Term 3 Week 9 - Thursday 14th September 2023
Notes from the Principal
Both this week and last we celebrated important occasions in the education sector of the Diocese of Parramatta, with the acknowledgement of both the Bishop’s Award for Student Excellence and the Education Mass.
Last Thursday Mariana R. was honoured and presented with the Bishop’s Award for Student Excellence as the nominee from Catherine McAuley. This award seeks to recognise a student, at the culmination of their schooling, who witnesses their Catholic faith and achieves excellence in their endeavours. Bishop Vincent presented the award to Mariana and other recipients. Mariana is a worthy recipient of the Bishop’s Award for Student Excellence who has achieved well and has quietly striven for higher things throughout her time at school.
Mariana accepting her award from Bishop Vincent.
This morning the Diocesan Education Mass was held at St Patrick’s Cathedral, Parramatta, with Bishop Vincent as the celebrant. Catherine McAuley was represented by myself and Ms Banks, along with the 2023 - 2024 Liturgy and Hospitality Leaders, Shasha, Amelia, Isabella and Elisha, and Shasha’s parents. A special Catherine McAuley choir and Ms Picone were in the group of cantors for Mass; they were beautiful and their voices were much appreciated by the congregation.
At the conclusion of Mass, Mrs Christine Howe OAM, Deputy Director of Schools and Director of Learning, gave an address to the congregation in which she thanked all students, their parents and school staff for their partnership in the education of children in the Diocese. At Catherine McAuley, we reiterate this thanks to each of you for the support and trust you give us, and for the opportunities we have to work in partnership with you in the education of your wonderful daughters.
This coming week we are looking forward to celebrating the culmination of formal school education for students in the Class of 2023. Their Graduation Mass will take place next Tuesday evening at St Patrick’s Cathedral, Parramatta, and their Graduation Ceremony will take place the following day in the Morley Centre.
Both of these events are very special, marking the beginning of a new chapter in the lives of each student. Although there are the HSC examinations to follow in October, students will move into the adult world as women of mercy, courage, justice, excellence, hospitality and integrity. We wish them well for this special week.
Information about these events has already been sent to families of students in Year 12.
Mary Refalo
Principal
News from the Director of Formation and Mission
On the first Friday of this month, we joyfully celebrated Mercy Day. Mercy Day commemorates the opening of the House of Mercy in Baggot Street, Dublin and the legacy that has been given to us by Venerable Catherine McAuley and the Sisters of Mercy. Mother Mary Clare Dunphy and nine Sisters of Mercy departed from Callan in County Kilkenny to establish a new foundation in Parramatta in 1889. These courageous Sisters never returned to their homeland but the mission that they began to build speaks volumes for itself when you ask a McAuley Girl, what it means to be a Mercy Girl.
Mother Mary Clare Dunphy and her Sisters, not only possessed a desire to respond to a challenge and a sense of adventure but relied heavily on the providence of God and the example of those who had gone before them. Sr Mary Celeste Rouleau RSM, has written an article titled The Communion of Mercy Saints. Sr Mary Celeste emphasises that since Catherine’s time, the Sisters have a relationship with the saints that is a genuine sharing of lives and graces.
Earlier this term I returned from World Youth Day (WYD), Lisbon. Pilgrims from the Catholic Diocese of Parramatta journeyed with the Saints before and after WYD. As a small group, I was most privileged to accompany our student pilgrims, Aradhana and Grace and teacher pilgrim, Miss Reynolds to two sacred sites associated with saints that have been chosen by Catherine as particular friends and exemplars.
The first particular friend is St Vincent de Paul, founder of the Vincentians and patron saint of charitable societies. Vincent’s care of the poor continues to inspire all people of Mercy. The Society of St Vincent de Paul (Vinnies) was named in his honour by its founder, Blessed Frederic Ozanam. In Paris at the Church of the Lazarist Mission, Bishop Vincent shared with the pilgrims in his homily how despite being a Francisican he chose the name ‘Vincent’ when he entered religious life.
The second particular friend is St Ignatius of Loyola, founder of the Society of Jesus (the Jesuits) and patron saint of retreats. Interestingly, Pope Francis is the first pope from the Jesuit order. Catherine received much support from the Jesuit priests and today the partnership between the Jesuits and the Sisters of Mercy continues. In Spain at Loyola, Mass was concelebrated in the impressive Sanctuary of St Ignatius. This was followed by a visit to the Casa Santa (Holy House) the birthplace of Ignatius and the place where his conversion occurred.
Just as Catherine was inspired by the twenty-two saints patron saints of the Sisters of Mercy, may we continue to follow Catherine’s example by following in the footsteps of our Lord, Jesus Christ.
Pray With Us
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:
Not the Circle of Mercy this time but rather for Year 9 students on Wednesday they were Olympic spectators. This is the opening ceremony of the rest of their lives! A new start - nothing before goes forward with you. This was the message at the Year 9 Pastoral Care morning as the students joined with Mr Chris Doyle from Karis Ministries.
Need To Know
Upcoming Fortnight
Term 3 Week 10
- Year 12 Graduation Mass
- Year 12 Graduation Ceremony
- Student Leaders' Conference
- Term 3 Ends
Term 4 Week 1
- Staff Professional Learning Days / Pupil Free Days
- HSC Written Exams Commence
- Year 9 Career Development Day
- Year 7 Vaccination Program
R U OK?
Today (Thursday, 14th September) is R U OK? Day. Student leaders from Catherine McAuley, Cerdon College and St Paul's College worked together to create this video to mark the day.