September 2023: St Rita’s College – Rosa House Sudsy Challenge
Brisbane
During September, St Rita’s College’s Rosa House embraced The Sudsy Challenge, a commendable endeavor aimed at garnering both funds and awareness for Orange Sky – an organisation that is dedicated to providing access to complimentary laundry services, comforting warm showers and authentic interpersonal exchanges for people experiencing homelessness.
Every contribution, no matter its size, holds the potential to effect meaningful change. Rosa House whole heartedly values and welcomes any form of support extended. The team is getting closer to achieving their fundraising goal and therefore we call on the wider Mercy Partners Community to show their support for this great mission initiative.
20 September 2023: St Ursula’s College supports Walk for Papua New Guinea
Yeppoon
Students and staff from St Ursula’s College participated in the annual Walk for Papua New Guinea (PNG) fundraiser on the final day of Term Three, with $1700 raised!
This fundraiser and awareness campaign supports the Presentation Sisters in P who work to educate children in the township of Aitape. Students and staff took to the Yeppoon Rail Trail, a gesture of solidarity with the many students in PNG who spend hours walking to and from school each day. Funds were raised in the leadup to the event by selling friendship bracelets during lunchtimes, with Zooper Doopers and cupcakes also for sale on the day of the walk.
The funds raised from the Walk for PNG will be combined with the College’s recent Book Fair profits and provided to the Presentation Sisters in Aitape to purchase much needed educational resources, school uniforms, instruments, and textbooks.
24 September 2023: Mercy Day celebrated in our Ministries
Townsville, Brisbane, Parramatta
Mercy Day takes place on 24 September and is the anniversary of the opening of the first ‘House of Mercy’ in Dublin, Ireland on 24 September 1827.
To celebrate this anniversary, our Mercy ministries celebrated the wonderful work of Catherine McAuley and the Sisters of Mercy across September.
Our Lady of Mercy College Parramatta
Mercy Day at Our Lady of Mercy College Parramatta commenced with a beautiful Mass in the Ailsa Mackinnon Community Centre. The College was privileged to have Most Reverend Vincent Long Van Nguyen OFM Conv DD celebrate the Mass with their College Chaplain Fr Walter Fogarty. The theme of Mercy Day was ‘Hope’ and the official celebrations concluded with a rousing rendition of the Alma Mater. Morning tea was held in the Convent Garden for special guests and staff before the fun activities for the entire College began.
All Hallows’ School
All Hallows’ School celebrated Mercy Day on Friday, 15 September prior to the students going on holidays. The day included a range of wonderful events that brought the school community together, including a Mercy Day Mass, House picnic, and a lovely morning tea with Sisters of Mercy and All Hallows’ Board Members.
The day included a whole school assembly before their much-loved House Choir Concert was held. Under beautiful blue skies, the School’s terrace was alive with house colours for a whole school photo celebrating 20 years of their vertical house system.
St Patrick’s College Townsville
In the spirit of Catherine McAuley and the Sisters of Mercy, the St Patrick’s College community gathered to celebrate Mercy Day, embracing the values of compassion, service, and mercy that are at the heart of the school.
The students were truly blessed to be joined by several Sisters of Mercy for Mass, led by Fr Rod and assisted by Cyd Vivar. Sr Catherine Cuddihy who made over 600 yellow roses with the College’s Mercy Girls in Action to give to guests, staff, and students to celebrate Mercy Day.
14th and 15th September 2023: RUOK Day
Townsville, Yeppoon and Brisbane
Staff and students from St Ursula’s College and St Patrick’s College along with Mater’s staff participated in RUOK Day in an effort to potentially save a life by asking peers, colleagues and friends, R U OK. The ministries created a fun, safe and welcoming space as a reminder that you’re never alone and there’s always someone around to listen and support you.
Students from St Ursula’s engaged in activities that promoted wellbeing during the day and shared in a tasty R U OK? cake too!
Students from St Patrick’s College dressed in yellow to draw attention to the value of checking in with each other. The students also enjoyed some sweet treats on this important day.
Across the Mater, staff took a moment to pause, connect and check in on each other showing that R U OK Day is a time to start conversations that matter.
