Mercy Associates National Commission Meeting Saturday 10th March 2018 Coolock, Newcastle under Lyme BULLETIN NO. 14 ‘Let us rejoice when good is done, no matter by whom it may be accomplished.’ (The Little Book of Catherine of Dublin) NATIONAL COMMISSION The National Commission is a body of Mercy Associates and Sisters who have responsibility for the Mercy Associate Movement (M.A.M.). They meet twice yearly to review all aspects of the M.A.M. especially its Spiritual Development. The members of the Commission are: Miss Marian Kennedy (Chair), Sister Noreen Cullen rsm (Vice-Chair), Mrs May Raughter (Secretary), Canon Alan McLean (Chaplain), Sister Bridie Stephens rsm (Chaplain), Sister Margaret Jones rsm (Chaplain), Mr Maurice Regan (Treasurer), Sister Betty Larkin rsm, Sister Mary Gorman rsm, Sister Annette McCartan rsm, Mrs Maria Overend, Mrs Marie Gray, Mrs Bríd Regan, Mr Mark Lear, Mrs Jeanette Olero, Sister Geraldine Lawlor rsm, (Trustee) Sister Joan Breen rsm (Trustee). NEW COMMISSION MEMBERS We welcome Sister Annette McCartan, Mark Lear and Jeanette Olero to the Commission and we look forward to benefitting from their various knowledge and expertise. PILGRIMAGE TO KNOCK, APRIL 2018 Plans for the forthcoming Pilgrimage to Knock are now complete. 40 Sisters and Associates will travel from Gatwick and Birmingham to Dublin on the 15th April to begin their Pilgrimage. The itinerary includes: Visit to Coolock, Baggot Street, Tullamore, Birr, Clonmacnoise Monastery, Ballintubber Abbey and Knock Shrine. There will be a full report in the September Bulletin. FUTURE PLANNING Included with this Bulletin is a letter from our Chair, Marian Kennedy inviting any Associate who would be interested in joining the Commission to please inform your link person who will then pass on your details to the Secretary. Details of the Role of Commission Members is also included. A register will be kept and, should a vacancy arise, those who have shown an interest will be notified. NEWS FOR WEBSITE Please do visit the website at: www.mercyassociates.org.uk We invite all groups to share the website with friends and family. I know a number of you are very busy in your parish/community and we would love to hear from you - just a few lines and a photograph if possible, for sharing on the website. By reading your stories may encourage others to send in theirs. So please keep the news coming! There is also a page for prayer intentions so please inform us of family or friends who are sick or who have recently died. If you have recently changed any of your details, make sure we have the right contact information for you. (killalamay@hotmail.com) YOUTH MERCY ASSOCIATES Groups: Coolock YMA, North Shields YMA, Maghull YMA and St John’s Wood YMA The YMA continue to meet in their groups and take part in various activities. For further information visit the Youth Website: www.youthmercyassociates.org.uk OTHER NEWS The next National Commission meeting will be on Saturday 15th September 2018 at Bermondsey. If you have new members for commissioning please contact Sister Bridie Stephens (bridie.stephens@iolmercy.org.uk) or Sister Margaret Jones WEBSITES: www.mercyassociates.org.uk; www.youthmercyassociates.org.uk; www.mercyworld.org; www.sistersofmercyunion.org.uk; www.ourladyofmercy.org.uk PRAYER FOR THE BEATIFICATION OF VENERABLE CATHERINE MCAULEY Loving God, you chose Catherine McAuley for the service of your people who are poor, sick and uneducated. You inspired her to found the Sisters of Mercy so that these good works might endure. Give to each of us a portion of her compassionate spirit and an ardent desire to serve your suffering people. Bless all our undertakings and grant that union and charity may always thrive among us. Graciously hear our prayer for Catherine, and by granting the favours we ask through her intercession, hasten the day when her sanctity will be celebrated by all the Church. Amen

Foundation Day and Commitment Celebration in North Shields - 12th December 2017 In a very busy December for the Mercy Associates in North Shields with a coffee morning, Mercy parcels and a carol service the highlight had to be the beautiful mass in honour of Catherine and Foundation Day. As the fourteen of us came together in our intimate chapel the feeling of community was tangible. We were very privileged to have Fr Michael Hickey celebrate the Mass with us. His reflection on our readings was insightful, moving and encouraging. He gave praise and thanks for Catherine bravely accepting the call to bring mercy into the world and for inspiring so many others to follow her example. After the reflection we had the Service of Commitment for our three new Associates. We concluded with a healing liturgy, anointing each other and praying for those unable to join us, the sick and for mercy in our world. Our celebration continued with a lovely Christmas lunch at a nearby restaurant. Thank you Sr. Patricia and Fr Michael for gifting us with such a beautiful, tender and merciful Mass and making the day so special.

Following on from the news back in September about the Stechford Garden Party... One of the charities that they supported as part of the Stechford Mercy Garden Party was 'Me & Dee'. Information about the charity can be found at the following link; http://www.meanddee.co.uk/whatwedo/about-us/1.htm In October, Mercy Associates attended the 'Me and Dee' ball and presented a check for £1,000 to Maria Hanson MBE – the founder of 'Me & Dee'. Maria was overwhelmed with the support she received.

On a very cold, snowy morning on the 12th December 2017, our small group of Mercy Associates gathered in the convent in Parkhead Road to celebrate Foundation Day, and give thanks to our foundress for the legacy she has left us....THE ORDER OF THE SISTERS OF MERCY. Our day commenced with an inspirational mass in the chapel, celebrated by Father Michael Stephens . Father Michael celebrating mass. We continued celebrating the Venerable Catherine McAuley's gift to the world — the foundation of the order —with a festive lunch at the Vermont Hotel in the city centre .A wonderful meal with the Tyne bridge as the backdrop, a marvellous celebration. Grateful thanks to Sister M.Bernard for her kindness. Article kindly provided by Monica Mills

Mercy Associates in Golborne, near Warrington The group of Associates in Saint Catherine’s and All Saints parish enjoyed the company of Fr. Bernard Eager at two of their Associate meetings recently. He has given the group renewed energy by his enthusiastic talks. Those of you know Fr. Bernard Eager will be delighted to know that he is well and out and about again. The group of Associates have booked a day to visit Coolock on the 17th February 2018 and we are hoping that Fr. Eager will be able to come along too. Two more associates have joined the group and will be making their commitment at Coolock that now brings the group to 19.

On Sunday the 19th of November, Mercy Associates from Oldham met at Werneth Convent for a Commitment and Renewal Ceremony. Here are some of the thoughts of those that attended a most enjoyable day. 'It was an enrichment to see the group of Associates and affirms us on the way forward.' 'I felt very much at ease and also felt a presence very like the grotto in Lourdes.' 'Beautiful and peaceful.' 'Lovely to spend time with friends.' 'As always really lovely.' 'Being in the procession with the cup and saucer.' 'A wonderful afternoon and such a joyous occasion, including a very thought provoking reflection from Sr. Bridie.' 'Happy memories of my own commitment, I cannot remember how many years ago but I was one of the first Mercy Associates at Werneth convent.' 'Fantastic, so glad I asked my friend Marie to come along to the MA meetings and so glad she said yes.' 'Today's been a lovely and very special day.' 'Very special to renew our commitments to the MA even after our first commitment. Praise God.' 'So blessed to be a part of the community of the SOM and MA in this special place and to have our commitment service in our beautiful chapel, and thank you to Sr. Bridie and Sr. Betty for a deeply spiritual time today.' Article kindly provided by Bernie Pinder