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 each of us individually. We all found it very helpful to share our experiences in this way. The following meeting in March 2022 was affected by Covid and other factors meaning that only three Associates were able to get together but we spent the time in reflection and prayer.
On 18th May we all renewed our commitment as Mercy Associates and both Sisters renewed their vows. Sr Maureen led us in a beautiful reflection on Venerable Catherine McAuley and the Heart of Jesus which linked to the April prayer leaflet.
As Associates, we continue to keep in touch with one another through the distribution of the monthly prayer leaflet which we receive with great gratitude and by passing on the Mercy E News. We are also blessed to have a Mercy noticeboard in our parish centre to act as a focal point and where we can post the prayer and other leaflets/information for ourselves and other members of the church community.
Our different ministries in the church and wider community have had to change with Covid and the lockdowns but we are still finding ways of serving others. Prayers are still said for the Sisters who were with us when Maryland was in existence. One of our Associates has obtained permission from the author (a parishioner) to publish his booklet, written some years ago, about the Sisters of Mercy in St Albans.
We continue to be blessed with the support Sr Maura gives us – by coming to lead our meetings and keeping in touch with us in other ways too. We will all look forward to our next meeting and would hope to perhaps meet up, in the future, with Mercy Associates from other areas.
Cath White, Mercy Associate
