Mission in Action – June 2024

Mater celebrates Giving Day

26 June, Across Queensland
On 26 June, Mater held their Giving Day – a special 24-hour fundraiser where the community comes together to make good things happen. On Mater Giving Day, every single donation received was tripled, thanks to the generous matching partners.  More than $1.92 million was raised during this year’s Giving Day.

The Mater Giving Day helps deliver impact where it is most needed – funding equipment and services to improve patient outcomes and helping some of the Mater’s brightest minds continue world-leading research, including new treatments for cancer.

OLMC students attended the AMSSA Student Conference

25-27 June, Bendigo Victoria
Recently, four Our Lady of Mercy College (OLMC) Year 10 students attended the Australian Mercy Secondary School Association (AMSSA) Student Conference in Bendigo, Victoria. Across three days they participated in a range of workshops and networked with students from Mercy schools all over Australia. They were inspired by the stories of the Mercy Sisters and former students who are serving vulnerable communities in the same way that Catherine McAuley did during her time. The OLMC girls have returned with a commitment to follow their lead through advocacy and action in their school life and beyond.

OLMC recognise Refugee Week

21 June 2024, Parramatta
Our Lady of Mercy College Parramatta recently recognised Refugee Week, celebrating diversity and resilience. Students and staff united to honour refugees’ inspiring journeys. A special highlight was the visit from Vin (Jesuit Refugee Service) with Maggie who shared her heartful story as a refugee. The week highlighted the impact of compassionate actions, emphasising how small gestures can create meaningful change.

Monte students find the uncommon 

21 June 2024, North Sydney
On 21 June, students at Monte Sant’ Angelo Mercy College celebrated “Find the Uncommon Day”.  This day was filled with meaningful conversations during combined homerooms across the different year groups to foster conversations and connections and celebrate dignity in diversity.

Mercy Community supporting those in need

20 June 2024, Brisbane
Mercy Community’s mission is to compassionately inspire and support people to live hopeful, connected lives within inclusive communities.  To celebrate World Refugee Day, Mercy Community are sharing the story of Tee Tee.  A person in their care who arrived in Queensland after spending more than two decades in a Thailand refugee camp.

Living with both an intellectual disability and facing the challenges of adjusting to life in a new country, Tee Tee needed assistance. Mercy Community recognised Tee Tee’s need for extensive support, their Disability Support team set out to connect Tee Tee with the services and resources he desperately needed.

St Rita’s prioritises staff wellness

20 June 2024, Brisbane
St Rita’s College recently treated their staff to a delightful breakfast followed by relaxing massages and a workstation ergonomic assessment.

Recognising the College staff’s hard work and dedication through various initiatives fosters a supportive and caring workplace culture, allowing everyone the opportunity to recharge and connect.  As the saying goes, a happy team is a productive team.

Mater supports Refugee Week

18 June 2024, Brisbane
More than 900 patients from nearly 70 different countries find care, compassion and support from Mater’s Integrated Refugee Health Service.  For more than 20 years, people seeking asylum have received specialised healthcare that addressed the needs of those facing displacement and in search of refuge.

During Refugee Week, Mater encouraged Queenslanders to explore the 2024 theme of Finding Freedom: Family by extending a hand of solidarity, compassion and community to those forced to flee their homelands.

Model United Nations at Mount Alvernia College

15 June 2024, Brisbane
Mount Alvernia College student volunteers from Year 10, 11 and 12 recently gathered for their second Model United Nations (MUN) at Mt A, engaging in in discussions around climate change and the effect of this on our world. Students were articulate in their ideas, able to justify their arguments and engaged in negotiation and discussion with peers.  The College is continually impressed by the calibre of students actively engaging with the world around them. What a way to create global citizens for our future!

Learning about Nano Nagle and the Presentation Sisters

13 June 2024, Brisbane
St Rita’s College Year 5 students were excited to have Sr Elvera as a special visitor in their classrooms. The students learned about the history and legacy of Nano Nagle and the Presentation Sisters this semester and were delighted to participate in impromptu Q&A conversations with Sr Elvera about her life and her profound connection to St Rita’s College. They discussed what life has been like at St Rita’s during Sr Elvera’s time as a student and over the 66 years that Sr Elvera has worked at the College.

Students thoroughly enjoyed hearing stories about how College life has grown and changed over the years. Sr Elvera shared that the sense of community, the determination and the persistence of students that has remained unchanged, as has the students strong sense of College pride and spirit.

Our Lady of Mercy College supports Project Compassion

12 June 2024, Parramatta
Each year in Term One, Our Lady of Mercy College’s fundraising focus is Caritas Australia’s Project Compassion. The fundraising is largely led by the Mercy Action Leaders and the Mercy Action Team of students who diligently lead initiatives and activities to raise awareness and much-needed funds for the great work Caritas carries out both here in Australia and overseas.

This year, some of the initiatives included Pancake Tuesday, an Easter raffle, movie night, mufti day, dessert stall and a coin trail. Many small initiatives spaced over time, along with the Homeroom Project Compassion boxes amounted to almost $7,500 being raised. This generous amount was presented during a school assembly to Mr James Atanasious, Peace, Justice and Ecology Facilitator for Caritas, Diocese of Parramatta.

All Hallows’ celebrates Pyjama Day

12 June 2024, Brisbane
The All Hallows’ School spirit shone brightly as the students donned PJs for a cause, supporting their whole school project “Pathways to Possibility” which empowers refugees and asylum seekers with the skills they need to be job-ready.

All Hallows’ has a long association with the Romero Centre who welcome and support people seeking asylum and sanctuary in Brisbane.

Whitefriars College support Rosies Street Mission

9 June 2024, Melbourne
Over five weeks, ninety Year 12 students and staff from Whitefriars College volunteered each Wednesday night to assist in Rosies Street Mission.  Rosies Street Mission is a service provided in the heart of the city where the homeless are treated as “friends on the street”. The Whitefriars students and staff served hot drinks such as teas and coffees, whilst providing the warmth of friendship through conversation.  The College is proud that so many senior students took up the opportunity to give back to the community and continue the growing the College’s relationship with Rosies.

All Hallows’ Giving Day

6 June 2024, Brisbane
The All Hallows’ School community recently showed their generosity when they raised more than $215,000 to support the school’s Catherine McAuley Bursary Fund.  The bursary funds raised will change the lives of two additional All Hallows’ students who will receive the life-changing gift of an All Hallows’ education.

The 2024 theme of the Giving Day was Imagine, and calls everyone to envision the difference each member of the community can make for someone else.  

Catherine McAuley would be so proud that her legacy continues.

St Ursula’s support World Environment Day

5 June 2024, Yeppoon
Students from St Ursula’s College recently participated in the Fitzroy Basin Association’s Sea and Land Leadership program.  Five from the College’s Year 9 and 10 students experienced how local businesses and community groups use sustainable practices to maintain and preserve our land and reef.  The program included a visit to Konomie (North Keppel Island) and was a highlight for the students.

Mercy Community encourages their staff to get on their bikes

5 June 2024, Brisbane
Mercy Community’s People and Planet Committee created a companywide initiative to encourage all team members to get on their bike, public transport or even carpool, to make their commute greener.  One staff member, Margi, clocks up almost 40 km in her daily commute.

St Patrick’s College supports Vinnies Winter Appeal

4 June 2024, Townsville
St Patrick’s College Townsville Mercy Girls in Action have been diligently sourcing items from St Vincent De Paul’s Warehouse in readiness for the Vinnies Winter Appeal. On Friday, 7 June, students hosted a market stall in the College’s Sport Complex, showcasing these carefully selected items to their peers. Every dollar raised will go towards helping individuals and families in need during the colder months.

Monte students connecting with the Sisters of Mercy

2 June 2024, North Sydney
For nearly 150 years Monte Sant’ Angelo Mercy College have been educating and empowering girls. This is possible because of the vision and dedication of the Sisters of Mercy North Sydney. Recently the College’s senior leaders popped in for a cup of tea and scones with these incredible and inspiring women.