Director of Mission

Reflections

By Therese Wilson Email this article

Meaning through movement, future aspirations, and the importance of giving

Reception and Year 8 Liturgy

As pictured, our Year 8 students recently celebrated a liturgy interpreted and presented by our Reception students. By sharing their story physically through movement, our Reception students showed meaning through wonder and play. This method nurtures our youngest students spiritual lives in a way that is real and meaningful for them.

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Year 12 Graduation Mass 
On their last day before examinations started, our Year 12s attended their Graduation Mass, presided over by Father John Shanahan (who we thank for making our graduates a priority after flying in from Sydney that morning).

Father Shanahan used his homily to challenge students to consider what they may achieve after graduation. Having just attended his latest school reunion, he poignantly reflected upon the great things many of his school mates had achieved in the last 50 years, including friend Robert Costa, a cardiologist who has retired and now finds joy in volunteering his skills in developing countries.

In ending his homily, Father Shanahan told a story of Peruvian peasant farmer, Maxina Acuna de Chaupe, who won the Goldman Environmental Prize; a global award for grassroots environmental activists. Filled with grit and determination, yet no formal education, she has achieved much, and so Father Shanahan questioned the Class of 2022 again: with a Mercedes College education behind them, "imagine what you may achieve..."

At the conclusion of the Mass, our Year 12s got a cheerful 'high five farewell' from their Reception buddies, who wished them well on their next steps.

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Year 10 Reflection Day: ‘Why Serve Others?’ 
This week our Year 10 students Reflection Day focused on the theme of serving others. In a day filled with activities designed to embrace our Mercy Spirit, live our faith, and spend time in friendship, students heard from Senior Kaurna man, Mickey O'Brien, about the importance of serving others and the land.

Students actively put together care packages for young mothers staying at Louise Place in Centacare, and we thank our Year 10 families - as well as Romeo’s Foodland and My Newborn Nursery - for a show of remarkable generosity in donating items for these care packages; it was a true expression of Mercy Spirit.

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Advent begins on Sunday 27 November, four weeks before we celebrate the coming of Christ.  

Blessings
Therese Wilson
Director of Mission