Mercy Works celebrates 25 Years

Event Details

This year, Mercy Works marks a remarkable milestone – 25 years of empowering communities, fostering hope and transforming lives across Australia and the Asia Pacific.

From mentoring refugee students in Sydney classrooms to supporting women’s health in Timor Leste and aiding West Papuan refugees in Papua New Guinea, Mercy Works – the development arm of the Sisters of Mercy – has partnered with communities to deliver life-changing education, health, and social support initiatives.

Mercy Works programs

Since its founding, Mercy Works has stayed true to its mission of “mercy in action,” guided by the words of Catherine McAuley: “The poor need help today, not next week.”

From humble beginnings as Mercy Overseas Aid in 1993 to its current work in Australia, Papua New Guinea, the Philippines and Timor-Leste, the organisation continues to bring sustainable, grassroots change to those who need it most.

In Australia, Mercy Works runs programs primarily to support First Nations to improve their health and well-being; as well as to support people from a refugee or asylum seeker background to ensure they have the greatest opportunity to reach their fullest potential in Australia.

Internationally, Mercy Works has partnered with local communities to improve social justice and self-reliance. Recent projects include installing water tanks in very remote communities in Papua New Guinea and Timor-Leste; and helping poor communities in the Philippines rebuild after recently being devastated by a series of powerful typhoons

Volunteers make a difference

Mercy Works Connect, the organisation’s largest volunteer program, has been operating since 2008, supporting students from refugee and asylum seeker backgrounds with mentoring, literacy, numeracy and wellbeing programs.

Today, more than 130 volunteers assist over 1,400 students across three states, while programs such as MPower guide young refugees living in Western Sydney through their first year of tertiary study.

Join the Jubilee celebration

To celebrate this milestone, Mercy Works warmly invites you to its 25th Anniversary Celebration and Fundraising event on Thursday 23 October, 5pm–7.30pm, at St Patrick’s Cathedral, Cloister Hall in Parramatta.

The event will feature powerful firsthand accounts from courageous changemakers from Australia, PNG, the Philippines and Timor Leste. A memorable evening of inspiration, storytelling and connection.

Renowned ABC journalist Geraldine Doogue, a past student of the Sisters of Mercy, will emcee the event, bringing her insight and connection to the Mercy story.

This celebration is an opportunity to honour the achievements of Mercy Works and ensure that its vital work continues for years to come.

Event details
Date: Thursday 23 October 2025
Time:  5:00pm – 7:00pm
Venue: Cloister Hall, behind St Patrick’s Cathedral, Parramatta
Tickets: $60 per person
Live entertainment, drinks and food.

Visit www.mercyworks.org.au to find out more, and RSVP your attendance.

Invitation: Join us for the Mercy Works 25th Anniversary Celebration. Image: supplied.