It has been more than 20 years since the last Sister of Mercy departed St Columba’s Primary School in Bayswater, but their spirit lives on.
This month the school’s new library was named in honour of Sr Irena Kasprzyk, the last member of the order founded by Catherine McAuley to serve at the school.
The dedication and naming of the library after Sr Irena, who was the school’s principal from 1983 to 1988, was a tribute both to her and all the Mercy sisters who had served the school community before her, said teacher Caroline Brewer.
The library was opened on 6 November, following a Mass celebrating the school’s 75th anniversary. St Columba’s was formally opened by Perth Archbishop Redmond Prendiville on 22 December 1935, welcoming its first student the following year.
The school’s founding principal, Sr Mary Paschal, went on to also be its longest-serving, leading the school until 1951.
“Under Sr Paschal’s guidance and leadership, the Mercy charism of service to the poor within the apostolate of teaching was well established,” Ms Brewer said. “The firm foundations for the growth and development of the school and parish were laid.” Many dedicated Mercy sisters followed in her footsteps, teaching classes of up to 60 children.
The anniversary Mass was celebrated by Perth Auxiliary Bishop Donald Sproxton and parish priest Fr Minh Thuy.
Among the many invited guests, past and present staff and students, friends and families at the celebrations were Mrs Sheila Brennan, a member of the original class of 1936, Sr Irena and her lay successor, Mrs Phil Billington.