Resources : Mercy Volunteer Corps

RESOURCES FOR MERCY & JUSTICE

After more than 47 years walking with Mercy Volunteers during their year of service, Mercy Volunteer Corps has collected many resources focusing on our core values, the critical concerns, and the spirituality and heritage of our Mercy community. Through this page, we would like to share just a small portion of these resources with you. We hope this resource hub is a place where you can learn more about our values and continue in your formation in Mercy.

MERCY & CATHERINE’S STORY

Learn more about Catherine’s story and her life in Ireland by visiting Mercy International Association’s website here. Catherine’s story is foundational to understanding our Mercy heritage and how we the Mercy community can continue to carry forth her vision.

CATHERINE:

View the video of Catherine’s life story here and use this worksheet with your community
MAST journal presents multiple articles on Catherine’s mission and vision
A prayer for Catherine McAuley’s Beatification

MERCY:

A collection of Mercy Songs include the Circle of Mercy and the Suscipe of Catherine McAuley
A novena for the Feast of Our Lady of Mercy (September 24th)
Mercy Poems by Marianne Hieb, RSM

MERCY HOLIDAYS

MERCY DAY: Mercy Day is celebrated on September 24th, the day Catherine McAuley opened the doors of the House of Mercy on Baggot Street in Dublin. This years resources include: a prayer service, a pre-recorded Mercy Day mass, and a Mercy Day Poem.

REMEMBRANCE DAY: On November 11th we remember Catherine’s death date. Resources include a prayer service, video narration of Catherine’s last days, and virtual mass from Mercy International Association.

FOUNDATION DAY: On December 12th, we celebrate the foundation of the Sisters of Mercy when Catherine took her vows. A prayer service is available here.

MERCY CRITICAL CONCERNS

The Sisters of Mercy have five critical concerns which they use to focus their social justice efforts. These include Racism, Earth, Immigration, Non-Violence, and Women. Below are just a few resources on these critical concerns. A full webpage for our Mercy Critical Concern Anti-Racism Calendar can be found here.

DOWNLOAD THE PDF CALENDAR

RACISM

MVC’S Anti-Racism Calendar is a 5 week self-guided challenge to watch, listen, learn, act, and pray about racism.
The Sisters of Mercy workbook to eliminating racism.
Podcast from the NYT’s: Nice White Parents.

EARTH

Watch the documentary A Plastic Ocean available free here or on Netflix. Use this reflection guide to process the film.
The Season of Creation (September 1 – October 4) Prayer.
Reflections on water pdf ebook from Mercy International.

IMMIGRATION

Mercy International addresses the Displacement of Persons.
Watch Vox’s Border Series to learn more about borders and immigration around the world.

NON-VIOLENCE

Sister of Mercy prayer resource: Let the Shooting End.
Join the UN’s 16 Days Campaign, which addresses violence against women, from Nov 25 – Dec 10.

WOMEN

Prayer Service for International Women’s Day on March 8th.
Women, Water, and Wisdom article: women’s central role in the right to water for all.

SPIRITUALITY

Mercy Spirituality is unique. It’s inclusive, it’s interfaith, it’s a space to grow spirituality no matter what you believe. Come as you are. We hope these tools help guide you in your formation.

MERCY SPIRITUALITY:

View the video of Catherine’s life story here and use this worksheet with your community
MAST journal presents multiple articles on Catherine’s mission and vision
A prayer for Catherine McAuley’s Beatification

CONNECTING WITH MERCY:

If you’re discerning joining the Sisters of Mercy or have questions about religious life in general, get in touch with the New Membership Team! More information is available here.
Consider joining Mercy Association! Mercy Associates are lay people (men, women, non-binary) who commit to walking with Sisters of Mercy as they carry Catherine’s vision into the future. For more information click here or reach out to an MVC staff member (more than half of us are Mercy Associates!).

HOLY SEASONS

LENT: Each year, Mercy Volunteer Corps celebrates the Lenten Season by creating and mailing a Lenten Spirituality Guide with stories, prayers, and quotes. Other Lenten resources include: a Lenten Prayer, Taize, and Mercy Meatless Mondays Recipes.

ADVENT: The Sisters of Mercy release an Advent Blog Reflection Series each year to help prepare for Christmas. The blogs can be found on their website. This year, Mercy Education System of the Americas created reflection guides for all ages to pair with the blog series. Other advent resources include Virtual Taize Prayer Night, Advent Retreats, and an Advent Prayer.

*Resources without links will be updated seasonally.

LIVING SIMPLY IN COMMUNITY

One of Mercy Volunteer Corps Core Values is living simply in community. In this section, you’ll find resources on both community and simplicity. Community is more than who you live with, it’s how you relate to those you are surrounded by. Likewise, simplicity is more than striving to be more eco-friendly, it’s creating a more intentional space to listen, learn, and find time for self-care.

SIMPLICITY

Simplifying Waste: Reduce and Reuse
Venerable Catherine McAuley: Aspects of her Life and Spirituality (simplicity from our foundress)
A Prayer for a Simple Lifestyle

COMMUNITY

The Essential Enneagram for self-discovery
Creating a Spirit of Hospitality by Sr. Sheila Carney, RSM (reflection, resources, prayers, and more)
Multiple links to videos and resources for community

PARTNERS IN MINISTRY

Mercy Volunteer Corps partners with multiple organizations who support Mercy, our Catholic identity, social justice issues related to the Mercy Critical Concerns, and MVC’s core values. Below are just a few:

MERCY & FAITH CONNECTIONS:

SOCIAL JUSTICE & CORE VALUES CONNECTIONS:

ADDITIONAL LINKS

In addition to our partners, Mercy Volunteer Corps also admires the work of the many organizations committed to community, spirituality, social justice, simplicity, and compassionate service. Here are just a few:

FOR RETREATS AND SPIRITUALITY NIGHTS: