BLESSING OF MERCY HERITAGE CENTRE AND MERCY MEMORIAL CROSS

ST JOSEPH'S COLLEGE HONOURS MERCY HERITAGE

St Joseph’s College Mildura recently had the honour of hosting The Most Reverend Bishop Paul Bird CSsR, Bishop of Ballarat, when he visited on March 19 to officiate the blessings of the Mercy Heritage Centre and the Sisters of Mercy Memorial Cross. 

The Mercy Heritage Centre houses over 115 years’ worth of local Mercy history. Our Mercy Heritage Curator has created beautiful displays using photography, keepsakes, and historical records in an expertly renovated space within the Convent at Enright Campus. With room for future additions to the collection, the Centre honours and preserves the legacy of compassion and learning built in Mildura by the Sisters of Mercy. 

The Bishop’s blessing of the Mercy Heritage Centre marked the final step in a labour of love that spanned three years and involved the efforts of committed professionals. What began with Principal Marg Blythman’s initial vision of a home for our treasured history became a reality, thanks to Mercy Heritage Curator Belinda Gemits’ dedication and our maintenance team’s expertise. 

Located at Nichols Point Cemetery, the Sisters of Mercy Memorial Cross marks the final resting place of several Sisters who lived and worked in Sunraysia. Without these dedicated women, our college would not be the warm, welcoming community it is today. 

The college thanks His Excellency the Bishop and Father Matthew Thomas for officiating at these blessings, and our Director of Catholic Identity, Miss Paula Cox for organising these services.

We were pleased to have several special guests attend these events, including the Chief Officer of Mercy Education Limited - Mr Christopher Houlihan, Director of the Catholic Education Office Ballarat - Mr Tom Sexton, and Mildura Rural City Councillor - Cr Mark Eckel.

Finally, our heartfelt thanks to our Sisters of Mercy for sharing their time with us on the day, along with their memories of life at the Convent: 

Sr Pam Barlow RSM

Sr Patricia Fitzgibbon RSM

Sr Rosemary Graham RSM

Sr Eveline Crotty RSM

Sr Carmel McCormick RSM

Sr Liz Maloney RSM

Sr Helen Nolen RSM

Sr Kathy Ryan RSM

Sr Cathy Solano RSM