From The Principal – Mercy Education Dinner
- August 3, 2018
Santa Maria College is part of Mercy Education, and last night Santa Maria College hosted the annual Western Australian Mercy Education Dinner in our beautiful Community Room.
We welcomed the new Vicar of the Institute of the Sisters of Mercy of Australia and Papua New Guinea (ISMAPNG), Sister Caroline Ryan RSM, who was our guest speaker, many Sisters of Mercy, Mercy Education Board members (from Perth, Melbourne and Adelaide), and members of College Advisory Councils and the leadership teams from other Western Australian Mercy schools.
We were joined by representatives from Aranmore College, Bunbury Catholic College, Mercedes College, Mercy College Koondoola, St Brigid’s College and Ursula Frayne Catholic College and our own leadership and College Advisory Council members.
It was a wonderful opportunity to share a meal and conversation as we came together as one Mercy family. I believe Catherine McAuley would be very proud of the commitment and dedication each person present contributes to the education of young people.
Sister Caroline Ryan spoke about Mercy – Mind and Heart, sharing with us the meaning of Mercy and Catherine McAuley’s story of establishing the Sisters of Mercy. She talked about what Catherine believed to be effective leadership which was very relevant given the roles of those present.
She told us that, Catherine:
- believed every person was unique and thought well of all,
- was quick to affirm and praise,
- demonstrated genuine collaboration,
- was a confident risk-taker,
- was relational and communicated with different people in different ways,
- was humble and wise yet sought the wisdom of others,
- showed great courtesy and respect for others, and
- had a great sense of humour and fun.
Sister Caroline concluded by challenging participants to consider the ‘Grace of Change’ and how Mercy will flourish in the future without the presence of the Sisters of Mercy.