Institute of Sisters of Mercy Podcast

This is an audio book of 'Catherine McAuley:  a woman who stood midway between vulnerability and possibility' by Micheal O'Sullivan.  It is narrated by Helen Baguley RSM.    The audio book was created as part of a community project by Cynthia Mulholland, Events and Marketing Co-ordinator of Sacred Spaces Singleton.  Cynthia participated in a pilgrimage to Dublin in March 2019 and this project is a way to share the fruits of her experience with others in not only her Ministry, but with others across the Institute.

From circus performer to Sister of Mercy. In the first of our planned regular audio interviews, Elizabeth Young rsm talks with Communications Manager, John Rochester (both pictured above) about what motivated her to become a Sister of Mercy, growing up in an ecumenical context, and putting in a good word with the ‘big mama in the sky’!

From 15 years as a prison educator in some of Australia’s toughest prisons to a reflection on ‘what community life means today’, you are invited to listen to Audette’s reflections on her current ministries, as well as her life as a Sister of Mercy in what she describes as a ‘Song of Joy’.

In the second of our Just Mercy Profile series, Carmel Ruddick rsm (pictured above with the statue of Catherine McAuley in the garden of the Institute Centre, Stanmore) shares some of her life’s story to date, from her nervous first day ‘on the job’ as a primary school teacher, to journeying with people on their last moments on Earth as a Pastoral Care Worker. She also talks about what was a pivotal moment in her life, ministering at the Curtin Detention Centre in Western Australia and the injustice of mandatory detention.

In this audio interview, one of Australia’s newest Order of Australia medal recipients, Betty Schonfeldt rsm speaks of her surprise at receiving the Award, as well as her journey with the homeless men of Adelaide, South Australia. Sr Betty Schonfeldt, received the award as part of the 2017 Australian Queen’s Birthday Honours List. The Award is recognition for her outstanding work in the community, including over 25 years as the founding Administrator of Carrington Cottages, a home for 50 otherwise homeless men in Adelaide.