Catherine McAuley was joyful, kind, and very human, not just a holy figure. She believed that happiness was meant to be shared and that laughter, friendship, and music were important in life and in the convent. She encouraged unity among the sisters but never demanded strict uniformity, and she made each sister feel that she mattered. Catherine even suggested having a piano in the community room to make everyone’s life more pleasant. She used her cheerful personality to lift the spirits of everyone around her and combined playfulness with gentle lessons about living a good and faithful life. Her way of making recreation meaningful showed that she wanted happiness and growth to go hand in hand.

She mentions that a new "Poor Law Tax" made it even harder to get donations, leaving them at the edge of a hill. They sometimes couldn't even afford to feed hungry people who came for help. The sisters had to rely on fundraising events like bazaars to survive. By this time, the group had grown to include six fully professed Sisters and five trainees, making it an official religious community.

The new priest, Dean Meyler, disliked Catherine McAuley and the Sisters. To pay off a church debt that he had, he tried to stop their main charity fundraiser, although he failed at that, he did succeed in cutting off their Sunday collection money.

He ordered all parishioners to attend a different church instead of the Sisters' chapel. Unfortunately, the Archbishop allowed this to happen, which was confusing because he had previously given the Sisters special permission to have their own chapel. Later Dean also prohibited the second mass that was held every Sunday. after Fr. Daniel went on a mission Mr. Meyler didn't hesitate to leave a successor.

Despite her noble goals, she faced significant difficulties, including demands and a compulsory dispute with church authorities like Dean Meyer and Archbishop John Hamilton. This conflict was a source of great personal grief for her, as she never wanted to appear antagonistic towards the clergy. However, she handled these hardships with a positive and faithful attitude, viewing them as "the Cross of Christ" and maintaining her charity and humility.

Throughout these trials, her congregation continued to grow and expand. Her work eventually received formal recognition from the highest levels of the Catholic Church, receiving an indulgence and the apostolic benediction from Pope Pius VIII in 1830.

To gain official recognition from the highest levels of the Catholic Church, Catherine sent her petition to Rome. The application included not only the rules of the group but also a powerful description of their charitable work. It highlighted that they had already cared for 722 poor women, instructed hundreds of girls, and served as a place for the poor to bring their disputes.

Archbishop Murray strongly endorsed Catherine's cause.

After consideration, the Vatican responded positively. In an official decree from March 1835, Cardinal Fransoni expressed the Church's full approval. The letter stated that both the Sacred Congregation and the Pope himself highly approved of Catherine McAuley's resolution to establish the Society of Ladies of Mercy.

She did this by adapting the existing Rule of the Presentation Sisters, modifying it to fit her community's specific mission of active service.

A draft of this new Rule was sent to Archbishop Murray for review. He made edits and suggestions, and then gave his official approval to this temporary version on January 23, 1837. Breaking the Rule was not automatically a sin, unless the action itself was sinful or broke their vows.

The Sisters lived by this temporary Rule for two years. In December 1839, Catherine took the final step: she formally petitioned the Pope in Rome to confirm the Rule permanently. This petition package included strong letters of support from her own sisters, Archbishop Murray, and other bishops whose dioceses the Sisters of Mercy were now working. Catherine was hopeful that this official confirmation would inspire new energy and fervor in her growing congregation.

His report highlighted that the spirit and mission of the Sisters of Mercy had already earned the highest praise from the Church and the Pope himself. The only remaining step was the formal approval of the Rules themselves.

By October, the approval had still not been finalized, leading her to write a second, follow-up petition to the Cardinal in Rome. In her letter, she reminded him of their first successful petition and the promising response they had received, which had given hope to church authorities in England who were waiting to open new houses.

The request was successful, as Pope Gregory XVI officially approved the order's Rule in June 1841. However, there was a delay in getting the official documents to Dublin. Even by August 1841, the founder had not yet received the formal paperwork, learning from others that the approval had already been granted.

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

Video 8 pts

Organization and creativity 10 pts

Instructions 10 pts.

Punctuality 10 pts.

Grammar and mechanics 8 pts

Total: 92 pts. A Excellent (Test # 1)

I was expecting that you speak on her role as legislator on your reflection and video.

Mrs. P. Luna