Young Mercy Leaders Pilgrimage 2019

I am delighted to hear of several schools planning to bring students to Dublin for the Young Mercy Leaders Pilgrimage in 2019 for High School Students. (see here for details of previous pilgrimages) The Pilgrimage will commence at 10am on Tuesday 16th July and conclude at 4.30pm on Friday 19th July.

Group leaders are asked to pre-register their Pilgrimage group here before 30 November 2018 and estimate numbers for our planning purposes. All participants, chaperones included, will be required to register on-line from 1 December 2018. There will be an early bird cost for the pilgrimage of €250 per pilgrim for payments received by 17 March 2019.

Registrations and payments received after this date will be €280 per pilgrim. I am aware that chaperones are necessary to bring students who are under the age of 18. In balancing the desire to keep the cost to a minimum for pilgrims, I need to restrict the number of complementary chaperone places. Every five pilgrims you register will generate one complementary chaperone registration and this can be administered on a pro-rata basis.

I encourage all groups who are coming to consider sponsoring a student from a school that would not necessarily be able to attend. I know there is a school in the US that are planning to have a student from the Philippines join their pilgrimage group, this is a commendable initiative.

Education/Ethos Programmes

This year MIA held two very successful 5-day pilgrimage opportunities specifically for educators. Focusing on the education tradition within Mercy, participants had an opportunity to deepen their connection to the Mercy story. They explored Catherine’s story and her approach to leadership in the context of living Mercy today. MIA will be running one Education pilgrimage next year from the 7th-11th January. Additionally there will be two Ethos programmes run (11 – 15 Mar or 29 Jul – 2 Aug) which have a similar format but include participants from a variety of Mercy Ministries. Register here.

Cup of Tea Event

The International Good Cup of Tea is a fundraising event where family, friends or colleagues can join together for a Good Cup of Tea .

Schools are invited to organise and hold a Good Cup of Tea event, where donations are made to Mercy International Association. Funds raised from the Good Cup of Tea events will contribute to The Sacred Garden Project, the creation of a place of peace and tranquillity for all pilgrims. All schools that raise funds will be entered in a draw for two free pilgrim registrations and one chaperone registration to the Young Mercy Leaders 2019 Pilgrimage.

The event can be held anytime between 24 Sept (Mercy Day) and 12 Dec (Foundation Day). There are a range of materials available on our site to assist you with your event: www.goodcupoftea.org

New Mercy Video

Lastly, I am delighted to let you know that filming has occurred and post-production is underway for a new video as the current Circle of Mercy video is 25 years old. If you wish to host a preview of the movie, In God Alone: The Story of Catherine McAuley, as a fundraiser for MIA, between the 12th December and the 1st March, then please be in touch! The movie will be available for all on the Mercyworld.org website from March. There was a request in Mercy ENews in July (click here to view) for photographs or video clips that can be incorporated into the end of the video or onto the screens in the International Room at the Centre, it is not too late so please send some from your schools!