Presentation Reflection Walk

Acknowledgement of Country

Iona Presentation College respectfully acknowledges the Whadjuk people of the Noongar Nation as the Traditional Custodians of the land on which we stand and pay respect to elders past, present and future.

Explanation of the Walk

A beautiful pilgrimage that honours the heritage and tradition of the Presentation Sisters in Western Australia, the Presentation Reflection Walk aspires to educate about the Venerable Nano Nagle narrative, honour the diverse contributions of the Presentation Sisters in Western Australia and connect existing historical items of significance on the Iona site to the mission of Presentation people today. Read by Gemma Thomson, Dean of Mission and Catholic Identity and Past Pupil (Class of 2006).

STATION 1

Nano Nagle Statue

Founder of the Presentation Sisters, Venerable Nano Nagle (1718–1784) devoted her life to the education of the poor in her hometown of Cork, Ireland. Carrying a lantern through the dark streets, she visited the needy, offering hope and compassion. The lantern has become a symbol for the Presentation Sisters, who generously provided the funds for this representation of Nano. Read by Sister Anna Fewer PBVM, Presentation Sister and Past Staff Member.

STATION 2

Cove Lane / Dunbar Plaza

Nano Nagle secretly founded her first school in 1754 in Cove Lane with about 30 students. This site, opposite the corner of Cove Lane and Dunbar Street, Cork, Ireland, later became the first Presentation convent in 1775 and the centre of the Sisters' outreach into the rest of the world. Read by Sister Nora Moynihan PBVM, Presentation Sister and Past Principal of Iona Presentation College.

STATION 3

Presentation Women Mural

Presentation Sisters shared Nano's vision, "If I could be of any service in saving souls in my part of the globe, I would willingly do all in my power." From Ireland, and then locally, the Sister's journey has mirrored Nano's, seeking to improve the lives of those in need through education and being of service. Read by Sister Mary Mackin PBVM, Presentation Sister, Head Girl and Dux of the Class of 1966 and Past Staff Member.

STATION 4

Cove Lane Lights

Nano Nagle was known as the Lady of the Lantern, walking the narrow streets of Cork, bringing education to the poorest and most needy. Of the Presentation family, it may truly be said there are, "Many lamps, but one flame" ... the flame of the divine [Rumi]. Read by Sister Marion Beard PBVM, Presentation Sister and Past Pupil (Class of 1962).

STATION 5

Iona Presentation Community

Presentation people are people of a welcoming heart who celebrate Iona's Presentation heritage as a foundation for embracing and building the future. Iona encourages all students, past, present and future, to demonstrate personal conviction and compassion. Pro Deo et Patria, our motto e'er will be. Read by Sister Marion Beard PBVM, Presentation Sister and Past Pupil (Class of 1962).

STATION 6

Our Lady of Fatima Archway

An apparition of the Blessed Virgin Mary presented herself to three children in 1917 in Fatima, Portugal, asking them to devote themselves to the Holy Trinity. Following two further apparitions, Mary became known as Our Lady of Fatima to the locals and a focus for prayer, for faith and devotion. Read by Sister Irene Young PBVM, Presentation Sister, Past Pupil (Class of 1969) and Past Staff Member.

STATION 7

Angelus Bell

The Angelus is a devotion commemorating the incarnation, that the Son of God, was made flesh through Mary giving birth to the baby Jesus. This bell is symbolic of the special place that Mary has in our faith. It is rung to mark the times when the Angelus is prayed and to mark special or important occasions within the Convent. Read by Sister Consuela Worthington PBVM, Presentation Sister and Past Principal of Iona Presentation College.

STATION 8

Mary/St Columba

In 1907, Bishop Gibney, then Bishop of Perth, remarked that Mosman Park situated between river and sea reminded him of the Isle of Iona (Scottish coast). He hoped that it would become a centre to spread the Gospel. Saint Columba spread Christianity from Ireland, founding a 'place of learning' on the Isle of Iona where the College derives its name. Read by Sister Mary Mackin PBVM, Presentation Sister, Head Girl and Dux of the Class of 1966 and Past Staff Member.

STATION 9

Presentation of Mary in the Temple Stained Glass Window

The Presentation Sisters take their name from the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary to the temple, where Mary was consecrated in preparation for her role as Mother of God. The Sisters at Iona adopted a maternal role in educating young people through the tradition of the Catholic Church and were inspired by Mary and their founder, Venerable Nano Nagle. Read by Sister Terri Emslie PBVM, Presentation Sister and Past Staff Member.

STATION 10

Moreton Bay Figs and Presentation Oaks

From Acorn to Oak; two widely known and celebrated Presentation symbols. The Moreton Bay Fig Trees at Iona act as a reminder of the Oak Trees found in Ireland, representing the amazing growth possible from a single small seed. Nano's first school in Cove Lane, Cork, grew to a 'global tree' of Presentation People all over the world. Read by Sister Maureen Moynihan PBVM, Presentation Sister and Past Principal of Iona Presentation College Junior School (then Iona Primary School).

STATION 11

Celtic Cross

This cross is a contemporary version of the original seventh century "Iona Cross" found on the Isle of Iona. Such crosses were introduced to faithful communities by St Patrick and St Columba, melding the Christian Cross with symbols of the sun and ancient Celtic carvings. Read by Sister Anna Fewer PBVM, Presentation Sister and Past Staff Member.

STATION 12

Go One Step Beyond

Who will light the lantern and keep it burning bright? Who will search the darkness where shadows seek the light? Who will find the courage to sing a different song? Who will light the lantern and go one step beyond? [Liam Lawton, "One Step Beyond", Chorus] A Nano Nagle and Presentation-inspired song. Read by Sister Lucy van Kessel PBVM, Presentation Sister, Past Pupil (Class of 1961) and Past Staff Member.

STATION 13

Blackwater Pond

This pond is representative of the Blackwater River that runs through Ballygriffin, where the ancestral farm estate of Nano Nagle resides. With the Nagle Mountains as a backdrop, the valley and river has informed the Sisters' deep connection to the natural world and our role as stewards for the earth. Read by Sister Lucy van Kessel PBVM, Presentation Sister, Past Pupil (Class of 1961) and Past Staff Member.

Conclusion

We are blessed to be able to capture elements of the Presentation Sisters legacy at Iona in the Presentation Reflection Walk. As a Presentation faith community, we pray together, ever grateful for the impact the Sisters have had, and continue to have, on our College community. We are so fortunate to have had such wonderful role models who are an integral and much treasured part of the Iona story. Pro Deo Et Patria, our motto e'er will be. Read by Gemma Thomson, Dean of Mission and Catholic Identity and Past Pupil (Class of 2006).

Acknowledgements

The following people and organisations have played an integral role in bringing Stage 1 and Stage 2 of the Presentation Reflection Walk at Iona Presentation College to life. We are indebted to them for their commitment to keeping the spirit of Nano and the Presentation Sisters alive at Iona.