In Dublin, Ireland on 12th December 1831 Catherine McAuley founded the Sisters of Mercy, who were to devote their lives to the service of the "poor, sick and ignorant".

The order spread rapidly in the nineteenth century throughout Ireland and England and came to Australia in 1846, led by Mother Ursula Frayne, and settling in Perth.

The foundation in Parramatta was the final group of sisters to come to New South Wales from Ireland.  Mother Mary Clare Dunphy lead eight other sisters to Australia from Callan County, Kilkenny in 1888, at the invitation of Cardinal Moran, the then Archbishop of Sydney.

The first Mass in the Convent of Mercy, Parramatta was celebrated on 8th December, 1888 by Dr D. O'Haran, Cardinal Moran's secretary.

Call Sr. Veronica Earls RSM on 9683 2555 to arrange a visit to our archives