Maybe it is, as we get older, that we become more aware or interested in our past? Maybe we are quite proud of ourselves with what we can remember of our past! Anyway it is nice to be able to do it.
Last Saturday, my old school, St Bernard’s Essendon had the annual Mass for deceased pupils of the College.
I didn’t make it this year; but it is always a wonderful occasion to catch up with others; while praying and reflecting on school mates who have gone to be with the Father in his Kingdom.
Many of these thoughts came flooding back last week when some Mercy Sisters returned to Tatura to celebrate their 160 years in Victoria.
They are visiting all parishes where they do or did have a parish school.
We gathered at the Tatura cemetery for a short prayer service while reflecting on the history and the person of the twelves sisters who are buried there.
I found it so powerful to look along the line of graves of all those sisters.
The first sister to be buried there was Sister Stanislaus in 1911. The last one was Sister Gonzaga in 1989.
Some of these sisters returned to Tatura to retire, so that is why so many are buried here. These sisters just loved their time here so they came back to live out their retirement.
When I looked along that row of graves and pondered on all the children who had been given a great start in life in education and faith. I also thought of the sacrifices these sisters were prepared to make in lack of food, living conditions, and the Irish sisters adjusting to the heat with those heavy habits that they wore every day.
Yes those graves tell us much of the Catholic tradition that has become the history of our Parish and our town. To them we owe so much.
Fr Michael Morley
