SCA honours alumni, Sisters of Mercy
If you are a graduate of Saint Catherine’s Academy, your name has now been immortalised on the school’s grounds. News 5’s Jacqueline Woods visited the campus this morning for a look.
Jacqueline Woods, Reporting
The young ladies of Saint Catherine Academy took time out to celebrate the Feast of Our Lady of Mercy and the life and work of the Sisters of Mercy who are the founders of the high school.
Alice Castillo, Principal, SCA
“We are celebrating all the sisters who have been here and those who are with us now.”
Jacqueline Woods
“How many Sisters remain here?”
Alice Castillo
“About ten I thinkliving here in the convent and there are others who live in separate homes.”
Jacqueline Woods
“What’s taking place today?”
Alice Castillo
“Well we started this morning with the blessing of our Wall of Fame. The Wall of Fame records the names of all graduates from well we don’t have them all from 1883, but I think it starts from 1934 to the present and then we process over to the court. We are having an open air mass after that we get back to the routine of the day.”
Today, only four of the Sisters of Mercy are teaching at SCA. One of those teachers is Sister Margaret Salisbury. Sister Salisbury says there are a number of reasons why there are far fewer nuns in the classrooms.
Sister Margaret Salisbury, Teacher, SCA
“One, we are getting older and retired, and other sisters have moved off into other areas of service. Sister Marilyn is working at Muffles, she also in education but she is at Muffles College now. Sister Rebecca works in the public nursing sector. Sister Gregoria works in Belmopan more or less in a parish setting, but she does some remedial teaching. Sister Carolee is on a administrative team, but she works more with a group of people that deals with church communities throughout the Caribbean area.”
SCA students are encouraged to join the nunnery. But, Sister Salisbury says it has been hard finding any young women willing to make that choice.
Sister Margaret Salisbury
“We as Sisters of Mercy pray everyday that we get young women who would dedicate themselves to that life. But it’s a big step for a young person. The vows are challenging and they are young they are not willing to take those challenges yet.”
While the Sisters of Mercy pray that one-day SCA women will seriously consider joining the convent, they have been assisted by Sisters of Mercy associates, who work with the nuns in various fields. Reporting for News Five, Jacqueline Woods.
SCA alumni are invited to return to point out their place on the school’s wall of fame.
