Mission in Action – May 2024

Our Lady of Mercy College supporting the Biggest Morning Tea
24 May 2024
Parramatta
The year 12 students of Our Lady of Mercy College Parramatta recently hosted the College staff in support of Australia’s Biggest Morning Tea, an event that raises vital funds for the Cancer Council’s important work in cancer research, prevention, and support.  The students did a wonderful job preparing delicious food and supporting this great cause.

Mater invites you to take a seat to take a stand
23 and 24 May 2024
Across Queensland
Benches at Mater hospitals across Queensland have been painted red as a symbol of safety for victims of domestic violence.

Queensland Police Service Acting Senior Sergeant Sharon Morgon works with victims of domestic violence every day and was herself a victim of physical abuse and coercive control. Working alongside Mater’s Domestic and Family Violence Specialist Project Officer, Rebecca Latham, the public benches will provide an opportunity for the issue to remain visible.

There are now more than 400 red benches in place across Australia, with eight to be unveiled at each Mater hospital across the State during Domestic and Family Violence Prevention Month, which runs throughout May.

The Red Bench initiative, created by the Red Rose Foundation encourages people to ‘take a seat to take a stand’ against domestic and family violence.

St Ursula’s students make blankets for those in need
23 May 2024
Yeppoon
Students from St Ursula’s College HeadStart group recently used their creative talents to make some warm handmade blankets and donated them to Vinnies, for those in need that and required that extra layer during the cooler winter months.

Our Lady of Mercy College Parramatta supports World Bee Day
20 May 2024
Parramatta
Recently for World Bee Day, the students from Our Lady of Mercy College Parramatta hosted a honey and crumpet breakfast. Money raised was donated to The Wheen Bee Foundation, an Australian not-for-profit charity that promotes awareness of the importance of bees for food security and raises funds for research that addresses the national and global threats to bees. In addition, the students further supported the day by making their own Beeswax food wraps as a sustainable method of packing lunches and to promote moving away from single-use plastics and aluminium foil.

Mater Volunteers giving back to the community
20 May 2024
Brisbane
Two-time Brisbane pancreatic cancer survivor Rose Graham never thought she would one day find herself receiving lifesaving care within the walls of her workplace.  The 73-year-old began volunteering at the South Brisbane Mater Cancer Care Centre 15 years ago, providing hand and foot massages to oncology patients.  Rose was inspired by the patients she had helped previously and used this in spiration to win her own battle against cancer.  Volunteering at the Mater can be a very fulfilling way to support patients battling cancer.

Read more:   Volunteer and two-time cancer survivor Rose supports patients – Mater

All Hallows’ students celebrate St Stephen’s Cathedral 150^th Anniversary
17 May 2024
Brisbane
St Stephen’s Cathedral celebrated its 150^th anniversary with a Mass for students from schools around the Archdiocese. The message stick began its journey around the Archdiocese and started at All Hallows’ a year ago and the School once again formed part of its journey to this sesquicentenary Mass. The All Hallows’ students joined students from St James and St Joseph’s Gregory Terrace to walk the message stick from the CityCat where children from Holy Spirit New Farm delivered it, to the Cathedral just in time for the entrance procession of the Mass. All Hallows’ students enjoyed a beautiful celebration of a building that has been such an important part of the story of Brisbane and so much part of so many people’s formation in faith.

Mount Alvernia supports the Ponytail Project
16 May 2024
Brisbane
This year, 22 Mount Alvernia College students along with one staff member, cut their hair in support of Cancer Council Queensland.  Together the Mt A team “rocked the chop” and achieved a new benchmark, raising a total of $16,700 for this worthy cause.  Great work girls!

Mercy Community supporting Domestic Family Violence Prevention
14 May 2024
Moreton Bay
Mercy Community’s Domestic Violence Systems Co-ordination team have partnered with the Queensland Police Service to facilitate an Assemblage for Domestic Family Violence Prevention Month 2024. DFV Prevention month aims to raise awareness of domestic and family violence and for the community to come together and say no to violence. The event was an opportunity for services in the region to sign a pledge and show their commitment to change. This pledge will be displayed at various locations across Moreton Bay for members of the public to be able to see the support services and agencies in their community.

To learn more about Mercy Community’s Domestic Violence Systems Coordination please visit: https://mercycommunity.org.au/…/domestic-violence…/

All Hallows’ makes sandwiches for students
13 May 2024
Brisbane
All Hallows’ School is active in supporting its community through their 20 Mercy Action programs.  The School has a long-standing involvement with one of the nominated Mercy Action program beneficiaries, Eat Up.  Eat Up supports the community by regularly providing food to the one in five Aussie kids experiencing hunger and needing food relief.  All Hallows’ students recently made 986 sandwiches which were distributed to kids in need.

Mater Private Hospital Townsville supports MS Super Splash
12 May 2024
Townsville
A wonderful and kind-hearted team of Mater clinicians, staff and family members recently took part in Townsville’s 2024 the MS Super Splash to raise vital funds to support people living with MS.  More than 2.8 million people live with Multiple Sclerosis (MS) worldwide, with almost 26,000 of those living in Queensland. 

Mater Private Hospital Townsville participates in Future Townsville
11 May 2024
Townsville
The Mater Private Hospital Townsville recently partnered with the Townsville Bulletin and Townsville Hospital and Health Service for the second annual Future Townsville forum, shining a spotlight on the innovative services and technology available locally continuing to cement the region as the healthcare superhub of Northern Australia.

The Mater Private Hospital Townsville was proud to participate in the forum and promote their commitment to ensuring all North Queenslanders have access to timely and high quality care close to home.

All Hallows’ celebrate Foundation Day
10 May 2024
Brisbane
On 10 May 2024, All Hallows’ School celebrated the arrival of Mother Vincent Whitty and the Sisters of Mercy, who travelled from Ireland on 10 May 1861 to begin their work in Brisbane. The students and staff remembered and honoured the Sisters pioneering spirit and commitment to education, justice, and service.

On Foundation Day and every day, the students and staff draw inspiration from the school’s past to ensure the legacy of the Sisters and the Mercy charism continues to shape the school’s community long into the future.

All Hallows’ supporting Edmund Rice Camps
10 May 2024
Brisbane
Students and staff of All Hallows’ School recently participated in the Discretionary Fundraiser event to support Edmund Rice Camps Qld who are a community based not-for-profit organisation, providing recreational activities for children, youth and families who may not otherwise have the opportunity.

It was a fun-filled day with imaginative dress-ups of favourite childhood books or TV characters. Everyone enjoyed a dance party on the School’s Terrace along with an epic game of “Duck, Duck, Goose.” Morning assembly was filled with performances and games led by the School Captains, making Foundation Day a wonderful day for the school community.

St Ursula’s supports Dolly’s Dream fundraiser
8 May 2024
Yeppoon
St Ursula’s College Faith in Action Justice Group recently held a silent protest walk against bullying in support of @dollysdreamaustralia which is an organisation created to educate young people about the serious effects of bullying.

The group marched in solidarity to show support for those who have been bullied, with a view to advocate against these behaviours in our community. ‘Go blue to end bullying’ lunchtime fundraising included blue hair spray and scrunchie sales, with staff and students also sporting blue hair ribbons to show their support.

Whitefriars students support the World’s Greatest Shave
2 May 2024
At Whitefriars College, fostering a spirit of service is integral to their mission.  Recently the students organised and spearheaded a fundraising effort for the World’s Greatest Shave, setting an ambitious goal of $10,000.  Through the students’ dedication and commitment, the boys not only achieved this target, but exceeded it and raised over $14,000.

This initiative is not just about fundraising; it’s about embodying the values of service and compassion. By participating in events like the World’s Greatest Shave, the students forge friendships, gain diverse experiences and foster a sense of togetherness within the school community. It’s through endeavours like these that the College instil in the students the importance of giving back and making a positive impact on the world around them.

St Rita’s College WalkOut
2 May 2024
Brisbane
St Rita’s College recently held their College WalkOut which is a compulsory Mission and Community event for all Years 5-12 students.  This colourfully themed event is a key fundraiser for student nominated charities and in 2024 funds will be raised for Caritas Project Compassion. This year the College WalkOut was held on 26 May and all students wore all-stars costumes.

St Patrick’s College Big Sister/Little Sister initiative
1 May 2024
Townsville
St Patrick’s College Townville have dedicated this year to courage and heart.  Examples of students being courageous and having a heart can be seen through the College’s year 12 Big Sisters and Year 7 Little Sisters who recently connected and created friendships over cupcakes.  The College’s Big Sister/Little Sister initiative is an important part of their Pastoral Care program and is at the forefront of building a nurturing and considerate College community.

Monte students participating in Reflection Day
1 May 2024
North Sydney
At Monte Sant’ Angelo Mercy College they aim to provide an education that is both varied and engaging and recently the Year 9 students supported this approach by participating in Reflection Day.  Reflection Day is aimed at supporting students to develop the whole person academically, socially and spiritually.

St Rita’s students celebrate Colour Day
1 May 2024
Brisbane
St Rita’s College Collins House students celebrated Colour Day by promoting body positivity and emphasising the importance of being kind to oneself. The students actively engaged in making pledges to embrace body positivity and shared inspirational messages. Additionally, students crafted friendship bracelets adorned with uplifting affirmations about body image.