Sister Marion talked about Catherine McAuley and the beginning and growth of this first English Foundation. In true Mercy style, Catherine and her companions set about the task they had come to do. Bermondsay was a different place from that of today, because being so near the docks a lot of people arrived there looking for work, most of whom were penniless and lived in squalid conditional so when Catherine and her companions arrived, there was a lot to be done.

Although we may have heard, discussed, talked or read about this Foundation, at some stage as Mercy Associates, Sister Marion had a gift through her immense knowledge and loving portrayal with words to create an atmosphere which left us with a feeling of not just knowing more but also a very strong desire to want to know more and more. somehow Sister Marion seemed to make this visit come alive for all of us

Despite the beautiful aroma of homemade soup (which the community in Bermondsay had prepared) wafting around us, we were in no hurry to leave. We needed to stay to look at the tenderly cared for archives.

Catherinds contemporaries said of her that those who knew her were drawn closer to God. Once again it became impossible to share any part of Catherine’s life without feeling closer to God -which is something I/we all feel when reading any aspect of her life. Sister’s Marion's gentle, humorous deep knowledgeable approach enabled us all to almost touch the spirit of Catherine, which was evident during this visit.

Added to the richness of Sister Marion's input was that of Sister lmelda Keenan's walking tour to St. Katherine’s Dock, from where 'Wild Wllie, Catherine McAuley's nephew, sailed to Australia. It was exciting, yet sad, to learn that as Willie boarded ship at St Katherinds Dock, Catherine was only a short distance away making the first English foundation at Bermondsay. Neither knew of the other'spresence there and sadly never met.

Recent development has brought much change to the Docklands area. Wharfs, warehousers etc. have been transformed into cafes, ships and broad walks. Catherine was a woman of her day and would be glad to see the improvementsto this once impoverished part of London.

We thank Sisters Marion and Imelda for their wonderful input, and also the Bermondsay Community for their warm welcome, their beautiful home- made soup and cakes. Perhaps a feeling that the greatest archive of all is the spirit of Catherine which we all felt so much during our day in Bermondsay.

We eagerly look forward to another visit sometime in the future.