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Institute of the Sisters of Mercy of Australia and Papua New Guinea. (2019). ISMAPNG – Profile, Leadership, Mercy Associates and Young Mercies. Retrieved from https://institute.mercy.org.au/about-us/ismapng/

Institute of the Sisters of Mercy of Australia and Papua New Guinea. (2019). Mission and Ministry. Retrieved from https://institute.mercy.org.au/about-us/mission-and-ministry/

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Sisters Of Mercy Of Australia and Papua New Guinea 

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Sisters Of Mercy Of Australia and Papua New Guinea 

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The Institute of The Sisters Of Mercy Of Australia and Papua New Guinea is an organisation with six communities in Australia and PNG. They respond to a range of local and national issues which can be guided by mercy. Additionally, they  aspire to live their lives like their foundress, Catherine McAuley. Therefore, they have similar participation to what Catherine did when fulfilling the priestly, prophetic and kingly roles of Jesus.

The Australian and Papua New Guinean Sisters of Mercy fulfill the priestly role of Jesus as they lead and guide people in their community to grow in fidelity. This means that they provide those who need assistance counselling and a safe space to enable them to develop spiritually which will help in all aspects of their life. This is very similar to how Catherine McAuley instructed those in the Houses of Mercy to practice the Christian faith whilst she provided them with food and shelter. Furthermore, Catherine did this in a time where Christianity was shunned upon; which makes her even more inspirational to the Sisters.

The Sisters of Mercy fulfill the prophetic role of Jesus as they continually work for human rights and human dignity. This is demonstrated at they minister and divide their profits among health care, age facilities and pastoral care organisations. Additionally, they have spread their care to men - not just women and children. Catherine and the original sisters cared for the women and children in Dublin in the early to middle 1800's. So, the fact that The Institute of The Sisters Of Mercy Of Australia and Papua New Guinea includes men as their clients, shows that the organisation takes into account the issues of the world today and has adapted through the ages.

The kingly role of Jesus is fulfilled by the Sisters Of Mercy as they dedicate their lives and funds to assisting people grow in fidelity and improve their lives. Additionally, they have continued the mission of Catherine McAuley and Jesus as they have continued to establish Houses of Mercy (in Papua New Guinea) and welcome the disabled and marginalized. At these houses they provide shelter, food and water and a place of worship to followers of Jesus Christ.

In summary, the Sisters Of Mercy Of Australia and Papua New Guinea, are an organisation which continues to live out the mission of Catherine McAuley who was influenced by the work of Christ. Additionally, they live out the priestly, prophetic and kingly roles of Jesus very similar to their foundress, Catherine McAuley.

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McAuley, C. (n.d.). Words From Catherine. Retrieved from https://www.mercyworld.org/catherine/words-from-catherine/

McAuley, C. (n.d.). Catherine Quotes. Retrieved from https://www.mercyworld.org/f/45074/x/649958085d/catherine_quotes.pdf

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Analysis of the Writings of Catherine McAuley

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Analysis of the Writings of Catherine McAuley

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Original Rule, in Sullivan, Catherine McAuley and the Tradition of Mercy, p. 297
"Mercy, the principal path pointed out by Jesus Christ to those who are desirous of following Him, has in all ages of the Church excited the faithful in a particular manner to instruct and comfort the sick and dying poor, as in them they regarded the person of our divine Master..."

This extract is from the Tradition of Mercy pg. 297. It was written by Catherine McAuley and highlights what she as an individual, and the Sisters of Mercy have been appointed to do - show mercy. Additionally, Catherine explains that mercy is a value which should be shown to all no matter their social status, living conditions, illnesses etc. This writing influenced Catherine and each Sister of Mercy, to this date. It reminded them of living in the footsteps of Jesus Christ and the importance of treating everyone as equals and showing them mercy.

Familiar Instructions, pg. 2
"We can never say, it is enough."

This sentence has been extracted from the Familiar Instructions Handbook which is given out to the Sisters Of Mercy. This was written by Catherine McAuley prior to establishing the order in 1831. The handbook was written to instruct the sisters and remind them of what they should value and believe in if they are to be in the organisation. Mercy is defined as: compassion or forgiveness shown towards someone whom it is within one's power to punish or harm. Therefore, this sentence reminded the sisters that they should never think that they have shown enough compassion or forgiveness to someone, that there is always more they can do. This heavily influenced the life of Catherine McAuley, as well as the Sisters of Mercy, because it contributed to them providing exceptional service to those in need of their assistance.

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Catherine McAuley School. (n.d.). Catherine McAuley's Story. Retrieved from http://www.cms.catholic.edu.au/about-our-school/history/catherine-mcauley-s-story

MERCY INTERNATIONAL. (2017). Catherine. Retrieved from https://www.mercyworld.org/

Mercy Health. (2019). Our Foundress: Catherine McAuley. Retrieved from https://www.mercyhealth.com.au/

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Prayers and Spiritual Practices That Influenced Catherine McAuley

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Prayers and Spiritual Practices That Influenced Catherine McAuley

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Catherine was inspired by her father who helped the poor. He brought poor children to their house on weekends for lessons on the Catholic Faith. Although he died when Catherine was young, Catherine saw her parents living their catholic values through their service to the poor. This compassion influenced her life’s work.

Catherine was in touch with her world around her, she did not want to lock herself away in prayer like the typical nuns of the time, however she wanted to offer practical help to the people.

Catherine valued friendship and worked

with the clergy. Dr Daniel Murray who gave her first communion and was still part of her life after her parents died. Their friendship continued when she founded the Sisters of Mercy and he was Archbishop of Dublin at the time.

Catherine found comfort in the rosary and it was documented that when she died (11/11/1841) she was holding her crucifix and her 15 decade rosary beads. The 15 decade rosary the Rosary is made up of three mysteries regarding the life of Christ: The Joyful Mysteries, the Sorrowful Mysteries and the Glorious Mysteries. The Mystery has five meditations to it, during which the person prays an Our Father, 10 Hail Mary's and a Glory Be  - this is known as a "decade of the Rosary". If you pray an entire 15 decade Rosary that means you have thought on all 3 mysteries through the 5 meditations for each mystery which totals 15 decades.

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Class, 3. (2019). Relgion: Rerum Novarum. Mount Alvernia College, Kedron.

Charlles, D. (Producer). (2018, January 7). Rerum Novarum [Video file]. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xeqzYaw97w4

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Rerum Novarum was the first social encyclical written by Pope Leo XIII in 1891. It was an open letter written towards the end of the Industrial Revolution and was passed on to all Catholic Patriarchs, Primates, Archbishops and Bishops. The encyclical addresses the issues of: the condition of working classes, relationships and duties between labor and capital as well as governments and it's citizens. Rerum Novarum was divided into seven sections with the third being 'the common good,' and the fourth, 'protection for the poor. '

'The common good' can be seen in all aspects of Catherine McAuley's life, as well as in the sisters who joined her in her mission to rescue the poor. Rerum Novarum, Section Three, Part 24: "there has to be people in charge to look out for others in good times and bad." This is what Catherine did as she leaded the Sisters Of Mercy during a difficult period of time and helped shape peoples lives.

Protecting the poor was essentially the main mission of Catherine McAuley and the Sisters Of Mercy. When she established the first House of Mercy, Catherine welcomed the poor and provided them with food and shelter. Additionally, she protected those Christians who were protesting against the Anti-Catholic Penal Laws. This was an extremely difficult job as it involved going against the police and those who were trying to banish the Christian faith from Ireland.

Catherine McAuley was an inspirational women who lived out all areas of Rerum Novarum, especially section 3 and 4. She sheltered the poor and promoted the common good during a time of rebellion and social upheaval.

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Bible Study Tools. (2019). Banquet. Retrieved from https://www.biblestudytools.com/dictionary/banquet/

Sisters of Mercy, Brisbane. (2018). Catherine. Retrieved from https://www.brisbanemercy.org.au/

Wright, F. (1953). Manners and Customs of Bible Lands. Retrieved from http://www.baptistbiblebelievers.com/LinkClick.aspx fileticket=NMUXqVyfq70%3D&tabid=232&mid=762

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Biblical Criticism Applied to Honor At A Banquet 

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Biblical Criticism Applied to Honor At A Banquet 

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Luke  14:7-14
When he noticed how the guests picked the places of honor at the table, he told them this parable: 8 “When someone invites you to a wedding feast, do not take the place of honor, for a person more distinguished than you may have been invited. 9 If so, the host who invited both of you will come and say to you, ‘Give this person your seat.’ Then, humiliated, you will have to take the least important place.10 But when you are invited, take the lowest place, so that when your host comes, he will say to you, ‘Friend, move up to a better place.’ Then you will be honored in the presence of all the other guests. 11 For all those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.”

12 Then Jesus said to his host, “When you give a luncheon or dinner, do not invite your friends, your brothers or sisters, your relatives, or your rich neighbors; if you do, they may invite you back and so you will be repaid. 13 But when you give a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind, 14 and you will be blessed. Although they cannot repay you, you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous.”

The Word Behind the Text

History: During the time of Jesus Christ, banquets were usually held at night in rooms which were brilliantly lighted. Anybody who did not receive an invitation to the feast were said to be cast out of the lighted room into the "outer darkness" of the night. The parable, Honor at a Banquet, makes reference to the seating arrangements at the table were these feasts took place. At a private banquet, the host/master of the house was in charge of the usually intimate event, however, at a public banquet, a distinguished guest, usually with the most power and influence was known as 'Governor of the Feast.' This meant that he sat at the head of the table and others would have to 'race' to the seats of honor beside him. The further away you were seated from the host, you were seen as not very relevant.

Culture: The parable suggests that, it was in the highest interest of the wealthy to only befriend those of equal social status. This is evident in verse 12, "do not invite your brothers or sisters, your relatives or your rich neighbors." During the time of Christ, families were either wealthy or poor and the reference to rich neighbors, suggests that this story was preached to the wealthy. Furthermore, the parable implies that the poor were shunned in society and that it was difficult for them to move up the social hierarchy at the time.

The World of the Text
This parable follows the same structure as a narrative. It begins with an orientation, which addresses the setting - a wedding banquet. After this it goes on to introducing characters: the host and yourself. The middle section of the parable discusses the concept of the places of honor at a banquet. With the final section being the resolution of how to avoid humiliation whilst repaying Christ.

Jesus decided to tell this story as he witnesses other guests fleeing to the places of honor at the banquet table. He begins by placing his audience in a scenario where they are at a  wedding banquet with a host and guests that have different rankings on the social hierarchy. He then relates back to the places of honor at a banquet and reminds the other guests of how humiliating it would be to get confronted by a host telling you to move to a lower place at the table. Jesus follows this by providing them with another example of choosing to sit at the lower place first and then being invited to move up by the host. This is  not only an instruction from the host, it gets the other guests attention and they will want to make conversation with you based on the fact you have been moved up by the hosts. When Jesus does this, he is essentially giving the audience a, 'would you rather scenario.' This suggests, that after he provides the example of the 'desired outcome' it is an important part of the parable.

This is the same when it comes to Jesus asking the host to invite the poor to the  banquet instead of the rich, family or friends. This could be considered the most important section of the parable as he reminds us of the message to care for others and help the poor.

The World In Front of the Text
This parable is very relevant to modern times as it challenges the actions of those who fail to be humble as well as remind us of the importance of caring for those less fortunate than ourselves. An appropriate audience for this text would be those who have excess money and shelter but choose not to give to those who are disadvantaged or homeless. This is very relevant to Catherine McAuley as she became wealthy due to inheritance and did not invite her family, friends or rich neighbors to her estate, but she brought a house and used it to provide food and shelter to the poor. Women and the poor living in Dublin during the time of Catherine McAuley, were cast out or imprisoned, so when she established the Sisters of Mercy she gave them back their dignity which is what Jesus instructs others at the banquet to do.

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Hackett C. (2017). Christians remain world’s largest religious group, but they are declining in Europe. Retrieved from https://www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2017/04/05/christians-remain-worlds-largest-religious-group-but-they-are-declining-in-europe/

Jemma K. (2019). Sisters of Mercy. In Debbie Ived (Ed.). Course notes. p. 3. Brisbane

Mercy International Association. (2019). Catherine McAuley. Retrieved from https://www.mercyworld.org/

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Mercy World. (2019). The Making of Catherine. Retrieved from https://www.mercyworld.org/

Mercy Health. (2019). Our History: about Catherine McAuley. Retrieved from https://www.mercyhealth.com.au/our-history/about-catherine-mcauley/

Mercy International Association. (2019). About Catherine. Retrieved from https://www.mercyworld.org/catherine/

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Catherine McAuley: Priestly, Prophetic and Kingly Roles of Jesus

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Catherine McAuley: Priestly, Prophetic and Kingly Roles of Jesus

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Throughout all her work, Catherine McAuley followed in the footsteps of Jesus’ Prophetic, Priestly and Kingly Roles.These roles were established by Christ and can be seen throughout the gospels, which examine events that occurred in Jesus' lifetime.

Catherine fulfilled the Priestly role of Jesus when she guided others with her instruction when she instructed the ignorant. This can be examined in the Rules and Constitutions of The Sisters of Mercy, Chapter 2. It states: “No work of charity can be more productive or of good to society, or more conductive to the happiness of the poor than the careful instructions of women.” This is similar to the work of Jesus as we hear throughout the New Testament about how he instructed his disciples to assist disadvantaged people of the time.

Catherine McAuley fulfilled the Prophetic role of Jesus when she visited prisoners. As a part of the Prophetic role, one must work for freedom and act for human dignity. Prisoners being placed in jail at this time were usually Christians who were not allowed to practice their faith. This was because of the Anti-Catholic Penal Laws which were being enforced over Ireland.  This made Christians rebel against law enforcement, consequently, they were placed in jail. When Catherine visited these people, she was acting for freedom of speech and attempting to keep their human dignity intact whilst they were being punished in prison. This is similar to when Jesus spoke against those who attempted to hinder his mission to preach the word of the Lord.

Catherine fulfilled the Kingly Role of Jesus throughout all her life, particularly when she established the Sisters of Mercy in 1831. A Kingly Role relates to leadership, therefore, when Catherine McAuley established her order of sisters, she showed immense leadership skills and took a momentous step into helping the lives of thousands of people worldwide. The same goes for Jesus Christ; he instructed others and eventually was the one who inspired Catholicism which is currently the largest religion worldwide. In summary, it is evident that Catherine McAuley was influenced by the work of Jesus Christ as she successfully fulfilled the Priestly, Prophetic and Kingly Roles of Jesus during a time of social and religious diversity.

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Catherine McAuley was born in Dublin, Ireland on 29th of September, 1778. She was born into a well off Catholic family which composed of her father, mother and two siblings, Mary and James William. The family was primarily supported by her father, James McAuley who was a well known businessman and property holder. Despite the thirty year age gap between her mother, Elinor, and her father, the family lived five happy years together before James' passing in 1783. This sent the family into turmoil and forced Catherine's single mother to send her away to live with a wealthy Protestant couple in the countryside. She lived with William and Catherine Callaghan for twenty years in their Coolock Estate but in 1822, three years after Catherine Callaghan's death, William passed away.  He left Catherine the sole air of their estate and the majority of their savings.

With this money in hand, Catherine established the first "House of Mercy" in Dublin during the time of the Young Ireland Rebellion and Anti-Catholic Penal Laws.This was where she provided shelter and food to working girls, orphans and a school for poor children. This became known to others in the community and women joined  Catherine in her mission to save the youth. Consequently, The Sisters of Mercy was officially established in 1831. Throughout Catherine's lifetime, she helped establish fourteen houses before passing away in 1841. The Sisters of Mercy is now a world wide organisation and continues to help the troubled to this day. Because of the resilience and compassionate heart of their foundress, Catherine McAuley, the 6200 sisters have helped hundreds and thousands of people with improving their lives.