Assistant Principal - Mission and Wellbeing
RUOK Day
We acknowledged R U OK Day during our Pastoral Care Lesson on Thursday. This year the message is: Are they really OK? Ask them today.
During this time of lockdowns and uncertainty related to COVID, chances are someone we know might be struggling. We encouraged the students and staff to take the time to offer genuine support to someone to make a difference whatever they are facing, big or small. In challenging times it's more important than ever for us all to stay connected and, for those who are able, be willing to support those around us.
YMO Position
We are encouraging interested students in Year 12 to apply to be a Youth Ministry Officer in 2022 at McAuley. The YMO role supports youth ministry and its development within the school in order to maximise school evangelisation, religious formation and discipleship of students in relationship to the Religious Education outcomes in the school, particularly in the Stage 5 Youth Ministry class. Any students in applying are encouraged to contact Mrs Warby or Mr Montford at the College.
Applications close on the 15th of September and can be made via the Catholic Schools Office Website
Mercy Day
In the Catholic tradition, Mercy Day is the feast of Our Lady of Mercy, the patroness of the Sisters of Mercy. Additionally, on this date in 1827 in Dublin, Ireland, Sisters of Mercy founder Catherine McAuley opened the House of Mercy. The house was a school for the education of poor young girls and a residence for homeless girls and women. Venerable Catherine McAuley placed her community under the patronage of Our Lady of Mercy because Mary is the one who has the deepest knowledge of the mystery of God's mercy. Catherine sought to bring the mercy of God the Father to all those in need.
Two of Catherine’s first co-workers, Anna Marie Doyle and Catherine Byrn, opened the house several months in advance of Catherine arriving.
According to the Mercy International Association, “Miss Doyle remarked that she would be particularly rejoiced to begin her labours on that day as it was dedicated to Our Lady of Mercy, suggesting at the same time that House of Mercy would be a good name for the institution.”
Today’s Sisters of Mercy uphold the values that Catherine McAuley espoused: spirituality, community, service and social justice.
Mercy Day is a special day of celebration and an opportunity for all Mercy Sisters, their associates, and partners in ministry to celebrate and rejoice with Mary, the Mother of Mercy. We take this time to acknowledge the wonderful contribution that the Sisters of Mercy have made to our College and Catholic education within the Clarence Valley.
Each year we acknowledge this special day on McAuley Day and hopefully, we can still do this at some stage within Term 4.
“The simplest and most practical lesson I know…is to resolve to be good today, but better tomorrow. Let us take one day only in hands, at a time, merely making a resolve for tomorrow, thus we may hope to get on taking short, careful steps, not great strides.”
– Catherine McAuley
Kathy Warby
Assistant Principal - Mission and Wellbeing