More than 1100 people joined St Brigid’s College in Lesmurdie to celebrate 90 years of Mercy Education in the hills with a beautiful Thanksgiving Mass recently.
Special guests included Institute of Sisters of Mercy of Australia and Papua New Guinea Vicar Sr Caroline Ryan, CEWA Executive Director Dr Debra Sayce, Mercy Education Board Director Mary Retel, current and former members of the College Advisory Council, scholarship donors, former and current students, parents, staff members and Friends of St Brigid’s.
While the day was very much a celebration of 90 years of Catholic education, it was also a celebration of the College’s Mercy tradition and the legacy left by foundress Catherine McAuley and the brave women who left West Perth for the hills 90 years ago.
Representing the Mercy Sisters, Sr Joan Buckham shared her reflections during the homily, saying that even though Sisters were no longer a daily presence in the College, all who work there carried the spirit of Mercy in their hearts and minds.
Sr Buckman said those who had led the College since the Sisters left; Mary Retel, Dr Amelia Toffoli and new principal Carmen Cox were committed to Mercy.
“Today is the day we give thanks for each of you,” Sr Buckman said.
“Your contribution to the life and spirit of St Brigid’s is what has made it what it is.
The Sisters of Mercy are grateful and proud of all that has been achieved, and never for one minute, do we forget that it was the wonderful spirit of those first Sisters and the many that followed, the students, families, staff and all connected with the College that has brought us to this day”.
Mrs Cox said it was a wonderful 90th birthday celebration.
“To have so many College and community members to share in the festivities was indeed memorable and special,” she said.
Two celebratory cakes, depicting the College in 1929 and the present, were cut by Old Girls from the leaving classes of 1941 and 1945 and three of the youngest boys and girls from the College’s Kindergarten class.