Who would have thought what a huge role she would play in the life of Our Lady’s Abingdon when, on Michaelmas Day 1778, a daughter, Catherine, was born to James and Eleanor McAuley in Dublin.

Mr McAuley had a great love for the poor and destitute children in Dublin, and on Sundays often brought them to his home where he could give them a meal and teach them about their Catholic Faith.

He was the example Catherine had in mind when she dreamt of working with those in need to educate them and give them the opportunity to learn.

After receiving a legacy from a wealthy Dublin family, with whom she had lived after the death of her parents in her teenage years, Catherine opened The Institute of Our Lady of Mercy in Dublin on September 24, 1827 — a school and a residence where pupils received the basic training required for an entry to a career.

She particularly wished that pupils should be educated and trained to lead full and useful lives and be prepared in their turn to take on responsibility in the fields of social work, nursing and education.

When Catherine died in 1841, 14 Convents of the Sisters of Mercy had been opened in Ireland and England.

In 1860, Mother Clare Moore, a Sister of Mercy from Bermondsey, returned from the Crimea where she had worked with Florence Nightingale, and established Our Lady’s Convent in Abingdon.

One-hundred-and-fifty years later the work of Catherine McAuley still continues with a dedicated lay staff in Our Lady’s Abingdon Junior and Senior Schools educating boys and girls from age three to 18. The school has changed a great deal physically since it was first opened and its facilities are now very much in the 21st century, but the Sisters in Abingdon still have a role in the life of the school, helping to strengthen the ethos of integrity and warmth that are two of its special characteristics.

■ If you would be interested in your child attending OLA , call Felicity Russell, the admissions officer, on 01235 524658 to request a prospectus or a visit.

WHERE ARE YOU NOW?

CALLING ALL FORMER PUPILS, STAFF AND GOVERNORS TO celebrate its 150th birthday, Our Lady’s is holding a grand reunion picnic on Saturday, June 19, between 11am and 4pm, for former pupils, staff and governors.

If anyone reading this was ever at Our Lady’s Abingdon (or Our Lady’s Convent as it used to be called) either as a pupil, member of staff or governor the school would love to hear from you.

Please contact Maggi Shellard on 01235 524658 or e-mail office@olab.org.uk for more details.