CEWA schools team up for students and staff pilgrimage celebrating Year of Mercy and 170th anniversary of Sr Ursula Frayne’s WA arrival
Students and staff from 14 CEWA schools made a unique pilgrimage recently to mark both the Extraordinary Jubilee of Mercy declared by Pope Francis, as well as the 170th anniversary of the arrival of Sr Ursula Frayne in Western Australia.
The pilgrims journeyed along the Swan River from Fremantle to Barrack St Jetty, then walked past sites of significance in the history of the Sisters of Mercy, to arrive at Mercedes College and Mercy Heritage Centre.
Lisa Speranza, a staff member at Mercedes College, led the pilgrimage in costume as Sr Ursula Frayne, and gifted the students with a pilgrim shell, Mercy Medal and information booklet on the life and legacy of Sr Frayne. The students also brought along their portable devices, and listened to podcast stories from the histories of Sr Frayne and the Mercy Sisters as they passed related sites.
The pilgrimage ended with a 79th birthday celebration for twin sisters, Sr Catherine and Sr Mary O'Connor.
CEWA Director of Religious Education, Dr Debra Sayce, who joined the school students and staff on the pilgrimage, said that the experience was a wonderful opportunity for students to understand the story of women who laid strong foundations for Catholic Education in WA.
*Note - The Ursula Frayne Pilgrimage was one fantastic example of a Year of Mercy pilgrimage, but we know there are many other schools that have held their own Year of Mercy events and created Mercy Doors. We want to create a showcase of all the ways that CEWA schools celebrated the Year of Mercy this year; if your school created a Mercy Door, went on pilgrimage, or organised any other activities, please send your photos and stories to communications@cathednet.wa.edu.au