Director of Mission

Athena Costopoulos

This year, the Community Service and Ministry groups of the College have worked hard to shine a light on important issues that impact our world through education, prayer and action.

Mercy Girls In Action have continued their commitment to charitable organisations such as Vinnies, Mercy Works, Youth With A Mission and Caritas. Through fundraising, collecting toiletries, knitting and participating in activities such as Shrove Tuesday Pancake Day, Clean Up Australia Day, Vinnies Sleepout @ Home, Catholic Education Week and Mercy Day they have been shining lamps, giving light to all around us.

In its inaugural year, McAuley Ministry members have been integral in organising and supporting the prayer and liturgical life of the College.

This year the group has come together each week for prayer and discussion that has centred on Lent, Catherine McAuley and Laudato Si. Our Diocesan Youth Representatives met with the Bishop and other school representatives. New Eucharistic Ministers completed their training and altar servers with readers and performers supporting the College in Masses and Liturgies.

We thank the outgoing Faith and Identity and Community Service Prefects, Ali Thomas, Tamarra Woods and Erin Chin for their leadership and hard work this year.

The 2021 Community Service and Faith and Identity Prefects have begun planning and organising activities for their new portfolios.

Mercy Girls In Action

Mercy Girl In Action Leaders, Harper Weekers and Madyson Wass welcomed guest speakers from CARITAS. Andrew Knife, the Justice and Ecological Animator for QLD and NT and Neil Helmore, the Diocesan Caritas Director attended our first MGIA meeting to discuss the Project Compassion Emersion Incursion next year.

In week two, Vinnies Youth representative, Mary McAuliffe, spoke to the girls about ways they can support the community. Harper and Madyson will be taking names of senior girls interested in participating in Buddies Days, Kids Camp, Youth Mentoring, the Townsville Tutoring Program and packing Christmas hampers.

You can also support Vinnies by bringing in non-perishable food and Christmas gifts to your PC class. DOMS are collecting non-perishable Christmas food and gifts for adults. POWERS are collecting Christmas puddings and presents for teen girls. PRINCES are collecting soft drinks and gifts for teen boys and THRONES are bringing in lollies and Christmas bonbons.

McAuley Ministry

The entire month of October is dedicated to honouring Mary with the rosary. In our PC classes, prayer time has been centred around the Rosary. On Thursday lunchtimes, the McAuley girls have been running craft sessions in the library on the theme of Mary and the Rosary.

TOGETHER WE PRAY

Help us God of love and patience,

in the everyday of our busy lives,

to stop and consider the plight of those affected by climate change.

Farmers fighting years of drought,

families who lose homes in bushfires,

those living in communities threatened by rising sea levels,

the people who can’t breathe the air of our own cities,

the sea waters littered with plastic,

the forest stripped bare.

Help us God of love to speak out for the Earth and all people.

Amen

Mercy Partners Prayer Resources 2020