Catherine McAuley Westmead eNewsletter

News from the Religious Education Coordinator

During her lifetime, the foundress of the Sisters of Mercy, Venerable Catherine McAuley was a staunch advocate for those on the margins of society. From the beginning, the House of Mercy in Baggot Street Dublin existed to care for the sick and poor, especially women and children. In Catherine's time, a group that were particularly vulnerable were young servant girls. Before Catherine had the means and opportunity to build the House of Mercy, one young servant girl in distress appealed to Catherine for assistance. On this occasion Catherine could not provide the shelter and protection that this young girl was seeking. Those who knew Catherine well said that she was troubled by this encounter as she never learnt what happened to this young girl.

In our Mercy School, we know that Catherine and the Sisters of Mercy have and continue to make important differences in the lives of young women. Sometimes it is very easy to forget the struggles which today have enabled us to access many rights that were denied to women. Currently our Year 8 students are learning about significant women in the Hebrew Bible (Old Testament). Girls of their age living in Biblical times would not be attending school. They did not have the opportunity to make choices about their future, these decisions would be made for them.

Moving forward in time, when my parents married in the late 1960s my mother had to resign her administrative position at the local university as it was considered inappropriate for a married woman to remain in the workforce. A generation later, I was entitled to a short period of paid maternity leave and since the birth of my children twenty years ago, these conditions and entitlements have improved significantly.

After a long federal election campaign which has on the whole been quite nasty and vindictive, some people are being very dismissive about their civic duty to vote. Australia was one of the first countries in the world to grant voting rights to women. In New South Wales in 1902 (only 120 years ago) women were able to vote in both federal and state elections. Today in some countries while some women on paper may cast a vote, they have to strictly follow their husbands instructions on this matter. Some women are too fearful to attend the polling stations. So while it may be legal to vote, many women elect not to vote as there are too many impediments to their safety.

For these reasons, for those of us who are able to vote, as women of Mercy it is essential that we realise that this simple act is both a privilege and carries responsibilities. We need to remember the suffragettes who died and were imprisoned for this right. Also as Catholics, we need to think about the consequences of our choices for all of society and not just how one candidate may benefit us individually. The Australian Catholic Bishops Conference have released an Election Statement for 2022 titled Towards a Better Kind of Politics. With reference to the Catholic Social Teachings of Human Dignity, the Common Good, Subsidiarity and Solidarity the statement addresses many pressing moral issues which need to be considered before votes are cast.

Towards a Better Kind of Politics speaks about palliative care, the aged care sector, the injustice of those on JobSeeker living below the poverty line, the plight of asylum seekers, the Modern Slavery Act, protection from religious discrimination, the continuation of affordable Catholic education, constitutional recognition and active steps towards reconciliation and care for our common home. To ensure that we are Christ for others it is certainly worth a read before casting a vote.

Year 8 Reflection Day

The Year 8 Reflection Day was held at St Patrick’s Cathedral Parramatta on Friday, 13th May. The theme for the day was the Mercy Value of Integrity. The day commenced with Mrs Elizabeth Lowrencev and Ms Diane Jarosevski providing musical accompaniment for Bruno Mars’ Count on Me. Sr Helen Stannard RSM continued the importance of being true to oneself, especially with regards to friendship as she explained Jesus’ interactions with The Woman Caught in Adultery (John 8:1-11).

Year 8 were fortunate that during the day Fr Walter Fogarty, Ms Mary Refalo and Mr Jaie Skinner were able to visit them and give their insights about Integrity. For some students this would have been their first visit to the Cathedral and the students were able to spend time learning about the history, the significance of the liturgical artwork and the design of the Cathedral. Year 8 joined the parishioners at 12:30 pm for Mass which was celebrated by Fr Chris Del Rosario, Assistant Priest at the Cathedral. Input was also presented by Mr Nguyen, Ms Gribble and Mr Commerford.

This was a significant day for Year 8 as last year due to Covid restrictions, their Reflection Day was cancelled. At Catherine McAuley Westmead, we very much look forward to continuing your daughter’s learning journey in all aspects of her education.

Genevieve Banks
Religious Education Coordinator

Year 8 students at St Patrick’s Cathedral Parramatta for their Reflection Day.

Pray With Us

A Prayer for the Election (from the Australian Catholic Bishops Conference)

News Articles

This Week on Social Media

Follow Catherine McAuley Westmead on Instagram, Facebook and LinkedIn for regular updates. One of the posts from this week is shown below:

Anyone in the mood for a coffee? The Year 12 Hospitality students are now qualified in the preparation and serving of espresso coffee after completing the five hour barista course at The Coffee Academy, CBD College, Haymarket.

Upon the successful completion of both the theory and practical aspects the students received nationally recognised certificates and qualifications in both the ‘Prepare and serve espresso coffee’ and the ‘Use of hygienic practices for food safety’. Ms Andrews accompanied the students to this excursion last Friday.

Need To Know

Upcoming Fortnight

Please see school calendar in sidebar for dates and details.

Term 2 Week 5

CSDA Debating Round 4
NSWCCC Football Selections
Year 12 French Excursion
Year 11 VET Business Services Workplacement

Term 2 Week 6