Author: Diane Smyth

Stella’s Circle Appreciates Sister Margie

Posted on by Diane Smyth

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”.

 

Some of the comments written on the cards sum up what her presence means to them.

  • 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

 

Closing St. Clare’s Mercy Hospital Convent

Posted on by Diane Smyth

“Today, sadly, we mark the closing of St. Clare’s Convent and the departure of the Sisters of Mercy from their residence in the ‘white house’, the cornerstone building of what we now know as St. Clare’s Mercy Hospital.   The Sisters of Mercy may be leaving a building but they are not leaving healthcare or the ministry at St. Clare’s.”

On March 3 a brief ceremony in the hospital chapel marked the closing of St. Clare’s Mercy Hospital Convent on LeMarchant Road, St. John’s, NL.

St. Clare’s Mercy Convent

The grand, three-storey house on the corner of St. Clare Avenue and Lemarchant Road was purchased from the Honorable E.M. Jackman by Archbishop M. F. Howley in 1913 for five thousand dollars.  Bishop Howley’s plan was to open a hostel for women who came to St. John’s looking for work.

A Presentation Sister, M. Clare English, was a keen supporter of the project and began to raise money for it.  She donated the proceeds of a rosary made of gold nuggets given to her by a prospector relative.   In September 1913 St. Clare’s Home for Working Girls was opened.   Bishop Howley asked the Sisters of Mercy to administer the home since such ministry was more in keeping with the rule of their order; the operation of such an institution was one of the ministries for which they were founded.  Three Sisters of Mercy took up residence in the ‘white house’.

Within a year, Bishop Howley had considered turning the home into a Catholic hospital but he died before any action could be taken.  Archbishop E.P. Roche built on his predecessor’s dream to establish a Catholic hospital.  He arranged for Sister Mary Bernard Gladney, one of the three sisters at St. Clare’s Home, to go to a Sisters of Mercy Hospital in Pittsburg to train as a nurse and to eventually take the leadership of establishing and running the hospital.

St. Clare’s Mercy Hospital opened in May 1922. Katherine Bellamy writes in her history:  “The little hospital soon gained a superb reputation for its care of the sick, and within a short time it was functioning at full capacity.”  Bellamy, Weavers of the Tapestry, p. 390.

Additional sisters went to the United States to train as registered nurses.  Others trained for dietetics, radiography, anesthesia and laboratory.  The sisters continued to live in the hospital in a section of the building set aside for their community life.  Surely they were on call every day and every hour!  As the years passed and the hospital grew, with new modern extensions, more room became available in the “white house” for the sisters who themselves were increasing in numbers.  The lab was the last vestige of the hospital that shared the house with the sisters!  A modern large,  new lab was built into the 1970s extension and the sisters finally had the convent to themselves!

For the past 102 years, beginning in the former Jackman home, the Sisters of Mercy have reached out with competence and compassion to all who came through the doors seeking shelter, healing and care.  The sisters were pioneers of health care in the province and provided leadership in all facets of care of the sick.  They were pioneers of wholistic care long before it became part of medical terminology.  Over the years they lead the way in comprehensive hospital care, information technology, pastoral care, palliative care, detoxification and innovative mental health care.  We celebrate that great story!

Ceremony

The ceremony (repeated in the early evening) to mark the closing of the convent recognized the contribution of the ninety-two women who lived in the ‘white house’ over the 102 years.  The participants, graduates from St. Clare’s School of Nursing, staff and former staff, sisters, physicians, administrators and colleagues, celebrated in readings, prayer and song and gathered at the end for a “good cup of tea”.

In her reflection Sister Elizabeth Davis, Congregational Leader and former CEO of St. Clare’s said:  “The ninety-two Sisters of Mercy who have called the Convent home over more than one hundred years have been primarily involved in Mercy health and healing ministries – at St. Clare’s Mercy Hospital and at St. Patrick’s Mercy Home – and in education ministry at the St. Clare’s School of Nursing.  These women have made a difference in the lives of individuals who came to the hospital for healing, in the health and health care of the people of Newfoundland and Labrador, in the education of women and men working within health care, and in the shape of our province’s health care system.  In a few moments we will hear the names of these ninety-two women, we will see the faces of the ones who loved us and influenced us and shaped who we are and what this hospital is.”

Sisters of Mercy will continue to be committed to the provision of medical, spiritual and pastoral care, to visitation of sick people in St. Clare’s and in other hospitals, private homes and long-term care homes, to support people on dialysis, to encourage and support educational, spiritual and leadership endeavours within health care, to advocate for justice for people with complex needs, and to the encouragement and support all with whom they collaborate.

Gratitude

We acknowledge the contribution of the sisters who lived in St. Clare’s Convent since 1913, a home and refuge for women; and later the foundation of a hospital that would grow to be a modern tertiary healthcare facility among the present-day comprehensive services of the Eastern Health Regional system.

May the Spirit of Mercy continue to inspire all of those who continue to walk in the footsteps of these Women of Mercy.

Note:  the ‘white house’ is now the property of the Eastern Health Regional Board.

Final Profession in Monsefu, Chiclayo, Peru

Posted on by Diane Smyth

Sister Felicita Alita Sánchez Sánchez is now a finally professed Sister of Mercy in the Congregation of the Sisters of Mercy of Newfoundland!

Alita made her profession of vows in a eucharistic celebration in the Church of San Pedro of Monsefu, Chiclayo, March 20, 2015.  The evening was a wonderful experience of faith, charism, community and ministry all held in the embrace of Mercy.

Attending the ceremony were: Alita’s family, her friends, people from her home in Monsefu, Sisters of Mercy and other women religious from across Peru and four priests (Fr. Lucho, Pedro and Emigdio who are long-time friends of our Sisters, Father Luther who is Parish Priest in Puerto Eten) and Bishop Robert Provost (who presided over the Eucharist).

A centerpiece held the Mercy cross, the candle, a copy of the Constitutions, a teacup, and the framed picture which the Congregation had given Alita as a gift.  A delicate flower was placed on the entrance to each pew. A talented choir from the parish led the singing.

Sister Rosa Gumpa served as Guide for the ceremony.  Sister Elizabeth Davis, Congregational Leader, gave a welcome at the beginning.  The Bishop blessed the water, and four friends of Alita blessed the people in the sprinkling rite.   The readings were taken from Jeremiah 31:31-34, Ps 24, Heb 5:7-9 and John 12:20-33.  The Bishop’s homily included references to the place of religious life today, the Year of Consecrated Life and the readings. The Rite of Profession was led in Spanish by Elizabeth. The questions of intent addressed to her allowed Alita the opportunity to show to the People of God assembled the depth of her commitment.

The litany of saints that followed included invocation to our founders, two of our sisters who died in an accident in Peru and deceased priests of Monsefu and region who worked with our sisters over the years.  Representatives of Alita’s family, the Sisters of Mercy, the Bishop, the priests and the people (the holy ones of today) surrounded Alita – forming, with those whose names were sung, the communion of saints.

Alita read her vows aloud clearly and convincingly, the witnesses (Sheila and Mildred) and Elizabeth signed them with her, she received her ring (engraved with the words of her invitation – “attentive, delicate, patient and faithful God”), she was blessed by the Bishop and embraced by the Sisters of Mercy present.

After the Mass, everyone moved to the reception in a special space near the church.  The space was beautifully prepared with white coverings on the tables and on the chairs, round tables with a bouquet of flowers in the centre, cakes arranged in a central table, and touches of lights and gold in decorations around the room. Toasts were given at the beginning.  Many photographs were taken.  A lovely meal was served.  Guests were treated to traditional songs as well as traditional dances with the dancers in beautiful costumes.  Then the energetic dancing of all the rest began!  All were home by ten o’clock – exhausted, happy and grateful.

What a beautiful moment in the life of our Congregation!

 

                   Sisters of Mercy of Newfoundland living in Huarmey and Puerto Eten, Peru

                                                                                

L – R Verna Aucoin, Rosa Silva Cumpa, Marion Collins, Mildred Brennan, Alita Sanchez Sanchez, Alice Mackey, Lily Ferrero, Rosali Vargas Mendoza

Contact:  Alita  falitas@hotmail.com    Diane  dsmyth@sistersofmercynf.org

 

McAuley Place, Marystown

Posted on by Diane Smyth

 

 

On 22 December 2014 I was invited to attend a small Christmas celebration at McAuley Place – that is the former Holy Name of Mary Convent, which closed in 2011, and purchased by the Grace Sparkes Home for Battered Women.  After much hard work and persuasion to both levels of government, two grants were made available to renovate the building.

The former convent now has six small but beautiful apartments to accommodate one, two or three- member families who need protection and accommodation.  The committee, lead by Mrs. Lisa Slaney and supported by Grace Sparkes staff, have done a wonderful job to make this possible for women in need of shelter and support.

As I told them, the first Mercy House was opened in Ireland by Catherine McAuley to assist young women.  It was a blessing then as it is today. McAuley Place is a local ministry much after the vision of our foundress.

The women, and one child presently living in ‘McAuley Place,’ enjoyed this Christmas celebration.  There was music, lunch, and even Santa Claus.  I am sure there will be many such events as well as the care, shelter and guidance they will receive.

An official opening is planned in the future.

P.S.  As a matter of information — Sister Rona O’Gorman served on the committee which took the responsibility to lobby for a ‘Grace Sparkes’ house to be established in Marystown.  That shelter opened in 2000.

Messages to Theresa: theresamarch34@yahoo.ca

Welcome to Jamaican LPNs

Posted on by Diane Smyth

“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

 

Celebrations of Two Great Ministries

Posted on by Diane Smyth

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!

 

 

The Pontifical Mission Societies

Posted on by Diane Smyth

Sister Rosemary Ryan has been on the road these past few Sundays speaking before 16 Masses in 5 parish churches.  The reason for her presence was to explain the role of the Pontifical Mission Societies to the parishioners.

At the request of Archbishop Martin Currie she accepted the position of Diocesan Director for the Pontifical Mission Societies for the Archdiocese of St. John’s.

Sunday, Oct. 19, 2014, was Mission Sunday and the collection taken up was for the Missionary activity of the world.  Parishioners were asked to pray for the missions and to be generous with their donation. This collection is taken up in every Catholic Parish around the world, even in the developing countries, as we all have the responsibility for the missionary activity of the Church.

All monies collected must be sent to the Pontifical Mission Society for the benefit of the parishes in the developing countries.  Nothing can be kept for the needs of the home parish.

Monies donated by Canadian Dioceses are used to support projects in India and Africa while monies from some European countries are used in Latin America.  Rosemary compared the work of the Pontifical Mission Societies with the Sisters of Mercy missionary work in Peru.  So many of the projects being done in India and Africa are so similar with what is happening in Peru.

Praise was given for the generosity of the three Newfoundland Dioceses which contributed close to $30,000 last year.

Rosemary is willing to speak to any parish group or club to explain the work of the Pontifical Mission Societies.  She can be contacted at rryan@bellaliant.com or by phoning (709)753-8030

 

 

Mercy E-news Right from Newfoundland

Posted on by Diane Smyth

We welcome among us Ms. Anne Walsh from Australia via Dublin. Anne was instrumental along with Adele Howard rsm for broadcasting the celebrations of the 20th Anniversary of Mercy International across the world through the mercyworld website.

Anne is the editor of Mercy e-news each week and will continue to produce that from right here in Newfoundland! Anne will be among us for two weeks until October 23 when she will return to her home in Melbourne. Anne has come to assist us in learning more about the world wide web and specifically about the Mercy world including our own website. We will have sessions that might have general appeal and provide basic information, as well as more technical workshops to help those who would like to learn how develop and to add articles to our website

We are delighted that Anne will be able to experience our beautiful history, culture and landscape and get to know the Sisters of Mercy of Newfoundland and Labrador. We know that we will gain more expertise in working in cyberspace and within the mercyworld website.

 

        Anne at Cape Spear, the most easterly point in North America

       Anne at Blackhead 

Celebrating MIA 20th Anniversary

Posted on by Diane Smyth

In Newfoundland we began the week of celebration of the 20th anniverary of the Mercy International Association on Sunday September 21.

We began with the video Circle of Mercy thus bringing Sisters of Mercy from around the world into our gathering.   Sister Elizabeth Davis, congregational leader, welcomed the group giving a backdrop for the celebrations.  We enjoyed a slideshow of The Face of Mercy which included photos of many of the people in the room and which had been sent to Ireland to be part of the photo display during this week of celebration.

Sister Sheila O’Dea then led us through the liturgy that a committee had prepared for the celebrations at Baggot Street, Dublin on September 26.  The prayer was beautifully woven with readings, images, reflection and chants.  The refrains were written by some of our own sisters.  Bill Brennan, a well known local musician, had composed a piano piece, Country Rose, that was listened to as part of our reflection time.

The theme of our liturgy was Caring for our Environment.  The opening action invited all of life from the four corners of creation to the centre of our room as we turned to each of the directions.  Various symbols were brought to the centre of the room.  Water was one of the key symbols, which was later blessed.  Each of us asked to approach the water prayerfully and playfully to bless ourself or others with the water.  At the end of the liturgy we each turned to the various directions to bless all people and creatures in our cosmos.

Of course we all enjoyed wonderful refreshments following the liturgy.

Since many of our sisters could not attend this gathering we celebrated the event at McAuley Convent on September 22.  We began in the chapel with the liturgy as prepared for the worldwide celebration.  It was so moving to see so many of the sister residents and staff of McAuley Convent participate in the various components of the service and to participate in the refrains.  We then had a “good cup of tea” before watching the slide show “the Face of Mercy”.

As the week continued many of our sisters joined in the worldwide celebrations as

they were livestreamed from BaggotStreet chapel.  We were so pleased to be able to join in the celebrations “live”  through the world wide web, even thought some of them were in the early hours of the mornign for us.  We were so delighted that Sisters Patricia March and Monical Hickey as well as Anne Curtis, one of our colleagues, could be present among the group in Dublin for the celebrations and to represent us there.  We were so pleased to contribute to the celebrations on September 23 and to contribute to the liturgical celebration used on September 26.  We were especially pleased and excited when Patricia told the story of the formal opening of Mercy International Centre and are grateful to her deep love and commitment to Mercy.

We thank the committee who met often to prepare the litugical format and to carry out the various local celebrations.  We thank the sisters who worked to prepare to celebrate at home and to manage the technology that brought us into the chapel at Baggot Street!  We are especially grateful for the group who planned this international celebration of the twenty years of world wide Mercy.

 

Shawls for Rachel’s Vineyard

Posted on by Diane Smyth

 

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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