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Year in Review 2016
Catholic Diocese of Sandhurst
25
FORMATION & EDUCATION
Mercy Sisters mark 140th
Pictured above; Sisters
of Mercy gather
together for a group
photo at their Jubilee
Mass.
Pictured on Contents
page; Sisters Maureen
Sullivan rsm and
Mary Duffy rsm
inspecting the new
Heritage Room
located at CCB
Coolock campus.
T
he Catholic College Bendigo community was privileged to celebrate 140 years of Mercy
Education in the Sandhurst Diocese on Thursday, July 28, with the Sisters of Mercy and
many special guests. This special celebration provided an opportunity for staff and students to
recognise the contribution and sacrifice made by many pioneering Sisters of Mercy to create
the college we love and cherish today.
Students, staff and special guests filled the Cathedral to join together for a Jubilee Mass of
Celebration led by Bishop Leslie Tomlinson DD, together with Fr Rom Hayes, Fr Andrew
Fewings and Fr Stephen Bolling.
Mr Brian Turner spoke at the beginning of Mass, depicting Bendigo at the time of the Sisters’
arrival in 1876. We were then fortunate to hear from Sr Mary Duffy, past principal of Catholic
College Bendigo, as she reflected on her time at the College and how it had all begun with Sr
M. Aloysius Martyn.
The Sisters of Mercy were represented in large numbers and it was lovely to have them involved
in the choir, readings and Mass proceedings throughout.
Following Mass, the Sisters and special guests moved to Coolock where they visited our newly
opened Heritage Room display, adjacent to the general office. Months of research, hard work
and dedication led to the formation of this room, which displays items acquired throughout
140 years.
The Sisters relished the opportunity to view the timelines, photos, past uniforms and other
items collected over the years, thoroughly enjoying the treasures of the school’s history on
display. The heritage room can be visited by all and will remain for many years to come.