With Deep Sadness CMCB acknowledges the Death of Dr Berenice Kerr RSM

The College was saddened to hear of the death of Dr Berenice Kerr RSM, who died peacefully on 4 March 2026, following a short illness, in the 60th year of her Religious Profession.

Sr Berenice was a great friend to our College and took an interest in our major events, including the transition from Catholic College Bendigo to Catherine McAuley College Bendigo in 2017 and the celebration of our 140th Jubilee in 2016. She recently provided editorial support towards our Sesquicentenary publication and had intended to attend Mass in the Boarders Chapel on 2 May as part of our ‘Back To’ celebration. She will be greatly missed.

Sr Berenice was also a true supporter of Mercy Education Limited as well as our iGEN program. Principal Brian Turner shared the news with a heavy heart, saying "prayers are extended to Berenice’s family and to the Sisters'

Requiem Mass to celebrate Berenice's life was celebrated at St Alipius Church in Ballarat East on 10 March 2026. 

This statement was released by Catholic Education Ballarat:

Sister Berenice was a Sister of Mercy in the true spirit of Catherine McAuley – a woman of deep faith, intelligence, courage and compassion, grounded in a profound love of Christ. She was widely known as a passionate supporter of Catholic education, a gifted scholar, and a woman who brought warmth, insight and genuine humanity to all she encountered.

An accomplished academic, she held a Doctor of Philosophy in Church History from Oxford, along with a Bachelor of Arts with Honours and a Diploma of Education. In recognition of her significant contribution to Catholic education, she was named an Honorary Fellow of Australian Catholic University.

An educator by calling and profession, Berenice devoted her life to learning, teaching and leadership. She taught in secondary schools from 1969 and went on to make an extensive and deeply influential contribution to Catholic education through senior governance and leadership roles across New South Wales. Her service included work as Consultant in Secondary Education with the Catholic Education Office in the Diocese of Lismore; Commissioner of the Catholic Education Commission NSW; Chair of the Commission’s Standing Committee on Educational Policy; Director and later Chair of Trinity Catholic College, Lismore; and member of the Education Committee of the Council of Leaders of Religious Institutes NSW. She also served as a Director of St Vincent’s Private Hospital, Lismore.

Within the Ballarat Diocese, Berenice’s contribution was both foundational and enduring. Berenice came to Ballarat as leader of the Mercy community of South B following the national amalgamation of the congregations of the Sisters of Mercy. She was a former Company Member of St Francis Xavier Primary School and Damascus College, and a regular visitor to diocesan schools across the region. Through her presence in schools and her participation in Diocesan Leadership Gatherings, she offered thoughtful guidance, intellectual challenge and deep encouragement to leaders and educators, bringing her scholarship, experience and strong commitment to Catholic identity directly into the life of school communities.

Berenice was a foundational member of the DOBCEL Board, serving with distinction as Deputy Chair and as a member of the Learning and Teaching Committee and the Catholic Identity and Mission Committee until her retirement in December 2025. Her wisdom, clarity of thought and deep commitment to Catholic identity shaped our Board and our system in profound and lasting ways.

Those of us who knew Berenice will remember her intellectual rigour, her love of language and her affection for perfect grammar, but also her quick wit, sharp humour and generosity of spirit. She delighted in good conversation, shared laughter readily, and was always appreciative of a good pinot noir enjoyed in the company of others.

I give thanks for Berenice’s faithful service, her leadership, and her unwavering commitment to Catholic education. I ask you to join me in holding her family, friends and the Sisters of Mercy in your prayers. We commend her to God using the adapted words of Catherine McAuley’s Suscipe, which so beautifully expresses the trust in God’s providence that shaped Berenice’s life and faith.

My God,
I am yours for time and eternity,
Lord, I am yours forever.
It is you who must teach me to trust in your Providence, Loving Lord.

You are a God of love and tenderness.
I place my trust in you,
And I ask that you grant me acceptance of your will,

Loving Lord.
Take from my heart all painful anxiety.
Let nothing sadden me but sin.
And then let my delight be hoping to see your face,
God, my all.

Rest in peace, Berenice.

Tina Munro
Executive Assistant to the Executive Director
Catholic Education Ballarat