The month of September is dedicated to Our Lady of Sorrows, whose memorial the Church celebrates on 15 September. September falls during the liturgical season known as Ordinary Time, which is represented by the liturgical colour, green. This symbol of hope is the colour of the sprouting seed and arouses in the faithful the hope of reaping the eternal harvest of heaven, especially the hope of a glorious resurrection. It is used in the offices and Masses of Ordinary Time.

September 2024 also marks the 197th Mercy Day. On 24 September 1827, Catherine McAuley opened the first ‘House of Mercy’ in Ireland. That first House was built to take in homeless women and children, to care for them, and to educate them. Let us remember that Catherine was tireless in her care for others and in her efforts to provide opportunities for all – and these are still the hallmarks of a Mercy Education.

Within a few short years, following the suggestion by the Archbishop of Dublin, this band of dedicated women formed the Sisters of Mercy, and in 1846, just 19 years after opening the House of Mercy, the Sisters arrived in Australia. Then in 1887, they established and founded ¹û¶³APP. On Friday, the 13th, we will rejoice in being part of the great Mercy family and each of us, in our own way, will pay tribute to what has been achieved by celebrating Mercy Day.

Our school stands in 2024 as a living testament to the enduring legacy. We are privileged to inherit the tradition of providing a Mercy Education, an education that is founded on the Mercy values of hospitality, courage, service, compassion, justice, and respect.

This is a very special occasion, and students and staff have been busy preparing for this wonderful day. I know how much everyone is looking forward to a great celebration.

Friday, 30 August commenced with the annual Father’s Day breakfast. This year, we were blessed to have three of our fathers as guest speakers, sharing with all present their professional journeys. It was a truly moving and uplifting event, very well received, and I am sure that all who attended enjoyed and found it both informative and inspirational.

The day continued with the Frayne Festival for a group of our students and staff, who made their way to Our Lady of Mercy in Heidelberg. Our students showcased their talents in voice choir, public speaking, and debating, and we are incredibly proud of their dedication and hard work. Their enthusiasm and commitment to representing ¹û¶³APP with pride and excellence truly shone through. A special thank you to our dedicated staff who invested their time and energy in preparing our students for this significant event.

I am also delighted to congratulate our Under-13 A & B Soccer teams for their incredible victories against St Leonard! The determination and teamwork displayed by our players, along with the overwhelming support from our community, was truly remarkable.

In conclusion, in a video message accompanying his prayer intention for September, Pope Francis prays that "each of us might listen with our hearts to the cry of the earth and of the victims of environmental disasters and climate change, making a personal commitment to care for the world we inhabit."

Good Father, the cry of the earth
strikes in the heart of your Son Jesus,
and cries out to us "I want mercy and not sacrifices".
Our Common Home implores us
a bold and radical change in our way of life.
We need courage, and a holy indignation
to commit ourselves to a cultural change
that welcomes the cry of the earth and the poor.
We need the fire of your Holy Spirit
to burn in our hearts,
to contemplate and give thanks,
to welcome and to care,
so that we may all feel as one in you.
May our gestures of love and care
for everyone and everything, rise up to You
as a universal prayer of adoration,
Of thanksgiving and forgiveness.
May our daily living reflect a temperate, and modest lifestyle
that moderates how excessively greedy we tend to be with the world and each other.
May we embrace this cry for help
transforming it with decisions
into a loving and consoling melody.
Amen.

Mary Farah
College Principal

Year 12 Trial Exams

During the first week of the holidays, all Year 12 students have the opportunity to sit trial exams in preparation for their final VCE examinations. I encourage all students to take these trial exams very seriously and seek the support of their parents regarding attendance. Also, a number of VCE classes will be run during these holidays, and it is the responsibility of the students to ensure that they are present.