This year’s Mercy Day was especially significant for Mercy College as they celebrated the founding of the Sisters of Mercy by Catherine McAuley 195 years ago, and the subsequent founding of the College 50 years ago.
Just 19 years after the beginning of the Mercy Sisters, Sister Ursula Frayne led the first community of Sisters to the Swan River Colony where they set up a school at Victoria Square, now known as Mercedes College.
This was the beginning of the branching out of the Mercy Sisters and their mission in Australia.
Fifty years ago, the Sisters from St Brigid’s West Perth had the foresight to establish Mercy College Koondoola, with the College now claiming the benefits of that initiative and the carrying out of that mission ever since.
In celebrating Mercy Day, Friday 23 September, the College acknowledged the three main purposes of the day were to Celebrate, Participate and Donate.
The day began with the celebration of a whole-school Mass which was well attended by some of the Sisters of Mercy, former Principals and members of the Advisory Council.
Senior students also performed a meaningful Liturgical Movement, having recently taken been awarded the Catholic Performing Arts Festival shield.
The Mass concluded with the singing of Happy Birthday to Mercy and a cutting of the cake Mercy Sisters.
Fiftieth Anniversary House Activities were organised by House Leaders, followed by a fair with stalls hosted by Pastoral Care Teachers.
Some highlights included an animal farm, strongman striker, a fire truck and silent disco, in addition to many food stalls.
The day’s celebrations concluded with the much-anticipated Mercy Fest which was coordinated by our Arts Team.
While students and staff professed to having a had a great time, they also indirectly and lovingly donated to Mercy Works, the charitable arm of the Sisters of Mercy, for their global works of charity.