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MIA Board and Members Meetings take place in Dublin
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Earlier this month the Mercy International Association Members (Congregation Leaders from around the world) and the Directors of the Board of Mercy International Association (MIA), met in Dublin for both joint and separate meetings in the service of MIA’s present and future mission and operations
It was a wonderful opportunity for all to receive an update from CEO, Mary O’Donovan, and the Executive staff of MIA, on the progress on the essential fire remediation works in Mercy International Centre (Baggot Street). The works are on track to be completed in time for the house to be opened up again in late June, for visitors, pilgrimages and programs. Much has been achieved!
In our contemplating together the upcoming 200th Anniversary, in September 2027, of the Opening of the House of Mercy on Baggot Street, there was recognition that whilst much has been done in Mercy over those 200 years, there is still much more to do and “We can never say ‘It is enough!’” (Catherine McAuley). In this spirit, the Members and Directors took time in looking to the future of MIA and the invitation this moment is offering us, to strengthen MIA in its mission for the next 200 years and beyond!
This statement was offered by Peta Goldburg rsm and Maria Lawton rsm on behalf of the Members and the Board of MIA. Peta is President of the Members and Maria is the newly-appointed Chair of the MIA Board. Read more about Maria's appointment on the link below.
Mercy Global Action
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Mercy Global Action
Mercy at the 2026 International Migration Review Forum
Mercy Global Action
Mercy at the 2026 International Migration Review Forum
The second International Migration Review Forum (IMRF) took place at the beginning of May. The IMRF takes place every four years to review progress and challenges in implementing the Global Compact for Safe, Orderly, and Regular Migration, which was adopted in 2018. MGA prepared extensively for the IMRF and participated actively, both in its own capacity and as the Chair of the NGO Committee on Migration.
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Mercy Global Action
Internship Opportunity at the MIA-MGA Office in New York
Mercy Global Action
Internship Opportunity at the MIA-MGA Office in New York
An internship position at Mercy Global Action Office in New York is now open. Do you feel called to respond to the systemic issues of our time? Would you like to contribute to the international justice office of Mercy International Association? Does working with a small collaborative environment on justice issues at the United Nations excite you? If yes, then this internship is for you. Apply by the deadline of 26 June 2026.
Mercy Matters
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Fact
On This Day
23 May 1830
Pope Gregory XVI granted special Indulgence to Catherine and her companions.
24 May 1860
Foundation to Skibbereen from Kinsale Co Cork - M Philomena Maher.
30 May 1825
Fr Nugent, Catherine's friend and adviser, died of typhus; nursed by Catherine, buried at Kells.
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Heritage
Heritage Corner with Caroline Thompson
As Ireland prepares to celebrate Blooms Day, we remember James Joyce as one of Ireland’s best-known writers and poets. Blooms Day is celebrated each year on June 16 and honours James Joyce’s masterpiece Ulysses. The day is named after Leopold Bloom, the main character of the novel. One of Joyce's other characters is Eveline in The Dubliners reputed to be loosely based on Joyce’s sister Margaret Alice Joyce who became Sister Mary Gertrude Joyce, who served as a Sister of Mercy in New Zealand until her death, aged 80, in 1964.
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Spirituality
Catherine McAuley as Mystic
A study of Catherine McAuley’s life gives us much to ponder – the tension between poverty and wealth, the formative influence of father and mother, the Catholic sensibility in a Celtic heart open to the urgings of the Spirit, the contemplative activist. In a world of analysis and causation, of nature and nurture, a different path emerges – the reality of mystics – those born with spiritual gifts and the capacity to perceive God differently.
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200th anniversary of First House of Mercy
We want your #Mercy200 Stories
#Mercy200Stories is one of our key projects marking the 200th anniversary of the founding of the first House of Mercy by Catherine McAuley on 24 September 1827. This global storytelling project is an invitation to the Mercy World to gather and share 200 stories that reveal Mercy in action, Mercy in place, and Mercy as lived experience across the world today. Share your stories with us today!
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200th anniversary
Heritage Webinar Series: The Path to the First House of Mercy 1827
The Path to the First House of Mercy 1827 is the theme we have chosen for a new Heritage Webinar series from Mercy International Association. Self-registration is open now for the second webinar in the series which will focus on Poverty in Catherine McAuley’s time. This webinar will be offered by Caroline Thompson on Wednesday 24th June 2026.
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Opening Doors
Announcing 'American Hope' as our first read for the Opening Doors book club
We are delighted to announce ‘American Hope’ by Christopher Lamb as our first read for our new Opening Doors book club which will meet online once a month. In American Hope CNN’s Vatican correspondent Christopher Lamb explores what the election of Pope Leo means not just for the Catholic Church, but for the world. Drawing on his deep understanding of the Vatican Lamb paints a portrait of Leo as someone who combines an ability to unify with a steely determination to reform.
Further Resources
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Worth Reading
Follow our daily #MercyMoment
We invite you to follow our daily #MercyMoment on our website and on our social media (Facebook and Instagram). Our daily pause for reflection is available in English and Spanish and offers an inspiring, thought-provoking quote from the Mercy World and beyond. You can access all our reflections in our FLICKR archive too!
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Worth Knowing
Catherine McAuley Symposium in New Zealand
From 13–15 December 2026, Whānau Mercy Ministries and Te Herenga Waka – Victoria University of Wellington will host a three-day Catherine McAuley Symposium at Rutherford House. Inspired by the 200th anniversary of the opening of the first House of Mercy (1827), the symposium will explore the impact of religion across education, healthcare, and social services, grounded in Catherine McAuley’s intent “to serve God faithfully.”
Worth Knowing)
Worth Reading
Pope Leo XIV's encyclical letter Magnifica humanitas on AI
Pope Leo XIV has released his first encyclical, entitled ‘Magnifica humanitas: On Safeguarding the Human Person in the Time of Artificial Intelligence.’ He appeals for the safeguarding of humanity, promotion of truth, dignity of work, social justice, and peace.
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Worth Playing
Mercy Echoes Episode Twelve featuring Anna Burke rsm
Anna Burke rsm is our guest on the latest episode of Mercy Echoes - the official podcast of Mercy International Association. Sister Anna has a background in teaching, faith development, school chaplaincy and scripture reflection. She joined us to tell me all about her latest book and the importance of returning to the heart and what resulted was a most fascinating chat.
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Worth Reading
Remaining human in the age of algorithms
In the age of artificial intelligence, with human dignity in danger of being obscured by enormous concentrations of technological power beyond all control, and by new forms of dehumanization, Pope Leo XIV recalls us to the “urgent duty” to remain deeply human. The Successor of Peter invites us to let technology to advance “without allowing the heart to regress,” even amid our times filled with polarization and violence, which see the expansion of a “culture of power” and war rehabilitated as an instrument of international politics. This is a reflection by Andrea Tornielli of Vatican News.
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Worth Watching
Sisters of Mercy of the Americas announce 2026 Winners of Social Justice Video Contest
The Sisters of Mercy of the Americas announced the winners of the ninth annual Social Justice Video Contest today. The grand prize was won by a student from Mercy Academy in Louisville, Kentucky. The topic for this year’s video contests focused on embracing diversity and standing in solidarity with people who experience oppression and marginalization. The grand prize was awarded to Lauren Nissen, a senior at Mercy Academy in Louisville, for her video Beauty in Diversity.
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Worth Knowing
Website Spotlight: Sisters of Mercy North Sydney
In 1846 the Sisters of Mercy arrived in Australia and settled in Perth, but it wasn’t until 1865 that the North Sydney Mercies established a presence in Sydney under the leadership of Elizabeth McQuoin, who was called Mother Mary Ignatius. Check out their website and all the active ministries that are in place today.
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Worth Watching
Watch Session One of our Heritage Webinar Series
We are delighted to share the link to the full webinar in our Heritage Series - the Path to the First House of Mercy 1827. Session one took place on Monday last on The Penal Laws. The Session includes a presentation from Caroline Thompson and a facilitated Q &A and gave much food for thought on Catherine McAuley's response to the world around her back in the 1800s.
Worth Watching)
Mercy eNews
The newsletter of Mercy International Association is published monthly and distributed to subscribers via email. If you have any queries about the newsletter, please contact mercyenews@mercyinternational.ie
For more information on the directors click here
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