Catherine McAuley College Bendigo and Sacred Heart College Kyneton were delighted to host students and staff in beautiful Central Victoria and the Macedon Ranges.

After months of planning and anticipation, we welcomed delegates from twenty-one Mercy schools from all over Australia for the Australasian Mercy Schools Association 2024 Student Conference.

Welcome to Country commenced proceedings and then we were privileged to hear from Sr Sally Bradley, Executive Director of Mercy Works, about the ways Mercy Works lives out Mercy In Action, working in partnership with disadvantaged communities in Australia, Papua New Guinea, Timor-Leste and the Philippines. In the afternoon, delegates explored Bendigo’s historical, past with a visit to the Central Deborah Gold Mine and a ride on the Dja Dja Wurrung Tram.

The first day finished with two special gatherings, Mass in Sacred Heart Cathedral followed by the Conference Dinner in the ornate surroundings of the Bendigo Town Hall.

On the second day, the conference theme ‘Stories of Joy and Hope through Mercy’ was explored in the first session. This was followed by hands-on workshops, responding to the needs of our time. In the afternoon, delegates visited the Great Stupa of Universal Compassion.

The jam-packed day continued well into the evening, with social activities hosted by the CMCB students – netball, LEGO, soccer, a tour of the farm and finishing with games in the MJSP and karaoke. After a final dinner together, delegates reflected on the day, passing the school candles around the table and each person talking about what the day’s activities meant to them. The day ended with a clothes swap, putting sustainability theory into action. Each delegate contributed an item of clothing and went away with something ‘new’.

The final morning was hosted at Sacred Heart College in Kyneton. Juliet Talarico’s presentation ‘Becoming Terra Leaders’ led to lots of discussion and great questions, looking at Laudato ‘Si, Care for our Common Home and the intersection between Mercy spirituality and environmental stewardship.

Inspired by Catherine McAuley’s words, “we should be shining lamps, giving light to all around us,” we explored how acts of mercy illuminate the path towards joy and nurture hope within ourselves and our communities.