Mercy In Action On Mercy Day – Jennifer Oaten
Each year, Mercy Day holds a special place in the heart of Santa Maria College. It is more than a celebration, it is a reminder of who we are, where we come from, and the values that shape our community.
On this day, we remember and give thanks for Catherine McAuley, the foundress of the Sisters of Mercy in Dublin, and the countless women and men of Mercy who have carried her vision forward. Catherine McAuley was a practical person. She did not wait for perfect plans. She saw a need and responded. She could have lived a comfortable life with her inheritance, but instead she created a home for women and children who had nowhere else to turn.
We also reflect on Ursula Frayne, who led the first Sisters of Mercy to Fremantle in 1846, opening a small school in the city (now Mercedes College) with little more than faith, courage, and determination. From humble beginnings, with packing cases for desks and one student on the first day their mission grew to transform education in Western Australia.
Santa Maria College, opened in 1938 to provide education for young women, especially those from the country, stands proudly within this tradition. Today, our Mercy story continues in the lives of our students, staff, and families.
Catherine McAuley could never have imagined that her simple acts of Mercy in Dublin would still be inspiring teenagers in Perth almost two centuries later. But here we are.
What Does Mercy Mean Today?
Mercy is not just a word; it is a way of life. At Santa Maria, this spirit is alive in so many ways. Mercy in action was seen throughout Mercy Day today.
So what does Mercy look like, sound like and feel like on Mercy Day?
What Mercy Looks Like
- Sacred symbols like the Mercy cross and the Eucharist shared at Mass, Catherine McAuley’s image and the red door of Baggot Street.
- Acts of kindness are visible in service, activities, fundraising stalls, and the way people help one another to raise funds for others.
- Smiles and laughter as students and staff gather in celebration
- A community united, different year groups, staff, coming together, including a staff-student soccer match.
What Mercy Sounds Like
- Joyful singing during our whole school Mass
- Words of prayer, reflection and gratitude shared in our whole school Mass
- The hum of conversation, encouragement, and collaboration of Homerooms during activities
- The voices of students advocating for justice through fundraising
What Mercy Feels Like
- A sense of belonging, warmth, and welcome within the school community, demonstrating our Mercy value of hospitality.
- Compassion in action, people reaching out to support those in need
- Pride in continuing the legacy of Catherine McAuley and the Sisters of Mercy
Every day, but particularly on Mercy Day, we encourage students to live as a person of Mercy, reaching out to others in need, welcoming others, and remembering that how we make others feel matters deeply.
Celebrating as a Community
Mercy Day brings our community together. We began with Mass, grounding our celebration in faith. Our Assembly acknowledges our Year 12 students who have embodied the Mercy values in all areas of College life.
It is also a day of generosity. Stalls, activities, and fundraising efforts raise much-needed funds for those in need. Every dollar represents compassion in action.
Each year, the College raises approximately $20,000 through student-led stalls and activities. The funds are donated to Mercy organisations that make a profound difference in the lives of others.
In 2025, our support will extend to three initiatives:
- Cookhouses n Tanks a Lot – an initiative in Papua New Guinea that creates safe spaces for women to gather, learn skills in cooking and nutrition, and build community. Funds this year will contribute to the construction of a fifth cookhouse in the highlands.
- The Mercy Foundation – a Sydney-based organisation focused on social justice, particularly ending homelessness and combating human trafficking. One of its recent projects, The Together Program, supports pregnant women and young mothers experiencing homelessness by providing safe housing and care.
- Healing and Empowerment of Women and Children (Mercy Works) – a project in the Philippines addressing gender-based violence through healing, empowerment, livelihood opportunities, and community support.
Through these partnerships, our Mercy Day fundraising becomes a tangible expression of Catherine McAuley’s call to serve those most in need.
Carrying the Spirit Forward
Mercy Day is not just a single event on the calendar – it is a call to live differently every day. As Catherine McAuley reminded us, “The proof of love is deed.” Each act of kindness, each word of encouragement, and each effort to make the world more just continues her mission.
As we celebrate Mercy Day, we give thanks for the heritage entrusted to us, for the Sisters of Mercy, and for the gift of our community. May we continue to walk in Catherine’s footsteps with faith, courage, and love, carrying the Mercy spirit into the world.
Together, we celebrate our heritage, give thanks for those who came before us, and look forward with hope to the future.
- Catherine McAuley legacy, Catholic education, Community celebration, Faith In Action, Featured, Mercy Day 2025, Mercy Values, Santa Maria College events, Service and justice, Student fundraising, Western Australia schools
Author: Santa Maria College
Santa Maria College is a vibrant girls school with a growing local presence and reputation. Our Mission is to educate young Mercy women who act with courage and compassion to enrich our world. Santa Maria College is located in Attadale in Western Australia, 16 km from the Perth CBD. We offer a Catholic education for girls in Years 5 – 12 and have 1300 students, including 152 boarders.
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