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Mercy Pilgrimages at St. Mary’s Convent, Handsworth for the Year of Mercy

29/10/2016

St. Mary’s Convent, Handsworth was designated as a special place of Pilgrimage for the Year of Mercy. The Community at St. Mary’s decided to have an afternoon each month for anyone who wished to come for a Pilgrimage. Eight of these pilgrimages have taken place with between seven and fourteen people attending.
“After the March pilgrimage Angela and Brian wrote: “We both enjoyed the afternoon of the Pilgrimage of Mercy – it was like an oasis of peace and calm in this busy, noisy world. The music and readings were very soothing and restful – it was lovely to take ‘time out’ and think spiritual thoughts.”

Four young women, members of the Sion Community for Evangelisation made a Five Day Retreat at St. Mary’s. During their time here they experienced the Mercy Pilgrimage. Here are their comments:

“It was a real privilege to be able to walk through the door of Mercy at the Convent. I led our group through the door. We were all journeying into the heart of a merciful God.” (Morgan Mitchell)

“The most powerful part for me was sitting in Blessed Dominic Barberi’s Chair where he heard lots of confessions. I was touched and brought my own burdens to God in the same way these people did”. (Milagros Perez)

“My experience of the pilgrimage was made so much more prayerful when sitting in Blessed Dominic’s Chair. I had a real sense of the Heart of God which uplifted me”.
(Sarune Daugerdaite)

“Walking through the door of mercy really made me aware of leaving my burdens behind to walk into the presence of God as we slowly went through the pilgrimage stations. I was constantly reminded of how God welcomes us closer to Him without carrying our burdens.” (Anicka Schnurmacher)

PILGRIMAGE GROUP – BIRMINGHAM COUNCIL OF FAITHS - UNIVERSITY OF THE THIRD AGE PHOTOGRAPH BY DR. PETER ROOKES & MRS JEAN ROOKES

ANNUAL PAST PUPILS’ REUNION DAY JUNE 2016

SCHOOL GROUPS

Children from St. Clare’s School, Handsworth visited class by class to experience the pilgrimage. St. John Wall Secondary School brought mixed age groups. For the Sisters here and for the pupils it was a moving experience and the children were very responsive.
Comments from St. Clare’s School:-

“Thank you sisters for giving me the honour of taking the pilgrimage of Mercy and Door of Mercy including the Chair of Mercy which all made me open my heart out. I will never forget this pilgrimage”.
“When I sat on the Chair of Mercy, I really felt that I was talking to Jesus and I felt I was cleansed.”
“Thank you for having us at your home. I was a new person and I felt better when I came out.”
“When I came out of the Convent I felt Golden”
When I sat on the Chair of Mercy I felt I had Jesus in my heart and when I prayed all my worries disappeared”.

Ann Marie Owen RE Leader at St. Clare's wrote:
"At St. Clare's School in Handsworth, we are fortunate to be close enough to walk to the Convent of the Sisters of Mercy and have been able to take some of our children there for the pilgrimage for the Year of Mercy. It has been an enlightening and spiritual experience that has been enjoyed by both children and staff alike. The Sisters have been extremely welcoming and accommodating. They have helped to make the Year of Mercy personal and meaningful to our children. I cannot thank them enough for their hard work in serving God and our community."

Dear Sisters,
Thank you for inviting Class 5NY and myself to the convent last Friday for the Pilgrimage of Mercy.
I was overwhelmed by my pupils' responses to it. They were prayerful throughout and when we left they were really excited by it. Many children asked if they could 'do it again' and when we returned to school, they asked to say the prayer again.
I genuinely felt the Holy Spirit was with us on Friday.
Thank you so much.
God bless you.
Nora Young
(St. Clare's Class Teacher 5NY)

Noreen Cullen rsm

My Reflection of the 175th Celebration at St Mary’s Convent

17/10/2016

I arrived at St Mary’s Convent on the 14th September 2016 to start my postulancy. I received a wonderful welcome, by the whole community. I arrived just 10 days before the 175th Anniversary. What a time to arrive, so much to be completed, but so much excitement in the house. It was Mercy charisma at its best. Not just with the community, but all the sisters staying in the house and visiting. For me a newbie, it was wonderful to see, and very encouraging of what my future looks like.

On the Friday, some of the visiting sisters were taken to the church to look at the focal point, it was about 5pm, and I said, “This time tomorrow it’ll all be over”. I was informed, “no dear, you’ll be making cups of tea”. This was so true, but with so many memories to be remembered and over a good cuppa tea, it was one tradition I was happy to be a part of.

The 24th September 2016 was upon us all, it was a day that will be with me for a very long time, from the beginning to the end. Starting with finalising things at the church and hall, to welcoming visitors into the house, to the most amazing church service, with so many individuals being a part of the various ministries.

I took part in the offertory procession, and the second candle: the Novitiate. Sr Agatha Collopy walked with me while the following was read: “In 1841 two postulants accompanied Mother Catherine McAuley, and the founding sisters – Juliana Hardman, Lucy Bond, Eliza Edwards and Anne Wood. From then until the 1950s, there was a flourishing Novitiate where those seeking to follow the Mercy way of life were trained.” It was emotional for me, with Juliana being a distant cousin of mine and for me, to be doing the same thing 175 years later. Some sisters’ commented, its come full circle. This is so true.

We then proceeded over to the church hall for the feeding of the thousands, well maybe not quite a thousand, but a lot. The celebrations continued in the convent well into Sunday afternoon.

The community of St Mary’s Handsworth should be so proud of what they achieved on this most memorable day for so many sisters, the local community and myself. I am so grateful to be here at St Mary’s Convent for the first key stage of my Mercy journey, and hope that I will be half as good as the sisters here.

Thank you Sr Noreen, Sr Brendan, Sr Brigid, Sr Ita, Sr Marie and Sr Ursula for letting me join your community at such a busy time and for accompanying me on the beginning of my Mercy journey.

Love
Nicole

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Mercy Pilgrimages at St. Mary’s Convent, Handsworth for the Year of Mercy

My Reflection of the 175th Celebration at St Mary’s Convent

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