Goulburn sisters farewell Griffith, NSW
After an 85-year presence in the NSW town of
Mercy Sisters arrived in
From the 1950s we worked along side the Marist Brothers of the Southern Province until their withdrawal at the end of 1992. We maintained our separate schools up until the late 1960s, when, in stages, we were to establish co-educational primary and secondary schools with the Marist Brothers.
Bishop Gerard Hanna of the Wagga Wagga Diocese, Father Michael Mikulek and Father Raphael Beltrame presided at the Eucharist of Thanksgiving, celebrated on the Saturday evening. Bishop Hanna expressed his thanks and appreciation to the sisters for their 85 years of service to the Wagga Wagga Diocese in the Parish of Griffith.
Among those who were at the farewell events were nine sisters who had entered the Goulburn Congregation from
The
The celebrations ended with morning tea on the Sunday in the “˜old’ convent, now part of the primary school administration buildings. Most of this time was spent in telling stories and getting photos taken in “˜old’ bedrooms. A highlight, however, was the singing of the “Suscipe”. From all corners of the house – upstairs and downstairs – the sisters joined in the singing, joyfully celebrating the past and praying for the future, all with a touch of sadness.
From: Sister Shirley Garland RSM (Local Communications Facilitator)
Email: shirley@goulburn.mercy.org.au