaron a los asociados fallecidos y celebraron su 30 aniversario con tarta y refrescos.

 

Profession Ring

Posted on by Diane Smyth

Watering the Roots at the Wellsprings of Mercy » was the gift of the Sisters of Mercy, Newfoundland to me as an immediate preparation for my Final Profession of Vows.  I was thrilled to spend the whole month of July, 2012 in Catherine’s house on Baggot Street, to walk in her footsteps and breathe in her spirit.

Catherine was never closer to me than when I set out on my quest for the perfect profession ring. After much window shopping and inside browsing, Sister Maureen O’Keefe and I, on the advice of our new-found Irish friend, Sr. Mary McWeeney, found our way to Henry Street and the jewelry store of H. Samuel. Maybe the rest of the story is just pure coincidence but I like to think that the Divine Providence in which Catherine had such faith was also at work here.

You can stand on the sidewalk outside H.Samuel’s and look across to Mary Street at the building where Catherine had once lived with the Armstrongs! The manager of the jewelry store was delighted to prepare the profession ring for a Sister of Mercy of Newfoundland and the lady who assisted us had just spent a year at Memorial University in St. John’s!  Ofcourse the Spirit wouldn’t have anything to do with fact that my motto, “Here I am Lord” should be engraved by Samuel’s!;  Nor that my ring would be ready on the very day that our group had planned a visit to George’s Hill where Catherine and her companions made their profession as the first Sisters of Mercy.

Sr. Mary Kay Dobrovolny, Assistant Director of our program insisted that she drive us to pick up the ring on our way to George’s Hill. Needless to say there was great emotion all ‘round when my profession ring was placed on the altar at George’s Hill beside Catherine’s profession ring during the Ritual and prayer. (I learned that I am the only Sister of Mercy who has had that privilege!)   I felt Catherine’s presence very deeply when the words of blessing were pronounced over me and my ring and I prayed that I would always wear mine with the same love and fidelity that Catherine wore hers.

by Sister Marie Etheridge,rsm  St. John’s Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada

Global Irish Famine Way Project

Posted on by Diane Smyth

On May 10, 2024, in St. John’s, Newfoundland, the Basilica Heritage Foundation Inc. and the Embassy of Ireland in Canada hosted two events open to the general public at St. John the Baptist Cathedral Basilica Parish to launch the Global Irish Famine Way Commemorations and celebrate the arrival of the Bronze Shoe monuments in Canada.

The Ambassador of Ireland to Canada, Jamaica, the Bahamas, Antigua and Barbuda (His Excellency, Dr. Eamonn McKee) spoke at both events.

On Friday, May 10th, 11:00 the Bronze Shoes were brought to the St John’s Basilica for a national commemorative event and the installation of the first Canadian pair of Bronze Shoes. This event included an ecumenical prayer service of thanksgiving for all who gave aid to those who suffered from the Irish Potato Famine in 1847.

All are welcome to attend this event in-person or to watch the ceremony live
at www.thebasilica.net

And in the afternoon of May 10th, the general public was invited to attend a historical symposium in the Basilica on the events of 1847 and associated links between Ireland and Canada.

The ecumenical service was livestreamed. Watch it below.

The Bronze Shoes will remain on display for visitors at the Basilica with information panels and associated exhibits.

Find out more about this global project here

 

El 10 de mayo de 2024, en St. John’s, Terranova, la Basilica Heritage Foundation Inc. y la Embajada de Irlanda en Canadá organizarán dos actos abiertos al público en general en la Parroquia Basílica de la Catedral de St. John the Baptist para poner en marcha las Conmemoraciones de la Vía Mundial de la Hambruna Irlandesa y celebrar la llegada de los monumentos Zapatos de Bronce a Canadá.

El Embajador de Irlanda en Canadá, Jamaica, Bahamas, Antigua y Barbuda (Su Excelencia, el Dr. Eamonn McKee) intervendrá en ambos actos.

El viernes 10 de mayo, a las 11:00 horas, los Zapatos de Bronce serán llevados a la Basílica de San Juan para un acto conmemorativo nacional y la instalación del primer par canadiense de Zapatos de Bronce. Este acto incluye un servicio ecuménico de oración de acción de gracias por todos los que prestaron ayuda a los que sufrieron la hambruna irlandesa de la patata en 1847.

Todos están invitados a asistir a este acto en persona o a seguir la ceremonia en directo en www.thebasilica.net

Y en la tarde del 10 de mayo, el público en general está invitado de nuevo a asistir a un simposio histórico en la Basílica sobre los acontecimientos de 1847 y los vínculos asociados entre Irlanda y Canadá. Este acto también se retransmitirá en directo en www.thebasilica.net

Las Botas de Bronce permanecerán expuestas para los visitantes en la Basílica con paneles informativos y exposiciones asociadas.

Más información sobre este proyecto mundial

Feast of St Joseph the Worker – May 1

Posted on by Diane Smyth

This special feast was instituted in 1955 by Pope Pius X11 as a counter-celebration to the communist May Day. It celebrates the dignity of work and gives us an opportunity to acknowledge, pray for and express gratitude to all workers, especially those who are employed in our congregation and in our various ministries.

Photo by Annie Spratt on Unsplash

Thank you for your many and varied contributions to the congregation’s life and mission.

May 1 is also known as International Workers’ Day and in some countries, it is celebrated as Labor Day.

May St. Joseph, patron of workers, bless and protect all workers!

Esta fiesta especial fue instituida en 1955 por el Papa Pío X11 como contra-celebración del Primero de Mayo comunista. Se celebra la dignidad del trabajo y nos da la oportunidad de reconocer, orar y expresar gratitud a todos los trabajadores, especialmente a los que trabajan en nuestra congregación y en nuestros diversos ministerios.

Gracias por sus muchas y variadas contribuciones a la vida y misión de la congregación.

El 1 de mayo es también conocido como el Día Internacional de los Trabajadores y en algunos países se celebra como el Día del Trabajo.

Que San José, patrón de los trabajadores, bendiga y proteja a todos los trabajadores!

National Volunteer Week

Posted on by Diane Smyth

This year from April 14 -20 we celebrate National Volunteer Week. This provides an opportunity to acknowledge and celebrate the many volunteers who give their time, empathy, energy and service to our communities and our world.

The theme for this year is Every Moment Matters. This theme highlights the importance of every volunteer and recognizes the vital part volunteers play in creating and sustaining relationships, in community-building and in their overall contribution to the well-being of individuals and communities.

Este año, del 14 al 20 de abril, celebramos la Semana Nacional del Voluntariado. Es una oportunidad para reconocer y celebrar a los muchos voluntarios que dedican su tiempo, empatía, energía y servicio a nuestras comunidades y a nuestro mundo.

El tema de este año es Cada Momento Importa. Este tema destaca la importancia de cada voluntario y reconoce el papel vital que desempeñan los voluntarios en la creación y el mantenimiento de relaciones, en la construcción de comunidades y en su contribución general al bienestar de las personas y las comunidades.

 

Join us in Praying for Peace

Posted on by Diane Smyth

Let us continue to hold in prayer the people and countries suffering from war, violence and mass destruction – especially Gaza, Ukraine and Haiti.

Our sisters and brothers in these areas and in other parts of our world are experiencing profound suffering on a daily basis.  In his Easter message, Pope Francis urged the world to resist “the logic of weapons” and made a strong appeal for Gaza’s access to humanitarian aid and for an immediate ceasefire in the area.

Post your prayer in our sacred space here

Sigamos rezando por las personas y los países que sufren a causa de la guerra, la violencia y la destrucción masiva, especialmente en Gaza, Ucrania y Haití.

Nuestras hermanas y hermanos en estas zonas y en otras partes de nuestro mundo están experimentando un profundo sufrimiento a diario. En su mensaje de Pascua, el Papa Francisco instó al mundo a resistir a “la lógica de las armas” e hizo un enérgico llamamiento para que Gaza tenga acceso a la ayuda humanitaria y para un alto el fuego inmediato en la zona.

Publique aquí su oración en nuestro espacio sagrado

Remembering Our Newfoundland Mercy Story 16:
Sister M. de Camillus Cole

Posted on by Diane Smyth

Susanna Cole, born in Colliers, Conception Bay, Newfoundland entered the Sisters of Mercy on Military Road, St. John’s in March of 1857.

She was received into the novitiate and given the name Sister M. Camillus Joseph on the feast of Our Lady of Mercy in the same year. Her novitiate companions were Sister M. Ligouri Carmody and Sister M. Ignatius Guinane, two young women from Limerick, Ireland, along with another Newfoundlander, Sister M. Clare Tarrahan, who haentered the community a year earlier.

In 1857, with four professed sisters and four novices, the future of the fledgling Mercy Convent in Newfoundland looked very promising, and plans for expanding the mission were on the move. In 1859 the sisters opened St. Michael’s Convent and Orphanage at Belvedere and in 1861 used the space made possible by the move to open St. Clair’s Boarding School at Mercy Convent.

Sadly, the newly professed Sister M. Camillus died on April 13, 1860 at the young age of twenty-one years. Her dowry was used to erect headstones for her and Sister M. Francis Creedon in Belvedere cemetery. A section of the Belvedere estate had been consecrated in 1848 by Bishop Thomas Mullock, then coadjutor bishop of St. John’s, as a Roman Catholic cemetery, replacing the old Catholic cemetery on Long’s Hill.

Susanna Cole, nacida en Colliers, Conception Bay, Terranova, ingresó en las Hermanas de la Misericordia en Military Road, San Juan, en marzo de 1857.

Fue recibida en el noviciado y se le dio el nombre de Hermana M. Camillus Joseph en la fiesta de Nuestra Señora de la Misericordia del mismo año. Sus compañeras de noviciado fueron Sor M. Ligouri Carmody y Sor M. Ignatius Guinane, dos jóvenes de Limerick, Irlanda, junto con otra terranova, Sor M. Clare Tarrahan, que había entrado en la comunidad un año antes.

En 1857, con cuatro hermanas profesas y cuatro novicias, el futuro del incipiente Convento de la Misericordia en Terranova parecía muy prometedor, y los planes para ampliar la misión estaban en marcha. En 1859 las hermanas abrieron el Convento y Orfanato de San Miguel en Belvedere y en 1861 utilizaron el espacio que había hecho posible el traslado para abrir el Internado de San Clair en el Convento de la Misericordia.

Lamentablemente, la recién profesa Hermana M. Camillus murió el 13 de abril de 1860 a la temprana edad de veintiún años. Su dote se utilizó para erigir lápidas para ella y la hermana M. Francis Creedon en el cementerio de Belvedere. Una sección de la finca de Belvedere había sido consagrada en 1848 por el obispo Thomas Mullock, entonces obispo coadjutor de St. John’s, como cementerio católico romano, en sustitución del antiguo cementerio católico de Long’s Hill.

World Day of Art – April 15

Posted on by Diane Smyth

Each year, on 15 April, World Art Day celebrations help reinforce the links between artistic creations and society, encourage greater awareness of the diversity of artistic expressions and highlight the contribution of artists to sustainable development. (UNESCO).

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Music, art and craft are distinguishing aspect of the Sisters of Mercy, in their history and in their present reality.

Sisters Anita Best and Mona Rumboldt manifest their creativity in needlework (Anita) and card-making (Mona). View samples of their work here.

Works by Sisters Mary Ita Hennessey, Eileen Penney, Madeline Byrne, Mary Denise Costello, Anne Normore, Jean Jenkinson, Mary Gregory Stapleton are among the artworks to be found hanging on the corridors of the Residence at Littledale.
Enjoy browsing this online gallery here

Feast of the Annunciation – April 8

Posted on by Diane Smyth

Normally, the Feast of the Annunciation is celebrated annually on 25 March. This year, however, because 25 March fell during Holy Week, the feast is celebrated on the Monday of the second week of Easter – 8 April.

This event is described in the Gospel of Luke, Chapter 1, verses 26-38.

Sr Elizabeth was invited by Redemptorist TV some years ago to record a series on Mary. Among these is the video “Mary of the Annunciation and Pentecost” (5:40). You might like to use this video for reflection on the meaning and significance of today’s feast.

The complete series of 14 videos can be watched here

Normalmente, la fiesta de la Anunciación se celebra cada año el 25 de marzo. Este año, sin embargo, debido a que el 25 de marzo cayó en Semana Santa, la fiesta se celebra el lunes de la segunda semana de Pascua, el 8 de abril.

Este acontecimiento se describe en el Evangelio de Lucas, capítulo 1, versículos 26-38.

Hace algunos años, Sor Isabel fue invitada por Redemptorist TV a grabar una serie sobre María. Entre ellas se encuentra el vídeo “María de la Anunciación y Pentecostés” (5:40). Puede utilizar este vídeo para reflexionar sobre el sentido y el significado de la fiesta de hoy.

La serie completa de 14 vídeos puede verse aquí

Image: Henry Ossawa Tanner

 

Global Gathering of Women

Posted on by Diane Smyth

In March the annual United Nations Commission on the Status of Women met in New York to advocate for gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls. This article in Global Sisters Report will give  a sense of the proceedings of those two weeks of sessions

It is noteworthy that Pope Francis’ prayer intention for April is that the dignity and worth of women be recognized throughout the world. He pointed our that “in theory all agree that men and women have the same dignity as persons, but this does not play out in practice.”

Let us pray that the dignity and worth of women be recognized in every culture, and for an end to the discrimination they face in various parts of the world.

En marzo sereunió en Nueva York laComisión de la Condición Jurídica y Social de la Mujer de las Naciones Unidaspara defender la igualdad de género y la autonomía de las mujeres y las niñas. Este artículo de Global Sisters Report dará una idea de los trabajos de esas dos semanas de sesiones

Cabe destacar que la intención de oración del Papa Francisco para el mes de abril es que se reconozca la dignidad y el valor de la mujer en todo el mundo. Señaló que “en teoría todos están de acuerdo en que hombres y mujeres tienen la misma dignidad como personas, pero esto no se cumple en la práctica”.

Recemos para que la dignidad y el valor de las mujeres sean reconocidos en todas las culturas, y para que se ponga fin a la discriminación que sufren en diversas partes del mundo.