World Environment Day, June 5, stimulates worldwide awareness of the environment and enhances political attention and action. The UN World Environment Day theme for 2010 is “Many Species. One Planet. One Future”. This year’s theme highlights the urgent call to conserve the diversity of life on our planet. “A world without biodiversity is a very bleak prospect," according to the UN's environment programme. "Millions of people and millions of species all share the same planet, and only together can we enjoy a safer and more prosperous future.” How will you recognise the day?

At this time in Australia’s history, reducing violence against women and their children and reducing homelessness are major public concerns for the federal government. But for all who follow the tradition of Mercy, these matters are an enduring concern because they impact so adversely on humanity and quality of life. Leonie Crotty RSM, a member of the Institute Specific Issues Committee, Women and Poverty, reports on an initiative of the Wilcannia-Forbes Sisters of Mercy which responds to these issues.

Cathy Solano RSM, Mercy Works Inc. Community Education Officer, reports on a very successful fundraising event organised by staff at St Aloysius College in North Melbourne, Victoria. Cathy says almost $1000 was raised for projects supported by Mercy Works Inc. in one lunch time event. This is an outstanding effort!

For many years, the Sisters of Mercy, Goulburn were responsible for education at St Joseph’s School in Junee, a small town north of Wagga Wagga in NSW. Recently, the school added a Multipurpose Centre to its buildings and in gratitude for the work of the sisters, it has been named the Mercy Multipurpose Centre. The school and parish community invited the sisters back for the opening and dedication of the centre. Margaret Hart RSM, whose family has lived in Junee for many years, represented Goulburn’s Congregation Leader, Marie Duffy RSM, at the opening and performed the dedication. Download her address.

Veronica Lawson RSM (Ballarat East) offers a reflection on the readings for the Feast of the Body and Blood of Christ (Year C). To access this reflection, click on "MORE" and then click on the picture of the Bible where you can read the Scripture as well as the reflection.

Dr Dawn Goodwin RSM (Bathurst), who made an outstanding contribution to the education of youth workers at Melbourne’s RMIT, as well as in other forms of teaching, recently died of secondary cancer in hospital in Sydney, aged 72. Last Saturday's edition of The Age published an obituary written by David Maunders and David MacKenzie.

On Sunday May 23, the Feast of Pentecost, the Sisters of Mercy, Brisbane gathered in All Hallows’ Chapel with 15 of the congregation’s 21 jubilarians to celebrate the gifting of the Spirit and the “courageous and authentic living of Mercy” of these women. Catherine Reuter RSM (Brisbane) reports.

Over 20 people responsible for formation activities in Mercy ministries and networks across Australia gathered recently in Brisbane to develop a framework which will be used as a basis for Mercy formation activities. Ailsa Mackinnon RSM (Congregation Leader, Parramatta) reports.

On Tuesday evening, May 18, the Australian Catholic University and the Sisters of Mercy, Ballarat East, hosted a joyful celebration which recognised 100 years of continuous Mercy presence in Catholic tertiary education in the Diocese of Ballarat. Download a report of the event courtesy of the Ballarat Diocese's E-News.