News & Events

"We, Sisters of Mercy Parramatta Congregation, will share with others, including people of different faiths and no religious faith, the joys and struggles of this spiritual journey." (Chapter Statement).

This week Christians mark Holy Week and  Easter (13- 20 April) and Jews celebrate the Passover (12 -20  April.

In his homily read out during the celebration in Saint Peter's Square marking Palm Sunday, Pope Francis called on us all  to reflect on God's limitless compassion, "how we are meant to carry our own cross during this Holy Week", and help others "all around us" who bear the cross of suffering.

The Pope reflected, "Jesus’ passion becomes compassion whenever we hold out our hand to those who feel they cannot go on, when we lift up those who have fallen, when we embrace those who are discouraged. Brothers and sisters, in order to experience this great miracle of mercy, let us decide how we are meant to carry our own cross during this Holy Week: if not on our shoulders, in our hearts. And not only our cross, but also the cross of those who suffer all around us; perhaps even the cross of some unknown person whom chance — but is it really chance? — has placed on our way. Let us prepare for the Lord’s paschal mystery by becoming each of us, for one another, a Simon of Cyrene."
 
Join us in prayer, thought or reflection on the significance of these days for ourselves, for each other, for the wider community and for the needs of the world in which we live.

"We will nurture relations that are kind, just, respectful and inclusive among each other and those with whom we share our Mercy ministries..." (Chapter Statement)

In this video, produced by the Pope’s Worldwide Prayer Network, Pope Francis tells us he would like for us "to look less at screens and look each other in the eyes more!”

We are invited to pray "that the use of the new technologies will not replace human relationships, will respect the dignity of the person, and will help us face the crises of our times.”Post your prayer in our sacred space here

"We Sisters of Mercy Parramatta Congregation will open our hearts to the cries of the poor using our energies, gifts and resources to address violence and discrimination especially for women and children, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples..." (Chapter Statement)

The 2020 National Agreement on Closing the Gap (National Agreement) is a strategy that aims to improve the life outcomes of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. 

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples still live, on average, 10-11 years less than non-Indigenous Australians.

The National Agreement outlines 17 socioeconomic targets and four priority reforms.

The four priority reform targets aim to change the way governments at national, state, and community levels work to improve the life outcomes of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

The 17 socioeconomic outcome areas are: education, employment, health and wellbeing, justice, safety, housing, land and waters, and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander languages. The targets help to monitor progress in improving the lives of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

Each year a Report details progress made in closing the gap.

The 2025 Report will be launched on 20 March at the Aborigines Advancement League, Thornbury, Victoria.

Time: 10:30-12 noon

Venues: 
In Person: Register your attendance on Eventbrite

Online here:Watch the launch here

"We will open our hearts to the cries of the poor..." (Chapter Statement)

In this video, produced by the Pope’s Worldwide Prayer Network, the Pope tells us that “each person” in the family “is unique,” but that “differences can also cause conflict.” He adds that to heal wounds, forgiveness is key, “even when there’s no possibility of the ‘happy ending’ we’d like.”

We are invited to pray "that broken families might discover the cure for their wounds through forgiveness, rediscovering each other’s gifts, even in their differences."

• Post your prayer in our sacred space here