Category: Ministry

New Ministry for Sister Rosali

Posted on by Diane Smyth

Our Sisters are now living in Huarmey, in the Ancash region, further north in Puerto Eten, Chiclayo region and further north in Chulucanas, Piura region. Chulucanas is a town in Piura Region, Peru. It lies in the Piura Valley just north of the confluence of the Charanal River with the Piura River. Chulucanas is the administrative seat for both Chulucanas District and Morropón Province. The town is famous for its pottery. 

Sr Rosalie with two of her students

Sr. Rosali has moved to Chulucanas where she has begun to teach a class of twenty three-year-old children.

School opened on March 1 and classes began on March 11. Rosali was welcomed to live with a community of Sisters of Mercy who are members of the Carribbean, Central and South American unit of the Sisters of Mercy of the Americas.

We thank the Sisters of Mercy with whom Rosali is living and who welcomed her into their community.  We thank them for their loving support and encouragement.

We support and encourage Rosali in these many changes in her life. Rosali has taken on living in a new house of Mercy (she does know the Sisters of Mercy she is living with) in a new location at a distance from all that she is familiar with. Each day she must travel twenty minutes or more to get to the school using two moto-taxis. Her teaching position is in a poor school with twenty little ones in her class. She will have a teacher assistant to support her.

We keep Rosali in our prayer and in our hearts as she takes on these new and demanding challenges. She has so much to give to her new community and to the little ones in her class.  We look forward to hearing wonderful stories of their growth and achievement.

 

 

View of the school
First day at school
Classrooms
School from a distance

Nuestras Hermanas viven ahora en Huarmey, en la región Ancash, más al norte en Puerto Eten, región Chiclayo y más al norte en Chulucanas, región Piura.Chulucanas es una ciudad de la región de Piura, Perú. Se encuentra en el valle de Piura, al norte de la confluencia del río Charanal con el río Piura. Chulucanas es la sede administrativa del distrito de Chulucanas y de la provincia de Morropón. La ciudad es famosa por su alfarería.

Dónde viven nuestras Hermanas en Perú
Where our Sisters live in Peru

La Hna. Rosali se ha trasladado a Chulucanas, donde ha empezado a dar clase a una clase de veinte niños de tres años.

La escuela abrió el 1 de marzo y las clases empezaron el 11 de marzo. Sor Rosali fue acogida para vivir con una comunidad de Hermanas de la Misericordia que son miembros de la unidad del Caribe, Centro y Sudamérica de las Hermanas de la Misericordia de las Américas.

Agradecemos a las Hermanas de la Misericordia con quienes Rosali está viviendo y que la acogieron en su comunidad. Les agradecemos por su amoroso apoyo y aliento.

Apoyamos y animamos a Rosali en estos muchos cambios en su vida. Rosali ha asumido vivir en una nueva casa de la Misericordia (conoce a las Hermanas de la Misericordia con las que vive) en un nuevo lugar a una distancia de todo lo que le es familiar. Cada día debe viajar veinte minutos o más para llegar a la escuela utilizando dos moto-taxis. Su puesto de profesora es en una escuela pobre con veinte pequeños en su clase. Tendrá una ayudante que la apoye.

Mantenemos a Rosali en nuestras oraciones y en nuestros corazones mientras asume estos nuevos y exigentes retos. Tiene mucho que dar a su nueva comunidad y a los pequeños de su clase. Esperamos escuchar historias maravillosas de su crecimiento y logros.  

Looking to the Stars at Mercy Centre for Ecology and Justice

Posted on by Diane Smyth
Sr Mary Tee and with other avid star-gazers

The night was perfect: it was a clear, crisp and “stellar” evening in St. John’s! The atmosphere was perfectly still and just right for star-gazing.

The CBC weatherman told viewers that it was a perfect night to see the stars and dotted his weather map with them.

Members of the St. John’s Centre Royal Astronomical Society set up their telescopes and high-powered binoculars to view the moon and stars and other treasures of our expansive universe. Adults and children gathered in the garden of the Mercy Centre for Ecology and Justice on Mount Scio Road at 6:00 p.m., waiting patiently as the scientists set up their delicate, yet powerful instruments.

Craters and mountains on the moon were quite visible – yet, no one saw the man-in-the moon! Other planets and constellations of stars could easily be seen. Even the space station came into view.

Looking to the stars

Stargazers appreciated the effort of the Astronomical Society to provide this special opportunity.

Deep appreciation to Sister Mary Tee, Coordinator of the Mercy Centre for Ecology and Justice, and her committee for making this possible. We hope to have another opportunity to look to the stars.

Growing Food to Share at Mercy Centre

Posted on by Diane Smyth

If you cut across the diameter of an apple you will see a five- pointed star at its centre. Many of the blossoms that turn into the vegetables and fruits that we eat are also shaped like five pointed stars. To the Mercy Centre for Ecology & Justice, the five pointed star is a symbol that we are all connected in a reciprocal relationship with nature and the universe.

Produce harvested from the MCEJ Garden

The mission of the  Mercy Centre for Ecology & Justice is to promote the interconnectedness and interrelatedness of all creation and to live in a spirituality flowing out of the sacredness of all creation.

From its beginnings in 2003, the Mercy Centre quickly identified a need to connect low-income families in the St. John’s area with fresh, healthy locally grown produce. Organizers also saw the opportunity to engage youth in growing food. The result has been a six year community gardening initiative that is still thriving today. Mercy Centre organizers see physical connection with the land as a practical expression of their mission.

“The first purpose was to engage youth in organic gardening so that they could learn the skills of gardening; skills that were traditionally known to their elders but were being lost”, reflects Sister Mary Tee, coordinator of the Mercy Centre for Ecology & Justice. “The second purpose then was to engage youth so that they could experience what it means to be a contributing member of the larger community and help feed those in need. The third purpose was to offer a healthy respect and appreciation for the land so that youth could see themselves as part of all creation and all creation as part of them; and then with such awareness of the mysteries and miracle of life in a tiny seed, a greater wisdom and consciousness could be found.”

Over the years thousands of pounds of fresh food have been donated to food banks and meal programs by the Mercy Centre’s gardeners. This was made possible by the generous support of several farmers in the area who shared their acreage and contributed their expertise.  From 2003 – 2009, prior to the Mercy Centre establishing its current home on Mount Scio Road, garden land was donated by farmers Colin Lester, Hector Williams, Robert Walsh, and the Searl Family.

Starting in 2006 the Mercy Centre began partnering with the Association for New Canadians (ANC) to provide access to land to participants in the Association’s language training program, many of whom were new residents to Canada who brought with them a wealth of knowledge on food production. That relationship continues today and ANC participants often visit to tend their plants, harvest fresh food for their families, and participate in events like presentations and workshops on food security and food skills given by the Food Security Network(FSN). In 2012 a new initiative was started called Growing Health, a partnership with Nature NL to connect consumers of mental health services with gardening at the Mercy Centre, based on the belief that working in and with nature does wonders for the mind, body, and soul. Through the project dozens of new visitors have experienced what the Mercy Centre has to offer.  A new greenhouse and composting toilet were added in 2012.

The Mercy Centre for Ecology & Justice offers other impactful programs beyond the garden, including public education on the New Universe Story, a three-week nature-based summer camp for children, an annual fair trade Ten Thousand Villages Sale, and a youth choir that addresses social justice issues called Music and Song to Right the Wrongs. To support all of that amazing work, the Mercy Centre for Ecology and Justice formed its first Board of Directors in 2012.

Article courtesy of the Food Sharing Network

Prison Ministry-Sister Margie Taylor

Posted on by Diane Smyth

Sister Margie Taylor relates a few of her recent experiences with some whom she has accompanied.

“Sister Margie, a woman’s got to do what a woman’s got to do to survive.”   With these words, a woman described how she was involved in the sex trade industry in order to meet her basic needs.  In 2001, I first became involved in a ministry as a prison chaplain for women.  The crimes the women were charged with at that time involved shoplifting, theft, possession of drugs or driving without a license.  But today the face of crime has changed and the challenges are monumental.

Many of the people with whom I journey are marginalized by the stigma of mental illness.  This may manifest itself as depression, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, anxiety, or personality disorders.  The stigma coupled with SHAME is cited as the number one reason why individuals do not seek help.  In late April 2023, I journeyed with a woman whom I referred to as “the woman in the tent.”  Amidst freezing cold temperatures, she chose to sleep in a small pup tent by our Basilica because she felt safe there.  I kept showing up until I won her trust, learned her name and was able to see her move to better accommodations where she felt safe once more.

One author in writing of our capital city refers to it as Rock, Paper, Sex.  Rock as the name of our city, paper as money utilized in the sex trade industry and sex for the demand itself.  Yes, today a woman’s got to do what a woman’s got to do to survive. The key is in asking ourselves: “How can we mind our mental health and address this issue so people can stand TALL because TALL is a TALL order?”

-Margie Taylor, rsm

La hermana Margie Taylor relata algunas de sus experiencias recientes con algunas de las personas a las que ha acompañado.

“Hermana Margie, una mujer tiene que hacer lo que tiene que hacer para sobrevivir”. Con estas palabras, una mujer describió cómo se había involucrado en la industria del comercio sexual para satisfacer sus necesidades básicas. En 2001, me involucré por primera vez en un ministerio como capellán de prisiones para mujeres. En aquella época, los delitos de los que se acusaba a las mujeres eran hurtos, robos, posesión de drogas o conducir sin carné. Pero hoy el rostro de la delincuencia ha cambiado y los retos son monumentales.

Muchas de las personas con las que viajo están marginadas por el estigma de la enfermedad mental. Esto puede manifestarse como depresión, trastorno bipolar, esquizofrenia, ansiedad o trastornos de la personalidad. El estigma, unido a la VERGÜENZA, se cita como la razón número uno por la que las personas no buscan ayuda. A finales de abril de 2023, viajé con una mujer a la que me refería como “la mujer de la tienda”. En medio de temperaturas gélidas, eligió dormir en una pequeña tienda de campaña junto a nuestra Basílica porque allí se sentía segura. Seguí apareciendo hasta que me gané su confianza, aprendí su nombre y conseguí que se mudara a un alojamiento mejor donde volviera a sentirse segura.

Un autor, al escribir sobre nuestra capital, se refiere a ella como Piedra, Papel, Sexo. Roca como nombre de nuestra ciudad, papel como dinero utilizado en la industria del comercio sexual y sexo por la propia demanda. Sí, hoy una mujer tiene que hacer lo que tiene que hacer para sobrevivir. La clave está en preguntarnos: “¿Cómo podemos cuidar nuestra salud mental y abordar este tema para que la gente pueda mantenerse en pie porque TALL es una orden TALL?”.

-Margie Taylor, rsm

Opening of Lionel Kelland Hospice, Grand Falls-Windsor Newfoundland

Posted on by Diane Smyth

On November 23, 2023 the Lionel Kelland Hospice was officially opened in Grand Falls-Windsor. 

The hospice is a community project created through the generosity of many people, especially the Presentation Sisters, who have been working closely with the organizing committee for almost ten years.   The Sisters donated their St. Catherine’s Renewal Centre property which has been renovated to accommodate a ten-bed hospice with beautiful space for the families and those caring for the patients.

The Sisters of Mercy were given the privilege to name one of the wings.  The west wing will be named after Sr. Mary Fabian Hennebury who established in 1979 the first palliative care unit at St. Clare’s Mercy Hospital in St. John’s.

Sisters Elizabeth Marrie and Patricia March attended the grand opening ceremonies in Grand Falls-Windsor.  Sr. M. Fabian’s niece Yvonne Coleman and grand-nephew, Aidan Coleman also attended.

We congratulate the Presentation Sisters, the people, supporters and planning committee for their persistence that has brought them to this day.
We applaud the Presentation Sisters’ generous donation and their faithful commitment to the completion of the project.
We celebrate with the people of the Central area of our province that they now have a program and place where they can accompany their loved ones in their final journey in life.
We celebrate that the residents of the area will find in the Lionel Kelland Hospice a place of love, care, comfort and support that they need in the face of sickness and death.

  • More about the Inspiration for the Hospice and Sr M. Fabian Wing can be found here
  • More information about the Hospice can be found here

El 23 de noviembre de 2023 se inauguró oficialmente el hospicio Lionel Kelland en Grand Falls-Windsor.

El hospicio es un proyecto comunitario creado gracias a la generosidad de muchas personas, especialmente de las Hermanas de la Presentación, que llevan casi diez años colaborando estrechamente con el comité organizador. Las Hermanas donaron su propiedad St. Catherine’s Renewal Centre, que ha sido renovada para albergar un hospicio de diez camas con un hermoso espacio para las familias y quienes cuidan a los pacientes.

Las Hermanas de la Misericordia tuvieron el privilegio de dar nombre a una de las alas. El ala oeste llevará el nombre de la Hna. Mary Fabian Hennebury, que en 1979 creó la primera unidad de cuidados paliativos en el hospital St. Clare’s Mercy de St. John’s

Las Hermanas Elizabeth Marrie y Patricia March asistieron a las ceremonias de inauguración en Grand Falls-Windsor. También asistieron la sobrina de la Hna. M. Fabian, Yvonne Coleman, y su sobrino nieto, Aidan Coleman.

Felicitamos a las Hermanas de la Presentación, al pueblo, a los simpatizantes y al comité de planificación por su persistencia, que les ha llevado hasta este día.
Aplaudimos la generosa donación de las Hermanas de la Presentación y su fiel compromiso con la realización del proyecto.
Celebramos con la gente de la zona central de nuestra provincia que ahora tienen un programa y un lugar donde pueden acompañar a sus seres queridos en su último viaje en la vida.
Celebramos que los residentes de la zona encontrarán en el Hospicio Lionel Kelland un lugar de amor, cuidado, consuelo y apoyo que necesitan ante la enfermedad y la muerte.

  • Aquí encontrará más información sobre el hospicio
  • Más información sobre la Inspiración para el Hospicio y el Ala Sor M. Fabian aquí

Mercy Bakery Opens in Puerto Eten, Peru

Posted on by Diane Smyth

We send our congratulations to the Christian community of Puerto Eten who have recently opened a bakery, which they have named in honor of the Sisters of Mercy.

Over the past few years, large numbers of people from Venezuela have been arriving in Peru, seeking safety, shelter and hospitality. This new bakery provides bread to supplement the meals that the community has already been serving.

View the video clip.

Felicitamos a la comunidad cristiana de Puerto Eten por la reciente apertura de una panadería, que han bautizado en honor de las Hermanas de la Misericordia.

En los últimos años, un gran número de personas procedentes de Venezuela han llegado a Perú en busca de seguridad, refugio y hospitalidad. Esta nueva panadería proporciona pan para complementar las comidas que la comunidad ya ha estado sirviendo.

Ver el videoclip más arriba

Mercy Arts and Crafts

Posted on by Diane Smyth

Sisters Anita Best and Mona Rumboldt manifest their creativity in needlework (Anita) and card-making (Mona).

Las hermanas Anita Best y Mona Rumboldt manifiestan su creatividad en la costura (Anita) y la tarjetería (Mona).

Examples of their work are on display in the gallery below. En la siguiente galería se exponen ejemplos de su trabajo.

Sr Mona with some of her creations
Sr Anita working on her tapestry

 

The Sisters of Mercy in Newfoundland : their contribution to business education

Posted on by Diane Smyth

Abstract of Masters Thesis by Augusta Bonita Ford, Memorial University of Newfoundland

The purpose of this study was to trace the work of the sisters of Mercy in Newfoundland in the field of business education. The Sisters began their work in the late 1800’s, when they first introduced business education courses into the curriculum of their convent schools. Their work continued until the mid-1900’s, when they began phasing out the formal business education programs which they had developed over the years in their schools. Their activities in this area constitute an important and lasting contribution to the field of business education. There has been no previous in-depth scholarly investigation into this aspect of the Sisters’ work. Therefore, a study of the Sisters’ contribution to this field is long overdue.

The first part of this study provides historical background of the Sisters of Mercy, the establishment of the early convent schools in Newfoundland, and the introduction of business education subjects into the curriculum of these schools. — The second part of the study deals with the opening of Commercial Departments at several of the Sisters’ schools and colleges around the Island, the development of comprehensive business education programs in these departments, and the introduction and development of business education programs at convent schools where Commercial Departments were not established.

The Sisters of Mercy in Newfoundland started their business training at a time when business education was in its infancy and when the field of employment for women. The foresight, energy, and determination of the early Sisters won the respect of educators and business people across Newfoundland. An, the outstanding achievements of so many of their students won for the institutions they represented a recognized place not only in the educational and business circles of the Island but also in international business education competitions. — In the late 1950’s and early 1960’s, many schools and colleges in Newfoundland began closing down their Commercial Departments or phasing out their business education classes. The convent schools and colleges operated by the Sisters of Mercy were among this group. New educational institutions such as Holy Heart of Mary Regional High School for girls and The College of Trades and Technology in St. John’s, along with the District Vocational Schools across the Island, now took up the task of preparing the youth of Newfoundland for the world of business.

By the time the Sisters were ready to concede the responsibility for business training to the new institutions, they had already helped to raise business education from a small cluster of basic skills courses to a highly sophisticated field of learning for young men and women. In addition, the Sisters had trained for the business communities of the Island thousands of qualified typists, stenographers, and bookkeepers. In so doing, they had given well over half a century of dedicated service to the field of business education in Newfoundland.

Read the thesis here

Mercy’s Legacy

Posted on by Diane Smyth

I recently attended a ceremony that truly marked the end of an era – the closing of St. Clare’s Mercy Convent. Its history began 102 years ago, as St. Clare’s Home for Working Girls and was the first location of St. Clare’s Mercy Hospital.

Sisters who lived in St. Clare’s Mercy Convent in recent years:
Front row (l-r): Sister Marie Etheridge, Sister Jane McGrath, Sister Marian Grace Manning, and Sister Madonna O’Neill
Back Row, left to right: Sister Brenda Lacey, Sister Elizabeth Davis and Sister Madonna Gatherall

Over the years, 92 Sisters of Mercy called it home.

In her emotional remarks during the recent closing ceremony, one of its former residents, Sister Elizabeth Davis, reminisced: “It is a holy space which has seen and heard joy and laughter, music and dancing, pain and tears, anger and gentleness, fear and hope, dreams and promise.”

But the Sisters have left their mark on face of health care delivery in this province.

Sister Elizabeth believes it’s a lasting legacy. “While the physical convent may be gone, we have far more than the memories of the place and of the women who once called it home.”

“We have the energy that flows from the spirit of mercy that lived in the convent and now lives forever in this hospital and in our world.”

Read the complete article here

The two lives of St. Clare’s: Religious roots of 100-year-old St. John’s hospital still stir pride in the Sisters of Mercy

Posted on by Diane Smyth

Legacy was enshrined by the care and compassion of the pioneering order ‘walking nuns’ who became the heart of N.L. health care for decades

L-r: Srs Diane and Charlotte
Image: Peter Jackson, Saltwire

ST. JOHN’S, N.L. — Sister Diane Smyth remembers the family dinner her mother cooked the night before Smyth joined the Mercy Convent in St. John’s in 1964.

“My uncle said to me, ‘It’s just like you’re dying,’” she said.

“He said, ‘No daughter of mine is going to join the convent,’ as if to say, now that they’re taking you away, you’re going to be locked up for the rest of your life. That was the image of the cloister.”

In fact, the Sisters of Mercy was never an order to shy away from engagement with the community. Quite the opposite.

“In Ireland, we were called the walking nuns,” says Sister Charlotte Fitzpatrick — who recently wrote a book about the local order called “Standing on Their Shoulders” — “because most of the congregations of women in religions at the time were enclosed, they didn’t go out among the people as much…

Read the rest of the article here