Catholic Identity & Mission
Unveiling of the Sculpture Miriam – Celebrating 50 Years
Miriam is Hebrew for Mary. Miriam is an outward sign of our faith as a Catholic community – proudly serving Warragul and surrounds for the past 50 years.
Excerpt from Reflection on the Miriam Sculpture
We were privileged to work on this sculpture with Master Artist, Christine Sage and Studio Director, Regina Byrne of Hullabaloo Studios on this project. Christine worked with over 24 bags of clay to create this work before it was bronze cast. We hope will inspire future generations of artists at Marist-Sion College – and inspire faith.
As students walk past her each day, they will witness Miriam as the young, Jewish woman who courageously and selflessly said, “Yes!” to God. Her response to God’s call set her life off on an adventure into an unknown future. Her path was not traced out in advance.
Looking at this sculpture, I am aware – more than ever – of the profound reality that I am a Christian not because of anything I’ve done but because a teenage girl living in occupied Palestine at one of the most dangerous moments in history said yes – yes to God … yes to a wholehearted call she could not possibly understand … yes to vulnerability in the face of societal judgment … yes to a vision for herself and her little boy of a mission that would bring down rulers and lift up the humble, that would turn away the rich and fill the hungry with good things, that would scatter the proud and gather the lowly, yes to a life that came with no guarantee of her safety or her son’s.
Miriam leaned into her patient God of Love, opened her hands and said, “Hineni. Here I am.”
Miriam’s garment is loose fitting and allows us to witness her pregnancy – the visibility of her faith and courage. She gave birth to Christ by being so totally open to God’s Spirit that the Christ child could be born. Miriam is shown with an open stance, an invitation to join her and rejoice in the new life she carries – Jesus.
Miriam symbolises hope and is the model of our Sion charism connecting our faith to the Jewish people through her son Jesus, who was raised in faith and devotion, so that we may be people in dialogue. Her strong and gentle presence is a constant in Jesus’ story. Miriam has a kind but strong expression on her face. Her eyes look straight at us in confidence with an invitation.
Miriam represents the pillars of our Marist charism – Family Spirit. Presence. Simplicity. Love of Work. She stands beside a table of rough-hewn wood. It is also a symbol of the Marist Table – a place where all in our community are known and loved – a table of inclusion, of welcome and family spirit. The table is a symbol of Miriam as a young mother to be, and of hospitality – it also references the place where the Last Supper will be held. Miriam has her sleeves rolled up and her head gear references her love of work.
Miriam is a model of listening, of love and service to others. You will notice that Miriam’s ear is exposed as a symbol of deep listening – Miriam is inviting us to dialogue with her on a deeper level with a heart that knows how to pause, love, learn and live.
As part of the Diocese of Sale contribution to Pope Francis’ 2025 Jubilee of Hope, Warragul-Drouin Parishes arranged an Art Exhibition, opened by Bishop Greg Bennet and displaying for ten days, art pieces from across the diocese. And now we are supporting other parishes and regions as they make their contribution.
Together we really are people of hope!
Mrs Jacinta Johnston
Deputy Principal: Catholic Identity and Mission