Our Lady of Mercy College, Parramatta
Celebrating Mercy Day
For most of the students at OLMC Mercy Day is the favourite day of the year. It is a day of tremendous fun and celebration which really captures something of the special spirit of this College.
Preparations for our Liturgy begin months before the day and literally hundreds of students volunteer to be involved. They involve themselves in areas such as music, readings, dance, processions, light, sound, video production, technical set up etc. We try and ensure there is something for everyone to do so that they can get involved and experience a sense of ownership in the celebration.
We also endeavour to provide a way to have everyone in the College thinking about the theme or preparing themselves with some reflection before the day. This often takes place under the guidance of Religious Education teachers who spend some time reflecting on aspects of the theme and guiding students in their own reflection.
Further preparations take place during fortnightly chapel assemblies when each year group in turn gathers in the chapel for a prayer led by the College Principal. In the weeks leading up to Mercy Day these prayers are drawn from the theme of the coming Mercy Day and provide another opportunity for reflection and preparation.
An important part of the Mercy Day liturgy is the lighting of a Mercy candle. This candle takes the place of the paschal candle during all College liturgies and important occasions throughout the year. The candle design is based on the theme of the Mercy Day celebrations and is usually designed by a student or staff member. In some years we have held a competition to choose the candle design.
Each year a theme is chosen for our liturgy which reflects something of the Mercy Charism. Last year we reflected on and celebrated God’s dream for our world. This year we are preparing our reflection around the idea of Mercy as a life giving force.
When our preparations are finished we will have a celebration that includes aspects of visual art, technology, music, dance and drama to engage with our community in the celebration of Eucharist. The liturgy always has many memorable moments and students readily recall aspects of the celebrations for years to come.
At the conclusion of the liturgy there is always a joyful singing of the College song “Alma Mater” after which students and staff enjoy a carnival atmosphere in the grounds with attractions such as a bush band, sausage sizzle, fairy floss and jumping castle being popular aspects of the celebrations.
Paul Lentern, Director of Mission, OLMC |
