A Gift from Ursula Frayne Catholic College, Perth, Western Australia for Catherine's House of Mercy in Dublin

On 26th May, we were honoured to receive a special gift from the community of Ursula Frayne Catholic College in Perth, Australia.

The gift was presented to our CEO Mary O’Donovan by Greg LeGuier, who travelled from Perth to Dublin on behalf of the college community.

While essential works currently underway at Catherine’s House meant we were unable to welcome Greg inside, we were delighted to meet him and mark the occasion with a photograph beside the Catherine McAuley statue outside the red doors of 64A Lower Baggot Street.

A Message Stick of Mercy

The gift Greg carried was a Message Stick commissioned especially by Ursula Frayne Catholic College for the Catherine’s House in Dublin.

It was created by Cheryl Lennox-Bradley, a Nanda and Yamitji woman from Maya Country in Western Australia, whose own life has been deeply shaped by the Mercy tradition. Cheryl spent seven years at the Catherine McAuley Centre in Western Australia and completed her secondary education at Mercedes College, the first Catholic school established in the state.

Crafted from Wandoo timber (Eucalyptus wandoo) sourced from Yuet Country, the Message Stick is painted with symbols representing journey, belonging, community and faith.

At its heart, the artwork tells the story of Ursula Frayne and her remarkable journey from the Home of Mercy on Baggot Street, Dublin, to Western Australia in 1846.

Drawing on the oldest traditions of Aboriginal communication, its symbols speak across cultures and generations. The Southern Cross represents the land Ursula Frayne came to call home. A yellow rose honours the Sisters of Mercy and their enduring spirit. Concentric circles signify community — places where all are equal, welcomed and connected.

On the reverse, Psalm 23 reflects the image of the Good Shepherd. A shepherd’s crook symbolises protection, a spear represents provision, and the Aboriginal symbol for person speaks of presence. Together, they express the enduring Mercy connection between Dublin and Perth - a bond that has remained unbroken for almost two centuries.

A Message from the Principal

In a letter accompanying the gift, Principal Mark Antulov wrote:

"We are deeply conscious of the sacred link between your centre and our college. Catherine McAuley’s vision that no one should walk alone is as alive in our classrooms in Victoria Park today as it was in Dublin in 1827.

"We have been fortunate to have had members of our staff visit the Catherine McAuley Centre, and those experiences have left a lasting impression.

"It is my own heartfelt intention, as Principal, to make that journey soon, to walk in the spirit of Catherine McAuley and more deeply immerse myself in the Mercy tradition that gives our school its soul.

"Should you ever find yourself in Perth, we would warmly welcome you to visit Ursula Frayne Catholic College.

“We extend to you, and to all at the Catherine McAuley Centre, our best wishes. You carry forward a tradition that has touched lives on the other side of the world, including ours.”

Our shared Mercy story

Mary O’Donovan expressed her gratitude to the Ursula Frayne Catholic College community:

"We are deeply touched by this beautiful and thoughtful gift. The Message Stick is a powerful symbol of connection, carrying the story of Mercy across cultures, generations and continents. We are honoured to receive it and grateful to the Ursula Frayne Catholic College community for this expression of friendship and shared heritage.

"As we reflect on the journey of Ursula Frayne from Baggot Street to Western Australia, we are reminded that Catherine McAuley’s vision continues to inspire and unite people around the world. This gift will hold a special place in Catherine’s House as a lasting reminder of our shared Mercy story.

“As Catherine’s House continues to welcome visitors from around the world, the Message Stick will be proudly displayed in the new Community Room as a symbol of friendship, shared heritage and the unbroken thread of Mercy that links Baggot Street with Western Australia.”

ENDS