Presentation schools keep Nano Nagle’s light burning bright
By Heather Excell
More than 250 years after Venerable Nano Nagle lit her lantern in the streets of Cork, Ireland, staff from four of Tasmania’s Presentation schools gathered to reflect on how that same light continues to shine through their schools today.
Representatives from St Mary’s College, St Cuthbert’s Catholic School, Corpus Christi Catholic School and St Brigid’s Catholic School organised a combined Staff Spirituality Day during the 250th anniversary of the founding of the Presentation Sisters.
The day consisted of a range of talks and activities centred around the life of Nano Nagle and the Presentation Charism.
Starting at St Mary’s College, staff took part in an opening liturgy and historical tour before making their way to Corpus Christi Catholic School, Bellerive, where they participated in a pilgrimage walk around Kangaroo Bay.
Pausing at a series of reflection stations along the way, participants reflected on the arrival of the Presentation Sisters in Australia. They were encouraged to consider how their own choices continue the work of the early sisters and how they can further embed the Presentation charism within their school communities.
Following lunch, staff gathered for a guided reflection before writing ‘notes of hope’. These notes accompanied hampers of non-perishable goods donated by staff on the day and will be distributed to people experiencing crisis. The activity echoed Nano Nagles enduring mission of bringing hope and compassion to those most in need.
The day concluded with Mass celebrated by Archbishop Tony Ireland. Addressing those gathered, Archbishop Tony described the anniversary as “the celebration of a dream that has been unfolding for two and a half centuries, and one in which each of you now shares.”
Drawing on the day’s Gospel, he likened Nano Nagle’s mission to the mustard seed that grows into a tree where others find shelter.
“God’s work rarely begins with fanfare. It begins quietly, in the heart of someone willing to listen,” he said.
Sharon Lawler from St Mary’s College helped to coordinate the day and highlighted the importance of Staff Spirituality days in helping to ensure Catholic schools remain grounded in their Gospel mission, not just their educational quality.
“Without days like this we can fall in the trap of forgetting our core business as Catholic schools is to teach Gospel values and share the love of God with our students and families,” she said. “Without a focus on our own faith, our school’s faith and that of our students and families, we can’t really call ourselves a Catholic school.”
Coordinating the day from St Cuthbert’s was Juanita Topham who said exploring the schools’ spirituality helped staff embed Presentation values into their daily relationships and work.
“By taking the time to explore and understand our own and shared spirituality as a Presentation school, we learn how to embed these values in our relationships and daily practices,” she said.
“Your students may not remember every lesson you taught,” Archbishop Tony said, “but they will remember how you made them feel. They will remember whether someone believed in them.”
As staff returned to their schools, they did so with a renewed commitment to ensuring the dream first planted in Nano Nagle’s heart continues to unfold in Tasmania for generations to come.
