From the Deputy Principal
With the backdrop of St Patrick’s Cathedral, mixing austere stonework punctuated with intricate and colourful stained-glass artwork, our College Choir combined with students from The Academy of Mary Immaculate to sing hymns of hope, creating a wonderful, aural artwork filling the cavernous space. This choral delight celebrated the Commissioning Mass for Louisa Rennie, the now CEO for Mercy Education.
Student representatives and principals from Mercy schools across Australia were present, in addition to Sisters of Mercy, Trustee Directors of Mercy Ministry Companions, Mercy Education Board members, and representatives from Melbourne Archdiocese of Catholic Schools. The mass was celebrated by Most Reverend Martin Ashe, Fr Tien Tran and Fr Michael Buck. Special guests for a special occasion, and a memorable mass for our student leaders to witness.
Students from Our Lady of Mercy Heidelberg performed in the String Ensemble, but musical delights were not the only responsibilities of students. The Opening Procession was led by one of our College Co-Captains, April Tammilehto, who carried the banner for the first Australian school founded by the Sisters of Mercy in 1846, Mercedes College Perth. Our own St Aloysius College banner, carried by Verdon Prefect, Yasmine Wong. Year 8 students Dean Barravecchio, Matilda O’Mahoney, Johan Vescio and Wyatt Wilson carried banners from other Mercy schools who, due to distance, could not have their own students present. Three St Aloysius students participated as altar servers; Edelweiss Perez, Julian Guinto and Marcus Tolidanes, and a contingent of student leaders across all year levels proudly and respectfully represented the College from the pews.
Special thanks to our staff Amber Sindoni, Nadia Lavelle, Siobhan Bloomfield and Michael Chesser for the preparation and all the staff who made contributions in the background. It was a treat for Mercy students to connect and represent proudly their individual schools and the collective education and Mercy culture they share. Together, they welcomed a new CEO into the leadership of an educational ethos, founded by the Sisters of Mercy.
Ad Altiora
Rachel Valentine
Deputy Principal