OUR CHARISMS

The Lasallian and Mercy charisms live at James Sheahan Catholic High School as equal examples of Jesus’ love and the core values of our community. 

The amalgamation of Santa Maria (an all-girls school in Orange, in the Mercy tradition) and De La Salle High School (an all-boys school in Orange, in the Lasallian tradition) in 1980 saw the establishment of our school. The school was named after Monsignor James Sheahan. A local priest with a fifty year association with the Orange community, Monsignor James Sheahan was a dedicated pastor and a builder of community, churches and schools during his time in Orange. 

Drawing inspiration from Venerable Catherine McAuley, our students have a strong understanding of the importance of social justice, helping others and the need to face unjust circumstances with justice, hard work and compassion. The life of St John Baptist de La Salle was one centred on prayer, community and the transformative power of education. Our community is blessed to have these two founding orders in our history and we strive every day to live out our core values as the Mercy Sisters and La Salle brothers did in years gone past in Orange. 

They are honoured today in the way our students lead many social justice events and work for local charities, volunteer for community groups and support each other through our wellbeing programs. Every community prayer at James Sheahan Catholic School reminds us of these two charisms with the Sheahan conclusion to prayer:

St John Baptist de La Salle, Pray for us

The Venerable Catherine McAuley, Pray for us

Mercy given, Mercy received

Live Jesus in our hearts, Forever

Venerable Catherine McAuley’s life story can be found here. 

St John Baptist de la Salle’s life story can be found here.