In September, teaching staff from year 3 classes from Welford School in Handsworth brought two groups of children to visit St Mary's Convent as part of their learning about local faith buildings.  Sister Kathleen and Jenny guided the day.

Here is a reflection of one of the teachers about the visit:

'We visited St. Mary's Convent with Year 3 children as part of a school project exploring the significance of religious buildings in 'Handsworth, our home'. The sisters and Jenny were very accommodating right from the planning stage of the visit to the end and beyond. They ensured that all children were provided with a good insight into the rich and exciting history of the convent and its significance in Handsworth. Activities organised for the sessions were well pitched for the children and the visit was insightful and enjoyable for all- children and staff. The visit proved to be an engaging experience for the children and evidently educated them about the hidden historical and religious gems in our locality which may otherwise be overlooked. We would like to thank the Sisters of Mercy and Jenny for all their work with Welford Primary School.'

During September, the community at St Mary’s Convent, Handsworth received a visit from two Sisters of Mercy from Mercy International Centre in Dublin – Catherine’s first House of Mercy in Baggot Street.  Our visitors were Sister Margaret Daly (Head of Heritage and Spirituality at Mercy International Centre) and Sister Phil Murphy (a Volunteer at Mercy International Centre).  Here, Sister Margaret Daly recounts their visit:
 
On Tuesday 10th September 2024, Sisters Phil and I left Baggot Street about noon and travelled to Birmingham.  The purpose of our visit was to collect an artefact for our newly developed exhibition Catherine Mc Auley and the Mission of Mercy. The Union of the Sisters of Mercy of Great Britain agreed to give us a loan of three artefacts associated with Sister Juliana Hardman (first Superior of St Mary’s, Handsworth). We arrived in St Mary’s Convent, Handsworth in the late afternoon and were met with a warm Mercy welcome.  When Catherine McAuley made the same journey, it was much more arduous. In fact, she stated in a letter to Frances Warde “We…sailed on Friday – got here about 4 o’c on Saturday”
St Mary’s Convent is Catherine’s last foundation.  In the same letter Catherine wrote “The Convent is beautiful – and fully furnished for 20 Sisters. Mr. Pugin (architect) would not permit cloth of any kind on the rooms – rush chairs and oak tables – but all is so admirable” (c August 25, 1841)
During our visit Jenny Smith (Archivist) gave us a wonderful tour of this house with all its heritage and story of the Mercy Mission.  Along with the panels accounting the Sisters of Mercy’s ministry we also were able to spend time in the room where Catherine McAuley slept, in the garden where she walked, and the chapel where she prayed.  “The stained glass and the ceiling of the chapel, with the word ‘Mercy’ at least one hundred times, in various characters are very beautiful. It may be said that the sisters are surrounded with Mercy.” (Letter to a Sister of Mercy, late August 1841).
For both Sister Phil and I working as we do in Mercy International Centre, it was wonderful to have the opportunity to visit her last house.  We are very grateful to the community in St. Mary’s and to Jenny (Archivist) for their hospitality and kindness. 
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From 5th to 7th September, St Mary’s Convent community were involved in events for Birmingham Heritage Week and the national Heritage Open Days. 

​We began by hosting the 10th anniversary launch event evening for Birmingham Heritage Week organisers.  We were delighted to welcome around 50 Heritage professionals and volunteers dedicated to sharing Birmingham’s heritage.  On the two days following this we chose to open our doors for pre-booked heritage tours of the convent.  Sister Kathleen Gooch and Archivist Jenny Smith guided a total of 38 people on a tour, followed by refreshments in the refectory where visitors were welcomed by other Sisters.

It was wonderful to hear such positive reactions to the building and to the Mercy and local history shared.  We hope to welcome many more visitors for tours over the coming months.
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