DIRECTOR OF MISSION

ST PATRICK’S DAY

On the 17^th March we will come together to celebrate the Eucharist in honour of St Patrick’s Feast Day and the belated Commissioning of our Principal, Ms Amber Hauff. We honour the legacy of St Patrick and the impact that the many Irish priests, sisters and brothers had on the lives of Australians in parishes, hospitals and schools. With great joy, we finally formally acknowledge the Commissioning of our Principal and share with her the special symbols of a Mercy education. Due to COVID restrictions, only a small number of invited guests will be able to attend.

MERCY GIRLS IN ACTION

“Not all of us can do great things. But we can do small things, with great love. “

(Saint Teresa of Calcutta)

During Lent, Mercy Girls In Action continues to focus on the important work of CARITAS Australia’s Project Compassion. During weekly meetings, the girls work through the CARITAS resources. This year we have a large, committed community service group who enthusiastically work together to raise awareness and funds for those people experiencing poverty, disability and disaster.

THIRD WEEK OF LENT

(school week beginning 8^th March)

We are now in the third week of Lent with the Project Compassion story of Oliva, a 22-year-old woman from Tanzania. She did not have the opportunity to go to school and was embarrassed that she was unable to read, write or count. As an adult, her business was losing money because she couldn’t add up her money and give the right change to customers.

Then Oliva enrolled in Caritas Australia’s literacy and numeracy classes. She also set up a home classroom to teach her neighbours, for free, because they were too shy to attend larger classes.

Oliva has now graduated, attendance at her classes are growing, her kiosk is thriving and she is helping her children with their homework. She aims to become a pastor and run for leadership in the next local election – to help her community to ‘Be More.’

Approximately 260 million children don’t have the chance to go to school (org). Watch a short film about Oliva’s story here. Please support Project Compassion: lent.caritas.org.au