At St Joseph’s School in Cobram a cup of tea isn’t just a cup of tea, and putting the staff room kettle on isn’t just about a tea-break. Curious? Read Carmel Natale’s story to uncover the hospitality of tea.

By Carmel Natale

St Joseph's school community in Cobram officially welcomed new staff at our Opening School Mass on Friday 14 February, by presenting them with a cup and saucer candle. Each learning area of the school has a cup and saucer candle in its sacred space to remind us of Catherine McAuley, the founder of the Sisters of Mercy.

Upon her deathbed, Catherine McAuley famously said to her community of sisters, “be sure to have a comfortable cup of tea ready for when I am gone.”

“A comfortable cup of tea,” Catherine McAuley said, was a sure way to heal and warm your spirit. Catherine McAuley was a woman of great love, compassion and warmth; and a comfortable cup of tea has become a symbol of hospitality and kindness for Mercy.

Image above:  St Joseph's  welcomed new staff members in 2025.  L-R: Shante (Tae) Watt-Fotia, Jemmah Ryan, Alicia Bonner, Sarah Iddles (Principal), Melissa DeVincentis with  Parish Priest, Fr Junjun Amaya.