IF you want to know about the history of the Sisters of Mercy, the writing is on the wall at St Philomena’s.
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The south Bathurst Catholic primary school recently unveiled a series of tiles that tell the story of the religious group and its intertwining history with St Philomena’s.
There to see the new tiles were local members of the Sisters of Mercy.
The occasion doubled as a chance to see the result of the renovations completed at the school, which principal Louise Davies said had made some of the classrooms more contemporary.
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The tiles on the Mercy Wall detail the founding of the Sisters of Mercy in Ireland, the arrival of seven Sisters of Mercy in Bathurst in 1866, the establishment of St Philomena’s on the corner of Seymour and Rocket streets in 1901 and the school’s move to Lloyds Road in 1983.
It was described then by Bishop Patrick Dougherty as “reborn, renewed, humble still and unobtrusive, but in circumstances more appropriate to our day and current educational requirements”.
The Sisters of Mercy led the school until the transition to lay principals was made in 1985.
The lay principals, according to the Mercy Wall, continue to draw “enlightenment and inspiration” from the example and teachings of the Sisters of Mercy.
Ms Davies said tiles were sponsored by a number of local businesses.
She said the idea for the Mercy Wall came from her colleague Michael Croke, principal of Catherine McAuley Catholic Primary School in Orange, and his work in recording the history of the Sisters of Mercy at his school.
