Australian Headmasters visit St Mary’s Convent, Handsworth

L-R: Mr Gibson; Sister Brendan and Mr Keenan.

On Thursday 15th June, St Mary’s Convent received two Headmasters from Australian Catholic schools as visitors.
​Mr Gibson is the Principal of Sacred Heart Primary School in Mildura, opened by the Sisters of Mercy in 1906. Mr Keenan is the Principal of St Luke’s Primary, Shepparton, Victoria - about two and half hours drive from Melbourne. Both were keen to visit Mercy houses to learn more of the heritage of Catholic education in the UK & Ireland and, specifically, to be inspired by the example of Catherine McAuley. Whilst at St Mary’s they were given a guided tour of the heritage centre and met Jenny (Archivist) and some of the Sisters.  Since their return to Australia, we have received messages of thanks from them:
"The hospitality displayed on our visit to your convent modelled what Catherine tried to do with offerings of drinks and food...I enjoyed the opportunity to learn more about the Mercy charism and walk the streets and buildings that Catherine walked once. Through my visit I built a great sense of Catherine’s life and the many challenges she faced. Understanding more about Catherine’s leadership, decision making, her relationship with Jesus and how this informed her was most valuable." - Mr    Gibson.

"We thoroughly enjoyed our visit with you. The link to educating and caring for people was common as we shared our stories. Catherine McAuley’s legacy is still very strong!" - Mr Keenan

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By Jenny Smith, Archivist - Union of the Sisters of Mercy GB