Author: Diane Smyth

Anniversary of Sister Francis Creedon’s Death

Posted on by Diane Smyth

The Newfoundlander of July 19, 1855 published this simple obituary notice:
Died: On Sunday A.M., the 15th, Mrs. Mary Francis, Superior of the Order of Mercy, daughter of the late John Creedon, Esq. of Mount Desert of King Street,Cork in 44th year of her age and 16th of her religious life.

Sister M. Francis died as she had lived – quietly, without fanfare, responding to God’s calls, wherever and however they came to her. This steadfast woman of Mercy left behind four young sisters, one of them a novice, to carry on the mission in Newfoundland. Indeed, we stand on the shoulders of strong, faith-filled, trusting, courageous women.

El Newfoundlander del 19 de julio de 1855 publicó esta sencilla nota necrológica:
Falleció: El domingo 15 por la mañana, la Sra. Mary Francis, Superiora de la Orden de la Merced, hija del difunto John Creedon, Esq. de Mount Desert de King Street, Cork, a los 44 años de edad y a los 16 de su vida religiosa.

La Hermana M. Francis murió como había vivido: en silencio, sin fanfarrias, respondiendo a las llamadas de Dios, dondequiera y comoquiera que le llegaran. Esta firme mujer de la Misericordia dejó cuatro hermanas jóvenes, una de ellas novicia, para continuar la misión en Terranova. De hecho, nos apoyamos en los hombros de mujeres fuertes, llenas de fe, confiadas y valientes.

Sisters of Mercy, Newfoundland elect Leadership Team

Posted on by Diane Smyth

The Sisters of Mercy of Newfoundland held their 23rd General Chapter, 22—25 June 2025.  The theme of the Chapter:  Mercying in Hope: Presence, Compassion, Mission~Misericordiando en Esperanza: Presencia, Compasión, Misión provided the inspiration and groundedness of the preparation for and of the events of the Chapter days.

                                                                     L-R:  Eileen Penney, rsm    Diane Smyth, rsm   Elizabeth Marrie, rsm   Verna Aucoin, rsm

A leadership Team was chosen to lead the Congregation forward during the next four years.  Elected are Diane Smyth, Congregational Leader, Elizabeth Marrie, Eileen Penney and Verna Aucoin.  Gratitude is expressed to Sisters Charlotte Fitzpatrick and Betty Morrissey who have served on the previous team.

Las Hermanas de la Misericordia de Terranova celebraron su 23º Capítulo General del 22 al 25 de junio de 2025. El tema del Capítulo: Misericordiando en Esperanza: Presencia, Compasión, Misión~Misericordiando en Esperanza: Presencia, Compasión, Misión proporcionó la inspiración y el fundamento de la preparación y de los acontecimientos de los días del Capítulo.

Se eligió un Equipo de liderazgo para llevar adelante la Congregación durante los próximos cuatro años. Los elegidos son Diane Smyth, Líder Congregacional, Elizabeth Marrie, Eileen Penney y Verna Aucoin. Se expresa gratitud a las Hermanas Charlotte Fitzpatrick y Betty Morrissey que han servido en el equipo anterior.

 

10th Anniversary Laudato Si’ Film

Posted on by Diane Smyth

This short film (25:14) has been produced to mark the 10th anniversary of Laudato Si’. It features a synopsis of the main themes of Laudato Si’,  as well as three parish based climate friendly projects to motivate change at the parish level.

The Sisters of Mercy have supported this project and are most grateful to Kevin Moynihan and his creative and committed colleagues in documenting this very important issue and enhancing Pope Francis exhortation to the whole world.  We congratulate Kevin, his team and his collaborators.

Este cortometraje (25:14) se ha producido con motivo del 10º aniversario de Laudato Si’. Presenta una sinopsis de los principales temas de Laudato Si’, así como tres proyectos parroquiales respetuosos con el clima para motivar el cambio a nivel parroquial.

Las Hermanas de la Misericordia han apoyado este proyecto y están muy agradecidas a Kevin Moynihan y a sus creativos y comprometidos colegas por documentar este tema tan importante y realzar la exhortación del Papa Francisco al mundo entero. Felicitamos a Kevin, a su equipo y a sus colaboradores.

Plastic Free July 2025

Posted on by Diane Smyth

Plastic free July is a global movement inviting people around the world to be part of the solution to the critical problem of plastic pollution.

This year’s campaign slogan is “Small steps, big difference”. Every action we take to reducing plastic waste, big or small,is part of the solution to ending plastic pollution.

In March 2022 the UN Environment Assembly agreed to establish a global treaty to end plastic pollution and to insure a cleaner and more sustainable future for Earth and all Earth’s inhabitants. The Third United Nations Ocean Conference Nice 2025 – UNOC3 concluded on 13 June 2025 with the adoption of the “Nice Ocean Action Plan“, which includes a political declaration and over 800 voluntary commitments from various stakeholders to accelerate action on Sustainable Development Goal 14, “Life Below Water”.   

While plastic was once hailed as a miracle product, we now know the damage plastic pollution does to ecosystems, the climate, human health and the economy.

All of us are being encouraged this month —and hopefully for good — to become part of the solution to beating plastic pollution, rather than a contributor to the problem.

Julio sin plástico es un movimiento mundial que invita a personas de todo el mundo a formar parte de la solución al grave problema de la contaminación por plásticos.

El lema de la campaña de este año es “Pequeños pasos, grandes diferencias”. Cada acción que emprendemos para reducir los residuos plásticos, grande o pequeña, forma parte de la solución para acabar con la contaminación por plásticos.

En marzo de 2022, la Asamblea de las Naciones Unidas para el Medio Ambiente acordó establecer un tratado mundial para acabar con la contaminación por plásticos y asegurar un futuro más limpio y sostenible para la Tierra y todos sus habitantes.

Aunque el plástico fue aclamado en su día como un producto milagroso, ahora sabemos el daño que la contaminación por plástico causa a los ecosistemas, el clima, la salud humana y la economía.

Este mes se nos anima a todos -y esperemos que para siempre- a formar parte de la solución para vencer la contaminación por plásticos, en lugar de contribuir al problema.

Pope Leo’s July Prayer Intention “For Formation in Discernment”. Intención de oración Papa Leon “Por la formación para el discernimiento”

Posted on by Diane Smyth

Pope Leo has dedicated his July prayer intention to formation in discernment and asks us “to pray that we might again learn how to discern, to know how to choose paths of life and reject everything that leads us away from Christ and the Gospel”.

Post your prayer in our sacred space here

El Papa León ha dedicado su intención de oración del mes de julio a la formación en el discernimiento y nos pide «rezar para que aprendamos de nuevo a discernir, para saber elegir caminos de vida y rechazar todo lo que nos aleja de Cristo y del Evangelio».

Publique aquí su oración en nuestro espacio sagrado

July 2025 Associates Newsletter Now Online

Posted on by Diane Smyth

“Kitty’s Chronicle” is a monthly newsletter distributed to all Mercy Associates. Each month the latest  issue is posted online in the Associates section of our website. The newsletter contains news and views, requests for prayers and material for reflection.

Prayers for the Sick, Resources from the Wisdom Circles, Items of Interest, Important Dates, Welcoming May, An Archival Moment and a delicious Baked Pineapple Salmon recipe are among the many topics covered in our latest issue.

A feature of this month’s issue is key July dates in New foundland history.

Visit the Associates section of our website to find out about Becoming an Associate and the Associate Program.

Living Land Acknowledgement from First Light St John’s

Posted on by Diane Smyth

Filmed across beloved landmarks in St. John’s – including Signal Hill, Quidi Vidi, and Cape Spear – the Land Acknowledgement video centres Indigenous voice, spirit, and presence right where it belongs.

Spoken entirely in Mi’kmaw, Innu-aimun, and Inuktitut, with English subtitles, the video is a powerful act of Indigenous resurgence. In a place where Indigenous language and ceremony were once silenced, our words now rise with pride and purpose.

As the only Indigenous-led organization in St. John’s, First Light is often asked to deliver land acknowledgments. But this work is more than protocol – it is living truth. It’s an act of visibility, justice, and love for the communities we serve. It reflects our commitment to honouring story and spirit as pathways to systemic change.

After sharing our living land acknowledgement, we encourage you to share the acknowledgement below as a sign of your commitment to being an active participant in the truth and reconciliation process.

This acknowledgement is a sample/suggestion and these acknowledgements can be customized.

As a demonstration of allyship we encourage you to share the ways that you or your organization are actively participating in reconciliation as an acknowledgement of your commitment.

Acknowledgement

St. John’s is home to a rich, diverse, and vibrant urban Indigenous community. Located on the ancestral and unceded territory of the Beothuk, the lands and waters in and around the City have traditionally served as a gathering place for the Mi’kmaq. The broader region of Newfoundland and Labrador continues to be home to diverse Indigenous Peoples, including First Nations, Inuit, and Métis. We honour and pay respect to the past, present, and future caretakers of these territories.

The 23rd General Chapter

Posted on by Diane Smyth

The Sisters of Mercy offer a huge thank-you to all for the wonderful participation in our Chapter, for the energy and enthusiasm that was so palpable and for the generous sharing of so many gifts and talents. We are particularly appreciative of all those who responded to the invitation posted on our website to join with us in prayer.

The spirit of Mercy is alive, vibrant and visible!

Blessings and congratulations to our newly -elected Leadership Team –
Sisters Diane Smyth, Elizabeth Marrie, Eileen Penney and Verna Aucoin.

May Catherine McAuley be your inspiration as you walk the roads of Mercy with us over the next four years.

Las Hermanas de la Misericordia quieren expresar su más sincero agradecimiento a todos por su maravillosa participación en nuestro Capítulo, por la energía y el entusiasmo que se palpaba en el ambiente y por el generoso intercambio de tantos dones y talentos. Estamos especialmente agradecidas a todos aquellos que respondieron a la invitación publicada en nuestra página web para unirse a nosotros en la oración.

¡El espíritu de la Misericordia está vivo, vibrante y visible!

Bendiciones y felicitaciones a nuestro nuevo equipo directivo:
las hermanas Diane Smyth, Elizabeth Marrie, Eileen Penney y Verna Aucoin.

Que Catherine McAuley sea vuestra inspiración mientras recorréis con nosotras los caminos de la Misericordia durante los próximos cuatro años.

Happy Canada Day

Posted on by Diane Smyth

Canada Day, originally known as Dominion Day, marks the anniversary of Confederation when the British North America Act came into effect in 1867, uniting four provinces into one country. Canada Day is the fourth celebration of the Celebrate Canada  program, reminding us of the richness, bounty and diversity of our people and of our land and sea resources. 

Let us pray for our country as we celebrate her 158th birthday as a sovereign nation.

Post your prayer in our sacred space here

El Día de Canadá, originalmente conocido como Día del Dominio, conmemora el aniversario de la Confederación, cuando entró en vigor la Ley de América del Norte Británica en 1867, uniendo cuatro provincias en un solo país. El Día de Canadá es la cuarta celebración del programa Celebra Canadá, que nos recuerda la riqueza, la abundancia y la diversidad de nuestro pueblo y de nuestros recursos terrestres y marítimos.

Oremos por nuestro país mientras celebramos su 158º aniversario como nación soberana.

Publica tu oración en nuestro espacio sagrado aquí.

Canadian Multicultural Day

Posted on by Diane Smyth

This day was designated in 2002 by the Government of Canada as an annual opportunity to recognize, learn about and celebrate the wonderful diversity of our country and its communities. Canada has been long recognized globally as a role model for multiculturism. Our 2021 Census reported over 450 ethnic or cultural origins from participants.

On this day, June 27 we honor Canadians of all backgrounds who have made their home in this country and who are contributing in various ways from the richness of their cultures. Unfortunately, some cultural groups still experience discrimination based on race or religion.

We are encouraged through the celebration of this day to reflect on the importance of diversity and inclusion and to find ways to make our communities, churches and Canadian society in general more open, welcoming and inclusive.

Este día fue designado en 2002 por el Gobierno de Canadá como una oportunidad anual para reconocer, aprender y celebrar la maravillosa diversidad de nuestro país y sus comunidades. Canadá ha sido reconocido mundialmente durante mucho tiempo como un modelo a seguir en materia de multiculturalismo. El censo de 2021 registró más de 450 orígenes étnicos o culturales entre los participantes.

En este día, 27 de junio, rendimos homenaje a los canadienses de todos los orígenes que han hecho de este país su hogar y que contribuyen de diversas maneras a la riqueza de sus culturas. Lamentablemente, algunos grupos culturales siguen siendo objeto de discriminación por motivos de raza o religión.

La celebración de este día nos anima a reflexionar sobre la importancia de la diversidad y la inclusión y a buscar formas de hacer que nuestras comunidades, nuestras iglesias y la sociedad canadiense en general sean más abiertas, acogedoras e inclusivas.