The Presentation Sisters of Victoria recently commemorated their 150th anniversary of foundation in Victoria, and to mark this significant milestone, more than 250 people—including Presentation Sisters from across the state and interstate, family and friends, staff and students from Star of the Sea College (founded by the sisters in Gardenvale in 1883), and Presentation associates and alumni—came together at St Mary’s Catholic Church in St Kilda East.
Welcoming those gathered for the special Mass on Sunday 15 September, Sr Helen Carboon PBVM, congregation leader for the Presentation Sisters in Victoria, shared the significance of celebrating the anniversary at St Mary’s. She explained that In a letter dated 28 January 1873, Fr James Corbett wrote from St Mary’s Parish, ‘from this place right here in St Kilda, “From the ends of the earth, I write to you for help.”
The seed which they planted has flourished and thrived. They came filled with hope and with promise.
He was writing to the Presentation Sisters he knew in Limerick, Ireland, ‘imploring for them to come to this far-flung and strange land to nurture the life and faith of the rapidly growing population, particularly the Irish diaspora,’ Sr Helen said. ‘And seven mostly young Irish women came, as Raphael Consedine PBVM expresses it, “with faith and love and laughter brimming over, and hope in their firm hands like seed”.
‘The seed which they planted has flourished and thrived. They came filled with hope and with promise.’
‘Today we celebrate the realising of that promise,’ Sr Helen said, ‘the promise which has become blessing for all those whose lives have been touched and shaped by those first sisters and all who have followed in their footsteps, living the Presentation mission of “life to the full for all”.’
At the start of Mass, representatives of the Presentation Sisters’ ‘extended family’—those who help bring the sisters’ mission and ministry to life—processed down the aisle of the church, carrying lanterns, a symbol of the sisters’ founder, Nano Nagle (1718–84). Born in Ballygriffin, Ireland, Nagle established schools for Catholic children in Cork in response to her encounters with desperate poverty, deprivation and ignorance. She was known for venturing out at night guided by a lantern, to bring food, comfort and companionship to the needy.
Fr Andrew Hamilton SJ, who had himself been taught by the Presentation Sisters at Star of the Sea College in Gardenvale ‘some 70 years’ after their establishment in Melbourne, gave a homily rich with personal reflection and meaning. ‘Today we celebrate a great story—the story of the Presentation Sisters in Victoria,’ he said.
‘It is a story of many people, and three words in today’s gospel sum it up. Jesus speaks of himself as “sent”. The Presentation story is all about sending and being sent. Jesus also prays that his followers might be “one”. They were to be one, meaning united and not squabbling. But one, too, in getting their act together and being their best selves. The Presentation story is all about being one and helping young people to be one in both these ways. Jesus’ words were a farewell talk before his painful death, when all seemed lost. It was about taking “risks”.
‘The Presentation story is all about daring and building laughter out of inadequate materials. And binding these three words together is love.’
Fr Andrew paid tribute to Nano Nagle, the founder of the Presentation Sisters, who was so moved by the poor children banned from education in Ireland that she felt called to start illegal schools and walk out at night to visit the poor. ‘She helped people to find and to better themselves in the Catholic community of faith,’ said Fr Andrew. ‘Sending, bringing together, and daring, all borne out of love.’
Their mission was to help young women to grow into their best selves within the Catholic community. All in a new and strange world.
He traced the history of the Presentation Sisters from Ireland to Victoria, where they arrived in December 1973 and established their first convent in Windsor, opposite St Mary’s Catholic Church. The founding sisters from Limerick were Mother Mary Paul Mulquin, Mother Mary Bernard Gunson, Mother Mary Patrick Irwin, Sr Margaret Mary Cronin, Sr Mary Berchmans Carroll, Miss Mary Elizabeth (Bessie) Mackey and Miss Anne Bray.
‘Their mission was again to help young women to grow into their best selves within the Catholic community. All in a new and strange world.’
He also shared personal memories from his own school days at Star of the Sea College, including the inspiration he found in his first teacher, Sr Anthony, and the influence of Mother Sebastian, who he said encapsulated the Presentation spirit. ‘When I ran into her, she had lived at Star of the Sea for over 50 years, through two depressions, two great wars, dedicated to helping young women be at home in themselves, the world and the Church,’ said Fr Andrew.
‘Mother Sebastian’s life, however, was just beginning. Soon afterwards she was made superior of the congregation, and later president of the Australian congregations, travelling through Australia to visit the sisters. Into her nineties, she then did the accounts for the Melbourne convents, walking from Gardenvale to Elsternwick to Windsor. She also broke a leg and laughed at medical advice that she would not walk again. She learnt Indonesian, hoping to go there for her hundredth birthday, and at 101 returned to Wandiligong to address a protest rally against its inappropriate development. Move over, Nano Nagle!’
Fr Andrew ended his homily by thanking the sisters. ‘Today we all gather with you out of love and thank you for your generosity and for the privilege of being part of your story.’
At the closing of Mass, Sr Helen thanked all who gathered for the celebration, including members of Star of the Sea College choir Stacella, who sang the Acknowledgement of Country and a song of reflection following Communion, musicians Joan Marshall PBVM, Patrice Marshall and Mary Coloe PBVM, and Patrick Comarmond, who led the congregation in song.
‘Today, with deep gratitude, we celebrate a story more than 250 years in its telling,’ said Sr Helen. ‘You are part of this story’s growth and telling, and for this we are deeply grateful.
‘We do not make this journey of faith alone, and we are grateful for your companionship on the road. Your love, friendship and support are immeasurable gifts for us, and we could not do without you.’
Following Mass, the anniversary celebrations continued in St Mary’s Hall, with historical photos on display and more stories, and words of thanks, shared.
Photos by Fiona Basile.
