40 years of service at Minto

14 December 1984: The 40th anniversary of the involvement of Our Lady’s Nurses for the Poor in the Macarthur region of south-west Sydney was celebrated with a special Mass at Holy Trinity Church, Minto. On 14 December 1984, Congregational Leader, Sr Patricia Murphy oln and Sr Kerry MacDermott oln moved into a Department of Housing residence at Minto to commence a mission of compassion and advocacy for the sick poor and marginalised in the local communities. The Sisters offered friendship, care and support to those in crisis, distress or bereavement; at-home nursing skills, particularly on the weekend when government services were unavailable; and helped patients to gain access to government services. The Sisters were particularly active in the Aboriginal community, many of whom had been moved from inner Sydney. In 1985, Sr Kerry, along with Aunty Muriel Brandy and other Aboriginal elders, began the Aboriginal Catholic Ministry in 1985 from Holy Trinity Church, Minto, with the approval of Bishop William Murray and Fr Peter Caruana. In 2011, Srs Patricia and Kerry relocated to 6 Laurel Place, Macquarie Fields due to the re-development of the townhouse section of the Department of Housing complex at Minto. Sr Patricia passed away in 2018. The 40th anniversary was a joyous occasion, with many friends and family attending. Bishop of Wollongong, Most Rev. Brian Mascord, celebrated Mass and made special mention of the Sisters’ dedication to the local community. At the end of the Mass, Bishop Brian led the congregation to pray over Sisters from Our Lady’s Nurses for the Poor and the Sisters of Charity. Sr Kerry thanked everyone past and present and recited a poem in honour of the celebration.