In Mercy we serve
Already this year, both staff and students at Catherine McAuley College Bendigo have embraced our 2024 College theme ‘In Mercy we serve’ by accepting the challenge to contribute to our community.
For Global Intergenerational Week (GIW), our iGEN students took part in a variety of activities with the residents of Mercy Health Bethlehem Home for the Aged and Golden Rise Seniors Living. Activities targeted key themes of GIW such as breaking down age barriers, combating loneliness and social isolation and building solidarity between generations.
Our staff have also led by example, using a Staff Spirituality Day to focus on our theme. After a workshop to understand the power of our Mercy charism, everyone went out into the community to serve in community projects, including cooking meals for Bendigo Foodshare, learning more about Indigenous culture and working in vegetable gardens.
During National Reconciliation Week (NRW), Catherine McAuley College Bendigo had the honour of hosting the Catholic Education Sandhurst Ltd Mass for Healing and Justice. The NRW 2024 theme ‘Now More Than Ever’ was woven through the beautiful Mass and thought-provoking addresses.
Our newly opened Mercy Junortoun Sporting Precinct provided a welcoming space for all members of our College, along with representatives from local primary schools and invited guests. The Mass was celebrated by Most Rev Bishop Shane Mackinlay with concelebrants Fr Brian Boyle, Fr Denib Suguitan and Fr Junray Rayna and livestreamed to the community.
A combined choir led the singing, and students were active in all parts of the Mass, using many symbols of Indigenous culture to enhance the spiritual symbolism through the Mass.
