For 76 years, commencing with the foundation of the World Health organisation in 1948, World Health Day has been celebrated on April 7 and each year draws attention to a specific health topic of concern to people all over the world.
This year’s theme – “My health, my right”, was chosen to champion the right of everyone, everywhere to have access to quality health services, education, and information, as well as safe drinking water, clean air, good nutrition, quality housing, decent working and environmental conditions, and freedom from discrimination.
Care of the sick is integral to the charism and tradition of all Sisters of Mercy as well noted in the founding history of the congregation. Visitation of the sick in their homes and in institutions has been adapted to circumstances of time and place, yet remains a strong witness of the Mercy ministry.
Sisters of Mercy Newfoundland have long been engaged in the ministry of health care in the province including opening a hospital – St Clare’s- in 1921. which has served the people of Newfoundland and Labrador for over 100 years.
Today, Sisters of Mercy of Newfoundland may be found at St. Clare’s Mercy Hospital and St. Patrick’s Mercy Home in the ministry of pastoral care. Sisters have great devotion to our sick and infirm sisters at the Residence at Littledale. Some sisters attend to the sick in the parishes and regions where they dwell.
Desde hace 76 años, a partir de la fundación de la Organización Mundial de la Salud en 1948, se celebra el Día Mundial de la Salud, que cada año llama la atención sobre un tema sanitario específico que preocupa a las personas de todo el mundo.
El tema de este año, “Mi salud, mi derecho”, se eligió para defender el derecho de todas las personas, en todas partes, a tener acceso a servicios de salud, educación e información de calidad, así como a agua potable, aire limpio, buena nutrición, vivienda de calidad, condiciones laborales y medioambientales dignas y no sufrir discriminación.
El cuidado de los enfermos es parte integrante del carisma y la tradición de todas las Hermanas de la Misericordia, como bien se señala en la historia fundacional de la congregación. La visita a los enfermos en sus casas y en instituciones se ha adaptado a las circunstancias de tiempo y lugar, pero sigue siendo un fuerte testimonio del ministerio de la Misericordia.
Las Hermanas de la Misericordia de Terranova llevan mucho tiempo comprometidas en el ministerio de la asistencia sanitaria en la provincia, incluida la apertura de un hospital en 1921, que ha servido a la población de Terranova y Labrador durante más de 100 años.
Hoy, las Hermanas de la Misericordia de Terranova pueden encontrarse en el Hospital de la Misericordia de Santa Clara y en el Hogar de la Misericordia de San Patricio en el ministerio de la atención pastoral. En la Residencia de Littledale, las Hermanas tienen una gran devoción por las enfermas y los enfermos. Algunas hermanas atienden a los enfermos en las parroquias y regiones donde residen.
Mary Ellen’s religious name was Sister Mary de Chantal, a name that became legendary over her nearly sixty years of Mercy ministry in Newfoundland. In September 1961, less than a year after her Profession of Vows, Sister M. de Chantal went to Brigus as a member of that founding community. In 1866 she became Superior of Mercy Convent in St. John’s, the second sister to hold that position since the death of Sister Francis Creedon. During her time of office, two new Mercy foundations were established – Conception Harbour and Petty Harbour. In 1861 she went to Burin as Superior of St. Anne’s Convent.
Given the right kind of conditions, it is possible to enter Holy Week from the inside rather than the outside – not as a series of commemorative events surrounding the final days of Jesus’ earthly life, but as a way of actually accompanying Jesus on His timeless passage through death to the very source of life and back into this world, with the unshakable certainty that “nothing can separate us from the love of God.”
More than three billion people worldwide depend on water that crosses national boundaries, but only 24 countries have cooperation agreements for their shared water. With the critical impacts of climate change and the growth of populations, there is an urgent need, within and between countries, to unite around protecting and conserving this most precious resource. Public health and prosperity, food and energy systems, economic productivity and environmental integrity all depend on a well-functioning and equitably managed water cycle.
Más de tres mil millones de personas en todo el mundo dependen del agua que cruza las fronteras nacionales, pero sólo 24 países tienen acuerdos de cooperación para el agua que comparten. Con los impactos críticos del cambio climático y el crecimiento de la población, hay una necesidad urgente, dentro y entre los países, de unirse en torno a la protección y conservación de este recurso tan preciado. La salud pública y la prosperidad, los sistemas alimentarios y energéticos, la productividad económica y la integridad medioambiental dependen del buen funcionamiento y la gestión equitativa del ciclo del agua.
It is, in effect, our faith communities’ way of being in solidarity with those who are actively working for peace and justice around our world.
March 8, International Women’s Day, is a global day celebrating the social, cultural, economic and political achievements of women. It also issues a call to action for the acceleration of greater parity in our world.