On Sunday, 15 September, the Presentation Sisters of Victoria celebrated 150 years in Victoria. Over 30 Presentation Sisters gathered at St Mary’s East St Kilda, with a congregation of family, friends and associated organisations such as Star.
The original call to support the colony of Victoria came from the parish priest at East St Kilda, Fr James Corbett; “From the ends of the earth I write to you for help. An Educational bill has recently been passed by our local legislature, which is diametrically opposed to our interests, as it requires that no religious instruction be imparted, at any time, in our schools. I shall give my house, which is sufficiently commodious for even six sisters, and is as convenient to the church as your convent is to the chapel”.
‘Wominjenka Wurundjeri’ sung by the Star of the Sea College Stacella Choir
Presentation Sisters 150 Years Mass – September 2024
Thank you to Presentation Sisters Victoria for permission to use this video.
The celebrant was Fr Andy Hamilton SJ, who is one of the few male past students of Star. He gave some wonderful recollections of his time at the school, remembering especially Mother Sebastian Lardi pbvm. Star’s Stacella choir sang a beautiful Indigenous welcome ‘Wominjenka Wurundjeri’, and later on in the Mass, ‘A Light to our Path’, which has featured at Music Festival over several years.
It was a beautiful celebration of our founding order, and their impact on the lives of so many. Sadly, the Presentation Sisters will be moving out of Murphy Street in the next few weeks, ending the 141-year association with Presentation Sisters living onsite at Gardenvale (and now Brighton). We give thanks for their presence and impact on the lives of our current students.
A quote from the beautiful ‘Prayers of the Faithful’ offered during the Mass:
“We remember with joy those first Presentation women who travelled across the globe to this place of East St Kilda and Presentation sisters worldwide. May all who have been captured by that same spirit bless our world with compassion, courage and dedication…
We remember with love all those who have been part of the extended Presentation family and rest in fullness of Mystery. May the gift of their living and their loving continue to live deep within, blessing and inspiring us.”
