Mercy Education is inspired by the vision of Catherine McAuley.
“To teach well, kindness and patience though indispensable will not suffice without a solid foundation of a good education and a judicious method of imparting knowledge. If we in Catholic schools are not efficient teachers, our schools must degenerate; our scholars will seek education elsewhere”
Catherine McAuley
Mercy Philosophy of Education
Inspired by the vision of Catherine McAuley, Mercy education is influenced by the teaching and example of Jesus Christ and is conducted in an atmosphere of care, respect and joy. It is committed to holistic development and to the advancement of the full potential of each student and in particularly to those who are disadvantaged and marginalised. Through Mercy education we are committed to on-going whole-school development in collaboration and partnership with the Board of Management, staff, parents and the wider community.
We have watched, adjusted and guided our schools through many phases down through the years so that Catholic education remained vibrant. Because of our ageing profile fewer Sisters are now involved in formal education. To ensure that Catholic education remained an option into the future we initiated a process of discussion with each diocesan Bishop and our primary school network is in the process of being transferred into the Diocesan Catholic school network.
www.cashel-emly.ie
www.education.dublindiocese.ie
www.kandle.ie
www.killaloediocese.ie
www.limerickdiocese.org
We continue to be trustees of schools within our hospitals at the Mater, Temple Street, and the National Rehabilitation Hospital as well as St. Paul’s Special School, Beaumont.
We are joint trustees of St. Caimin’s Community School, Shannon, Kilrush Community School, St. Brendan’s Community School Birr and St. Mark’s Community School Tallaght.
The trusteeship of our secondary schools has been transferred to CEIST – Catholic Education, an Irish Schools Trust. Along with four other Catholic Religious Congregations (Daughters of Charity, Presentation Sisters, Missionaries of the Sacred Heart and the Sisters of the Christian Retreat) we have established CEIST, providing a moral and legal trustee framework enabling our Mercy schools to continue to offer post-primary Catholic education in the future.
CEIST is built on the founding vision of the five Congregations, emphasising the dignity and rights of the human person, empowering the most vulnerable in society and enabling young people to become catalysts for social transformation throughout the world.
CEIST is committed to honouring this rich heritage, promoting inclusion, hospitality, excellence and compassion in a teaching and learning environment inspired by the Gospel and by the unique wisdom of its respective Founders.
CEIST aims, in a spirit of collaboration, to continually invite its members to reach their potential, in the context of a school faith community which seeks to consciously embody a true expression of the Reign of God as announced by Jesus Christ.
CEIST is committed to building school faith communities where good personal relationships are fostered, where the staff are supported and facilitated in their vital role within the school.
CEIST faces unprecedented challenges today as it attempts to anticipate, define and meet the evolving needs of young people in the Third Millennium.
CEIST schools endeavour to work closely with members of other Christian traditions in a spirit of ecumenical dialogue, emphasising what is held in common while valuing their own unique Catholic identity and Church community.
CEIST engages with all people of good will to promote a preferential option for those made poor, to take action for justice, and to exercise care of the earth in a spirit of respect and welcome for diversity.
Many retired Sisters continue to give of their services in a voluntary capacity by responding to the need for help with reading lessons, mathematics work, etc. while many Sisters are also involved in adult education in particular in the area of adult literacy.
Mary Immaculate College, Limerick
Mary Immaculate College was founded in 1898 by Bishop Edward T. O’Dwyer for the training of primary school teachers. The Sisters of Mercy have had a long association with Mary Immaculate College and continue to sponsor college programmes which help to combat educational disadvantage.
The College community promotes excellence in teaching, learning and research at undergraduate and postgraduate levels. It seeks to foster the intellectual, spiritual, personal and professional development of students within a supportive and challenging environment that guarantees the intellectual freedom of staff and students.
In particular, the College seeks to foster in its students a spirit of justice and compassion in the service of others, together with openness to the religious tradition and values of each individual.
Mary Immaculate College respects cultural diversity. It strives to promote equity in society and to provide an environment where all have freedom and opportunity to achieve their full potential.
The College promotes a sense of identity enriched by an awareness of its Catholic tradition, the cultures, languages and traditions of Ireland, and its special commitment to the Irish language.
