From the Principal
As a community today we commemorated Remembrance Day. Tomorrow, Saturday 11th November, we will remember all those who gave the ultimate sacrifice in wars past and present, and those currently serving. At 11:00 am on the eleventh day of the eleventh month in 1918 the guns fell silent on the war-torn fields and trenches of Europe, ending four years of bloodshed and destruction. Henceforth we have worn our poppies with pride and observed a minute’s silence with both reverence and observance. Lest we forget.
The significance of Remembrance Day lies not only in its historical context but also in its enduring relevance. This day serves as a reminder of the enduring lessons from past conflicts, promoting peace, and nurturing the values of compassion, empathy, and unity. Perhaps this has rarely been as relevant as it is today with the Ukraine and Middle Eastern conflicts so prevalent.
On the 11th we also remember the passing of the founder of Mercy, Catherine McAuley, who entered eternal life in 1841. When Catherine was dying, many of the sisters gathered around her bedside to say goodbye and to pray the prayers for the dying. Not long before she died, at the end of a long day of waiting, she said to one of the sisters: “Be sure you have a comfortable cup of tea for them when I am gone.” Ever since, the comfortable cup of tea has been a symbol of the warm and caring relationships which were at the heart of Catherine McAuley’s Mercy vision. I encourage all on Saturday to both take a moment to be silent and remember all those who have, and who are, serving so that we may live as we do, and to enjoy your morning ‘tea’ remembering and being thankful for the work and legacy of Catherine McAuley.
Mary Farah
College Principal