Mercy Day 2011

The highlight of the McAuley High School year has to be Mercy Day.  This celebration reminds us of the special relationship that we, at McAuley High School, have with the Sisters of Mercy and Catherine McAuley.  Our liturgical theme for 2011, Justice, featured in the celebration.  Our celebrants were Father Mike Wooller and Father John Jolliffe.  During the Prayers of the Faithful, members of the junior school and Ms Crawford read beautifully in different languages that reflected the variety of cultures represented at McAuley High School.
The Mass was made even more special with the beautiful singing by the students.  We were led by the wonderful cantors, Mr Bower and Mr Radcliffe, and Khona Va'aga-Gray.  Mr Goliath led our singing.
At the end of the Celebration of the Eucharist, the Mercy awards were presented.  These awards are awarded to those people who have reflected in their lives the Mercy Values.  This year the award was a cup and saucer.  Mrs Miles explained that the sisters had gathered around Catherine McAuley's death bed to say prayers and bid her farewell.  After a long day, Catherine turned to the sisters and requested that they have a 'comfortable cup of tea after she had gone'.  Since then a comfortable cup of tea has been a telling symbol of Mercy Values.