News & Events
Mercy Works: Sharing Screens & Stories
Monday mornings can be the most mundane part of the new week but sometimes there is a feeling of excitement about something new. On Monday the 14th of September, this particular feeling was swirling around the Mercy Works’ offices as we prepared for a first: delivering a presentation to primary school students via Zoom.
The month of September is an important month in the world of Mercy. This month is where we celebrate the foundress of the Sisters of Mercy, Catherine McAuley, and the reason why Mercy is still at the forefront of schools and organisations around the world.
Mercy Day is celebrated on the 24th of September and the Mercy community comes together to celebrate the beginnings of what we know Mercy to be today. This year, it will look vastly different. With Mercy Day around the corner and restrictions on gatherings still in place, schools have had to become even more creative as they celebrate this important day.
The clock ticked over 9:30am and sure enough, right on time, a room full of cheery year 6 students from St. Anthony’s Girraween, appeared on the screen inside the Board Room. One click of a button and the sharing started. Our pre-recorded video began to play and told the story of Mercy Works.
After a short video, the students jumped right in question mode. What started out as a planned fifteen minute zoom meeting turned into half an hour of many great questions. Our hardest decision wasn't choosing the next question but choosing which would be our last one.
Each year, the year 6 students at St. Anthony’s host a ‘Mercy Market’ day where the students come up with different ideas for stalls to raise money for Mercy Works. Ranging from sideshow games all the way to bake sales, the students come up with the most creative and engaging ways to raise awareness about Mercy Works whilst also have a tonne of fun.
Technology has bridged many gaps in its existence but for the better part of this year it has been keeping all of us connected when we couldn’t physically see each other.
This meeting would not have been possible without the incredible support of the teaching staff at St. Anthony’s and for that, we thank them very much. The community at St. Anthony’s has been supporting Mercy Works for many years and we are incredibly grateful for all the fundraising they do.
Their efforts have helped Mercy Works support and fund projects focused on education and health both here in Australia and overseas in Timor-Leste and Papua New Guinea.
Check out our Facebook page for more photos!
The Maritime World: Pope's Prayer Intention for August 2020
We are all invited to join with Pope Francis and his worldwide prayer network in praying this month's intention: The Maritime World
Let us pray for all those who work and live from the sea, among them sailors, fishermen and their families.
The life of sailors or fishermen and their families is very difficult.
Sometimes they are victims of forced labor or are left behind in distant ports.
The competition of industrial fishing and the problem of pollution make their work even more complicated.
Without the people of the sea, many parts of the world would starve.
Let us pray for all those who work and live from the sea, among them sailors, fishermen and their families.
—Pope Francis, August 2020
We invite you to post a prayer or reflection in our prayer space
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Refugee Emergency in Papua New Guinea
Surrounded by escalating violence and civil unrest, many West Papuans fearing for their lives in November last year were forced to flee Indonesia and cross the Fly River into Papua New Guinea.
A makeshift refugee camp was built on Monfort Catholic Mission ground when these refugees began arriving. Some were resettled into the village of Iowara before the State of Emergency was declared in response to the coronavirus pandemic.
There still remains, however 140 people living in poor conditions with basic shelter and little access to clean water or sanitation. Steven Dude, Mercy Works Coordinator in Kiunga, aware of their plight, visited the camp in early June to talk with the community and listen to their needs.
Steven found the situation in the camp to be dire. Families described how they fled with nothing but the clothes on their backs and were in desperate need of basic assistance. The risk of infection and disease is high and there is barely enough food to survive.
Mercy Works has responded with emergency funding for food and clothing. In addition, working tools have been provided to grow vegetables to feed themselves and as a means of growing produce to sell.
Secondary Principal - • Our Lady of Mercy College, Parramatta
Secondary Principal
- Our Lady of Mercy College, Parramatta
- Independent Catholic Girls School (1,050 students)
- Commence January 2021
Our Lady of Mercy College, Parramatta is a leading Christ-centred Catholic independent girls school founded by the Sisters of Mercy in 1889 on the Mercy charism. With total staff of 132, OLMC’s current enrolment is approx. 1,050 girls across Years 7-12. OLMC is a non-selective Catholic school and accepts students from across the academic spectrum and aims to provide an education to meet the needs of all students.
The Principal, in keeping with the philosophy of the College, leads in such a way to ensure that all activities, policies, programs and structures within the College actively promote the Catholic ethos within the tradition of a Mercy education and provides opportunities for faith, mercy and service to flourish. The Principal is responsible and accountable to the College Board.
People with leadership experience in secondary education are encouraged to visit traksearch.com to view an OLMC video and obtain further information.
To express your interest, simply send a resume from this site; from the Trak Search website; or by email to jobs@traksearch.com quoting ref number TS1435. Enquiries are also welcome to John Chesher on 0417 068 220.
Closing Date: Wednesday 26th August 2020Download the advertisement (PDF)
To Live Life to the Full: Mental health in Australia today
Social Justice Sunday will be celebrated on Sunday, 30 August 2020.
In the Social Justice Statement To Live Life to the Full: Mental health in Australia today, the Bishops welcome the deinstitutionalisation of mental health care in Australia. However, without adequately funded community mental health services, there is a gap in the system through which people continue to fall. Social determinants including poverty, living conditions, and personal security are significant contributors to mental ill-health. The Statement highlights the experience of First Nations people and communities, asylum seekers and refugees, people who are homeless and those who are in prison.