Director of Mission

Director of Mission

Athena Costopoulos

A Connected Community

During this time of isolation, it is easy to feel disconnected from family, friends and community. With the support of our College Chaplain, Ms Harriett Veukiso and the Faith and Identity and Community Service Prefects, students can connect in different locations on the Learning Hub. Each week, the MGIA girls catch up at ZOOM meetings for prayer, challenges and discussion.

 

Mercy Girls In Action

This week the Mercy Girls In Action were challenged to learn a new skill that could help them serve someone in need. We encourage our College Community to learn sign language with us. 

McAuley Ministry

The McAuley Mission Learning Hub page is also a great place to find resources on the spiritual life of the College. Each week Ms Veukiso and the Faith and Identity Prefect, Ali Thomas, reflect on a quote from Catherine McAuley. You can also find prayers, links to masses at the Sacred Heart Cathedral and information about our Mercy traditions and values.

 

ANZAC Day Liturgy

On Wednesday 22 April, the College paused for a minute silence during our online ANZAC Day Liturgy. Lieutenant Sarah Kleinman our guest speaker, addressed the College on the nature of the 2020 commemoration of ANZAC Day as an  ‘extraordinary service, during extraordinary times’. Lieutenant Kleinman reminded us that just as the ANZACs made sacrifices for the good of their nation, we too must come together to do what is right in the light of COVID-19. She implored us to pause on the 25th of April to remember those who gave their lives, and the “extraordinary actions, by ordinary individuals in the face of events and circumstances that seem insurmountable”. The ANZAC Day Liturgy can be viewed via the #StayingConnected tile on The Learning Hub. 

Our students stood in solidarity during ‘Light up the Dawn on Anzac Day’ in Australia to remember all those who have served and sacrificed for our country. Year 8 student, Elizabeth Carroll, proudly played the last post, as did Year 7 student Charlotte Edwards on violin with her mum on flute. Lest we forget.

 

Finding Our Sacred Spaces

This year, the College prayer focus has been on whole school Christian Meditation or the Prayer of the Heart. While our Meditation Mondays are now via ZOOM, students and families are encouraged to take time for silent contemplation. Letting go of thoughts, plans and distractions, we pray silently and interiorly a single word – MA-RA-NA-THA (come Lord).

  • Meditation reduces stress and increases our sense of well-being and harmony.
  • Meditation leads to increased self-knowledge and self-acceptance.
  • Meditation deepens our personal relationship with our God
  • Meditation helps us to know and follow Christ
  • Meditation increases our desire to build community with others

-Ernie Christie

TOGETHER WE PRAY

Awaken Me

Risen One,
come to meet me
in the garden of my life.
Lure me into elation.
Revive my silent hope.
Coax my dormant dreams.
Raise up my neglected gratitude.
Entice my tired enthusiasm.
Give life to my faltering relationships.
Roll back the stone of my indifference.
Unwrap the deadness of my spiritual life
Impart heartiness in my work.
Risen One,
send me forth as a disciple of your unwavering love,
a messenger of your unlimited joy.
Resurrected One,
may I become ever more convinced
that your presence lives on,
and on, and on,
and on.
Awaken me!
Awaken me!

Joyce Rupp, Out of the Ordinary, 2002.