She rises while it is yet night and provides food for her household … She sets about her work vigorously; her arms are strong for the task. (Proverbs 31:15)

These beautiful words from the Book of Proverbs aptly capture the unassuming dedication and homeliness of Caterina’s life. On Thursday, October 16th, the Feast of St Margaret Mary, the Lord gently called Caterina to Himself. She was eighty-seven years of age and had been a Daughter of Our Lady of the Sacred Heart for sixty-one years. To Caterina’s brother, Anthony, and his wife, Matilda, and her many nieces and nephews and their families, we offer our deepest sympathy and the support of our prayers. You know well her deep love for you, her pride and joy in you, and her gratitude to you. We are privileged that you are with us today.

Caterina was born to Angelo and Guiseppina (nee Raveri) Merlino on the Island of Lipari off the northern coast of Sicily, southern Italy, the fifth of their seven children. Her sister and four brothers have predeceased her, her sister and one brother dying as children. The eldest child was killed in a traffic accident at just six years of age, the trauma understandably causing Guiseppina to suffer a nervous breakdown. Treatment failed to restore her health and, as she was then living in Australia, doctors suggested that to return to her homeland would assist her recovery. It was here at Canneto, Lipari, that Caterina was born on September 23rd 1938. Caterina never lost her love for and pride in her Italian heritage.

Once Guiseppina had recovered, she and Angelo returned to Australia, leaving Italy by ship in late August 1939. By then World War II had been declared and the trip was somewhat hazardous.

To step back a little - Caterina’s father and mother were from poor families. Times were hard and the families lived off the produce of their farmlands. Caterina’s father, Angelo, served in World War I, winning a bronze medal for bravery and the title, Cavaliere, an honorific title similar to Knight in English. When discharged from the army, poverty and the needs of the family caused him to migrate to Australia in the mid-1920’s, believing that here he would find a better life and be able to financially support his struggling extended family in Italy. He found employment in a fruit shop.

Some years later he returned to Italy where he married Guiseppina, a very gentle woman, and shortly after they travelled to Australia which was to become their home. The family settled in Surry Hills in Sydney and Angelo and Guiseppina opened a fruit shop. Two children were born at this time and after each Guiseppina suffered post-natal depression; the death of her mother deepened this depression.

Caterina’s parents were very committed Catholics and from an early age she attended daily Mass. Her older brother, Francis, now deceased, became a Capuchin Friar. The Capuchin Friars held a special place in Caterina’s heart.

Caterina attended St Peter’s School, Surry Hills, conducted by the Sisters of Mercy, from Kindergarten until Year 8 when her mother’s poor health necessitated that she leave school to care for the family. It was at a Vocations Promotion programme in the Archdiocese of Sydney that she was introduced to the Congregation of the Daughters of the Daughters of Our Lady of the Sacred Heart. She was attracted by the charism which focussed on devotion to the Sacred Heart, now known as the Spirituality of the Heart. She entered the Congregation on 5 April 1961 at Hartzer Park, Burradoo, taking the name, Sister Mary Galgani after the young Italian saint, Gemma Galgani. (She later returned to her own name when this became possible). She made her First Profession on 12 January 1964 and her Final Profession on 12 January 1970. She held a special affection for those who had entered with her and was careful to acknowledge occasions of significance for them.

Following Profession, Caterina’s first appointment was to assist in the kitchen at our Convent at Kensington where she worked with Sister M. Frederick Mangan, an experienced cook, from whom, she said, she “learnt so much.” In subsequent years she was responsible for the preparation of meals at the then OLSH Hospital, Randwick, OLSH Boys’ College, Bowral and Hartzer Park Retreat Centre, Burradoo, all large kitchens. She recalled that when asked to go to our College in Bowral, she responded, “But I don’t know what boys eat!.” She soon learnt it was food, and much food! She took special delight in making cakes for their birthdays with themes such as “Footballs” or “Guitars”! She found her years at Bowral College particularly rewarding.

In subsequent years Caterina was appointed to our communities in Alice Springs and Rosebery, both small communities. This gave her the time to visit the elderly in their homes and take them Holy Communion, which she regarded as a wonderful privilege. On returning to Kensington Community she volunteered at St Joseph’s, our Aged Care Facility here at Kensington, assisting with the sewing needs of the residents and offering a smile and a helping hand wherever she could.

She welcomed opportunities to develop her knowledge and skills. She completed cooking courses at the then East Sydney Technical College and, when she commenced Parish visitation, a Clinical Education Programme at St Vincent’s Hospital, Sydney.

Caterina was a prayerful woman and believed strongly in the action of God in her life and the lives of others. The Italian Capuchin Friar, Saint Padre Pio, was significant for her and she treasured his teaching on prayer, finding in it both inspiration and encouragement. She was grateful for occasions to develop her spiritual life and rejoiced to attend “Spirituality for Later Years” conducted by the Sisters of Mercy at Marymount, Parramatta. She felt privileged to participate in the “Spirituality of the Heart” programme at Issoudun, France, from where our Congregation was founded. From here she went to Rome and the land of her birth, a deep joy!

Caterina suffered with scoliosis. Regardless of the pain, she never complained – neither did she allow it to stop her doing what she believed she should do. As she aged, it became more pronounced and impacted on her breathing, such that she became dependent on oxygen, requiring a cylinder to supplement her oxygen supply.

Caterina was admitted to St Joseph’s on 13th February 2024. Her health continued to decline, and our gracious Lord called her to himself on the 16th October 2025.

We praise God for his many gifts to Sister Caterina.
We thank God and the Merlino family for their gift of her to our religious family.
We honour you, Caterina, and thank you, and we give you back to God,
grateful and privileged that you have been our Sister and our friend.
May your gentle soul rest in peace.

Moya Hanlen FDNSC
Our Lady of the Sacred Heart Chapel, Kensington
29 October 2025.