Director of Mission

Witnessing the Mercy spirit

By Catholic, Identity and Mission Team Email this article

Reflection, service, spirituality and action.

Reflection
To close National Reconciliation Week 2023, we gathered as a community for prayer and reflection on the week's theme: to be a voice for generations.

Together our students, faculty, and families were encouraged to be a voice for reconciliation in tangible ways where we live, work, and socialise, and show our solidarity to First Nations peoples every week.

Our Year 12 students attended their Seminar Day mid-Term, holding valuable discussions about wellbeing, consent, and embracing the Mercy spirit beyond their schooling.

Similarly, the Year 8 Reflection Day offered activities that explored teamwork, the Mercy Key of Mutual Respect, and what it means to attend a Catholic school in the Mercy tradition. These days away from campus are a great opportunity for students to step back from their classroom studies and check in with their emotional, spiritual, and social progression as a group.

As a College we also acknowledged the Sisters of Mercy Foundation Day. Wednesday 3 May marked the arrival of 24 Mercy Sisters to South Australia in 1880 at the invitation of Bishop Reynolds. As we prepare to celebrate 70 years in 2024, we acknowledge these women and their trailblazing of the Mercy story and tradition, as well as their commitment to growing and continuing the Mercy story today. We are grateful for their ongoing, important, and inclusive work that enables the voice of all to be heard.

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Service
Year 11 SACE students studying Spiritualities, Religion and Meaning (SRM) recently completed a week of community service, which helped them connect with the wider community, and expand their compassionate view of the world. We also commend Year 12 SRM students for recently volunteering at fundraisers supporting the rebuilding of schools in Ukraine. Ruby, Caitlyn and Emma spent time serving refreshments at a Mavka Film Fundraiser, whilst Harry, Lily, Maniah and Michael helped with their quiz night. These are wonderful example of student-led service and Mercy values in action. Congratulations!

Also, a shout out to Grace from Grace's handmade cards, who recently worked meticulously on personalised candles for Mercedes College. All of Grace's work is handmade, with a portion of profits donated to charities to support others in need.

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Spirituality
Class Masses and Liturgies are an integral part of College life, and these are celebrated in our beautiful Ursula Frayne Chapel in Strathspey with Father Pastor.

Families are welcome to join these events and are notified of their child's class Mass or Liturgy via SEQTA Direqt Message from Sister Duyen.

These moments are also a wonderful opportunity for us to foster connection between peers, from our youngest students to our most senior. As an R-12 College we are fortunate to connect and celebrate with our peers. This term the Year 12 Spiritualties, Religion and Meaning students have worked with Mrs Pepicelli, planning and celebrating child centred liturgies with our Reception students in the Chapel, fostering friendships based on mutual respect and compassion.

Our congratulations to the following students who recently received their Sacrament.

Sacrament of Reconciliation St Paul of the Cross Alina Placanica Aria Callisto Zyla Lewington Nicole Tsouvalas Ana Ripa

Sacrament of Confirmation Emmaus Parish Leo Swift Zoe Aywald Lachlan Everett

We wish you and your families the very best as you continue your spiritual journey, or prepare for your First Holy Communion later this year.

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Action
Our Year 2 students used Mother's Day as an opportunity to actively celebrate Mary, the mother of Mercy, and all mother figures in our lives. This use of creativity helped our young students learn and share the story of Mary, as well as understand her role in the context of motherhood.

With winter temperatures arriving in Adelaide, our community came together in generosity to donate non-perishable foods and warming blankets and sleeping bags for the Vinnies Winter Appeal, and there were beanies a-plenty for Beanie Day, with gold coin donations raising more than $1,300 to this annual cause that assists South Australians experiencing hardship.

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Catholic Identity and Mission Team
Deb Lubatti, Therese Wilson, Helen Ayliffe, Teresa Pepicelli, and Sister Duyen Nguyen