# data[].attributes.headline
3. World of, Behind and  In Front of the Text

# data[].attributes.subject
3. World of, Behind and  In Front of the Text

# data[].attributes.body
Scripture: Matthew 25:34 - 40 (Found above)
Storyline: Father states that any good dead you do for his sisters and brothers, your actions are seen by him. This parable was written to raise awareness about poverty and helping those in need. Keeping the legacy of helping the poor (much like Catherine) was important to the author of this scripture, as was getting the message out to the audience (younger people of the church). The time/ place of when this scripture was written and what was happening at the time would have a big impact on the story, and how, when, where and why it was written.
Message: Explains the importance of poverty, what it is and reiterates/ explains in more depth the saying: “It is in giving that we receive”.

# data[].attributes.headline
7. 21st Century Reformers that follow in the steps of Catherine McAuley

# data[].attributes.subject
7. 21st Century Reformers that follow in the steps of Catherine McAuley

# data[].attributes.body
Examples of a 21st century individual/ group that follows through with similar practices to Catherine.

Jacqueline Novogratz -  This individual preaches about poverty and has worked with the issue of Poverty for 20 years. She tells stories of people’s lives and how they cope. She has visited many in different people and cultures in many different countries.

Sisters of Mercy -  “Enduring inspiration of Catherine McAuley, our shared history of Australia, our collaboration in the works of mercy, the theological section of our constitutes and the many strong friendships among us” “Together with our partners in ministry, we work to release the vision of Catherine McAuley. We are compelled by Gods spirit and our tradition to work, both individually and corporately, to bring about a more and just and compassionate world.” http://www.brisbanemercy.org.au
This organisation follows in the footsteps of Catherine McAuley as they have a passion for poverty and getting the message out by preaching.

All Hallows School - “The founding Sisters of Mercy in Dublin were known as the “walking nuns” as they were without the usual strict convent enclosures. The Sisters inspired local girls to see and meet local needs and it is in this tradition that the School offers a variety of outreach experiences. These personal interactions encourage the students to meet people with disability and social disadvantage in genuine exchanges of friendliness, kindness and joy. Volunteer students meet before or after school with a supervising staff member for this service. Our students are encouraged to follow in the footsteps of Jesus and Catherine McAuley to explore practical ways to express God’s mercy.” - https://www.ahs.qld.edu.au/mission/service-mercy-in-action

They follow in the footsteps of Catherine McAuley as she valued Education and loved preaching to Women and Children especially.

# data[].attributes.headline
5. Writings that may have inspired Catherine McAuley

# data[].attributes.subject
5. Writings that may have inspired Catherine McAuley

# data[].attributes.body
Isaiah 58:6 -10

6 “Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen:
to loose the chains of injustice
and untie the cords of the yoke,
to set the oppressed free
and break every yoke?
7 Is it not to share your food with the hungry
and to provide the poor wanderer with shelter—
when you see the naked, to clothe them,
and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood?
8 Then your light will break forth like the dawn,
and your healing will quickly appear;
then your righteousness will go before you,
and the glory of the Lord will be your rear guard.
9 Then you will call, and the Lord will answer;
you will cry for help, and he will say: Here am I.

“If you do away with the yoke of oppression,
with the pointing finger and malicious talk,
10 and if you spend yourselves in behalf of the hungry
and satisfy the needs of the oppressed,
then your light will rise in the darkness,
and your night will become like the noonday.

# data[].attributes.headline
3. Writings that nourished Catherine McAuley

# data[].attributes.subject
3. Writings that nourished Catherine McAuley

# data[].attributes.body
Matthew 25:34 – 40

34 “Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. 35 For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, 36 I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’

37 “Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? 38 When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? 39 When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’

40 “The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’

# data[].attributes.headline
6. Priestly, Prophetic, Kingly works of McAuley

# data[].attributes.subject
6. Priestly, Prophetic, Kingly works of McAuley

# data[].attributes.body
DEFINITIONS:
Priestly – When prayer and worship are at the heart of their lives and the Eucharist is the source and summit of their spirituality.

Prophetic – When they speak out against injustice, act to have human dignity, and work for authentic freedom and mutual respect within society

Kingly – Use whatever power and influence they have to an opportunity for Christian service and strive for social structures. Lay participation in the leadership and governance structures of the church.

EXAMPLES:

Priestly works – Catherine’s prayer books and daily prayer rituals are an example of priestly works. As explained above, her suscipe and prayers expressed her opinions on issues of her time.
Catherine McAuley's prayers were composed in a prayer book that she kept while she was alive. They express her faith and love for the religion and work that she carried out. They are still used today (although they have been adapted) in churches and schools.
The Suscipe explains the surrender of her life for God. Why she opened the "House of Mercy" and why she started the "Sisters of Mercy" - because it was a calling from God.

Prophetic – Preachings with “The Sisters of Mercy”. They preached about Poverty and the importance of shelter and education. This (among others) was Catherine's way of getting her message out to the people of the time.

Kingly - Her preaching’s with “The Sisters of Mercy", taught people within the Catholic Church to help others, then act on it. Using her 'platform' within the "Sisters of Mercy", Catherine preached and shared her opinion to the sisters, leading by example and beginning a legacy.

# data[].attributes.headline
5. What did the church think about Poverty?

# data[].attributes.subject
5. What did the church think about Poverty?

# data[].attributes.body
During the Industrial Revolution when Catherine was born, poverty and lack of education was a major issue in society that no one spoke or changed anything about. People either didn't care or didn't know what to do.

Her response - To open the "House of Mercy". The HOM was a home for Women and Children to provide shelter and food for the homeless. McAuley leased it with the money she inherited from her foster family. She later started up the "Sisters of Mercy" to preach about the importance of education.

# data[].attributes.body
Catherine McAuley's prayers were composed in a prayer book that she kept while she was alive. They express her faith and love for the religion and work that she carried out. They are still used today (although they have been adapted) in churches and schools.

The Suscipe explains the surrender of her life for God. Why she opened the "House of Mercy" and why she started the "Sisters of Mercy" - because it was a calling from God.

# data[].attributes.body
Catherine came to be known as the "Gospel Women" as she lived her life through the "Wisdom of the Gospel". It later came into assembling the core values with her teachings to the sisters. "The life and teachings of Jesus Christ should be as a book, always opened before us ... and as a seal whose image we are trying to impress on our hearts."

In the New Testament, poverty is a big issue. One cause was those who were/became rich would oppress the poor by belittling them and ignoring their obvious needs. The second cause was the fault of the individual not completing/ finding work for themselves. They lacked income for themselves and their families and if you failed once, it was very hard to build up your wealth. This inspired Catherine to open the "House of Mercy" to give women and children shelter and an education.

# data[].attributes.headline
2. Religious Criticism in the 18th century

# data[].attributes.subject
2. Religious Criticism in the 18th century

# data[].attributes.body
In the 18th Century, the Catholic religion was forbidden in the court of law through the Ascendancy Rule.

"No person of the popish religion shall publicly or in private houses teach school, or instruct youth in learning within this realm' upon pain of twenty pounds fine and three months in prison for every such offence."

This law inspired Catherine as she was very passionate about every person having the right to an education. This legislation was lifted in 1782.

# data[].attributes.body
Catherine McAuley was born on the 29th of September 1778. Both her parents died when she was young, this lead to Catherine and her siblings being transferred to a foster home. Catherine was the eldest of three children

# data[].attributes.body
"The adage “never too old to learn” is a great comfort to me."

"If the order is my work the sooner it falls to the ground the better, if it is God's work it needs no one"

"God can bend and change and from and reform any of his creatures to fit them for the purpose he designs"

# data[].attributes.body
Catherine was born during the Industrial Revolution, much like others she was appalled by the living and working standards of Children and Women . Before the passing of her father James McAuley, she learned from his example. Although he was a wealthy businessman, he respected the poor and tried to help the homeless as much as he could. When both Catherine's parents had passed, she experienced poverty for herself before being taken is by a foster family. Catherine moved in with another family when she was 20. Although they were not Catholic, they respected Catherine and all her decisions. After they both died, Catherine received their wealth in which she used to build the 'House of Mercy'.

# data[].attributes.body
When Catherine's foster parents died, she inherited their wealth. She used it to build the 'House of Mercy' which is located on Baggot St in Dublin, Ireland.