In 1883 Bishop Torreggiani wrote to Mother M. Camillus, Superior of the Mother House of the Sisters of Mercy in Bermondsey, England, asking for a Community of Sisters for Grafton, the second town of his Diocese of Armidale. The request was granted and the following Sisters were chosen to establish the foundation of the Sisters of Mercy in Grafton:-

Mother M. Stanislaus Simson (Superior)

Sister M. Angela Curtin

Sister M. De Sanctis Collins

Sister M. Veronica Duggan

Sister M. Joseph Donegan

Sister M. Aloysius Donegan

Sister M. Teresa Roche (then a white-veil Novice)

Sister Mary Ann Scannell (a Postulant)

On 28^th November, 1883, the Sisters boarded the steamship "Orient", at Gravesend, and sailed at five o’clock the next morning. Tradition has it that during the voyage to Australia a storm arose and the terrified passengers appealed to the Sisters to pray. They did, and had a large picture of Our Lady of Perpetual Succour lowered into the turbulent sea. Their faith was rewarded, the storm passed and the ship reached its destination safely. That picture is hanging in the Archives of the Sisters of Mercy in Grafton. The Sisters arrived in Sydney on Friday, 18^th January, 1884. On Sunday, 20^th January, 1884, Dean O’Sullivan and the Sisters went on board the coastal vessel, "The City of Grafton". On Thursday morning at 6.00am they reached the Clarence Heads.

A number of citizens came from Grafton to welcome the Sisters. From all the towns along the river people watched the ship’s progress and some went aboard to welcome the sisters bringing with them presents of luscious grapes and other choice fruits. Among them was a young lady, Kate Newman, who felt the call to the Religious Life and soon asked to be admitted to their number. She became Sister M. Augustine and lived a long and saintly life.

When "The City of Grafton" rounded the bend of the river and came in sight of the Church building the bell pealed out in joyful greeting. After landing the Sisters were driven to the Church where many people were assembled. The children from the schools formed a Guard of Honour on either side of the entrance.

As the Sisters, and people, entered the Church a solemn Te Deum was sung. Rev. Father Nugent, assistant Priest at Grafton, spoke a few words of welcome and Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament was given by Dean O’Sullivan. After some time the Sisters were driven through the town to their temporary residence in Dobie Street, because the St. Mary’s Convent, on the bank of the Clarence River, was in the course of construction. It was eventually completed and was blessed and opened by Bishop Torreggiani on Sunday, 7^th December, 1884.

On Monday, 4^th February, 1884, the school was opened and five of the Sisters travelled each morning, by buggy, to teach the children who crowded in from all parts. On the same day a High School was opened in Dobie Street. The Sisters taught all subjects. Sister M. Clare organised the first "Grand Concert".

In 1885 the Young Ladies’ Day and Boarding School was opened in a cottage which had been Dean O’Sullivan’s presbytery. In 1929 St. Mary’s College replaced the cottage Day and Boarding School. St. Mary’s College amalgamated with the Parish Schools in 1990 and the Boarding Facilities were closed in 1987 for economic reasons.

Besides Education, the Sisters have always been engaged in works of mercy. Many sick and needy people have been consoled and helped by the Sisters. Parishioners assisted by driving the Sisters to visit the Hospital and Gaol and people who lived a long distance away. Wherever possible the Sisters walked on their errands of mercy.

Pupils participated in physical education, tennis, basketball, dancing and deportment. In 1917 two pupils sat for the Intermediate Public Examination and in 1920 success was achieved in the Leaving Certificate Examination.

The Sisters have continued to upgrade their qualifications in Education by studying at Teachers’ Colleges in Australia and at Universities in Australia and overseas. Some Sisters have studied Theology within Australia and overseas, Music at the Conservatorium of Music in Sydney and Newcastle, Nursing Training, child care, drama, sandplay therapy.

Music has always been an important part of the life of a Sister of Mercy. High standards have been achieved in Church Music, individual tuition in such instruments as piano, violin, flute, clarinet, bassoon and signing. Music workshops, organised and subsidised by the Federation of Australian Music Teachers Association in conjunction with the Premier’s Department of Cultural Activities are held at regular intervals. Grafton Youth Orchestra has performed in the Sydney Opera House.

Foundations have been made in Casino, Cowper, Maclean, Yamba, Kempsey, Smithtown, Kyogle, Ulmarra, Mallanganee, Harwood, Bowraville, Macksville, Stanmore South Casino, South Grafton, Dorrigo, Sawtell, Woolgoolga, Bonalbo, South West Rocks, Bangalow/Byron Bay, St. Catherine’s Hostel for the Aged, Kempsey Aboriginal Apostolate, New Guinea Missions, Mercy Centre at Wardell, Tatham, ‘Bethany’.

Works of Mercy have been an integral part of the Sisters lives. Visitation of people in their homes, in hospitals, and aged care facilities is still an important activity.

The influence of the Sisters has spread far and wide because of the Sisters involvement in various ministries such as the following:-

Education

Adult Education and Formation

PRH Education

Parish Ministry

Child Care

Health Care

Music

Hospitality

Retreat and Conference Centre, Yamba

Malayasian Refugee Camp

Papua New Guinea Missions

Nhulunby, Gove Peninsula, N.T.

Balgo Wirrumanu Adult Education and Training Centre

Baggot Street, Dublin

Charismatic Renewal

Vocations Promotion

Womens’ Refuge

Parent Liaison Work

Family Counselling

Teaching at Australian Catholic University, Ballarat

Catholic Education Offices, Lismore and Sydney.

Further Suggested Reading:

Flaherty, M. Raphael As Gentle Rain: Sydney Halstead, 1960.

Sisters of Mercy One Hundred Years and Beyond. Grafton 1984.

If further information is required about individual Sisters the following address is given:

The Archivist

Convent of Mercy

Star of the Sea

P.O. Box 278

GRAFTON NSW 2460

In writing to the Archivist, it would be appropriate that a financial contribution be made for the Archivist’s time and expertise.

Religious Orders or Congregations have released the details on their members. It is understood that the copyright of any material (including the listing of the names of the Sisters) relevant to a particular Order or Congregation in this publication remains with the relevant Order or Congregation.