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On Friday 26 May, Merici College staff and students celebrated the Feast Day of Saint
Angela Merici. The celebratory activities commenced in Pastoral Care with students gifting a
‘bracelet of hope’ to another student in their PC group, which included a ‘HOPE’ charm,
embracing our #unitedinhope theme for the year. Students remembered St Angela as an
educator of women from all classes of society. They participated in a Kahoot competition and
reflected on St Angela’s love and sensitivity in serving others and her deep understanding of
God’s love for all which continues to influence Merici students as they follow her vision.
A special College community Mass was also held, celebrated by the Central Canberra Parish
Priests: Fr Bernie Patterson, Fr Kieran Adams and Fr Paul Nulley. Nine Sisters representing five of
the six founding Orders processed in with symbols of their Orders. Sister Genny Ryan, our
Ursuline Sister delivered an inspiring reflection on the Word, demonstrating how the College has
lived out the ideals of St Angela Merici through its actions and the impact of the College on the
wider community, particularly in this year of being ‘United in hope’. Two families with three
sisters at the College, of which the eldest is in Year 12, processed with the Gospel in a moving
manner. Nine Sisters, representing five of our six founding Orders of the College brought
forward the Gifts of the Church as a symbol of the unified approach the founding Orders had in
seeing a need for Catholic girls’ education in Canberra. The students responded enthusiastically
and reverently throughout the Mass, commenting afterwards that they were so proud to be part
of the Merici tradition.
At the conclusion of Mass, the Christian Service Learning Program awards were presented to
more than 60 students for 50 hours, 100 hours and 150 hours of completed Christian Service.
Paige Campbell of Year 12 Penola House was also presented with the St Angela Merici Award; the
first recipient of this award since the program’s inception three years ago. To be considered for
this award, a student must have achieved a combined total of 150 points across 2 categories –
from the following 4 areas of the College; Sport, Co-curricular, Cultural and Academic, in addition
to their Gold Angel Award of 150 hours of Christian Service. The recipient must also have attended
all major Liturgical events and community days.
Merici’s school captains, Roisin Moore and Dana Ryan, coordinated a whole school Trivia game
with a twist! The students were challenged to learn more about the history of Merici College
through the completion of quizzes and going to specific checkpoints to undertake team building
activities in order to complete the challenge. The school community congratulates Tullow House
on completing the Trivia with the highest score.
The celebrations continued with a special “Italian” lunch served in the Canteen, a disco and
fiesta-type activities run by each House to raise funds for their respective charities. The
students organised:
- A mini-fete run by the House Captains and Vice Captains and senior students to raise
money for charity. - A ‘dance-off’ competition which challenged Executive staff members to dance against each other and students. The room roared with cheers and screams of encouragement as they displayed their rhythmic talents.
- A disco in conjunction with the mini-fete to provide students with additional
entertainment and a festive feel to the afternoon.
Students were also given the opportunity to write what they like most about Merici College on
glass windows using liquid chalk.
The day concluded with a Merici Community BBQ with parents, staff and students. The evening
was a great opportunity for our whole community to share a meal, parents to meet PC Teachers
and for us to welcome new families to the College.
The celebration of the life of St Angela Merici was very successful and students and staff
thoroughly enjoyed the day. The generous support displayed by students, staff and the parent
community was outstanding.
May we all continue to be inspired by the words and actions of St Angela Merici, to “challenge
people to love life, have hope, be faithful and build futures more wondrous than you dare to dream”.