All Hallows’ Mercy Day 2026: Welcoming All with Love and Respect

On Friday 18 September, All Hallows’ School gathered to celebrate All Hallows’ Mercy Day: a special day of faith, friendship, tradition and joyful House spirit. Across the day, students and staff shared in the Mercy Day Mass, Home Group picnics and the much-loved House Choir Celebrations.

The day began with the celebration of Mass, where our community was invited to reflect more deeply on our 2026 school theme, Welcome All with Love and Respect. The readings and prayers reminded us that Mercy calls us to widen the space of our hearts, to make room for others, and to recognise the dignity and belonging of every person. In the reading from Isaiah, the image of enlarging the tent offered a powerful invitation to become a community with room for all. In the Gospel of Luke, the parable of the lost sheep reminded us of God’s tender care for each person and the joy that comes when someone is found, welcomed and restored. Together, these readings helped us understand that welcome is more than a gesture; it is a way of living Mercy each day.

Following Mass, Home Groups gathered for picnics in their House areas, continuing one of the School’s cherished traditions. These picnics remind us of the very beginnings of All Hallows’ School on this site in 1863, when the Sisters of Mercy and students first moved here and sat together on the lawn overlooking the river to share a picnic. More than 160 years later, our students continue this simple but beautiful tradition: gathering in community, enjoying one another’s company and giving thanks for the bonds that connect generations of All Hallows’ women.

The afternoon brought the colour, energy and excitement of the House Choir Celebrations. With each House taking to the stage, the competition was a spirited and joyful conclusion to Mercy Day. The friendly rivalry, enthusiastic singing and strong House pride reminded us that, even in competition, we are united by something deeper: the enduring bonds of the Sisterhood and the shared story of All Hallows’ School.

Mercy Day 2026 was a celebration of who we are and who we are called to be: a community grounded in faith, shaped by Mercy, and committed to welcoming all with love and respect.