With Ash Wednesday approaching, our minds turn to the significance of Lent and how important it is to connect to the faith in the 40 days’ lead up to Christ’s death on the cross.
Why not take make a private pilgrimage this Lent to one of Sydney’s smaller, or lesser-known spiritual and historical centres? Here are some ideas to get you started:
The Sisters of Charity Heritage Centre, Potts Point
Centre manager Danielle Achikian explains the centre showcases the history of the religious order, detailing their move under founder Mother Mary Aikenhead from Ireland to Sydney in 1838 and its initial ministry to women working in Parramatta factories in the mid-1800s.
“From there, they went onto do so much and have a massive, massive impact not just in Australia but internationally, particularly in the areas of health,” Achikian says.
The Sisters of Charity were a known presence in medicine, attending to patients at St Vincent’s Hospital and several hospices, with part of the order’s legacy being their ministry to men dying of HIV/AIDS.
Free to the public and located in Potts Point, the centre also has a chapel and hosts seasonal events, which currently include an in-depth look at the first five sisters to come to Australia and the work of the sisters today.
Guests to invited to become part of this incredible and grace-filled “living history” and Guided and self-guided tours are available.
Plan your visit: www.socheritagecentre.org.au
Where: 1 Rockwall Crescent, Potts Point
When: The centre is open 10am-3pm Tuesday to Thursday, but you can call 02 9138 0835 or email heritagecentre@rscoffice.com to arrange another time.
The Mustard Seed Bookshop, Leichhardt
St Martha’s houses the archdiocesan chancery but also notably the Mustard Seed Bookshop where anyone can peruse and purchase their Lenten spiritual reading. Visitors are welcome to drop by the beautifully restored chapel, and Mass times on weekdays are generally 8am and 12.30pm.
The site was originally purchased by Cardinal Moran in 1886 and has served the Archdiocese of Sydney ever since, first as an aged care home run by the Little Sisters of the Poor, then by the Sisters of St Joseph as an industrial home for girls. There the sisters were visited by their co-founder, St Mary MacKillop. In later years, it was the head office of Sydney Catholic Schools until mid-2023.
Norton Street is the next street over, where there are great cafe and restaurant options for a bite after your visit.
Plan your visit: mustardseed.org.au
Where: 38 Renwick Street, Leichardt
When: The bookshop is open 9am-5pm Monday to Friday; 10am-2pm Saturday.
Mary MacKillop Place, North Sydney
Hardly little-known, but relatively quiet outside of the saint’s August feast day and other major occasions, Mary MacKillop memorial chapel and museum is a place to spend some time with the saint in the presence of the Blessed Sacrament, learn more about her and those who supported her in her ministry, and see some of her personal effects in her former home.
The current ‘Fanning the fan of hope’ exhibition revisits some of the milestones of the last 30 years’ worth of pilgrims seeking peace and inspiration at the sacred North Sydney site.
It also highlights the ongoing work of Mary MacKillop Today, which provides education, health, and financial livelihood programs to vulnerable communities in Australia, Timor-Leste, Peru, and Fiji.
Plan your visit: https://www.marymackillopplace.org.au
Where: 7-11 Mount Street, North Sydney
When: Chapel opening hours are 7.30am-4pm Monday to Friday; 9am-4pm on weekends (may differ at Easter and Christmas time). For Mass times and museum opening times, check the website.
