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St
Mary's House was the vision of Jack Spain and Clem McNamara. Through
their
ministry as members of the St Vincent de Paul Society, they had become
convinced of the need for a simple place in the Canterbury-Bankstown
area
where women at risk of domestic violence and related distressing
situations,
could find welcome and access to other centres of care.
In 1990, Jack and Clem, on behalf of the
St Vincent de Paul Society, arranged to lease the former Josephite
Convent
from St Mel's Parish, Campsie and the work of St Mary's House commenced.
By
1994, St Vincent de Paul was unable to continue as the auspicing body
of
St Mary's, so the Parramatta Congregation of the Sisters of Mercy
assumed
sponsorship of this very special mission, appointing Sister Mary
McEnearney
as Administrator. In 2001, Sister Josephine Brimo replaced Sister Mary.
Since early 2006 it was obvious that St Mary's House had outgrown its present premises in Duke Street. With the continued support and sponsorship of the Sisters of Mercy, St Mary's House relocated to a commercial site in the heart of Campsie. A lease was taken out for three years in July 2007 with the option to renew for a further three years.
From its inception, St Mary's House has certainly realised the vision of its ‘founding fathers’, Jack and Clem. It is now a thriving centre of hospitality for people of many different cultures who come seeking pastoral support, referrals to social services such as counselling and advocacy, help to find housing, English language classes, living skills programs and so on.
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Sandra
presents Governor
Marie Bashir with the booklet 'A Decade of Mercy' at the 10th
Anniversary celebrations
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