Promise, Fulfilment and Future Possibilities....

In a joint media statement, the Sisters of Mercy Parramatta and the Catholic Diocese of Parramatta have said:

The legacy of the Parramatta Sisters of Mercy at the historic Mamre House, built during Australia’s colonial era, will house a range of CatholicCare services to benefit the people of St Marys and Western Sydney. The accompanying 200 acres of land is rich in biodiversity and will be a focal point for the Church’s commitment to protecting our environment and supporting sustainability.

Exciting plans for the future use and protection of the property will be announced at a special Celebration event on November 18th.

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We have great hope that Mamre will continue to serve the people of Western Sydney under the umbrella of CatholicCare Social Services Parramatta for many years to come

Sister Mary-Louise said.

The Catholic Diocese of Parramatta and the Sisters of Mercy Parramatta are pleased to announce a new chapter in the life of historic Mamre House, with Mamre now being integrated into CatholicCare Social Services.

The Mamre ministry began nearly 30 years ago when youth unemployment was at an all- time high. The Sisters of Mercy Parramatta turned the nearly derelict former home of Samuel Marsden into an essential part of the community, with training and support for disadvantaged young people in the Western Suburbs.

The driving force behind Mamre has been Sister Mary Louise Petro and Sister Joyce Vella. The Sisters have built Mamre into the thriving community resource it is today.
Sister Mary Louise says the continued growth of Mamre is essential: ‘Mamre plays such an important role in the lives of the poor and disadvantaged in Western Sydney and it’s essential that its survival is assured,’ Sister Mary Louise said.

‘Recent social and political changes have meant that smaller organisations can struggle to keep afloat and so the Board of Mamre Plains Ltd and the Sisters of Mercy have decided to integrate with a bigger organisation to ensure Mamre’s future,’ Sister Mary Louise continued. ‘We have determined that CatholicCare Social Services Parramatta is closely aligned with the values of Mamre and are now proud to announce that talks have reached a positive conclusion.’

Mamre will keep its name, and will now be fully integrated into CatholicCare Social Services.

Sister Mary Louise says she is grateful to have been part of Mamre’s past and also of protecting its future.

Event: Tuesday November 18th, 2014 Time: 10.00am Venue: Mamre House - 181 Mamre Road, Orchard Hills Enquiries: (02) 9683 2555