A Lifelong Connection
Heritage Centre Concierge Kerry Sheehy
When the Sisters of Charity Heritage Centre & Archives opened in 2019, I was unsure of the purpose of a Heritage Centre. At the opening in June there were many people present who were associated with the Sisters’ through different life experiences. As an ex-student of St Vincent’s College at Potts Point during the late 1960’s I thought I knew all about the Sisters of Charity!
Go on now as steadily as you can, relying on the Divine assistance and fear not.
- Mary Aikenhead
When I started as the Concierge at the Heritage Centre, I realised that there was much more to the story. Both those who knew the Sisters and those who did not were keen to share and learn more about them through visiting, and were surprised to learn of the Sisters’ connection to the colony of New South Wales as well as the love and service that is administered by the Sisters.
My role as Concierge is to meet and greet everyone who visits, as well as doing the bookings for larger tour groups. One of the questions I am frequently asked is “What are the Sisters doing now”? I find that once they have completed the tour their question is answered.
Personally, I think the story of the five Irish Sisters who came to New South Wales in 1838 with faith and a desire to better the lives of convict women and children through education and skills is inspiring. They endured many hardships but their faith sustained and guided them to keep going - and look what they achieved!
It is a story that encourages everyone to contribute in any way they can to better the lives of others, as well as their own.
Pray, reflect and consult - and may the divine spirit direct all to God’s greater glory.
- Mary Aikenhead
Images::
Sisters of Charity of Australia Heritage Centre, exhibition space. Photograph ©Jesse Marlow.
Replica bust of Mary Aikenhead. Maker: Brian Sanstrom. Courtesy of the Congregational Archives of the Sisters of Charity of Australia.
Five sisters (2014). Dr Hazel Mary Cope. Courtesy of the Congregational Archives of the Sisters of Charity of Australia.