STECHFORD ASSOCIATES’ CELEBRATION OF SISTER MAURA HALPIN’S DIAMOND JUBILEE OF RELIGIOUS PROFESSION Sunday 30 October 2022 It was a joy for us to honour Sister Maura Halpin who marked her Diamond Jubilee of Religious Profession on 17 September this year. 20 Associates gathered at Corpus Christi Parish, Stechford with Sister Maura, Sister Maureen Murphy, Sister Teresa Paschal, our Carmelite honorary member and Chris Worrall, husband of Associate Alison. From 1pm that day, unbe

The 29th of June was a truly wonderful day in Coolock as no less than 8 new Associates were received into the Group. We welcome... Christine Jamieson-Harvey Regina Gibson Sue Sammons Irene Dodd Mavis Anne Dodds Jean Elsby Jonathan Fair Brian Barnett

Here we take a look back at some of the things the Mercy Associates were getting up to in March 2003...

Maryland, St Albans, Mercy Associates May 2022 Nine of our group met on Wednesday 18th May and we were privileged to have both Sister Maura and Sister Maureen with us. Three of our Associates were not able to join us but we kept them, and all other Associates now in care homes or too unwell to attend, in our thoughts and prayers. This was our third meeting since Covid restrictions were eased. In October 2021 Sr. Maura helped us to reflect on what the pandemic had meant for ea

One of my favourite Gospel readings during the Easter Season is to be found in St Luke Chapter 24 which relates the story of the Disciples on the road to Emmaus. On reading that story I imagine that I am at the scene and that, I too, encounter Jesus. I imagine that there are two men walking ahead of me and they are talking very excitedly giving the impression that they are agitated. I follow at a distance and eves-drop on their conversation. They are sharing about Jesus and

Today, the Mercy Associates in Coolock, Newcastle under Lyme met for their regular monthly meeting, this time with the emphasis centred on a prayer for peace and an end to the war in Ukraine. A moving and thoughful time was had by all finishing off, as tradition dictates, with a cup of tea and to celebrate the birthday of long standing Mercy Associate, Dave Hammersley, a slice of cake too. A Prayer for Ukraine Loving God, We pray for the people of Ukraine, for all those suff

On the 20th April Ann Mottershead visited Coolock with plans to start the Oldham Associates meeting again. During Covid restrictions the group kept in contact by telephone and when their church opened many of them got together having missed their regular prayer meetings and with the grace of God, they now have a date to start meeting again - Monday 6th June. Sister Betty and Sister Bridie have been invited to attend the meeting and they hope to have some new members as the gr

Things are not like they used to be, of course they are not, when we had Sister Bridget and all the sisters in the convent. How we miss them! We are still Mercy Associates in Alnwick and even though we have no hall to meet in we do meet up every Sunday at Mass and continue our mercy work in the parish. Catherine Mc Auley is our guiding light in our work. We have a wonderful Parish Priest; Fr. Stephen and he keeps us all spiritually fed by his beautiful reflections on the Go

On Sunday 13th February 2022, the Stechford Sisters and Associates were delighted to meet for the second time since the restrictions of the pandemic, for our annual Renewal of Commitment, celebrated with prayer and a shared table. Most of our Associates were able to attend and as always, we named and prayed for those who could not be with us and for our deceased members. Following our reflective prayer with the February leaflet from Sr. Annette, we Associates renewed our comm

Of your charity please pray for the repose of the soul of Graham Jeffries, aged 82, of Alsagers Bank who passed away at St Quentin Care Home, Newcastle surrounded by his loving family on 2nd February 2022 following a long illness fought with courage and dignity. Fortified with the rites of the Holy Catholic Church on whose soul sweet Jesus have mercy R.I.P. Devoted husband of Jean and a long standing member of the Mercy Associates in Newcastle under Lyme. Evening Reception in

CELEBRATION OF FOUNDATION DAY 2021 On the third Sunday of Advent – ‘Gaudete Sunday’, 12th December 2021 - the 190th Anniversary of her religious Profession and establishment of the Sisters of Mercy by Venerable Catherine McAuley and her two helpers, Mary Elizabeth Harley and Mary Ann Doyle, Sisters Maura and Maureen, the Stechford Mercy Associates with Sister Teresa Paschal O. Carm got together in the Parish Room at Corpus Christi, Stechford to celebrate Foundation Day. My m

Kay Richards from Whitstable Mercy Associates writes... "Our group of Mercy Associates here in Whitstable would like to offer our condolences on the death of Eileen. We will pray for her at our meeting on Monday afternoon. Marian Ahern, our previous 'link person' remembers the magazine and found it always interesting." With love and prayers for you all Kay Richards from Whitstable Mercy Associates ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ Sister Kathleen Gooch rsm writes... THE PICTURE ON THE WALL THAT BE

A few days ago we heard the sad news that dear Eileen Malone, a stalwart of the Mercy Associates and Editor for many years of the Mercy Associates magazine had died on the 13th of November in hospital, in Newcastle upon Tyne. Eileen was 93 years old. Here are a few memories of Eileen's involvement in the Mercy Associates and a few kind words sent in by other Groups around the country... "We are all very sad of Eileen's death. May she rest in peace. Our thoughts and prayers ar

Barbara Jeffery writes to inform all Mercy Associates of the sad news that dear Eileen Malone, a stalwart of the Mercy Associates and Editor for many years of the Mercy Associates magazine had died on the 13th of November in hospital, in Newcastle upon Tyne. Eileen was 93 years old and had been in hospital for a number months. Sr. Kathleen Gooch from the Union Sisters had been with her most recently and the last prayer they said together before Sr. Kathleen left the hospital

Coolock Associates meet on the feast of Padre Pio - 23rd September 2021 The theme was The Open Door. In the focus was a model of Baggot Street Door, Christ the Light of the world, a painting of Saint Padre Pio and Our Lady of Mercy Statue. In the foreground were 3 baskets containing keys. The focus was used in the reflection. What does the door of our heart look like ? Is it transparent ? Can people look through it and find authenticity there ? The door might be heavy wood k

Sadly, due to illness, the age of our associates and the departure of our leader, Sister M. Bernard to the Sisters of Mercy Care Home in Whitby, our group has held its final meeting. Monica and Tommy Mills are the last two standing ! ! We shall continue our Mercy journey together, Mercy Day will be celebrated in our cathedral here in Newcastle, an important church for the Newcastle Sisters throughout the years. We have had many years of wonderful, prayerful meetings, and fant

Stechford Sisters of Mercy and Associates met for the first time since lockdown on Tuesday 24th August 2021. It was wonderful to meet again after such a long time and enjoy a good ‘catch-up’. This time we met in the Parish Room rather than in the Sisters House, to allow for ‘elbow room’ (social distancing). We began the evening with a ‘welcome cup of tea’, Sisters led us in a prayer and Sister Maureen read an extract from a letter written by Catherine McAuley to Sister M F

Kay Richards writes… I have some news from us Whitstable Mercy Associates which we'd like to share with you. Firstly though, thank you so much for sending the monthly Prayer and Sr. Assumpta's encouraging and moving reflections. I have been taking them round to our members without email and forwarding them to those who do. This has given me a good reason for being in contact, mostly by phone, with our group and made me feel connected to people who have become dear to me. Whi

On Tuesday 3rd August at 2pm Filey Mercy Associates met for their first meeting together since lockdown. It was a mixture of happiness at being able to meet together again but tinged with sadness as the Mercy Convent in Filey is to close. The sisters are due to leave on Tuesday next. After prayers for the Church, an increase in Vocations to the Priesthood and Religious Life we said a decade of the Rosary of Light. Evening Prayer was said in Chapel then it was tea time . The