National Close the Gap Day on Tuesday April 22, 2008 gives Australians the opportunity to come together and show their support for closing the 17-year life expectancy gap between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders and other Australians. This campaign has come a long way in the past 12 months. Organise your own small-scale event to celebrate the gains that have been made and to remind our governments that you expect them to meet their recent commitments to “Close the Gap”.

Is your knowledge of human trafficking based on myth or fact? You are encouraged to explore this issue through Sister Elizabeth McMillan’s paper “Global Human Trafficking: A Mercy Concern”, and a backgrounder prepared by the Institute's Specific Issues Commitee, Women and Poverty which contains facts, links to video clips, websites and films.

Mercy M@tters continues to be very grateful for the variety of contributions it receives. However, so that the Institute is not vulnerable to charges of plagiarism, it is important to understand that we are unable to publish any material taken directly from other writers if it is not acknowledged according to the usual conventions. Click on "More" to contact the Institute Communications Committee if you need further information.

Australia must reverse its opposition to the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples in the light of recent events, according to Catholic Religious Australia, the peak body for 8000 Australian Religious sisters, brothers and priests.

The Sisters of Mercy of the Autonomous Region of Papua New Guinea are preparing to celebrate the perpetual profession of Philomena Waira RSM. The ceremony will be in Philomena’s home parish of Kaugia in the East Sepik Province on April 25. Sisters from Mount Hagen, Goroka and Wewak will gather in Kunjingini on April 24 with Regional Leader Sister Petronia Gawi for an evening of affirmation for Philomena. All sisters, friends and colleagues are invited to join in prayer for Philomena. Messages to Sister Helen White RSM.

Sister Veronica Lawson RSM (Ballarat East) offers a reflection on the Gospel for the fifth Sunday of Easter, Year A (John 14:1-14).

Well known art curator and historian, Sister Rosemary Crumlin (Parramatta) was recently interviewed on ABC Radio National’s By Design programme about the design of vestments to be worn by clergy at the World Youth Day Masses in Sydney later this year. Rosemary and the Melbourne firm Stuart Pettigrew Design have designed the vestments which are earthy red in colour and feature the Southern Cross on the front and an Indigenous image on the back. Rosemary’s conversation with By Design’s presenter Alan Saunders can be downloaded here. (Please note: Rosemary’s interview occurs about half-way through the programme.)

Visit the new website of Mercy Secondary Education Inc (MSEI), the delegated authority which oversees the operation of the education ministry of the Sisters of Mercy, Melbourne Congregation. MSEI was established in 1997 by the Congregation Leader and Council under Victorian State Legislation in compliance with the Associations Incorporation Act 1981. Through its Board of Management, MSEI is responsible for the governance and operation of the seven Mercy sponsored schools owned by the Congregation.

In July 2008 the youth of the world will descend on Sydney to celebrate World Youth Day. In conjunction with this event, the Sydney based Mercy Schools are inviting all people of good will to share a day with Mercy students from around Australia and the world. On July 14 a conference will be held at Monte Sant' Angelo Mercy College in North Sydney. Download the programme flyer.