Heritage Pilgrimage Day

As Marist180 celebrates 30 years of living, being, doing and serving, one element of celebration for this year of Anniversary was an opportunity for staff to reflect on and engage with our history, our heritage, the story that is Marist180, tracing our roots back to St Vincent’s Boys Home, Westmead, established in 1896.

We were delighted to have Br Michael Flanagan, Star of the Sea Archivist, and St Vincent’s Alumni, Ray Aquilina, alongside Michael Neylan and Mark O’Farrell, from the Mission and Life Formation Team, create and facilitate an excellent Heritage Pilgrimage Day, which traversed the Sydney CBD (Central, Surry Hills and The Rocks) and Westmead/Parramatta.

Four of our staff pilgrims then took the time to capture reflections on and from the day. Their recounts follow below:

Pilgrim 1: "I have never stood on Platform 1 at Central Station before last Friday. A very thought-provoking acknowledgement and reflection, prompted by a generation of children who also stood on Platform 1; a generation of stolen children with a stolen future. The image of the child led away by an adult along a train track will remain with me for some time.  

And the journey of the child inflicted by trauma merges with that of one dedicated to care; standing on the centuries-old stone of The Rocks, it was hard to imagine the area was once a shady slum where homeless children played in the narrow alleys and sought refuge where they could. A homeless, hungry boy will never get an education, but by giving them a home, food and an education, the early Marist Brothers gave homeless boys prospects and hope. No guarantees, only possibilities, but much more than they were destined for.

Bishop Untener’s words came to mind: ‘…workers not master builders, ministers not messiahs. We are profits of a future not our own.’

I really enjoyed hearing Ray and Br Michael share stories on the back lawn of the home. Both pointing out where the old buildings were, how things used to look and how life was for them when the home was in full swing.

Very thankful for the opportunity to attend the Heritage Pilgrimage Reflection Day."

Pilgrim 2: "The day left me with a deep sense of the purpose, the people and the stories that have shaped Marist180. 

The stories across the decades of the dual mission of care and education have stayed with me and the many ways these two have been weaved together in the delivery of services to the many communities we have worked in. 

I became aware of how resilient our mission has been over the years, and how we've remained flexible and responsive as the landscape of care and best practice has shifted around us.  

I enjoyed the human stories and valued the presence of Brother Michael and Ray, especially as we walked around the site of Westmead Boys Home, the stories of the boy on the roof, the fire drill, the band room brought the space to life. 

I’m grateful to the archivists across the decades, whose careful stewardship of our history has offered valuable insight and helped bridge our current organisational purpose with the broader Marist mission.

While the day was reflective, enriching and celebratory, it also left me with a quiet unease as I considered the lived experiences of the boys in those schools and homes. It prompted reflection on the truths that may have been hidden or unheard over the years, and the responsibilities we now hold, around truth-telling, redress and ensuring the informed and intentional safety and wellbeing of young people we now care for.

Thanks again for your careful crafting of the day - It was truly a success. "

Pilgrim 3: "What touched me the most during the Heritage Pilgrimage Day was listening to Brother Michael who showed us old photos of early Brothers who landed in Sydney, and told us stories of how those Brothers were assigned to work with children at Harrington Street. Their selfless acts, dedication, commitment and zeal to care for poor and marginalised children, and to give them opportunity to grow through education, were remarkable and inspirational for us all. 

History shapes humanity. May their missionary zeal inspire us to make the world a better place, and to give opportunities for our children and young people to grow."

Pilgrim 4: "Friday was a great day, I enjoyed being part of the group for Heritage Pilgrimage Day.

I was very impressed by the overall day, the engagement with the group and Brother Michael, the tour, the review cards, buildings/statues/storytelling, the Boys Home, the journey on the light rail. I found the day to be very interesting.

To hear stories from the past and to actually be there on the day, in front of the buildings, listening to the history, observing how the streets have changed. Standing in front of the Boys Home and listening to the story telling, of the layout of the buildings, the behaviour of the boys, memories and mixed emotions from Brother Michael and Ray, and to hear the experience from those who were once part of the history, I now see the story from a different perspective.

I feel enriched by genuine connection listening to the stories and shared mixed emotions within the group. The picture review cards from Michael give me a better understanding of what I see after listening to the stories, and to know that the day has definitely broadened my knowledge and to be part of a team knowing that Marist continues to support young people, the way we do.

Thank you for the day."

Many thanks to everyone for a great day, especially Michael Neylan, who did an excellent job conjuring and holding/facilitating the day.