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.
Published by Kilkenny Press
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.
Published by Mercier Press
Hearers Of The Word – Praying And Exploring The Readings For Advent and Christmas: Year B
By Kieran J. O’Mahony OSA
In Hearers of The Word – Praying and Exploring the Readings for Advent and Christmas: Year B Kieran J. O’Mahony OSA continues from his series of Year A, with commentaries on the readings for the liturgical period from Advent to the 2nd Sunday of Year B. The prayers and prayer guidance that he provides allow for a multi-dimensional understanding of the Gospel in terms of their historical and theological significance.
Kieran J. O’Mahony is well-known for his very popular Weekly Notes – an email resource for each week’s readings throughout the year.
Published by Messenger.ie
Hearers Of The Word – Praying And Exploring The Readings Lent & Holy Week: Year A
By Kieran J. O’Mahony OSA
The growing hunger for the Word of God is an unexpected development in our time. This book sets out to nourish those who desire something deeper and richer than is possible in the usual setting of worship.
By exploring the context and background to all three readings, the author hopes to make the readings available for personal prayer and as a preparation for taking part in the Sunday liturgy. A very useful resource for all who wish to get more out the Sunday readings.
Fr. Kieran is very well-known for his regular emailings of resources on the readings. These are hugely popular amongst clergy and others. Now, for the first time, these readings are brought together in a series of books. This is the second volume covering Lent and Holy Week.
Published by Messenger.ie
Beyond The Crossroads
By Amy Hereford CSJ
Building on her previous acclaimed work Religious Life at the Crossroads, Sister Amy Hereford draws attention to emerging currents, particularly among the smaller cohorts of younger religious, to reflect on the ongoing meaning of vows, formation, community, and mission, amidst the rapidly changing currents in the church and society.
Although those in religious life today face an uncertain future, many things are becoming clear. As the author notes, “We know that we will be smaller groups and that our various networks will become more important. For this reason, we know that we will need different skills and that we will be less institutional and closer to those we serve. The seeds of these changes have been present for decades, and are becoming more important moving forward.”
Published by Orbis Books
Out Of Wonder
By Nellie McLaughlin rsm
In Out of Wonder, Nellie McLaughlin takes the reader on a journey through life in the universe, from its initial ‘flaring forth’ to the present day. In so doing, she presents a passionately argued case for the need to live in harmony with the earth, which has supported life for aeons. This updated edition includes a new foreword in which the author explores the context of her work in the light of the publication of Laudato Si’, Pope Francis’ landmark encyclical on the environment.
Published by Veritas Publications.
Implications For Religious Life
Seeing Christianity as a Religion of Evolution & The Implications for Religious Life: An Interview with Ilia Delio OSF
Published in LCWR Occasional Papers, Summer 2012
To read the paper, please click here
Life’s Delicate Balance
by Nellie McLaughlin rsm
In Life’s Delicate Balance, Sr. Nellie McLaughlin provides an impassioned companion piece to Pope Francis’ Encyclical Letter Laudato Si’: On Care for Our Common Home which was published in June 2015. Following sincere reflection upon the text of Laudato Si’, Nellie exhorts people everywhere to pay heed to the pope’s call to save our planet from destruction. With core questions included for reflection and action, this clear and concise book is an urgent and timely wake-up call in its own right.
Published by Veritas Publications
Candles In The Night
By Anna Burke rsm
Advent is a period of grateful anticipation and an invitation for Christians everywhere to spend time contemplating the profound gift of the Incarnation. It offers us the opportunity to develop our spiritual lives and to listen to our deepest longings.
Advent should not, as Anna Burke explains in the introduction to Candles in the Night, be spent impatiently ‘counting down the days on the calendar’, but embraced for what it is: a unique period in the Church year to prepare for the arrival of Christ.
The reflections in this book – which explore themes such as ‘waiting’, ‘giving’, ‘announcing’ and ‘transforming’ – are offered as a resource to be used during Advent, be it for personal use, prayer groups or otherwise. Each advent word invites us to behold the presence of God-with-us and to breathe in the holy breath. We will not ‘skip’ Advent. We will wait and watch as the rising sun comes to visit us.
Published by Veritas Publications.
Baptised and Sent: The Church of Christ on Mission in The World
October 2019
This Guide which is the result of a wide consultation with local Churches, is intended to help us prepare and live the Extraordinary Missionary Month of October 2019. It is a gift made up of contributions from Christians all over the world and addressed to Christians all over the world.
See www.october2019.va Or www.fides.org
Glimpses of the Gospels
By Jack O’Mahony SJ – 16th September 2019
In Glimpses of the Gospels, Jack O’Mahony makes accessible to the ordinary reader, perhaps for the first time, the patchwork unity of the Gospel Story, tracing major themes, parables and moments across the Gospels
Glimpses of the Gospels: Theological, Spiritual and Pastoral Reflections by Jack Mahoney SJ is published in Ireland and the UK by Messenger Publications.
Pastoral Ministry in Changing Times
The Past, Present and Future of the Catholic Church in Ireland
By Aidan Ryan – 16th September 2019
This is an attempt by one practicing pastor in an Irish parish to understand the change that has come about in the life of the Catholic Church in Ireland. The author explores ecclesial change in Ireland with some reflection on the factors that caused it. He considers the sacramental life of the church and the present state of liturgy in Ireland. Toward the end of the book, Aidan Ryan discusses clergy morale and what nourishes it and what damages it. The book concludes with a look towards the future and what might be possible by way of renewal.
By Thomas G Casey SJ
In Mary in Different Traditions – Seeing the Mother of Jesus with New Eyes we can learn to see Mary through the insights of other traditions and faiths. The book explores the insights of Lutheranism, Orthodoxy, Islam and Judaism, as well as the Eastern-rite Catholics.
The book is an imaginative exploration of these other perspective experiences of Mary and the stories they tell about her. If readers can learn to wonder anew about this woman from Nazareth, maybe they’ll find themselves enjoying the even greater wonder of her son, Jesus.
By Denise Colgan rsm and Doris Gottemoeller rsm
This book tells the story of the formation and development of the Institute of the Sisters of Mercy of the Americas, one of the largest congregations of women religious in the world. Strengthened by the down-to-earth vision of their Foundress Catherine McAuley the Sisters of Mercy of the Americas have been out and about exerting themselves on behalf to the Gospel and God’s people. Relying on God’s continuing help they show no signs of halting.
By: Institute of Sisters of Mercy of the Americas
To read some excerpts from The Blessed Virgin Compared to the Air We Breathe’ in (GMH: Poems and prose ed. W.H. Gardner, 1963), please click here
