By Caroline Smith
When Sister Ursula Frayne and companions arrived at Barrack Street Jetty in January 1846, little did they know that their Order of the Sisters of Mercy – notable for achievements in education and social service – would go on to have a 170-year presence in the colony and throughout Australia.
With this in mind, a group of 80 school principals and teachers, and representatives from MercyCare and Mercy Health, met at Ursula Frayne College, Victoria Park and Aranmore College, Leederville last month to discuss planned events to celebrate the anniversary.
Held over two days on 27 and 28 January, the meeting began with a slideshow of events in the life of Ursula Frayne, including the struggles she and her companions faced in the early years of the Perth diocese, where finances were scarce and plans were uncertain.
Sister Kerry Willison, who spoke at the meetings, said she was inspired by the dedication and resourcefulness of these women.
“What really struck me was their courage in stepping out of their comfort zone and travelling across the Atlantic to Australia,” she said.
“It’s also important to look at what they experienced when they got here, with no preparations for their arrival. They weathered all these storms and still survived – the Sisters of Mercy still have an important presence in Australia many years later.”
Perhaps the best indication of this presence is in the educational facilities which the order set up, starting with Australia’s first Mercy school in 1846, followed by WA’s first secondary school three years later at the current Mercedes College site.
In 1857, Ursula Frayne moved to Melbourne where she repeated this success, founding a boarding and day school for girls, two primary schools and a domestic training school for orphans, beginning from a site in Fitzroy.
Following the slideshow, attendees were presented with a plan of events marking the 170th anniversary, which include a pilgrimage walk, feast of Our Lady of Mercy Mass, unveiling of a statue dedicated to Ursula Frayne, and a celebration for the 120th anniversary of the former West Perth congregation.
The pilgrimage walk on 9 April will begin from Barrack Street Jetty, where the Sisters first arrived in Perth, and will make its way to Victoria Square’s Heritage Centre for the blessing of the Holy Door.
“The event is for anyone interested in walking in the footsteps of Ursula Frayne,” Sr Kerry said.
Following events include a celebration on 26 May of 120 years since the foundation of the former West Perth congregation, a Mass for the feast of Our Lady of Mercy at St Mary’s Cathedral – including the blessing of the new Mercy Cross – and the unveiling of a statue of Ursula Frayne on 12 December at the Mercy Heritage Centre.