Coolock Associates Advent Meeting On Wednesday 5th December Coolock Associates met at 2 pm, with a second group meeting later in the day at 6:30 pm. A group from Norton group and the group from Golborne who were on retreat at Coolock also joined them for prayer. The group were reflecting on the scripture characters connected with the advent story. During the meeting one character, Saint Joseph was used for reflection. After a scripture reading one of the associates carried in a statue of Saint Joseph and placed him in the focus. An associate read a reflection St. Joseph was talking to the group. He was telling his story about his doubts, his anger, his hurt, and how he coped with the difficulties of life, the storm and the peaceful times. The group then had time to compare their lives to Saint Joseph and share. Another statue of Saint Joseph was also in the focus, sleeping Saint Joseph. This statue is much loved by Pope Frances, when he has a problem with the Church he writes a note to Saint Joseph and puts it under his pillow so he can work it out during his sleep. Many of the associates put notes under saint Joseph’s pillow and we pray he is working them out.

This year our Christmas Coffee Morning was used to raise funds for our newly reformed YMA group. It was truly well supported and raised a wonderful £320. Everyone agreed it was a very enjoyable morning made even more so by the attendance of our young Associates.

The Golborne Associates joined together with the Coolock Associates for their meeting on the 5th December. They enjoyed their retreat at Coolock and look forward to another visit in the spring. The theme of the prayer meeting was St. Joseph.

Irish Presidential Distinguished Service Awards for the Irish Abroad - 2018 Recipient Sr Mary Killeen for Peace, Reconciliation and Development The Presidential Distinguished Service Award is in recognition of your sustained and significant contribution to Irish people, Irish descendants and Irish communities abroad. The award symbolizes an open door to Ireland and its people and represents a message of appreciation for the services which you have provided to our nation. This award has been designed by Spear Product Design. The creative team led by Marta Masnou worked tirelessly to find a design inspiration to suitably fit the significance of the award and the occasion. The inspiration for the award is an open door to Ireland and its people and to represent a welcoming appreciation for the services provided to our nation. The fused coloured glass elements represent the Irish landscape and the woods used in the piece are all indigenous to Ireland and have a rich history. The wood used in this award is Elm and comes from Lisnavagh Co. Carlow. In Celtic mythology Elm trees were associated with the Underworld. The tree stood at the crossroads leading to the fairy world, protecting burial mounds and aiding the dead souls passage to the Underworld. People also looked to the elm for medicinal cures. The inner bark was especially efficacious when chewed or boiled into a liquor to treat colds and sore throats, while the boiled bark was also used to treat burns. STOP PRESS - Sr. Bridie Stephens advises that Sr. Mary Killeen will be attending Coolock (Newcastle under Lyme, Staffordshire) on the 27th December 2018 to meet and thank everyone personally for the considerable support that they have provided her in her work.

How wonderful to see the group at Bow (The Bow Bells) are still active. It was lovely to see their happy faces , celebrating Ven. Catherine McAuley on Mercy Day. We remember the inspirational regional days in Edinburgh , when the ladies from Bow, (The Bow Bells) would travel 400 miles for the Mercy Regional Day at St . Catharine's. It would be good to see more of the groups of associates keeping in touch by using the website. Thank you Theresa from Tommy and Monica Mills High Heaton, Newcastle Mercy Associates

Greetings from Bow. We are very much alive and active. We celebrated Our Lady of Mercy on the 22nd of September at Hilsea Street Hackney at the invitation of Sr Mary. Sr Bernadette was also able to join the group which was a real joy for us. We started with prayer and sharing around the theme of Mercy and Catherine and her beginnings with her then associates. Sr.Mary affirmed the group on their faithfulness and how we have carried on once Sr Bernadette and Marie left with the closure of house in Bow. The associates came together 20 years ago with Sr Joanne (R.I.P.) and Sr Marie The group continue to meet and are active in recruiting new members. We had two new people who came to this meeting. We finished our meeting over a nice cup of tea where there was plenty of laughter. God Bless Theresa Talian Bow Mercy Associates

Feast of Our Lady of Mercy 24th Sept Although a very small group, the Mercy Associates in High Heaton, Newcastle upon Tyne, together with Sister M. Bernard celebrated ‘Mercy Day’ in grand style at a local restaurant. How wonderful to be joining Sisters and Associates throughout the Mercy World, gathering, and giving thanks to the Venerable Catherine McAuley on this special day. Article kindly provided by Monica Mills

On Tuesday 2nd October 65 Mercy Associates from Coolock and Norton groups met to celebrate the Mercy season at Holy Trinity church Newcastle for holy Mass. The Associates took part in serving the Mass reading and singing. After Mass they all met at the parish centre for a celebration meal. The hall was decorated with Banners depicting the works of Mercy and a large picture of Our Lady of Mercy was also on display. This picture, a copy of the original hanging in the Church of St. Pudenziana in Rome, was given by Pope Leo XIII to the Sisters of Mercy and unveiled on the feast of Our Lady of Mercy, 1890. “We should do this more often” was the comment made by many as they left the hall at the end of a most enjoyable evening. If you're wondering when is the next feast in the Mercy season? Well, it will be on the death of the Venerable Catherine on the 11th November 1841.Members of the Newcastle under Lyme Group will celebrate the feast at their next Mercy Associate meeting on the 7th November at Coolock. What will your Group be doing to celebrate it ? Let us know and we'll include it in the news section

At the height of the intense heatwave, Sisters Maura and Maureen with their Mercy Associates and friends held their 18th Annual Garden Party on Sunday 15th July 2018 in the Gardens and Parish Room of Corpus Christi Church. Plenty of gazebos afforded shelter for stall holders from the strong sun! We were delighted to welcome Sr. Margaret IJ, director of St. Chad’s Sanctuary for Asylum Seekers and Migrants and Debbie and friends representing the Lisieux Trust, two of our three chosen Charities this year. Our Priests and parishioners joined us after the morning Mass with Parishioners from Holy Family, Small Heath and St. Thomas More, Sheldon. At the end of a truly enjoyable (but VERY hot!) day, an amazing total of £5,040 was reached. This consisted of proceeds made on the day itself, money raised from a sale of knitted and Christmas Craft goods in Autumn 2017 and some very generous donations. We had decided ‘to go local’ in choosing our Charities for 2018. These were: The Lisieux Trust based in Erdington - a small Charity started 30 years ago by Catholic families looking after a loved one with learning difficulties and inspired by St. Therese and her family. The Charity is now registered and non-religious but retains its lovely name and offers support and resources to adults with special needs. Help Harry Help Others (HHHO) which runs a new Drop-in Cancer Support Centre in our local area. Having been diagnosed with cancer as a child, Harry started his own Charity making bracelets in a huge effort to raise money for others in similar need. Sadly, he died aged just 11 but his mother Georgie bravely carried on the Charity in Harry’s name and now raises funds through personal sponsored events like mountain climbing, speaking to schoolchildren, young offenders and others. St. Chad’s Sanctuary which gives support to destitute Asylum seekers and migrants in multiple ways and is situated near the Cathedral. We were delighted to present the 3 Charities with £1,680 each towards their vital work. Sr. Margaret IJ, Jess and Georgie each representing their own Charity, attended our first Associates’ meeting of the Term on Wednesday 5th September and inspired us with input about their dedicated work. They stayed with us for our ‘September Prayer’, appreciating Sister Annette McCartan’s theme of ‘Silence’ and the quiet reflective time we offered in the midst of their busy lives. Sr. Philomena Bowers’ Reflection on ‘making small changes’ like Venerable Catherine McAuley was very apt on this occasion and gave much food for thought. We thank God that our Mercy Garden Party has indeed made a difference and brought some positive changes to so many needy people this year.

Eileen Malone, 90th birthday High Heaton, Newcastle upon Tyne Associates , congratulated Mercy Associate stalwart, Eileen Malone on her 90th birthday , with a glass of Procecco at their July meeting . ( not our usual tipple at our meetings ! ) Eileen’s birthday was actually 23rd June , however ,so many family and friends wanted to celebrate with her , the celebrations had to be paced out. Eileen was chair of the National Commission, and editor of the Associate magazine for many years. Thank God for your long life Eileen , all good wishes for many more celebration Article kindly provided by Monica Mills High Heaton Associate

Brid Reagan would like everyone to know that she is recovering very well after her stroke and want to thank everyone for their prayers and asks you keep up the prayers to Venerable Catherine.

Sister Betty has just completed a new area for prayer. As this is the year to pray for priests Sister Betty got to work and from the photograph you can see the work of her hands. Mrs May Raughter made a surprise visit to Coolock on the 17th July but unfortunately Sister Betty and Bridie had just left and were on their way to Knock for their retreat. May is seen here praying before the display. Brid and Maurice Regan visited on the 2nd August. We hope many more will come and pray for priests. 3,300 visitors have come to Coolock since January