Executive Director of Mercy Works, Sr Sally Bradley RSM along with international visitors and Year 9 religion students
On Tuesday 21 October Catherine McAuley Westmead welcomed the Executive Director of Mercy Works, Sr Sally Bradley RSM and her international visitors to speak to students in Year 9 Religious Education.
Students were able to hear how their contributions are transforming lives. Sr Gilbert Pathrose SOM, leads the Chicken and Egg Program in Timor-Leste. Sr Gilbert spoke about the importance of women’s development and empowerment programs but also the challenges of living in a rural, mountainous area and the need for self reliance.
In Papua New Guinea, Sr Theresia Boyek RSM works with women and children in developing their skills in sewing, baking, cooking, agriculture and financial management. Like Sr Gilbert, she lives with landslides and damaged roads but also with the added difficulty that Law and Order is not readily enforced.
As a lay partner, working with Mercy Works in the Philippines, Ms Diane Balatero educates young girls about their rights and advocates for their safety. She works with families to ensure that young girls are given their girls’ rights, which are simply human rights. Unfortunately the Philippines is not spared from natural disasters and Diane spoke about the difficulties that typhoons and earthquakes pose as people shelter in mass evacuation centres and consequently, the lack of privacy and hygiene facilities for young girls.
We sincerely thank Sr Sally and her visitors who are in Sydney to celebrate the 25th Anniversary of Mercy Works for generously giving of their time to Year 9. We very much look forward to our continued partnership with Mercy Works.
Sophia Malek | Studies of Religion Teacher
Catherine McAuley Westmead
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📣 REMINDER 📣 All Invited! All parents and carers are invited to the Annual General Meeting (and Term 4 meeting) of the Catherine McAuley Westmead Parents and Carers Group. Meeting to be held on Tuesday 28th October 2025 at 6:30pm. All are welcome! Bring a friend! 😀
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