Mercy Day
On Friday 8th of September, we celebrated Mercy Day, where we honour our heritage and legacy of our College, being founded by the Sisters of Mercy and its foundress Catherine McAuley. The day connected closely with our House Charities with students starting the day within their House Groups allocated in Year Level groupings. Within this first session of the day, students were involved in ways to support their particular House and affiliated charities by either raising awareness, creating products for sale to raise funds or by displaying their creativity in producing items that would be beneficial to their House Charities. For example; McAuley House students created Teddy Bears and digital children’s story books for McAuley Community services for women and children, Scully House had guest speakers from St Vincent de Paul society come out and share their efforts with assisting the homeless in our neighbourhood, Fallon House decorated cupcakes to sell later in the day supporting Mercy Works and their indigenous projects, and Verdon House visited Royal Park Gardens, for a guided discovery in caring for our environment linking in with supporting Mercy EcoCommunications.
As a main component of our Mercy Day celebrations, our College community participated in a formal School Assembly and Mass celebrated by Fr Thang Vu. Our guest speaker at the assembly was Jamie Macmillan from the North Melbourne football club, sharing with us about his connection to community and how important acknowledging and thanking those who support us on our journeys in life is. This reminded us of our connections to those in our school community and the assistance they provide.
In celebrating the Mass of the Holy Eucharist, students and staff led prayers and readings focusing on our theme on sharing Christ’s Light. A very big thank you to the many staff and students who were involved in our Mass, including prayer readers, ministers of Communion, photographers, technical crew as well as our musicians for leading us in prayer through music.
After the mass, students participated in House activities that focus on “bringing light” towards our local and extended Mercy community by raising funds for the House Charities. Students led the running of various fundraising events such as a ‘Just Dance’ competition and a sausage sizzle, raising in excess $830 which will be donated to our House Charities.
The school then all gathered again in the hall to announce our House Co-Curricular competitions and programs where students won point for their House groups. This included the House Creative Arts competition, House Performing Arts competition, House STEM competition and House Social Justice Program initiatives, showcasing the various talents of the students at St Aloysius.
Once students were dismissed, the staff gathered for our annual Mercy Day staff action, where staff bid against donated items, raising over $1000 towards our supported Mercy Charities.
Overall, it was a great success in displaying our Mercy charism, continuing in the legacy of Catherine McAuley of supporting those in need in our community, and celebrating our school spirit.
Michael Chesser
Director of Catholic Mission & Mercy Ethos