Mercy Tradition Celebrated at St Patrick’s Parramatta Centenary

Pictured L-R: Bishop Vincent Long, Donna Davis MP, Maria Lawton rsm, Carmel McDonald,
Joan Coyle, Margaret Jones rsm, Margaret Sheppard rsm, Lucie Farrugia , Sally Bradley rsm

The enduring legacy of the Sisters of Mercy in Catholic education was celebrated on Saturday as the community of St Patrick’s Primary School, Parramatta gathered at St Patrick’s Cathedral for a Centenary Celebration Mass.

The liturgy marked 100 years since the school moved to its Ross Street site, bringing together families, past and present staff, students and members of the Mercy community in thanksgiving for generations of education shaped by the Mercy tradition.

Among those attending were Bishop Vincent Long OFM Conv, Donna Davis MP, members of the Sisters of Mercy Parramatta, Sr Sally Bradley rsm, Executive Director of Mercy Works, Ms Joan Coyle, the school’s first lay principal, and Ms Lucie Farrugia, Principal of Our Lady of Mercy College Parramatta.

St Patrick’s Primary School is one of the oldest parish schools in Australia, first established by Fr John Joseph Therry in 1820 in Hunter Street, Parramatta. While the school has moved locations over time, the Sisters of Mercy have been a constant presence since 1874, helping shape the spirit and mission of the school for generations of students.

In 1985, leadership of the school was entrusted to Ms Joan Coyle, who became St Patrick’s first lay principal, marking a new chapter while continuing the Mercy tradition of education and service.

During the celebration, the school community also acknowledged the contributions of Ms Coyle and Sr Margaret Sheppard rsm, recognising their leadership and dedication to the life of the school.

The centenary celebration honoured the thousands of students educated at St Patrick’s across two centuries and celebrated the enduring influence of the Mercy charism in education that continues to shape communities in Parramatta today.