We wish to bring to your attention four recently published books that further reveal the depths and expanse of God’s Mercy and the faith, hope and love that give human expression to the divine tenderness.

We take this opportunity to thank the authors for their inspiration, research and service:

• Nicola Depuis
• Magdalene Musau RSM
• Assumpta Saunders RSM
• Eileen Fahy RSM

AISÉIRÍ

Treating Addiction
Responding Anew in Hope

Author:  Sr. Eileen Fahey, RSM  – A Memoir
In this book Sr. Eileen takes us on a journey of hope as she records the challenges experienced, the courage required and the abiding faith in God’s Providence that guides the realization of the dream.

From her childhood in Tipperary, Eileen shares the important moments of her life that eventually led her on 8th September, 1956, to the Convent of the Sisters of Mercy, Cahir, Co Tipperary. After her initial years of training and study and with the support of her community, Sr. Eileen Fahey moved towards “providing a compassionate understanding in a safe environment as a first step to recovery for people in addiction.”

On 12th September, 1983 Aiséirí, Cahir, Co Tipperary opened a door of hope and healing for all who called. Over the chapters of her book the author revisits the building of the foundation, the establishment of a ministry of Mercy and she shares the experiences and memories of people who found new beginnings in Aiséirí. From Aiséirí in Cahir New Centres were opened:

• Roxborough, Wexford 1987
• Ballyragget, Kilkenny 1998
• Ceim Eile, Waterford City 2003

As the name suggests, AISÉIRÍ helps the reader to “rise again with new life.”  It is an inspiring, life-giving read.

The Change You Want Is Within You 

(published 2021)

Author: Sr. Magdalene Musau RSM
In this book Sr. Magdalene Musau gives a deep and moving insight into the challenges and growth offered us over the miles of life’s journey.

The author offers an interesting blending of Light and Darkness and she explores how these elements combine to bring forth the persons we become. There is movement in this journey and Sr. Magdalene weaves the searching and the struggle with the unbreakable bonds of love and family.

Across the chapters of her book, Magdalene Musau considers how the human heart can respond with resilience and forgiveness on the longest mile of sharp rocks and steep climbs.

The reflective questions offered to the reader at the end of each chapter, provide a valuable resource and a quiet space for listening, changing and growing. The questions call the reader into self-reflection and encourage engagement, conversation and renewal.

This is a life story and a valuable resource.

Sisters of Mercy Callan

 Diocese of Ossory
Weaving a Thread through the First Fifty Years
1872 – 1922

Author: Sr. Assumpta  Saunders
In her book, Weaving a Thread through the First Fifty Years, Sr. Assumpta Saunders  “records for posterity the first 50 years of the Mercy Foundation in Callan.”

This account is rich in historical source material “from the archives of the convent itself, from elsewhere in the Mercy congregation, from local and national newspapers and from diocesan and other archives.”  (Preface)

Callan Convent was founded in response to a bitter schism in the parish and thus “the Sisters were set to work in a town tormented by endemic factional violence that they were expected to mitigate.”

This unique story is an excellent reference as it reveals how the Sisters of Mercy worked with parish communities, with local and national political leaders, in the provision of education, medical and pastoral care and in the relief of poverty. In his Preface to this book, Vincent Comerford holds the focus of this amazing story that was replicated across the world:

As Sr. Assumpta’s account reveals, whether times were good or bad the Sisters interpreted their circumstances in terms of their religious faith. The author succeeds in her primary purpose of putting on record the aspirations and achievements of the founding generations of a historically significant institution.

Passion and Plight

Women Who Shaped Ireland

Author: Nicola Depuis
In her book Passion and Plight: Women Who shaped Ireland, Nicola Depuis introduces us to Irish women who wrote history and who made a difference through the inspiration of their lives and in their service to others.

This book is inclusive and it weaves a fabric of courage, generosity and passion across centuries of Irish history. The women who feature here give lasting testimony to the vital and essential role of the female vision in the evolution of culture and in the achievement of human rights for all.

Among the women in this book we find our own Catherine McAuley with other religious Sisters, poets, journalists, politicians, athletes, presidents, writers, doctors, humanitarian workers, artists…

This Book facilitates the encounter and opens the window on the art of making a difference for the common good.