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Catherine McAuley's deep faith and remarkable ability to accept suffering and loss as part of God's plan. This is exemplified by the death of Sister M. Elizabeth, who was scolded for her fundraising methods just before she died. Though Catherine was heartbroken, she handled the tragedy with unwavering faith. She believed "without the Cross the real crown cannot come." She taught that hardships and pain are not meant to harm, but are part of a divine plan. In her view, we should "bless and love the Fatherly hand which has hurt" us, trusting that it will eventually bring "favours and blessings." This philosophy allowed her to see the loss of property and the death of fellow sisters as insignificant in the grand scheme of things. Her letters, including one to her niece, reveal her profound devotion, stating that we must love God just as much when he takes things away as when he gives them.

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A religious congregation was founded by Catherine McAuley, who was a lay social worker. She combined her work of helping people with the spiritual life of a nun. She allowed the sisters to help in various community-serving efforts while making sure that the congregation followed the policies and procedures set by the catholic church.

In the writing of Georgiana Moore , she described Catherine McAuley as compassionate and kind, especially towards the underprivileged and her sisters. Although she was quiet and reserved, Catherine McAuley had a very deep sense of compassion. Even the people who disagreed with Catherine Mc Auley's actions knew her positive qualities well.

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On May 23rd, 1830, Catherine McAuley started to prepare her first draft of the rules for the Sisters of Mercy. During that timing, Rev. Myles Gaffney was always right by Mother Catherine’s side, accompanying her during her first few chapters based on visitation to the poor and vulnerable. While everything else was in the process of receiving an approval, Catherine already decided that she will spend her inheritance to build the House of Mercy on Baggot Street in Dublin. On January 21st, 1834, Archbishop Murray supported Catherine and the others, and spoke up on their behalf, hoping to boost the luck of meeting their goal. He requested that the Cardial Pedicini to follow on Catherine’s proposal of a House of Mercy. Archbishop Murray strongly believed that this house was worth receiving contributions to help Catherine provide for many more sisters who are willing to join. On March 24, 1835, James Philip Cardinal Fransoni sent back a letter agreeing to help out Catherine on her journey to achieve her goal. James believed that the House of Mercy would be a great addition in the society, but mainly because this can be a way for the young girls to receive a second chance by turning to God and living a religious life.

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Parts of Catherine McAuley's new daily routine had stuff from her previous routine. It provied "more lively solid happiness" than anything else and structured the day from 5:30 am to 10 pm. Acts of kindness were the main focus of the schedule.

She shortened the long devotions and prayers that had caused the sisters to drift apart. Instead, she included shorter prayers and more liturgical celebrations. They said short prayers as they put on each piece of clothing, which was the only rushed part of the process.

Mass, spiritual readings, meals, visiting the sick, and other prayers and devotions were filled in the day. Some responsibilities were obviously excused for sisters who were visiting the sick. A small dinner and a long period of recreation was the only break Mother Catherine allowed,which marked the end of the evening.

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The Sisters were expected to live in poverty and not relax until their work was done. Archbishop Murray required that the Office be recited in English and allowed a short break after dinner. Mass, spiritual readings, visiting the sick, meals, and other prayers formed part of the daily schedule. Sisters who visited the sick were excused from some choir duties.

Catherine McAuley focused on the vow of obedience in her first speech as mother superior. Her message was simple but also impactful. As a community activity, she introduced spiritual lectures. She recommended sticking to a few trusted religious texts instead of trying to read many at once.

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The appointment of Dr. Blake as parish priest was unusual because it needed special approval from Rome. Dr. Murray believed Blake would have more status as parish priest for fundraising efforts. However, this arrangement was supposed to be temporary and ended with Rev. Walter Meyler's death in 1864.

Dr. Blake's appointment resulted in the transfer of Rev. Matthias Kelly, but the others continued their hostility toward the Sisters in Baggot Street.Within six weeks of Mother Catherine's profession the novitiate for her congregation was established.

Mother Catherine faced financial struggles, as her expenses had slowly drained her inheritance, and she had to give up the rest before her profession. She wrote to Archbishop Murray, asking for his support so a young man could study for the priesthood. The young man was an orphan without any property.

To handle her financial issues, Mother Catherine chose to hold a private reception ceremony and had the postulants black dresses redesigned into habits, only purchasing a small amount of new clothes.

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Catherine McAuley first made her postulants wear simple guimps and plain brass crucifixes, instead of the nicer ebony ones used by other Sisters. This decision upset many families and supporters, and some even pulled away, which taught Catherine an important lesson about flexibility. She later allowed the bridal veil at ceremonies, showing she could admit mistakes and make changes. Life in the convent was simple and poor, with plain food and no extras, but Catherine made sure no one’s health was harmed by extreme rules. She encouraged small daily sacrifices instead of harsh practices. Catherine also showed deep care for the sick, improving their diet and even buying a house in Kingstown for them to recover. Her letters show her tenderness, as she often worried about their health and offered comfort. This balance of discipline and compassion made her a wise and caring leader.

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In the presentation groups’ guide, Mother Catherine placed most of her spare time into adding her own special rules. The Archbishop approved the rules to be very supportive of what the Sister’s goals were about. Sister Vincent Hartnett revealed that Mother Catherine would wholeheartedly pray for each of her rules while clearing some parts of the old rules to bring forth the new ones. With the assistance of Sister M. Clair Moore, Catherine reviewed her rules and adjusted them to focus more on virtues she hoped to practice in her House of Mercy. On January 23, 1837, the draft of rules were completed and with some minor corrections, it was finally approved. It was stated by the Archbishop that the rules must be followed but broken vows would cause a great issue. Moving on, the Sisters all followed these rules until December 1839, where Mother Catherine kindly asked the Pope (The Holy See) to confirm them. With the support from the Bishop and Archbishop, Catherine McAuley wrote a petition and sent it out to Rome on January 30, 1840.

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In the 1830s, Catherine McAuley was trying to form the Sisters of Mercy order and get the Catholic Church to approve of their rule. Cardinal Pedicini, the Archbishop of Dublin, and the Sacred College of Propaganda were among the church officials who assisted in the process. The difficulties encountered and the advancements made are described in the book. Catherine McAuley found out that the regulation will be verified. Bishops' letters of support were eventually included in a petition that was sent to the Sacred Council. The encouraging response indicated that the rule will be reaffirmed at the Sacred Congregation's next meeting.

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In the 1830s, Catherine McAuley worked to form the Sisters of Mercy order and asked the Catholic Church for permission to govern them. She received backing from a number of Church officials, including the Sacred College of Propaganda, Cardinal Pedicini, and the Archbishop of Dublin. Progress was accomplished in spite of obstacles, and Catherine McAuley found out that the regulation will be validated. Bishops' letters of support and a petition were submitted to the Sacred Council, which gave a comforting response that the rule would be accepted. However, the confirmation was not sent to Dublin right away. Although she had not yet received it, Catherine McAuley was aware that the regulation had been approved. . However, the confirmation was not sent to Dublin right away. Although she had not yet received it, Catherine McAuley was aware that the regulation had been approved.

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Catherine McAuley was a holy yet very human woman, known for her joy and affection. She believed laughter and friendship were essential to community life. Catherine encouraged openness, teaching that it was better to risk hurt than to close one’s heart. She welcomed visitors warmly and made each Sister feel valued. To brighten convent life, she suggested having a piano and often sang playful songs. Her cheerful nature kept sadness and discontent away. Even in times of trouble, she never let worries disturb moments of recreation. Her joy and kindness showed that holiness and happiness could exist together.

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Catherine McAuley faced significant opposition regarding the dowry system. Episcopal leaders insisted on requiring dowries for new members, which deeply troubled Catherine. She believed that money should never be a condition for acceptance into the order. This caused particular friction with Bishop John Murphy in Cork, who she felt showed "excessive caution and lack of confidence and courage." Catherine, however, was shrewd and practical, sometimes accepting candidates whose dowries were insufficient and relying on Providence and personal resources. For example, she was able to accept a candidate named Anne Moore after Dr. Blake provided over £700 for her dowry. This shows that while Catherine was troubled by the insistence on dowries, she did what was necessary to accept women she felt were called to serve, trusting that "since there is little good can be accomplished or evil avoided without the use of money, we must" find a way.

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Catherine McAuley and her congregation faced persistent financial struggles. She referred to their state of insolvency as a "constant irritant." To combat this, she opened a laundry service, which was so successful it allowed her to expand the House of Mercy. The text also mentions that the "Poor Law Tax" was a significant problem, as it reduced the community's resources and left them with so little that Catherine felt they couldn't even offer food to hungry applicants. To survive, the congregation relied on various fundraising activities like bazaars, sales of their work, and door-to-door collections.

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Catherine McAuley’s "greatest grief" was the long-standing chaplaincy dispute, which involved the clergy preventing her community from having a resident chaplain. This was particularly troubling for her as she believed the moral well-being of the young women in her care depended on having their own director.She bore the hardship with remarkable grace, even making light of the fact that the sisters had to walk to a different church for morning Mass. She viewed the conflict as a spiritual trial, calling it "more than an ordinary portion of the Cross." Despite the difficulties, she maintained her faith and charity, praying to God to remove all "bitterness" from her heart. The dispute was never settled during her lifetime, highlighting the significant opposition she faced from some members of the clergy.

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Catherine McAuley often used simple examples to explain the beauty of silence, like a lamp that burns quietly when its oil is pure. She reminded her Sisters that God works silently in nature, with day and night changing without noise. From this, she taught that silence protects the soul and helps keep peace in community life. Her leadership balanced love and firmness, asking her Sisters to obey like Jesus while she led gently, like Mary. To show fairness, she even let a younger Sister correct her if she made mistakes. Sadly, the community lost Anne O’Grady and later Sister Elizabeth Harley during this time. Soon after, a cholera outbreak struck Dublin, spreading quickly and terrifying the poor. The Sisters of Mercy stepped forward to serve the sick, proving their dedication to compassion and care.

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When cholera spread through Dublin, Catherine McAuley was asked to run the Townsend Street depot. She quickly organized the Sisters into shifts so the sick would always be cared for, while she stayed the whole day herself. Catherine moved among the dying with compassion, praying with them and giving comfort in their final moments. She even made sure no one was buried too soon, which calmed people’s fears at a time of panic. The Sisters worked until they were completely worn out, sometimes falling asleep on the stairs when they returned at night, yet none of them caught the disease. Catherine later shared these memories with new Sisters, showing both the sacrifice and the love behind their work. In the middle of it all, she even saved a newborn baby, proving her readiness to help in any way she could. But tragedy struck when Sister Elizabeth Harley, one of Catherine’s greatest hopes for the future, died after her health was worn down by poor conditions.

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The last reference from Catherine McAuley, dated October 12, shows errors in the rule's English translation from Italian. But this was insignificant in comparison to Pope Gregory XVI's endorsement of her efforts.

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NET TV - "Radical Joy" - "Sisters of Mercy"

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The video parallels with the chapter by showing how Catherine McAuley dedicated her life to faith and service. She focused on helping the poor, caring for the sick, and building a supportive community. The video talks about her daily routine of prayer, Mass, and charitable work. This reflects her efforts to combine spirituality with action. It also shows how she made long devotions shorter and more meaningful. This makes unity and purpose important among the sisters. Catherine’s humility, sacrifices, and determination in facing financial challenges and opposition are key themes in both the video and the chapter. They highlight her strong leadership and deep commitment to her mission. It basically is similar to the chapter as it is talking about Catherine McAuley as a Whole.

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Good Summary and reflection. For future reflections make sure you take ownership of what you say by saying how the insights gained impacted your life.

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Excellent Summary. For future reflections share how her insights impacted your life and take ownership of what you share by using "I" statements!

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Excellent Summaries and reflection!

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Summary 28 pts.

Reflection (recorded audio per person using I statements) 18 pts.

Video 8 pts

Organization and creativity 8 pts

Instructions 8 pts.

Punctuality 10 pts.

Grammar and mechanics 10 pts   Grade 90 A Excellent!

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