A visit to St Mary's

During my recent visit to the UK, I had the pleasure of visiting St Mary’s Convent with my two aunts.  I have volunteered with Marist Mercy Care in Addo, in the Eastern Cape of South Africa, for more than ten years and have a close connection to the Sisters of Mercy through this work. It was a privilege to be able to share something of the work of the Sisters with my family and to introduce them to a place and community that has become so meaningful to me.

This was my second visit to St Mary’s, but I found there was still so much more to learn. There always seems to be something new to discover about the building, its history and the people who have been part of its story. I particularly enjoyed learning more about the work of the Sisters of Mercy and the rich heritage of the convent. It was also wonderful to catch up with some of the sisters I had met on my previous visit, while getting to know others for the first time. I was delighted to share stories from our work in Addo and to chat with sisters who had visited Addo themselves. Those conversations made the connection between our communities feel even stronger.

One of my favourite parts of every visit is simply spending time with the sisters over a good cup of tea, or in my case, coffee. Their warmth, hospitality and willingness to share their stories always make me feel incredibly welcome. Although we live on different continents, there is a genuine sense of friendship and shared purpose that makes every visit feel like coming home.
I left Handsworth feeling grateful for the warm welcome we received and inspired once again by the enduring legacy of Catherine McAuley. It is encouraging to see the same spirit of Mercy alive in both South Africa and the United Kingdom, and I look forward to returning to St Mary’s in the future.
 
Maxine Noel
Director of Marist Mercy Care in Addo, South Africa.
July 2026

---