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Published 03/09/2021 · Academic

Mercy Works Sleepout 2021

On Thursday, 5 August almost 100 volunteers braved a very cold night to participate in the Mercy Works Sleepout 2021 at Mazenod College. These volunteers consisted of staff and students from both Mazenod and St Brigid’s Colleges.

They were sleeping out for two reasons:
1. One was to educate themselves about the plight of people who find themselves homeless in Australia.
2. The second reason for the evening was to raise money for the various Catholic agencies who work with the homeless in the Perth metropolitan area. These agencies include Vinnies, The Shopfront and Mercy Works.

The evening included a visit to The Shopfront in Bentley, where the students and staff listened to a talk and explored the facility. Students were moved by some of the personal stories that they listened to and were also amazed by the dedicated work of The Shopfront in looking after the poor and the homeless. After our visit to The Shopfront we then returned to Mazenod College to listen to Old Boy (2008) Keenan Klassen talk about his experiences with Vinnies. Students gained a valuable insight into both of these agencies as well as how they can get involved in the future if they wished.
After the talks and a few games, it was then time for dinner: a cup of soup and some bread, and then off to bed. Bed consisted of a cardboard mattress and a sleeping bag on the concrete floor outside in the cold in and around the Year 9/10 classroom block. Somehow, most people managed to get some sleep, and in the morning, they were treated to a cooked breakfast before heading off to school for the day. Over $3000.00 was raised for Mercy Works through sponsorship of students by family and friends.

First Holy Communion

Our Year 4 students are currently preparing to receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation for the first time during this term. Parents and students have had the opportunity to attend workshops run by 24/7 Youth Ministry. Part of their preparation included exploring the story of the Last Supper using digital technologies.

Focus for Fundraising – Term 3

Our fundraising for Term 3 will support the work of Mercy Works.
Mercy Works is the development arm of the Australian and Papua New Guinean Sisters of Mercy.
Their mission is inspired by Catherine McAuley’s vision of change for the poor and disadvantaged.
Mercy Works are financed by donations from the four Australian congregations of the Sisters of Mercy, charitable trusts & foundations, various organisations & groups and individuals.

Mercy Day – Thursday, 23 September

Mercy Day is a community-building day, combining fun, a celebration of our heritage and the provision of support for those in need through fundraising. We celebrate and work together and we build community, which in turn builds an environment that is supportive of learning and spiritual development.
Important aspects of the day:
• All students are invited to wear blue and white for a gold coin donation.
• We begin the day with the celebration of Mass at 9.15am in the College Grotto.
• Families are invited to support Mercy Day Stalls with various donations as outlined below:

o Docherty House: variety packs of chips, popcorn, chocolates, etc.
o McAuley House: cans of soft drinks
o O’Connor House: packets of jelly-beans
o Rielly House: icy poles
o Shine House: individually wrapped lollies or chocolates
o Watson House: donuts

• Cultural Festival will be held in the afternoon.
More information will be emailed to families later this term.

Adrian Martino
Head of Faith and Mission

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