Within the context

Parental background Father as source of care for the poor Persons to know - Conways, brother and sister, Armstrong's, Callaghan's Desire for prayer Seeds of service to those in need Place to know - Coolock House Growing awareness of the needs of poor women Inheritance - intent   Resource - History on the website of the International Centre, Dublin, Ireland

Coolock House, Dublin, Ireland

Listen - Listen with Windows Media Player or download to a portable device. 8 minutes in length

Reflect

• Children and young women and men dealing with family instability

• Suffering - ridicule for the practice of one's faith

• Need for religious education to understand the context of faith

• Seeds of commitment to service to those in need

Pray

Lord God, help me to learn from the example of Catherine McAuley. Let me be more aware of the need to be strong in faith and to reach out to those in need. Give me a greater awareness of those who lack stability in their families, who struggle for work and dignity. Help me to share my own resources with those in need.  Lord God, we give thanks for the gift of Catherine McAuley, your gift to us. Amen. 

Additional Reflections

Reflections built on excerpts from the talk on Catherine McAuley and Mission given by Sister Sheila Carney, RSM at the 2006 Leadership Academy.

• Reflection on the early life of Catherine McAuley

• House of Mercy and Foundress

• Education - Beliefs and Early Struggle in Kingston

• Carlow and the concept of Pension Schools

• Reflections on Education

• The Call and Challenge

"We have one solid comfort amidst this tripping about...

Our hearts are always centered on God, for whom alone we go forward or stay back."

Catherine McAuley