by Barry de Silva
Earlier this year, Sister Mary Bruggy marked 50 years of religious life with the Presentation Sisters. She reflects on what first drew her to religious life, her rewarding years in education, and standing up for injustice. Faith, community and a desire to help those in need have guided her every step.
Being called to service
Sr Mary’s connection to the Presentation Sisters began in her school years. After leaving St Mary’s College, Lismore in Year 10, she worked for four years in a fabric store, a job she admits she “loved”, before joining the Presentation Sisters in 1972.
Educated by the sisters, Sr Mary was drawn to their warmth genuine care for others. “They were thoughtful and compassionate – very much on the same level,” she recalls. “Back in the early 70s, I was thinking of doing something a bit different. I’d remained good friends with a couple of the sisters who taught me, and I think that probably encouraged me as well.”
Teaching with heart
Sr Mary’s path in religious life took her into education, even as many of her fellow sisters moved into other ministries.
“We had sisters doing social work, hospital ministry, parish ministry, retreat work – lots of different things. It was a bit unusual for me to go into education because a lot of our sisters had moved away from the schools when I came in.”
She completed teacher training through the Good Samaritan College, Sydney, part of the newly formed Australian Catholic University. Sr Mary began her teaching career at Tweed Heads and Murwillumbah before a long tenure at St Carthage’s Primary School, Lismore.
“I really enjoyed working with young people. I realised very early on there was a big need for support. I used to tell students that respect is not something you just get. If I give them respect, I expect respect back. Whether they were seven or seventeen, I always found that respecting the dignity of the person was important and followed the values of our founder Nano Nagle.”
After 14 years in primary education, Sr Mary responded to a call in healthcare at St Vincent’s Lismore; a ministry she shared with other Presentation Sisters for many years.
Growth in knowledge and mission
In 1994, Sr Mary was given the opportunity to study overseas. “I spent two years at the Jesuit School of Theology in Berkeley, USA, and completed a Master of Theological Studies. It was a time of great personal and spiritual growth.”
Upon returning to Australia, she served as Parish Coordinator of the Terania Parish from 1996 to 1999, working closely with Fr Peter Slack in the day-to-day organisation of the four centres of the parish; Dunoon, Goolmangar, Nimbin and Larnook. “I count that as a very blessed and enjoyable three years. They were wonderful communities in different ways,” she enthuses.
In 2002, Sr Mary returned to education where she experienced one of her “most rewarding periods” at Trinity Catholic College, as Director of Mission and Studies of Religion. While at the College she got the opportunity to deepen her interest in mental health and school counselling, completing a Postgraduate of Counselling and Behaviour Management, and enjoyed this ministry with students and staff until retirement her in 2018. “There were a lot of challenges for young people,” she reflects. “I started to realise how important it was to listen, be present, and to offer hope.”
Fighting injustice
Caring for the earth and social justice are integral parts of the mission of the Presentation Sisters. This came into sharp focus for Sr Mary and the rest of the order during the 2012 Lock the Gate rally in Lismore, where they stood against the coal seam gas industry with thousands of locals. The Sisters marched under the banner of ‘Presentation People Say No To CSG’.
“That was a big protest – there was a lot of injustice. It wasn’t just about politics. It was about people being treated fairly, having a say in what affects their land, their health, and their future.”
Reflecting on the journey
Looking back, Sr Mary acknowledges how much she has learned over her five decades as a Presentation Sister. “I turned 21 not long after I joined, and I was probably a bit naïve in some ways. When I joined the sisters in 1972, Sister Lucy Briggs was the leader, I feel I have come a long way since then.”
Sr Mary continues to be a part of the Presentation Sisters leadership team; in a significant period of transition for the order as they await the appointment of a Canonical Delegate from the Vatican, to support their governance into the future.
From a close-knit family, Sr Mary continues to value stability in life and enjoys her time with family and friends. With hobbies such as quilting to cake decorating and researching family history, she remains a warm and supportive presence for others.
“Life must have balance. I’ve been blessed with a positive outlook and good health, I’m grateful for that.”
