News

Up Close Encounter with a Live Bald Eagle and other Raptors

New Dawn Earth Center, 75 Wrentham Rd (Rt 121), Cumberland, RI is hosting Tom Ricardi and his live raptors at the Mercymount Country Day School on Saturday, March 29. The program includes a slide presentation about the work of the Massachusetts Bird of Prey Rehabilitation Facility. Ricardi provides a close up at 5 raptors including a saw whet owl and a bald eagle. Participants may choose between a Noon -1:15 p.m or a 2 - 3:15 pm show. Call 401-333-1341 to register to be assured of a place. Cost: $8/person : $30 / family (children 3 and under are free)

Denise Turcotte, 15 year New Hampshire bald eagle monitor, says "Being able to see Tom's non releasable bald eagle up close amazes and energizes me. Its 6 foot wing span is impressive. Tom has been instrumental in helping increase the endangered bald eagle population in New England by giving foster eagle parents a chick or releasing young birds to the wild." Because of the dedication of biologists such as Tom and numerous volunteers from a variety of agencies, the number of bald eagles in New England has increased over the years. This winter Turcotte and others have seen 2 adult bald eagles on the Diamond Hill Reservoir. Frozen waters and the inaccessibility of food in northern New England and Canada, encourage bald eagles to come south for the winter. Rhode Island has one nesting pair in Scituate.

The Birds of Prey Program is an opportunity for all: families, scout troops or individuals with a natural history interest to get a close up look at a bald eagle and other raptors. Participants will learn why protecting habitat is so important and how they can become involved. Sponsors for the March 29 program are: Apollo Auto Sales Inc., Braver Accountant and Advisors, Jungle Junction LLC, Dr. Joel Picard,, Dr. Arthur Scaglia, M.D., The Valley Breeze.

New Dawn Earth Center began in September, 2006. Its mission invites everyone to learn from, honor and celebrate the interconnectedness of all life. It is currently supported with funds from the Sisters of Mercy of the Northeast and Mercy Action, Inc.

Contact: Denise Turcotte, CSC 75 Wrentham Rd, (Route 121) Cumberland RI 02864 1-401-333-1341, newdawn@mercynortheast.org


JUSTICE

I have put three new letters on the website:

Federal Budget
Budget Cuts to Programs for Victims of Violence
Pregnant Women Support Act

These are available at: http://capwiz.com/sistersofmercy/home/

We continue to see increasing use of these letters. Please note that on the latest letters there is the capability of sending the letters to the presidential candidates.

Peace and blessings,
Susan Severin
Institute Justice Team


Calling all Northeast Earth Groups!

Let's get together and see what we might work on as a Community, and how we might extend the Ecology Project throughout the Northeast.

DATE: May 3, 2008
PLACE: Mercy Lodge, Cumberland, RI (overnight accommodations are available if needed)
TIME: 10:00--3:00
Please register by April 1 to Mary Pendergast at marypen2@juno.com


PROGRAMS
Mercy Center at Madison
167 Neck Road, P.O. Box 191, Madison, CT 06443-0191
203-245-0401

April 11 – April 13
The Universe Story: Its Story - Our Story
With Marlene Bosch and Denise Turcotte
$225 shared room/central bath (scholarships available)
Join us as we celebrate the mystery and awe of the 13.7 billion year journey of the Universe and our connection to it. According to Margaret Mead, every human society developed a story or set of stories that revealed "the truth," as revealed by observation and intuition, of the origin and nature of the world, why things are as they are, and our role in the destiny of things. A people's cosmology is their Sacred Story. We will explore this evolving mystery from stardust to cells, from flowers to an expanding universe. The program will include the Cosmic Walk.

Only One Future with Miriam MacGillis - Friday lecture
Friday, June 27, 7pm
$10
Drawing from the writings of geologian Thomas Berry and cosmologist Brian Swimme, Miriam will open perspectives from "deep time" into the seamless fabric of our planet's origin in the stars, and the intricacy of the memory woven into the DNA of the one single community of life. The unity of the whole provides the perspectives for our generation to re-vision itself in a new identity and purposefulness.

Friday night's lecture will provide an overview of this perspective with a sense of direction for ending the ecological, and social devastation of our times.

Consider joining us for Saturday too for an additional $65 (program includes lunch). Saturday's Day of Reflection on the same themes of Friday night's lecture, will provide more resources for the inner and outer transformation to which we are called.

Only One Future with Miriam MacGillis - Saturday retreat
Saturday, June 28, 9:30am – 4pm
$65, includes lunch

Drawing from the writings of geologian Thomas Berry and cosmologist Brian Swimme, Miriam will open perspectives from "deep time" into the seamless fabric of our planet's origin in the stars, and the intricacy of the memory woven into the DNA of the one single community of life. The unity of the whole provides the perspectives for our generation to re-vision itself in a new identity and purposefulness.

Saturday's Day of Reflection on the same themes of Friday's night lecture, but will provide more resources for the inner and outer transformation to which we are called.

Please consider joining us for Friday night's lecture at 7pm - register for an additional $10. Friday's lecture will provide an overview of the cosmology and sustainability perspective with a sense of direction for ending the ecological, and social devastation of our times.

Sherill Baldwin
Ecology Director
Mercy Center at Madison
167 Neck Road, P.O. Box 191
Madison, CT 06443
203.245.0401 (phone)
203.245.8718 (fax)
sherill@mercybythesea.org
http://www.mercybythesea.org/



Review of ILT and Institute Efforts - August 2005-2007 can be read on Mercy Now and/or on the Institute's web site (www.sistersofmercy.org), where there are opportunities to send comments to the Institute Leadership Team.