Staff Spirituality Day
On Tuesday, 17 June, the St Aloysius College staff community came together for our annual Staff Spirituality Day, a cornerstone of our commitment to deepening faith, community connection, and Mercy identity. The theme for the day, “Living Mercy: Faith in Action through Identity, Justice and Tradition”, invited staff to reflect on the heart of our Catholic mission and the relevance of Mercy values in contemporary education.
The day opened with a powerful keynote from Rob Hulls AM, whose personal and professional journey of advocacy for minority groups and mental health offered an inspiring example of Catholic Social Teaching in action. This session set the tone for exploring our role as lay Catholics and educators committed to justice, dignity, and compassion.
Staff then engaged in workshops derived from the Orientation to Mercy Program, focusing on the story of Catherine McAuley, the Works of Mercy, and the wider Mercy family. These sessions provided meaningful opportunities for reflection and renewal, while reaffirming our shared mission as educators in a Mercy school.
In the afternoon, attention turned to our own House-based Social Justice Strategy, exploring ways to embed practical advocacy into our College culture. Staff collaborated in House groups to share ideas and plan initiatives aligned with themes such as care for the environment, education as empowerment, poverty, and gender equity.
By the close of the day, staff had not only completed accreditation hours, but also strengthened their collective commitment to being pilgrims of hope—ready to serve, lead, and act with courage in the face of the unknown.
Staff reflections:
It has been a positive experience of staff liturgy, guest speaker’s presentation, Mercy Charism, Social Justice strategy and house session. It helped me to draw inspiration from the words and experiences others; all set within the quiet and reflective atmosphere of the day.
Wonderful, I really enjoyed the discussions that took place during the day with colleagues who I do not usually get a chance to speak to.
The PD was very helpful in helping me understand more about the Mercy values. I especially enjoyed the presentation by Robert Hulls whose story is inspirational and motivating, raising my awareness of the importance of social justice.
This was the very best Spirituality Day I’ve experienced in my six years at the College. The program was meaningful, engaging, and truly reflective of our Mercy values. The balance between reflection, community building, and practical action created a powerful and lasting impact. It was a day that genuinely deepened our shared sense of purpose and connection.
Marie-Claire Anastasiadis
Religious Education Learning Leader