Our College community gathered for our 'Our Lady of Mercy Mass,' remembering Mary, the mother of Jesus, under a title especially dear to the Sisters of Mercy. Catherine McAuley had a deep devotion to Our Lady of Mercy, and the Sisters took their name from the mercy they sought to bring to others.

We were pleased to be joined once again by Sisters Carol and Madeline, and to welcome Fr Aurelio from Castlemaine, who celebrated Mass with us for the first time. Having the Sisters with us makes the Mercy story feel close: a tradition that began in Ireland almost 200 years ago and continues here in Kyneton.

Mercy Day is celebrated by Mercy communities around the world on 24 September. On that date in 1827, the doors of Catherine’s first House of Mercy opened on Baggot Street in Dublin. Next year will mark 200 years since that beginning, giving us a wonderful opportunity to reflect on how far the Mercy story has travelled and where it might lead us next.

Thank you to the students who volunteered for readings, the procession and other parts of the Mass. Service is one of our Mercy values, and stepping forward to help our community pray is a meaningful way to live it.

Our choir deserves special thanks. They worked hard to learn new Mercy themed songs and shared their gifts generously with us.

In the spirit of Mercy hospitality, we enjoyed donuts together afterwards. Later this year, we will also begin reinvigorating our local Mercy Day celebrations. We are starting small, with the hope of building something that will grow in the years ahead.