NZ leader says Mercy Sisters’ mission still strong and active

Nga Whaea Atawhai o Aotearoa Sisters of Mercy New Zealand congregational leader Sr Denise Fox RSM discussed religious life in an interview with Joanna Kearney in the latest episode of the Catholic Kiwi Podcast.

Sr Denise spoke about her vocational journeys as a religious sister and as an educator, inspired by the charism of Catherine McAuley, foundress of her congregation.

“We all joined the Sisters of Mercy because we were captivated by the mission, which for us is the spiritual and corporal works of mercy. Catherine called them the work of our lives, or the business of our lives,” she said.

The life of a Sister of Mercy can also be fun. Sr Denise spoke of an encounter which she credits as a turning point in her vocational journey. As a young woman, she had inklings of a call to religious life, but she wasn’t too keen on this idea. One day she saw two younger Mercy sisters out washing the convent car.

“They were having a ball hosing each other, and I thought to myself, so you can have fun as well. And I do”.

She thought, “There’s something here about that spirit of friendship among the sisters”.

Sr Denise once served as president of the Mercy International Association which helps to foster connection between sisters throughout the world, and for the “other people of mercy . . . there might be mercy associates, there might be people working in mercy ministries, other people just captured by the charism, you know, of mercy as it’s interpreted by Catherine McAuley”.

Sr Denise also spoke about a focus on justice within the Mercy charism.

“We have an office at the United Nations with ‘ECOSOC’ status, and . . . we use that as a source of influence. And our two focus points are the displacement of people, and . . . care of the earth”.

As of late 2024, over 6400 non-government organisations hold consultative status with the UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC), allowing them to formally engage with UN bodies, according to a UN website.

Some orders are seeking to preserve their charism is through the establishment of groups known as public juridic persons, Sr Denise added.

Several years ago, the Sisters of Mercy in this country gifted their 11 incorporated ministries to a new entity called Whānau Mercy Ministries. “And so they have picked up the baton and are leading these ministries forward so beautifully,” Sr Denise said.

Among other subjects Sr Denise discussed were her own background growing up in Wellington, the life and work of Catherine McAuley, prayer in religious life, catechesis and evangelisation, adult faith formation and Catholic school staffing before integration.

FULL STORY

Catholic Kiwi Podcast: Season 2, Episode 2 – Sr Denise Fox RSM (Catholic Kiwi Podcast/YouTube)

RELATED LINK

Introduction to ECOSOC consultative status (United Nations ECOSOC)