Sisters Eileen Brady, Mary Ellen Foley and Madonna Moran received the recognition on behalf of their community at a celebration in Concord June 22.

The New Hampshire Sisters of Mercy have long played an active role in opposing the death penalty. In December 1997, they adopted a "Corporate Stand Against the Death Penalty" and since then many sisters have served on committees, petitioned legislators, written letters to newspaper editors, testified at legislative hearings, participated in rallies and prayer vigils and prayed that the death penalty would be replaced by restorative justice. Read more

She is now one of 10 finalists for the overall prize of New Zealand's top gardener. This is decided by public vote.

"As far as I am concerned any prizes would go to the garden and to help others start their own gardens at home. If we do make it we could have garden set-up kits for all those who join Bridget's gardening classes and garden set-up programme," says Sister Rosemary.

It is difficult to find Samoa on a map of the world because it is small. However to the people who live there it could have been "the Garden of Eden". Things grow easily and no one needs to be hungry but ready cash is scarce. It was governed by New Zealand for some years so Samoans speak English and Samoan.

One hundred and fifty-four years ago the French Marist priests arrived in the very important village of Leulumoega. There they established the Catholic Church and built up the parishes with the help of the catechists. To mark the Jubilee of the Church its status was changed to that of a Minor Basilica and the buildings were upgraded. Now it is beautiful with new stained glass windows some done by local artists. Read more

Sources

• Sisters of Mercy
• Image: prtteamsolutions

Sr Chanel Hardiman, who is in her late 70s, was honoured at a farewell function at Marinoto House, in Dunedin, on Wednesday.

She entered the Sister of Mercy's novice training in South Dunedin, aged 20, in 1953.

She told her guests much had changed during her career. Technology altered "everything", in terms of equipment used and the job's demands.

Over the years 510 women have given their lives to God as Mercy Sisters in this area. The Sisters have started 43 schools and staffed many others as well. They have cared for the sick in their homes and in makeshift hospitals during the 1918 Influenza Epidemic as well as in Mater Misericordiae Hospital (later Mercy Hospital) in Palmerston North. Caring for children in need has also been to the fore.

Congregation Leader, Anne Campbell rsm says the event is a chance "to wrap our memory cloak around us, and to slip into the folds of a precious legacy. This is a time to bow our heads in gratitude and to raise them to welcome new horizons of Mercy today."

Celebrations take the form of a celebratory meal on Sunday, a cemeteries' visit on Monday (weather permitting) and a Thanksgiving Eucharist in Sacred Heart Cathedral, Thorndon at 6.30pm on Tuesday to which all are invited.

Source

• Mercy Focus
• Sister Stephanie Kitching rsm
• Image: Mercy Focus

Te Waipuna Puawai is a flagship project of the Sisters of Mercy, forging a wide range of innovative, accessible, community-based, culturally appropriate services, programmes and projects. Their mission is "working together to strengthen women, strengthen families and strengthen communities."

Sources
Vodafone Trust
Te Waipuna Puawai

Photo
Te Waipuna Puawai