Helen Kearins
Helen Kearins RSM is a Sister of Mercy of the Institute of Sisters of Mercy of Australia and Papua New Guinea. She has taught in primary and secondary schools in the Canberra – Goulburn and Wagga Wagga Dioceses.
For the last thirty years she has been involved in various forms of Social Justice Education:- at the National Mission, Justice and Development Education Programme; Sisters of Mercy Justice Desk; University of Western Sydney Hawkesbury- School of Social Ecology; Sisters of Mercy Aboriginal Ministry; the Mercy Foundation; Edmund Rice Centre for Justice and Community Education (Volunteer); and the Australian Catholic Social Justice Council. She also works as a group facilitator and when time allows plays the guitar and writes songs.
Listen to Songs By Helen Kearins
Women Speak Justice
“- I was asked to write a conference song for WATAC (Women and the Australian Church)- the theme of which was Women Speaking Justice.”
Sr Helen first sent me this song on cassette. Over the years the sound quality unfortunately deteriorated. My research led me to an internationally produced CD published by Mercy International Association. The version above in a non-Australian accent is featured on the CD, available through the link below.
Song Lyrics
1. A woman with haemorrhage, an outcast, through the crowd touches His cloak
Her sisters in cities and churches pour life blood still breaking the yolk.
And there’s no more walking in silence, no more living in fear
Women speaking justice, listen who have ears to hear.
2. She had a bad name in the city, with ointment she covered His feet
To those who preach law, not encounter compassion and laughter we meet.
And there’s no more walking in silence, no more living in fear
Women speaking justice, listen who have ears to hear.
3. A woman maligned and abandoned draws water then enters debate;
Our wells and our stories we treasure refusing to be second rate
And there’s no more walking in silence, no more living in fear
Women speaking justice, listen who have ears to hear.
4. Martha, concerned for appearance; Mary content to be free,
Too many things in our cupboards women beginning to see.
And there’s no more walking in silence, no more living in fear
Women speaking justice, listen who have ears to hear.
5. She runs to his tomb in the morning, proclaims that he’s risen today
Concerned for the earth and her people, such women will not go away
And there’s no more walking in silence, no more living in fear
Women speaking justice, listen who have ears to hear.
Bible references in the song
1. Woman with haemorrhage Mark 5:25-34
2. Woman anoints Jesus with ointment Luke 7:36-50
3. Woman at the well John 4:1-42
4. Martha and Mary Luke 10:38-42
5. Mary at the tomb Matthew 28:1-10
The Circle of Mercy is a collection of songs on Mercy themes which have been written by Mercy Sisters and Associates from different parts of the world.These are songs about Catherine (Mother of Mercy; Suscipe of Catherine McAuley, Catalina McAuley) and songs about justice (Women Speak Justice); songs of the Mercy charism (Mercy Seed, Triple Amen) and songs of union (We Are One; Circle of Mercy).
Click the button below to discover, as I did, a wonderful world of women. working in community since 1824 , and now a powerful international association ‘to bring mercy to people who are poor, sick and uneducated.’