ST. JOSEPH, THE TASMANIAN CONGREGATION OF THE SISTERS
OF
(SSJ) 1887
The English priest, Julian Tenison Woods and the Australian Woman, Mary MacKillop (Later Mother Mary of the Cross) had a dream of the education of rural Catholic children in Australia. The work began in a stable in the South Australian town of Penola in 1866. Fr. Julian wanted a group of women who were prepared to consecrate themselves to God and to the service of His poor by sharing the hardships of the settlers.
Mary MacKillop dreamt of giving her life to God. The paths of Fr. Julian and Mary crossed and upon Julian’s encouragement Mary agreed to go to Penola to begin the work of establishing a Catholic school.
Fr. Julian was appointed Director of Catholic education in Adelaide and Mary accepted Fr. Julian’s invitation to establish a Catholic school there. Large numbers of women were inspired by Fr. Julian and Mother Mary and joined them in the work.
The aim of the Sisters was the pious education of children whose parents were in humble circumstances. The care of orphanages, refuges, visitation of sick, poor and prisons was also seen as part of the work.1
Dissimilar views caused an estrangement between the two founders. Those sisters who remained with Fr. Julian formed diocesan congregations; one of which is the Tasmanian Congregation of the Sisters of St. Joseph.
The spirit of Fr. Julian included a great confidence in God, the living of a poor life-style, being gentle in manner, patient, generous, humble and most importantly, loving.
The Sisters who remained with Fr. Julian resided under the diocesan authority of the Bishop of Bathurst from 1872. It was from there that five Sisters under the leadership of Sr. M. Frances McCarthy left for Tasmania in 1887.
The Religious Institute flourished with foundations at Westbury, Forth, Ulverstone, Devonport, Oatlands, Zeehan, Cygnet and within ten years of the Sisters arriving in Tasmania.
1 M.R. MacGinley,p.159
Further Suggested Reading:
RSJ Tasmania Sisters of St. Joseph Tasmania 1887 - 1987: God with us
Lindisfarne: Advance Publicity, 1987
Anonymous Torch Bearers for Christ: History of Sisters of St. Joseph of the Sacred Heart in Tasmania
1887-1966. Mercury, Tasmania 1966.
If further information is required about individual Sisters the following address is given:
The Archivist
New Town Congregation Federation
Sacred Heart Convent
67 Clare Street
NEW TOWN TAS. 7008
In writing to the Archivist, it would be appropriate that a financial contribution be made for the Archivist’s time and expertise.
Religious Orders or Congregations have released the details on their members. It is understood that the copyright of any material (including the listing of the names of the Sisters) relevant to a particular Order or Congregation in this publication remains with the relevant Order or Congregation.