The Dominican Sisters of Western Australia have celebrated 125 years of their presence in the state with a thanksgiving Mass. Source: The Record.
The milestone was honoured with a Thanksgiving Mass on August 7 at Our Lady of the Rosary Church, Doubleview Parish, celebrated by Geraldton Bishop Michael Morrissey, with retired Geraldton Bishop Emeritus Justin Bianchini and Dominican priest Fr Tom Cassidy OP concelebrating.
Around 100 people gathered for the occasion, including current principals of Dominican primary and secondary schools, Dominican Associates, supporters of the Sisters, members of the Dominican laity, former students, and Dominican Sisters.
Sr Margaret Scharf OP described the Dominican Sisters as “small, but mighty,” reflecting on their significant contributions over the years. She said “lots of students have been part of Dominican education over the decades,” highlighting the extensive reach of their mission.
The Dominican Sisters of Western Australia were founded in June 1899 in the Geraldton Diocese by Mother Gabriel Gill and five companions, who travelled from Dunedin, New Zealand, at the invitation of Bishop William Kelly to establish a foundation in Western Australia’s goldfields.
They first went to St Peter’s Parish in Greenough. Today, that church has a stained-glass window of St Dominic which serves as a reminder of the enduring legacy of Mother Gabriel Gill and the first Sisters.
Since then, 135 Sisters have served with the Dominican Sisters of Western Australia. At their peak, they administered 26 schools across the Diocese of Geraldton and the Archdiocese of Perth.
The Sisters continue to play a crucial role in education, with 11 schools in the Perth metropolitan area still upholding the Dominican tradition. During the Mass, plaques were presented to the current principals of these schools as a token of gratitude.
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The ‘small, but mighty’ Dominican Sisters of Western Australia celebrate 125 years (The Record)
