Mass to Celebrate Seventy Years Of The Mercy Private Hospital
& The Departure Of Resident Sisters In August, 2004

Mass Celebrated by Archbishop Denis Hart
At The Mercy Private Hospital, East Melbourne,
on Thursday, 10th June, 2004, at 11.00am

Introduction

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

As Archbishop I am honoured to be with you to thank God for the many blessings which continue to be given to the people of Melbourne through the Mercy Hospital. Whether from the Private Hospital over seventy years, the Mercy Women’s Hospital over thirty-three years, or from the personal example of Sisters of Mercy or exemplary staff, we thank God for the rich contribution made to the care of people and to the life of Church and society through this place.

The challenge of Catholic health care is ongoing. Today specifically we remember the deeds of the last seventy years and the inimitable contribution which the Sisters have made to this place of healing and comfort.

So that we may remember that each of us is called to be there for others, let us call to mind our sins.

Homily

My dear Friends,

Nourished by the Word of God we come to reflect on God’s wonderful blessings to those who have suffered in this place and have met the particular quality of mercy and care which has sustained them in moments of very great trial.

From 9th March 1920 at Saint Benedict’s in Malvern to 8th December 1934 where this hospital was blessed and on to 1971 with the foundation of the Mercy Hospital for Women, the wonderful work begun by Mother Frances Hanigan continues. It is supported by generations of Mercy Sisters and dedicated lay staff. We know an unparalleled standard in personalised care for the sick with a special Mercy quality of attention to detail, to personal service and to the difference to a person’s health, which constant observant attention can provide.

I hesitate to mention among a few Mother Philippa, Sisters Briga and Marcella, Sisters Joan and Austin, Patrice, June and Pamela Mary, Aquinas, Brenda and Helen. The influence of the Sisters was indeed far reaching.

Originally, suitably sound proofed rooms were provided on fourth floor for maternity patients, third floor for theatres and surgical patients, second floor as private rooms and convent space, first floor general and intermediate patients and the chapel on ground floor, with kitchen, servery and special arrangements to ensure that the meals reached the patients promptly, and very hot.

In June 1935 the ‘World of Women’ page of ‘The Argus’ described the Mercy, “as a new conception of the art of healing … the skill of scientist is linked with the vision of the artist and the intimate knowledge of the nursing sister to produce a triple entente against the twin evils of fear and pain … beauty, service and skill are the ideals of the Mercy Hospital.”

The constant support of gifted specialists and experienced trained staff, coupled with the young people doing nursing training have made the Mercy a place of unique service, compassion and care.

In my own experience as a Chaplain the ability of Sisters to pray with a patient and to bring them closer to the Lord in times of suffering is a tremendous reminder of the holistic care which has been the watchword of this wonderful hospital for seventy years and which is the legacy which the Sisters have passed to generations of staff.

When the last of the Sisters leaves here in August it will indeed be a wonderful tradition established and passed on in the most wonderful way by the Sisters who have trained effective leaders in medicine, compassion and pastoral care. The large organisation of Mercy Health and Aged Care, with its many facilities in Victoria, is eloquent testimony to what has begun at this hospital and now reaches out into the community.

I am deeply grateful to Sister Kathleen Tierney and to the Sisters of Mercy whom I count as my friends for the example of Gospel compassion, professional competence and inspiration, which is their legacy and which will long remain part of Mercy Hospital.

May the Lord who came to heal the sick and who chose these courageous women as his instruments richly reward the Sisters who have worked here and the staff who continue a tradition of caring and outreach to whoever comes their way in a new, modern and vibrant hospital.

May Mary, Our Lady of Mercy, bring her care to the Sisters as they too humbly thank God for the work which they have successfully accomplished here and which is continued by the staff of the present.

+ Denis J. Hart,
Archbishop of Melbourne.