Living Mercy Through Action
June 25, 2025
Schola Fakiwi rsm, Ms Bai and Julie, all long time staff members at Mercy Secondary School Yarapos
Sister Schola Fakiwi, a Sisters of Mercy in Yarapos Papua New Guinea, says that for her the principal path of Mercy is both action as well as prayer and that it is often through our small actions that we can make a positive difference in the lives of those around us.
“Mercy is about helping others in need and sharing what we have with others. It is about being open and present,” she said.
Schola, who works as a Finance Assistant at Mercy Secondary College, sees Mercy vividly in her daily interactions with staff and students.
“I very much enjoy the interactions I have with the other staff and students. The staff often drop by and share their stories. If they are having a bad day they come and share with me what’s been happening. We often laugh and have fun. They hopefully leave feeling happy!”
Schola says she also loves saying hello to the students.
“They often come by the office and I like to have a chat with them about where they are from, what grade they are doing and how their studies are going.”
In addition to her ministry at Mercy Secondary College, Schola is involved with Mercy Friends, a group of more than forty lay people who gather for prayer and merciful works.
“They do a lot of corporal works of Mercy and I love to get involved. Some of the things we do is visit the local hospital where we bring food to the patients and staff. We also take food to the prisoners at the local prison.”
Just like Schola strives to be a face of Mercy for those around her, she said that Sister Cynthia Griffin, who lived in Papua New Guinea some years ago and is now back living in Adelaide, was and has always been a role model.
“When I was interested in becoming a Sister of Mercy, I approached Sister Cynthia Griffin. She is a very good woman. I have always been inspired by her. She smiles, talks gently and you can just see the spirit of Mercy so clearly in her.
“I try and follow her example by being a smiling, gentle and hopefully merciful presence for all of the people I meet.”