Mercy Associates

Becoming an Associate

by Ann Montague

Until I was asked to give my impression of what it is to be a Mercy Associate, and how I had come to be one, I had never given the subject much thought. I consider myself a novice still.

I came to Mercy Associates through an invitation from Bernie Mahoney.

Bernie and I had the shared experience of being carers. We were both caring for elderly relatives in our homes and we met at the monthly meetings run by Crosscare. Here we were comforted, pampered, advised and given space to air our concerns with fellow carers and counsellors.

Both of our relatives died about the same time and we were being weaned off our group meetings when Bernie told me about a different group she was now attending which she found helpful, one organised by two Sisters of Mercy, Kathleen and Vera and she asked me to come along.

So I went to the first meeting on a "come and see" basis. No commitment. Two years later, here I am.

The group meetings are based on scripture reading, discussion, prayer, and reflection with a special emphasis on the charism and ethos of Catherine McAuley. the foundress of the Sisters of Mercy.

I have to admit that my knowledge of Catherine was scanty. I knew she was the person on the £5 note designed by Robert Ballagh and that somehow she was connected with the Mater Hospital where her portrait hangs with many others.

CAPTIONS: (Baggot St commemoration)

That was to change. The group in Coolock, which I joined, was studying Catherine's life and it was a great opportunity for me to learn more about Catherine and the community she founded.

I was invited to represent the Coolock group at the celebration to mark the 175th anniversary of the opening of The House of Mercy in Baggot St, Dublin in 1827. It was decided to roll the clock back 175 years to the 24th September 1827 and everything was to be re-enacted, as it would have been then. Period costume, meals such as would have been served at that time - visitors calling to the house with messages of congratulation and goodwill for Catherine and her new venture.

We all entered into the spirit of excitement and awe that were surely felt by Catherine and her associates on that day in 1827. She was on the first step towards realizing her dream - to provide a refuge for the poor and the destitute and a place of safety and shelter for the young girls who found themselves at risk through their work in service in the rich and prosperous houses of the area.

It was remarked on that day that Catherine deliberately chose the location of her House of Mercy in the most salubrious part of the city so that the poor and needy coming to her for help would be visible and obvious to their better off neighbours and so alert their consciousness to the "cry of the poor. " Some responded charitably, others complained about the blight to the area.

I was impressed by what I learned about Catherine, especially her great vision, wisdom and courage. ! 75 years later, we are trying to introduce social housing for the very reason she built her House of Mercy on Baggot St almost two centuries ago. Her work with the poor and underprivileged came from her great belief and trust in the God of mercy and compassion. Hence the name Sisters of Mercy. In spite of great hardship and illness, Catherine packed a lifetime's work into ten short years, opening new foundations in Ireland and in England until her death in 1841.

Visiting Baggot St or Coolock House, where Catherine lived, gives me a sense of connection with her heritage and also with the thousands of Mercy Sisters in many countries that continue Catherine's work.

Sadly, over the years, we Christians have lost sight of the loving, just and merciful God. We focused on avoiding evil and forming a sort of bookkeeping relationship with Him, stressing the negative instead of the charism to positive social action that Catherine epitomised. We as Associates try to be faithful to that call to mercy.

The Gospel calls us to be "Kingdom people " and as such we must attend to the daily needs of others. All around us are people in need, in need of food and clothing, sick or in prison and in need of friendship and healing. This was exactly the focus of Catherine's life work. She followed that Gospel message resolutely.

Our Parish Priest often reminds us when we gather together for the Eucharist, a meeting, or other celebration that we don't assemble together in this way by accident. We are drawn by the Spirit and through the Spirit we support and encourage one another and confirm the faith that we share, journeying together through life. We don't journey in isolation. Gathered as we are as Associates we are saying 'yes' to the Gospel message of love and service.

I appreciate the welcome, the encouragement and friendship I experienced when I joined the Mercy Associates. May we continue to light the road for one another as we journey onwards.

Ann Montague is a member of the Coolock Associate Group in Dublin.

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