The beauty of stained-glass
St Carthage's Cathedral, Lismore
The St Vincent’s Hospital commemorative stain glass window was dedicated by Bishop Geoffrey Garett DD as Bishop of Lismore, on September 5, 2010.
Commissioned in 2008 by the Friends of St Vincent’s Hospital Volunteer Service, the design and creation of the window was by the artist Kevin Little of Arncliffe Studios in Sydney. Interestingly, Kevin is directly related to the makers of the first windows of the Cathedral installed behind the High Altar in 1907.
The beautiful window is made up of two panels highlighting aspects of the story of St Vincent’s Hospital, Lismore. Following are details of some of the sections of the panels and more detailed information is available by emailing heritagecentre@rscoffice.com.
Mother Mary Aikenhead
Mary Aikenhead was inspired by the works of charity St Vincent de Paul and his deep love of the poor. The first St Vincent’s Hospital in Dublin became the exemplar for hospitals of that name founded by the Sisters of Charity in many parts of the world. By the time of her death in 1858. Mary Aikenhead had seen her congregation commence works in Ireland, England and as far away as Australia.
The original St Vincent’s Hospital Lismore
In 1921 the Sisters of Charity were invited by the second Bishop of Lismore, John Carroll, to open a Catholic hospital in the city. The first sisters moved into a weatherboard house in Dalley Street which they named ‘Tarmons’.
St Vincent’s Hospital, Lismore, 1932
After the new building was opened, St Vincent’s continued as a teaching hospital and ‘Tarmons’ became a residence for its nurses. The Sisters of Charity withdrew from the management of the Hospital in 1980 and it continues today as a work of the Diocese of Lismore.
Stained-glass in schools
These two beautiful lead light panel windows depict Mary Aikenhead and the story of the Sisters of Charity in Australia. They were handmade by the very talented Anne Mayberry RSC who was inspired by the artwork of Jeannie Johnston rsc and Dorothy Woodward. They are a special part of their school communities.
Below: Our Lady of Mt Carmel Primary School, Mt Pritchard, NSW (detail)
Above: Mt St Michael’s College, Ashgrove, Qld
St Mary's Cathedral, Hobart
The Heroic and Saintly Women (1995) stained glass window is dedicated to female figures of faith, including Mary Aikenhead. Three Sisters of Charity arrived in Hobart on 17 June, 1847.
For more information: https://historyireland.com/nano-nagle-and-other-women-in-hobart-cathedral/
Image used with permission of the Archdiocese of Hobart.
