In 1875 the Sisters of Mercy ministry was established in Yass NSW running schools and educating the adult population in faith, caring for the sick and visiting prisoners. The Ministry established their foundation in Murrumburrah in 1882. In 1892 the St Mary’s Covent was opened. In 1902 and 1933 the Convent underwent a number of additions.
The Convent served the Sisters well until the Convent’s closure in the mid 1980s. It remained remain empty and unused and soon fell into disrepair. In 2002-03 the Convent was purchased from the Catholic Church and became a private residence.
In 2011 The Old Convent, as its locally known, changed ownership. The new owners have extensively renovated the inside and completely remodeled the enormous grounds surrounding the Convent. It now proudly stands on Convent Hill providing an idyllic sanctuary.
Go directly to Inn-Habit, click on the link below
hi cassie
this is fabulous……..so very proud of you…….your mum caught me up when she and peter came for lunch on Sunday
i will have to get down there one day……..looks lovely
cheers
heidi watts xxx
Hi Kel and Cassie. I am writing to you from Ireland. Rochfortbridge Co. Westmeath is the place where three nuns and four postulants of the Sisters of Mercy left in 1875 in the company of Bishop McAlroy of the diocese of Goulbourne. The result was that for the next number of years and beginning in Yass, nine foundations of the Sisters of Mercy were set up where they have laboured for so long in the fields of education and care. Sr. Mary Paul Fielding who was born in Rochfortbridge founded the Rochfortbridge branch of the Order. She was a local girl and she sacrificed home and fatherland like so many others to work in the mission fields. This year The Sisters of Mercy in Rochfortbridge will celebrate 150 years in the parish. Today there are five nuns in the convent. Four of them are retired now and ironically the last teaching sister is retiring this year. St. Joseph’s Secondary school has over 800 pupils and 40 lay teachers. The convent Primary school has 200 pupils and 10 lay teachers. Their legacy will continue after them. We are in preparation to celebrate 150 years for them and we are in the process of compiling a book for the occassion. I would like with your permission to include a few photos and info from your website in the publication. At this point in time I’m not sure what will be included but may I include some info, photos etc. If you have any additional info I will appreciate it. I am a retired School Head teacher and I am a past pupil of St. Josephs Rochfortbridge. It is a place very close to my heart and I am pleased to be part of the project.
Danny Dunne
Dear Danny
Thank you for your enquiry. I must apologise for our delay in reply but we have had our hands full as we welcomed our third son in January. We are happy for you to use any info from our website. We obtained most of the information from the local Historical Society and I’m sure if you contacted them – they would be more than happy to provide you with what information they hold for the Convent and Sisters of Mercy Parish. If you would like me to e-mail you the photos that I have on file – please e-mail me directly at innhabit@bigpond.com so I can reply and send attachements. Kind Regards Cassie Smerdon