MERCY ASSOCIATES
The day started with rain, rain and more rain and we thought that this was to be the shape of the day to come.
But no, some us had more Christian thobghts and decided to go and collect a nearby member of the group at 6.45 a.m. to save him from getting wet. Even the best laid plans are sometimes not enough, as the neighbour decided to walk earlier to meet the transport (a mini-bus) taking one route, the mini-bus proceeding along a differing route and the two did not meet! A stilted conversation with a member of the walker's household from behind a semi- closed door explained the situation and the mini-bus set off again to find the walker in the rain. It was decided that having Christian thoughts at that time in the morning probably was not good for the soul so from now on sticking to the plan was the way forward. All the other pick-up points were uneventful, with everybody being in the right place at the right time. A slight diversion for the last pick-up was undertaken on the grounds of the driver forgetting what his precise instructions were. Still all were gathered together into the mini-bus and the journey commenced. We had not travelled far when the sweetie bag was circulated from the back of the bus to the front. This, of course, did not impress the driver who was quite sure that the best sweeties would have gone by the time the bag reached him! There were only ten of us in the mini-bus and the bag of sweets was enormous. Reassurances were made to placate the driver as we felt this was the safest way to travel. As we stopped for coffee, the sunshine brightened our way, the clouds were dispelled and spirits lifted. It does not take much to lift the spirits of this group of travellers as they travel optimistically at all times.
On arrival in the outskirts of London a quick phone call was made to the Sisters of Mercy at Bermondsey to confirm our progress. The recipient of the phone call was Sr. Christine who knew us well and was coordinating the day, so some bright spark thought to ask her was Penzance on the way as we had just passed a sign post saying "you are now entering Penzance"! She confirmed our true whereabouts and indicated that we should be in Bermondsey within the next fifteen minutes!! With written instructions in hand, we proceeded over Tower Bridge because some of the party will not go through tunnels.
We found the Convent without any undue fuss and having travelled in excess of 150 miles we were only four minutes late. We congratulated ourselves heartily for a job well done. We had travelled and arrived and the sun was shining. We were greeted with such enthusiasm and warmth of feeling we knew that this was going to be a special day. The Sisters, the oldest of whom was 94 years old, were delighted to have a visiting group of Mercy Associates and had excelled themselves in providing more than one generous lunch. Afternoon tea was also a scrumptious affair with homemade scones. A reflective thought comes to mind, when the Mercy Associates travel they always eat heartily, why should this be?
The tour of the Convent was delightful and nearly everyone noticed how wonderful the polished floors looked. A comment was made that as a young child one of our number had been told that the polishing of floors was a penance for sins!
The afternoon was spent walking around St. Catherine's Dock and Tower Bridge learning a little of the area where Catherine McAuley came to set up her new House of Mercy. Part of the day's instruction was given by Sr. Marion from the Wanstead Convent who was undertaking the review and restoration of the archives at Bermondsey.
We learned about Catherine's nephew, wild Willie, who immigrated to Australia from St.Catherine's Dock and was feared lost at sea, only recently to have had his history brought back to England by a visiting descendant.
We learned from Sr. Kathleen who was on her way to Baggot Street, Dublin that the Convent in Birmingham, which was the second House in England, was also going to be estored and archived. Catherine spent only four weeks there as she became
dangerously ill and had to return to Dublin. On route home she went to Liverpool to see the site of the construction of the third Convent of Mercy in England. She died before this house in Liverpool could be opened but her
legacy of caring for the poor and needy continues.
After a delightful day we finished our visit with evening prayer and a service of initiation for a new member joining our ranks. Sr. Marion, Sr. Kathleen, Sr. Roisin and Sr.Christine led the prayer service. The Mercy Associate movement is growing and keeping alive the hopes and dreams of the foundress of the Sisters of Mercy, Catherine McAuley. We travelled home safely making good time at
the expense of a few red lights ... unintentional of course. We had had a
wonderful uplifting day and had shared our experiences, good and sad, with
some exceptional Sisters who shared with us some of the spirituality that comes with the Charism of Mercy.
We learned about the early days, and the difficulties of leadership as Catherine only spent six weeks in the House.
Back to page top
...............OR Return to Reports Page Menu
Catherine McAuley
What Mercy Means
How to become a Member
Directory of Groups
News & Views
Home Page