‘Joseph of Arimathea, who was the disciple of Jesus, though in secret, asked Pilot to let Him take away the body of Jesus. Pilot gave permission and Joseph came and moved the body. All those who stood at a distance to watch Jesus being crucified had left the scene and gone home. It was almost evening by the time Joseph got the necessary permission to move Jesus’s body.  Mary waited and waited by the cross, not wanting to leave her son without the opportunity of being able to

The 24th of September marks the Feast of Our Lady of Mercy, a significant occasion in the liturgical calendar. This day holds particular importance for those devoted to the spirit and works of mercy. On the following day, the Mercy associates from Newcastle-under-Lyme, accompanied by Sister Bridie Stevens and Sister Betty Larkin, from the Coolock Pastoral Centre, made a special visit to the Convent of Mercy in Bermondsey, South London. This convent is especially noteworthy as

The Solemnity of the Ascension of the Lord is this week and with that in mind we give thanks to the Holy Spirit for our new Pope, Pope Leo XIV.  Barbara brought our thoughts to Our Lady of Good Counsel. To whom we prayed for Pope Leo and our personal intentions. Singing the lovely hymn "O Mother of Mercy" with the words sung "Your children need guidance through all of their days". We give thanks to Our Mother Mary that she is always there for us. Lisa beautifully led the Lita

MARY STOOD BENEATH THE CROSS “Standing beneath the Cross of Jesus were His Mother, and His Mother’s Sister, Mary, the wife of Cleopas and Mary Magdalene”. John 19:25) Time passes very quickly with days into weeks and weeks into years. It seems so recently that we celebrated Christmas and already we are reflecting on the significance of Lent. Since Christmas is very much about Our Lady as is the Feast of the Presentation in the Temple known as Candlemas.  I thought we might gi

In the heart of Newcastle-under-Lyme, a meaningful gathering took place, bringing together a diverse tapestry of individuals who are interconnected through their shared values and commitments.  The day commenced with a grand celebratory Mass at noon in Holy Trinity Church led by Canon Paul McNally, the church resounded with the harmonious presence of the school choirs and representatives from various groups that enrich the vibrant community of Coolock. From the esteemed Nati

Reflection on the Life of Sr Norma Lynch 27th July 2024 R.I.P. Norma was born in Baltimore in West Cork, which is a place of outstanding natural beauty and is famous for its holiday resorts, folklore and good food. Norma always boasted that one could see the tip of America from Baltimore. When she was a child, her parents located to Killonan, Ballysimon Co. Limerick. Norma was the eldest of seven children and was educated at the Presentation Convent in Limerick, making tha

The 24th September, the Feast of Our Lady of Mercy, is our Patronal Feast and I thought it might be helpful to reflect on the life of Venerable Catherine McAuley, our Foundress, since Mercy was Catherine’s overwhelming characteristic.  On the 29th of September 1778 in Stormanstown House Dublin, Catherine Elizabeth McAuley was born to her parents James and Elinor McAuley, both devout Catholics. Catherine’s early years were happy, secure and comfortable in a loving family, with

THE 150th ANNIVERSARY OF THE DEATH OF MOTHER CLARE MOORE. Twenty Twenty-Four is a remarkable year of celebration for the Sisters of Mercy in Bermondsey. On the 19th of November we will be giving thanks for the arrival of Venerable Catherine McAuley and five Sisters to Bermondsey and on the 14th of December we will be celebrating with gratitude the life of Mother Clare Moore as we remember the 150th Anniversary of her death. It is only fitting that we should reflect on the hug

Mary is the fulfilment of God’s promise to take us to Himself.  Her Assumption is for us a sign of hope and consolation. The Church has declared this Feast as a Holy Day of Obligation so that we take time to attend Mass and thank God for all He has done for Mary. By celebrating this Feast Day, we are reminded of the destiny to which we are called which is to live forever in happiness and perfect fulfilment with God our Father.  Our Blessed Mother Mary has reached that goal al

MARY STOOD BENEATH THE CROSS "Standing beneath the Cross of Jesus were His Mother, and His Mother's Sister, Mary, the wife of Cleopas and Mary Magdalene". (John 19 v25)” Time passes very quickly with days into weeks and weeks into years. It seems so recently that we celebrated Christmas and already we are reflecting on the significance of Lent. Since Christmas is very much about Our Lady as is the Feast of the Presentation in the Temple known as Candlemas. I thought we might

On the 31st of January 2024, Coolock welcomed five new Associates to its ever growing Group. Watch as Ann Newman, Lisa Cartlidge, Pat Killeen, Gill Hodgkinson and Jean Elsby make their commitment and follow in the footsteps of the Venerable Catherine McAuley.

Join Sr. Bridie Stephens and the Mercy Associates from Coolock, in Newcastle under Lyme as they carry out the Ritual to Celebrate the death of Catherine McAuley on the 11th November 1841 (links through to YouTube). You can click on Catherine (on the left) or go to the Resources Page, where you'll also find it and other resources to celebrate the life and works of Catherine McCauley.

OUR STECHFORD MERCY ASSOCIATE BETTY GAMBLE RIP A large congregation of family, friends, Sisters & Mercy Associates gathered on Tuesday 21st November at Corpus Christi Church, Stechford to celebrate the life of Elizabeth (Betty) Gamble RIP. Betty was one of the first Associates in our Group and for many years had been a wonderful example of love and mercy to us all. Born in Ireland, she had lived in Stechford, Birmingham for most of her adult life and was widely loved and re

Mrs Rita Kennedy, one of Coolock's first Mercy Associates died on the 26th October 2023. Her funeral was held at Holy Trinity Church in Newcastle Under Lyme on 9th November, her body having been taken into the church the previous evening with her eight sons and their families in attendance. After the Reception Service they all came to Coolock to see where Rita visited on so many occasions and where she attended the Associate meetings. They enjoyed a good cup of tea and chatt

On the 25th of October, Coolock Associates joined together to share their love of the Rosary. Barbara Mercer introduced the prayer with a reflection on the Rosary as a sword. "Have your Rosary in your pocket and have it easy to take hold of, in times of trouble just as the soldier grabs his sword" she said. Brid and Maurice Regan shared their collectimn of rosary beads, including one from Fatima, one from Lourdes and one from a friend, a Mercy Associate who has died. They ev

Mercy Day Celebration On the 27th September the Mercy Associates from Coolock held their Mercy Day celebration. 33 associates attended. The main focus was a picture of Our Lady of Mercy. Barbara Mercier gave the following explanation of the picture. The original of this painting hangs in the Mercy International centre in Baggot Street Dublin. It was blessed by Pope Leo XII in 1894 and presented to the Sisters of Mercy as their Emblem. This copy of the picture here was framed

FEAST OF OUR LADY OF MERCY - 24th September 2023 I have just returned from a Family Visit and a six-day Retreat at Knock Shrine, where I was surrounded by hundreds of people every day praying quietly as well as in attendance at many Masses and nightly Adoration. The Basilica was full daily at 3pm for Mass with the Anointing of the Sick. People have the opportunity for Confession from 11.00 am to 4.30 pm. Of course, Knock is a place like Lourdes where people of all nationali

It is now 20 years since the 80 strong youth pilgrimage to Lourdes. Sisters of Mercy, Youth Mercy Associates and Mercy Associates travelled in two coaches. This had been the ‘dream’ of YMA from the start of the first group, by Sister Patricia Bell, in 2000. It was a wonderful experience to see all the groups of young associates gather at Our Lady’s shrine. The pilgrimage was opened in the crypt of Sacre-Coeur, Paris, on 15th August, The Assumption, and closed eight days late

Do this in memory of me “We cannot love God unless we love each other, and to love we must know each other. We know Him in the breaking of bread, and we know each other in the breaking of bread, and we are not alone anymore. Heaven is a banquet and life is a banquet, too, even with a crust, where there is companionship.” (Dorothy Day) It is not in any way unreasonable to ask ourselves what we have done with our lives especially if you are as old as me! How will posterity reme

On Saturday 22nd April, the Stechford and Handsworth Mercy Associates met for a day’s Retreat in Catherine’s last foundation. There was a great buzz of meeting and greeting on arrivals. The Associates had asked to learn more about Catherine, so the theme of the day was “Walking where Catherine walked”. Sr. Kathleen introduced the day and informed the group that she had received a message that morning for another Mercy woman to attend and was that ok? To the groups surprise ……