)
)
)
Facilitators Guide: Mercying
Guiding Group
The Facilitators Guide offers three of many possible approaches to using these resources and may be of interest to individuals as well as groups.
)
The role of the Facilitator will necessarily include organising the group’s access at the session to the resources on screen or in print.
A suggested structure for each Session is:
- Preparation of the Focus Space
- Prayer
- Introduction
- Content Explored
- Reflection and Discussion
- Closing
As this is the third theme of the fourth and final Segment, most groups will have already explored the context for Mercy Global Presence as “global” (Segment One), its spirit as “mercy” (Segment Two), and its experience as "presence" (Segment Three) so will be familiar with the process and the microsite. For those coming new to the process, or wishing to revisit earlier themes, these Segments will remain available on the microsite.
Whichever presentation you, the Facilitator, or group first choose to engage with, commence your work using the introduction by Elizabeth Davis rsm. 'Each person, who is hearing or reading this reflection, has committed their life to mercying', Sr Elizabeth reminds us before proceeding to frame her reflection using the words from the prophet Micah, “What does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness (hesed), and to walk humbly with your God?” (Mic 6:8). Those coming new to the process will find their appreciation of this introduction enriched by a reading/listening of Elizabeth's introduction to Faith Traditions and Mercy (Theme One, Segment Two, 'Mercy') in which she informs us that 'mercy is the essence of religion', introduces us to the understanding of mercy in the Abrahamic and Eastern faith traditions and invites each participant to deepen her/his contemplation of mercy using five questions:
- How is mercy essential in my life?
- With what words do I imagine mercy?
- What mercy-name for God do I use most often?
- In this past week, how and where have I been mercying?
- During this past week, when did Earth show me mercy?
At the conclusion of her introduction to this theme, Elizabeth invites us into another contemplative activity-'to take time in that place where you and God relate best' and reflect on Jesus' parable in Matthew 25 with its additional dimension of the new work of mercy - 'care for our common home'(Pope Francis).
Once again, we offer three of many possible approaches to using resources from this theme, implementing the suggested structure (nos. 1-6). The approach used will depend on the needs, interests, abilities and situations of the group members. At this present time, groups that are able to meet are using video conferencing. Our suggested approaches take account of this and of face-to-face-meetings becoming possible again in the future.
Facilitators may, of course, use their own approach with the resources, or choose elements from these three suggested approaches to create a different approach. At the conclusion of the Session the Facilitator or another group member is encouraged to send on ‘what is too good for the group to keep to themselves’ to mgpfeedback@mercyinternational.ie
Spanish translation using DeepL Translator. Traducción al español con DeepL Translator