We are in the Year of Mercy – but whose mercy? We are half way through the Year of Mercy called for by Pope Francis, and in the first half there was an emphasis on God’s mercy to us, especially in the Sacrament of Reconciliation. However, as the logo banners show, the whole point of the Year is that we learn from God’s mercy so that we can show mercy ourselves: “Misericordes sicut Pater – Merciful Like the Father”..

Through the summer we will be featuring a series of articles in this newsletter highlighting the so-called Corporal and Spiritual Works of Mercy. We will point out ways that we are carrying them out now, and suggest ways that we might do more as individuals or as a Christian community. Also during the summer we will celebrate the Year of Mercy in our day trip to Belmont Abbey.

But first we congratulate one of our 3 Churches family on being honoured by society for his works of mercy – at the risk of embarrassing him! This month Denis Donovan of Christ the King will receive the Order of Mercy at the London Mansion House, in recognition of his long-term support of the George Thomas Hospice.

The Order – which in fact is nothing to do with the Pope’s Year – is given by the League of Mercy each year to up to 50 individuals who have given outstanding service over an extended period to charities or organizations. The relevant areas are the sick, injured and disabled, young people who are at risk, the homeless, the elderly, the dying and those who are impaired in mind. We might note that these cover many of the areas of the corporal works of mercy. The League itself was founded under Royal Charter of Queen Victoria in 1899 and renewed in 1999 as a charity.

So, congratulations Denis! His example makes a good start to our summer reflection on how we can share with the world God’s mercy to us.

Fr Matthew