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St Mary’s Primary School and Hennessy Catholic College came together to celebrate 300 years since the venerable Nano Nagle’s birth on the 16th of August.

The founder of the Presentation Sisters of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Nano Nagle, was born in Ireland 300 years ago. She dedicated her life to helping the poor, marginalised and uneducated Catholic children of Cork. This was in a time when it was illegal to educate Catholic children in Ireland, but she was steadfast in her mission to seek out children in need.

Nano founded the Presentation Sisters of the Blessed Virgin Mary and sent a group of her Sisters to Australia starting in Wagga in 1874. The Order established St Mary’s school in Young in 1886 and have been a presence in Young since that time.

The two schools join many of the other Presentation schools throughout the Riverina in a lantern relay to celebrate Nano Nagle’s life. The lantern, being a symbol of Nano herself, as she was renowned for traversing the streets of Cork at night with her lantern to bring light to those in need.

As Presentation People we are challenged to do the same. We are one Catholic community.

The lantern made its way to Young and the students and teachers of both schools attended a special commemorative Mass. Over 750 students, staff and Presentation Sisters make the number 300 on the Hennessy oval to celebrate the 300th year since Nano Nagle’s birth.

All the students, teachers and Sisters enjoyed the day together to remember and celebrate the foundress  and the charism of the venerable Nano Nagle in our schools. Thank you to Trazel Scott, Caroline Devlin, Emma Taylor, Sarah Sullivan and Mark Birks for their work in making the day such a huge success.