Earlier this week, I had the privilege of attending the Mercy Ministry Companions (MMC) Conference. MMC is the Ministerial Public Juridic Person who has an overarching governance role for many Mercy ministries, including education. The conference was entitled ‘Extending Horizons as People of Hope and Hospitality’. The conference focused on the role we can all play in bringing hope through hospitality to all we meet, but particularly for those for whom it seems hard to find. Catherine McAuley very much believed in the value of hospitality, and it remains a cornerstone of the work of Mercy today.
Yesterday we celebrated Mercy Day, one of the most significant days in the OLMC calendar. Not only do we celebrate the foundress of the Sisters of Mercy, Catherine McAuley, but we also raise funds to support Mercy Works. At OLMC, we are empowered together to be Mercy people, and this privilege means that we are called to act with compassion. Pope Francis has said, ‘Compassion is not a simple feeling of pity: this is the superficial’ and ‘compassion is like the lens of the heart: it makes us truly understand the magnitude [of another’s suffering]’ (Daily meditations, September 17, 2019).
Students at OLMC show us time and again that they know and understand this message when they give so generously to organisations like Mercy Works. This year, they have particularly focused on raising funds to support the provision of water tanks for communities in Timor-Leste.
Mercy Day was a wonderful celebration of all that it means to be part of the OLMC Community. Mass was a beautiful celebration, and the Choir led us so expertly. The stalls, disco, games and food were all fantastic, as was the participation of the students.
Mercy Day is one of the most special days in our school calendar, and again this year, I was filled with immense pride in our community as students looked out for each other, celebrated the talents of others and worked together to sell all sorts of baked goods, lollies, fairy floss or books. It was enriching to see our students engaged wholeheartedly in the day, taking every opportunity to have fun and celebrate our community.
On Tuesday evening, we celebrated the skills and talents of our GSV sporting teams at the 2025 Sports Evening. Lauren Szigeti, an alumnus of OLMC from the class of 2018, was our guest speaker. Lauren was the Sports Captain at OLMC in 2018. In her speech, along with some highlights of her Year 12 year, she shared with us her journey to become a member and Co-Captain of the Sydney Swans AFLW team. She was inspirational, generously sharing with us moments of joy and those of challenge. Lauren particularly emphasised the importance of all that she had learnt. Her emphasis on positive self-talk and working within environments that allow you to thrive were important messages and reminders for all of us.
Our students have participated in GSV, other organised external sporting competitions and House based sporting activities in very strong numbers. It was a privilege to be part of the evening recognising the grit, determination, commitment and skill of all who have represented themselves and our school so admirably. Congratulations to all who received an award.
This is our last newsletter for the term. For our senior students, this is the beginning of the most challenging part of their year. As we go into the break, our Year 12 students are beginning their exam preparations and we wish them all the very best. Trial exams will take place during the break for all students undertaking a Unit 3 and 4 study.
We wish all at OLMC a wonderful break and a chance to enjoy some time with family and friends.
