On Friday 4th October 2019, Young Mercy Links held a Sustainable Fashion Event in the Mercy Hub exhibition space.  The highlight of the night was a fantastic presentation from eco-stylist Nina Gbor who educated guests on ethical fashion and how to achieve great outfit looks that don't hurt the planet or your wallet. The evening also involved a skills share, clothes swap and plenty of yummy food. 

In their letter for this year’s Season of Creation, Christian faith leaders write that ‘we are part of a single, wondrously complex web of life that is woven by God. … During the Season of Creation, we unite as one family in Christ, celebrating the bonds we share with each other and with “every living creature on earth” (Genesis 9:10)’.  In this spirit of unity with all creation, every Wednesday during September sisters and staff came together at the Mercy Hub in Melbourne for a series of reflective gatherings led by Anne Pate, Mercy Hub Program & Activities Facilitator.  The conclusion of the worldwide Season of Creation was celebrated at the Mercy Hub on Wednesday October 2nd, when guest speaker Veronica Lawson rsm challenged those present to reflect on how we are called to respond to the cry of earth throughout the year.  The sisters and staff who participated in the Season of Creation 2019 at the Mercy Hub greatly appreciated the opportunities to reflect, to learn and to be challenged. 

The Mercy Action and Spirituality Hub celebrated Mercy Week by hosting a celebratory BBQ lunch on Thursday 26th September 2019.  It was a great day attended by various members of the Mercy Hub community. The value, commitment and service of the many people who make up the Mercy Hub was recognised and celebrated together.

On Wednesday July 31, Mercy sisters and sisters from other religious congregations gathered at the Mercy Hub in Carlton North for the first of three sessions reflecting on the experience of searching for home. 

Dr. Elizabeth Dowling RSM led a reflective and enriching journey through the scriptures and invited those present to consider issues raised today which find their parallels in the biblical text: Who are the vulnerable who fall through the cracks today?  Who or what are crying out in pain in our world today?  How do our leaders use power – as shepherds or as tyrants?  Elizabeth also reminded us that the cry of earth and the cry of the poor are interconnected.  Like Jesus (Matt 8:19-20), the earth’s creatures today do not always have a home.  The environmental crisis is felt by people, by creatures, and by the land, and disproportionately affects the poorest.

The remaining gatherings in the Winter Season explored three different practical expressions of mercy in our world today.  We heard first from Anne Mitchell, Manager of Steps Outreach Service in Melbourne, which supports young people who are homeless by first spending time getting to know them on the steps of Flinders Street station.  In the final gathering, Judith Jackson (Aunty Jacko) shared the story of the Wominjeka BBQ in St. Kilda, which has reached out to indigenous people experiencing homelessness since 2005, and has helped many on the road to stable housing.  Teash Taylor, a volunteer resident at the Indigenous Hospitality House in Carlton North, also spoke about their experience of offering hospitality to indigenous people, and the paradox of doing so while living on stolen land.

For full article:  ​https://institute.mercy.org.au/mercy-hub-offers-a-winter-season-on-searching-for-home/

"The Mercy Mission, Spirituality and Action Hub in North Carlton, Victoria, was the perfect setting on Saturday, 18 May, for an exhibition attended by a large number of Sisters and guests, of the work of four Australian iconographers: Margaret Broadbent rsm, Margaret McHugh rsm, Pauline Pervan lcm and Mrs Alice Vaughan.
Adding to the atmosphere, the afternoon's programme featured the Melbourne Capella Choir, an ensemble of professional choral and operatic singers performing works sung in English, Greek, Georgian and Russian, conducted by Nicholas Cowell."  -  Margaret Broadbent rsm

For full article: www.mercyworld.org/newsroom/a-celebration-of-living-light/

On Sunday March 3, the Young Mercy Links 2019 Orientation was held at the Mercy Mission Spirituality and Action Hub in Carlton North. A few new faces joined in with their deeply committed stalwarts who’ve been around for between 1 and 7 years.

Coordinator, Christie Tran, drew upon the members for their assistance in presenting to everyone the activities that Young Mercy Links are involved with and to speak of the opportunities that members have to deepen their commitment to Mercy and to build their strengths in leadership and action.

The new cohort are passionate about a range of issues, topmost among them equality and justice for women, the poor, refugees and indigenous people, as well as care for our common home. In the coming weeks we will be starting to plan our activities and events for the year but one event will likely relate to indigenous spirituality and increasing our understanding of local indigenous knowledge and lore and another event might relate to women’s equality and issues such as the efficacy and justice of certain types of female incarceration. The group will be meeting regularly throughout the year to organise events and to discuss their growing awareness and understandings of the issues society faces.

“It is an exciting and energising start to the year and I look forward to the gifts each of the members bring with them to our group and the work we will achieve together," says Christie.

For full article: https://institute.mercy.org.au/new-youth-commit-to-mercy/