In this fortnight’s contribution from the Specific Issues Committee, Indigenous Concerns, Anne McGuire writes about her friendship with a young Indigenous woman called Lisa. Anne challenges readers to take time to consider the experiences of Indigenous people and to reflect on our own understandings and responses. Also, find out about a recent initiative announced by Brother Kelvin Canavan FMS (Executive Director of Schools in the Sydney Archdiocese) to support Indigenous students and their families.

International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination is observed annually on March 21. In his 2008 message, the Director-General of UNESCO calls us to redouble our efforts to eliminate racial discrimination, to work together to stop racial violence and to eliminate the ignorance and prejudice that lies behind this violence and oppression.

Earth Hour began in 2007 as a Sydney event. Earth Hour continues in 2008 but as an Australia-wide and global movement. It uses the simple action of turning off lights for one hour to deliver a powerful message about the need for action on global warming. Join in on March 29 between 8pm and 9pm and see the difference you can make.

In recent days there has been significant negative media coverage given to an organisation called Mercy Ministries Inc. While the coverage does not implicate the Sisters of Mercy, the general public could be unclear of the distinction between this organisation and the ministries owned and operated by or associated with the Sisters of Mercy. To clarify this situation, Mercy M@tters is publishing the previously released Institute Statement of Clarification concerning Mercy Ministries Inc.

Ballarat East Sisters of Mercy came together on February 24 to honour the lives of five of their sisters who celebrated golden (50 years), diamond (60 years) and platinum (70 years) jubilees of religious profession. Sister Marie Davey (Local Communications Facilitator, Ballarat East) reports.

Cairns Sisters of Mercy have had a long association with Papua New Guinea (PNG). While only 32 in number these days, two of their sisters, Anne Moule and Mary Christina Randle, last week set off for PNG to work at the Mercy Secondary College at Yarapos, near Wewak. Sister Faye Kelly RSM (Congregation Leader, Cairns) reports.

Last fortnight Mercy M@tters alerted readers to Sister Marie Farrell’s recently published book Gathering with Mary Under the Southern Cross. This week, we refer you to an interview Marie did with Rachel Kohn, presenter of ABC Radio National’s The Ark programme. Listen to the interview or download the transcript here. Meanwhile, this Easter Monday morning at 9:00am, you can hear Sister Maryanne Loughry on Radio National’s Life Matters programme. Maryanne will talk to presenter Richard Aedy about the plight of Iraqi refugees in Syria.

Elizabeth Young, a 22 year old theology student who also teaches circus arts classes, was welcomed as a new member of the Renown Park Mercy community in Adelaide recently. Sister Bernadette Marks RSM (Local Communications Facilitator, Adelaide) reports.

Sydney-based Sister of Mercy, Maryanne Loughry RSM, writing in this week’s edition of Eureka Street, says that people who are displaced “because of climate change and environmental degradation are outside of the mandate of any of the present internationally recognised instruments and mechanisms for protection and assistance." She also says there is no United Nations agency dedicated to their protection.

Mercy Health and Aged Care has received an “Employer of Choice for Women” citation (2008) from the Federal Government's Equal Opportunity for Women in the Workplace Agency (EOWA).