The Sisters of Mercy are called to be, in a very particular and unmistakable way, living images of God‘s mercy as it is made known to us in the life, teachings and ministry of Jesus, Perth Archbishop Timothy Costelloe SDB said. Source: The Record.
Archbishop Costelloe made the comment at Mass on January 8 to commemorate the 180th anniversary of the Sisters of Mercy arriving in Australia.
Led by Mother Ursula Frayne, the group of six Sisters and one laywoman became the first religious congregation of women to settle in Australia – specifically on the banks of the Swan River in Perth – on January 8, 1846.
Upon their arrival, the Sisters of Mercy established the first secondary school in WA, which later became Mercedes College, along with a ministry of service that expanded across Australia into education, healthcare, aged care, and social justice.
In the years that followed, Sisters of Mercy congregations were established in Australia by sisters who arrived from Ireland, England and Argentina. Further foundations also grew out of these initial foundations across Australia and Papua New Guinea.
Hundreds packed St Mary’s Cathedral for the anniversary Mass, including Sisters of Mercy Australia and Papua New Guinea Leader, Sr Karen Donnellon RSM, current and past Mercy Sisters, priests, fellow religious, Mercycare and Mercy Ministry Companions representatives, teachers and students past and present, invited guests, and those inspired by the sisters’ charism.
In his homily, Archbishop Costelloe said the Sisters of Mercy were called to be living images of God’s mercy as it is made known to us in the life, teaching and ministry of Jesus.
“Ever since their arrival in 1846, the Sisters of Mercy have sought to live among us as signs and bearers of God’s compassionate love and mercy, reminding us by their example and witness that this is the vocation given to us all.
Sr Karon Donnellon RSM, Leader of the Institute of Sisters of Mercy of Australia and Papua New Guinea, said the anniversary was a day of great celebration.
“While the journey over the past 180 years has at times been imperfect, we express gratitude to the women and men who have been inspired by [founder] Catherine McAuley’s expression of Mercy to make a positive difference in the lives of others by being a merciful presence in changing times.”
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SPECIAL REPORT: Sisters of Mercy called to be living images of God’s mercy on 180th anniversary (By Phil Bayne, The Record)
