Each year the Mercy ministries of Mercy Partners gather and celebrate the anniversary of the opening of the first “House of Mercy” in 1827 in Dublin, Ireland. Catherine McAuley, founder of the Sisters of Mercy, devoted her life to the poor, sick and uneducated, and today our ministries continue her legacy of caring and compassion in the name of Mercy.
Today the Monte school community celebrated Mercy Day with Mass, morning tea for the Sisters and over 40 workshops ranging from fleeing Afghanistan to packing bags for Cana.
Our Lady of Mercy College
The celebration of Mercy Day at Our Lady of Mercy College Parramatta not only fosters community spirit but also raises vital funds for Mercy Works. This year all money raised supported Indigenous programs in the local community and more broadly across Australia.
Complete with dancing, food trucks, games and more the day was a success and gave both students and staff a chance to unwind and have fun with friends.
Mercy Community
At Mercy Community Mercy Day is a chance for their staff, the people they support and the local community to come together and recognise the achievements and service of all Mercy Community Team members, right across the state.
As part of the Mercy Community’s Mercy Day celebrations, they proudly acknowledged their dedicated team members for their many years of loyal service:
- 20 years’ service Helen O’Neill, David Warner and Suzanne Moore
- 25 years’ service Lesieli Schaaf
- 30 years’ service Craig Goodair
In addition to this, team members were selected by their colleagues to receive the ‘Living our Values’ award, which acknowledges and celebrates those who demonstrate the mission and values of Mercy Community. Their actions have resulted in improved outcomes for the people they support, other team members, their stakeholders or community members. Whether it’s their attitude or behaviour, they inspire others and embrace Mercy Community’s values of mercy, compassion, dignity, empowerment and integrity:
- Compassion – Este Labuschagne
- Empowerment – Kirsty Keddie
- Integrity – Kerri Mackenzie
- Dignity – Juru Nyara
St Patrick’s College Townsville
To mark this special occasion, St Patrick’s College Townsville celebrated Mercy Day with a beautiful Mass on the last day of Term 3 presided over by Bishop Timothy J Harris, assisted by Fr Jan. The College were truly blessed to have some of the Sisters of Mercy join them for this special occasion.
This year’s celebration was especially important as two of the Townsville Sisters, Sister Carmel King and Sister Catherine Cuddihy, who have devoted over 60 years to the mission of the Sisters of Mercy, celebrated their Diamond Jubilee. The College community helped celebrate their incredible impact and commitment to the College community.
All Hallows’ School
The All Hallows’ Community celebrated Mercy Day and also took the time to reflect on their blessings as a school community at their Mercy Day Mass. The students were reminded of the special role that Our Lady of Mercy – Jesus’ mother Mary plays in providing shelter to all who seek her help and inspiring the students to be the face of Mercy to others.
The All Hallow’s 2024 school theme, Listen with Curiosity, Speak with Courage, Act with Integrity provides the students with guidance about how to be the face of Mercy to those around us.
