News & Events

'We, the Sisters of Mercy of the Parramatta Congregation, acknowledge gratefully that we are co-creators with the Divine, in an evolving "sacrament of communion" which includes everything that exists' (Chapter Statement)

5 June is World Environment Day, the United Nations principle vehicle for encouraging worldwide awareness and action for the environment, now in its 45th year. 

Issues such as water conservation and climate challenge us all to take action to protect and restore the environment.

Our commitment to do so is expressed in our Chapter Statement which reads (in part):

'We will enjoy and celebrate Earth's beauty and bounty and her many species. We will honour our duty to love and care for her and add to her well-being wherever possible.'

Mercy Girls were joined by College staff, parents and carers, Alumnae and students from local schools in the Ailsa Mackinnon Community Centre at Our Lady of Mercy College Parramatta on Wednesday 29 May for the 2019 Women in Leadership Forum.

Four inspirational Forum speakers from a variety of fields shared their perspectives on women in leadership and discussed how each of us can boldly expand beyond what we know we can be. Edwina Bartholomew - Journalist and Presenter with the Seven Network was joined by Annabelle Chauncy OAM - CEO and Founding Director of School for Life Foundation, Liz Scully - Chair, NSW Labor Women’s Forum and Chair, Parramatta Women’s Shelter and Belinda Woolford - CEO Ronald McDonald House Charities Greater Western Sydney.

“Each year the College is fortunate to have four generous, kind and confident women willing to share their career stories of successes and challenges, hopes and dreams, and diversions along the way. We know that girls learn from these narratives, particularly when the stories are told with humility and humour and the 2019 Forum speakers have been exceptional. Their consistent message of courage and service resonated with our Mercy community and inspired everyone present to consider ways they could effectively contribute to the wider community.” Marie Wood, College Deputy Principal.

There were common themes throughout the evening including the importance of seeking mentoring, backing yourself, being courageous, being true to yourself and following your passion. The Forum kicked off with an appeal by Edwina Bartholomew to “be yourself, back yourself and believe in yourself.” She reiterated that it’s important to work very, very hard to achieve your dreams. Belinda Woolford outlined three important lessons she has learnt on her journey: "Leadership lesson number 1 is give it a go. Number 2 is you don't always need a plan, you just need the courage to take risks. Lesson 3 is get a mentor."

Liz Scully paraphrased Saint Teresa of Avila, encouraging students to trust God that you are where you are supposed to be. Annabelle Chauncy also highlighted the importance of mentoring: "One of the most important things about my journey is the fact that I had a mentor. My mentor taught me to crawl before you walk and walk before you run - taking one step at a time."

We will open our hearts to the cries of the poor using our energies, gifts and resources to address violence and discrimination especially for women and children, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples...
 (Chapter Statement)

 The Sisters of Mercy Parramatta held a Reconciliation Week morning tea and film meeting this week with the focus on the Uluru Statement from the Heart. It was small but informative and enjoyable, thanks largely to a delicious morning tea of sandwiches, cakes and fruit from Sr Pat Tully. By happy coincidence the meeting happened on the day the Sydney Morning Herald (SMH) opened its first page with a beautiful photo of Uluru and launched a campaign for constitutional recognition for Indigenous Australians. The articles there are well worth reading.

Two of the writers in the SMH, Professor Megan Davis and Mr Dean Parkin, featured in the films we watched and their invitation to the people of Australia to walk with them on a path towards a more spiritually generous and inclusive nation at peace with itself touched everyone present. We pledged ourselves to take up the journey with them and to work for the inclusion of a Voice in our Constitution and a Makarrata commission for Treaty and Truth-telling, so that finally, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples may find their rightful place in our nation. We look forward to joining the campaign.

The following is the Sisters’ public declaration of their support for the Uluru Statement From the Heart