Our Lady of Mercy

At present, however, I am going to Jerusalem in a ministry to the saints; for Macedonia and Achaia have been pleased to share their resources with the poor among the saints at Jerusalem.

Romans 15:25–26

St Joseph’s is a parish in northern Uganda under the pastoral care of the Mill Hill Missionaries. In early 2022, Our Lady of Mercy parish formed a partnership with St Joseph’s. We have committed ourselves to pray for each other.

Our Lady of Mercy has a Mission Team that supports and develops this relationship and organises practical ways that we can support our sisters and brothers in Panyangara.

And let us consider how to provoke one another to love and good deeds.

Hebrews 10:24

The Digital Media Evangelisation team use social media and technology to spread the Good News and to keep parishioners engaged with the parish through the week. The team looks after the parish’s social media accounts and web site.

For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me.

Matthew 25:35

Open House is a parish initiative that every week reaches out to the homeless, hungry and needy of Sunderland providing a warm welcome, a listening ear, a safe space and hot food.
The Open House team work with vulnerable adults and need to have a special safeguarding check.

For surely I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord, plans for your welfare and not for harm, to give you a future with hope.
Jeremiah 29:11

The parish is blessed to host the Catholic Chaplaincy to the University of Sunderland. The chaplaincy is based out of St Mary's Catholic Centre in Bridge Street, next to St Mary's church. It has a full time lay chaplain who, working with the priest-chaplain, organises various activities for the students and staff of the University.

The chaplaincy helps and supports students during their time atSunderland University. The chaplaincy reflects the multicultural and diverse ages of the student and staff population of the University of Sunderland.

The parish and chaplaincy work closely together on many shared activities throughout the year and this offers opportunities for parishioners to be involved with the work of the chaplaincy and with supporting and welcoming students to our parish.

I was sick and you visited me.

Matthew 25:36

When a parishioner is sick and unable to come to Church for the sacraments, extraordinary ministers of Holy Communion visit them to pray with them. The Eucharist is both the life blood of the parish and the bond that unites us as members of the Body of Christ. Visiting the sick, the housebound and those in care homes demonstrates to them that they are still valued members of our community. The visits keep alive and make real the bonds of love that the Eucharist brings about among all Christ’s faithful, whether they are able to attend the weekly celebration of the Eucharist or not. Visiting the sick and housebound requires a special safeguarding check.

He will wipe every tear from their eyes. Death will be no more; mourning and crying and pain will be no more, for the first things have passed away.

Revelation 21:4

The members of the bereavement ministry pray both for the dead and for those who mourn them. When a parishioner dies, a member of the bereavement ministry is appointed to pray for that person and their family for one year. This way, they ensure that everyone is prayed for and that no grieving family lacks the support of the prayers of the parish. Once a year, in November, the parish celebrates a Requiem for all those who have died in the previous year. The members of the bereavement ministry help organise this celebration and welcome the families of the bereaved to it.

And Jesus said to them, “Go into all the world and proclaim the good news to the whole creation.”

Mark 16:15

Since October 2020, Our Lady of Mercy Parish has been under the pastoral care of the Mill Hill Missionaries. Missio is the Pope’s own charity that supports the work of missionaries and young churches all over the world. A great way to support the missions is to pray for missionaries every day and take home a Red Box. The money collected in the Red Boxes goes to support both the work of Missio and the Mill Hill Missionaries.

In St Mary’s and St Cecilia’s churches there are local secretaries that organise the collection of the Red Boxes and the forwarding of money to Missio.