News & Events
Celebrating Christ’s Coming at Christmas
May we all know the love, joy and peace of God With Us, always
Mercy Works: Connecting History
A road trip from Sydney to Perth with visits to the Mercy Connect projects in Melbourne, Ballarat and Bendigo would add over 4,000 kilometres to your speedometer. Yet such a journey still wouldn’t accurately show just how valuable the Mercy Connect program is.
School can be a daunting place for anyone. Add in adjusting to a new language, different social rules and ways of learning and it may all become too much. This is where Mercy Connect comes in. This program recruits and trains volunteers to mentor and support refugee students.
Mercy Connect began in Sydney in 2008 with basic goals to help refugee and asylum seeker children to settle into the Australian education system. This is still the focal point but it now also supports parents and mature age students, helping them get the education they deserve.
12 years on and Mercy Connect is now in five cities across Australia, with more than 300 volunteers supporting over 1400 students in 116 primary and secondary schools.
Download and read the reports from Mercy Works: Sydney, Melbourne, Ballarat/Bendigo, Perth
- If you or anyone you know is interested in volunteering with Mercy Connect, follow this link for more information: www.mercyworks.org.au/how-to-help/volunteer/
Advent Within Cosmic History
The incarnation and birth of Christ is a mystery that a lifetime of contemplation would not exhaust.
More and more theologians and spiritual guides are writing about the transitions needed for us to better understand these mysteries within cosmic history.
In this vein, Mercy Global Presence (MGP) is encouraging participation in the creation of a living cosmic advent wreath.
The engagement will happen in two stages:
This will be an opportunity to share your insights from your journal with people around the world dedicated to Mercy as a way of life. (click here to register for Zoom Room)
"We are coming to realize that our expanding cosmos and we ourselves are infused and alive with divinity. Therefore, it is important to adjust our spiritual understanding to the new insights about the universe.”
Teilhard de Chardin
All are welcome. If you need help with Zoom contact Valda (valda.rsm@gmail.com).
Remembrance Day at OLMC
On 11 November 2019, the College unveiled and blessed the beautiful Catherine McAuley Sculpture, “Come, sit awhile” by sculptor Gael O’Leary. On 11 November 2020, the OLMC community remembered Catherine McAuley’s life on the anniversary of her death in 11.11.1841 with an intimate gathering around the new Sculpture. Here staff and students participated in a meaningful prayer service, reflecting on the strong and enduring legacy Catherine McAuley has left behind.
This service was followed by a Morning Tea where staff were joined by Sr Mary-Louise Petro, Congregational Leader and members of the Congregation of the Parramatta Sisters of Mercy to celebrate, together, the legacy of this remarkable Mercy woman. The newly appointed College Principal, Ms Lucie Farrugia, joined the community for both the prayer service and the Morning Tea.
“Because of Catherine McAuley we are all here - proud members of a strong and thriving Mercy community.” – Marie Wood, OLMC Parramatta Principal (Acting)
Join in a Discussion on 'Presence to Earth'
TOPIC- PRESENCE TO EARTH
You are invited to a Zoom Room on this theme on
Saturday 14 November, 2020 from 10.00am-11.15am
Many poets, mystics, spiritual seekers and activists find a numinous presence in the natural world and a mutual relationship which has serves as the ground for some of their best poetry, inspiration, prayer and environmental ethic.
During the time together we will reflect on the relevance of their work for us today.
Everyday I see or hear something that more or less kills me with delight...
... I thought of the wren’s singing, what could this be if it isn’t a prayer?
So I just listened, my pen in the air.
Mary Oliver
My beloved is the mountains, the solitary wooded valleys. The strange islands, the roaring torrents, the whisper of amorous glades, the tranquil night at the approach of dawn.
John of the Cross
RSVP:valda.rsm@gmail.com (for zoom connections and password)
For further resources: www.mercyglobalpresence.org
Download the flyer here