Sisters of Mercy Melbourne Congregation

Casterton farewell Sisters of Mercy

13 August 2008

After one hundred and six years of tradition in Casterton the Sisters of Mercy were officially farewelled by a large gathering of friends, Church leaders and local dignitaries.

Bishop Peter Connors celebrated the Eucharist and paid tribute to the Sisters for their contribution to the Diocese, particularly in education in earlier days.

The gathering in the Town Hall was a time to remember and celebrate and the Mayor of the Glenelg Shire, Councillor Geoff White paid tribute to all Sisters of Mercy, but particularly Sisters Joan Johnson and Maureen Howley who were thanked and honoured for sharing their lives with the people of the district – for their faithfulness, friendship and loyalty.

Both were presented with a beautiful leadlight image of the Mercy Cross from the Parish.

The farewell was preceded by a cemetery walk to honour the pioneer Sisters, Sister M Marcella Sheahan, Sister M Joseph Rowan, and Sister M Veronica Mathews who are buried in the Casterton Cemetery.

There were many Sisters of Mercy present for the celebrations and as Joan, Maureen and Mary O’Loughlin cut the cake (in the shape of the Mercy Cross) we remembered with a great sense of solidarity and pride all the Sisters who had lived and worked in Casterton.