timeline
1842

Born 15 January Brunswick St, Fitzroy, Melbourne

Baptised 28 February, St Francis Melbourne

1861
Governess to Cameron children at
Penola Homestead; meets Fr Woods
Appointed to a salaried teaching position at Portland Catholic Denominational School
1863
Started the Stable
School on St Joseph’s
Day 19 March; wears
black dress to signify
dedication to God
1866
1867

Opens first convent cottage in Grote St Adelaide

First Adelaide school opens

Takes religious vows 15 August

Takes final vows 8
December and
leaves for Brisbane
1869
1870

Opposition to Sisters grew over the issue of central government and refusal to accept government grants for education.

Mary excommunicated 22 September. By Bishop Sheil. 47 Sisters expelled
1871

Excommunication order removed 23 February Sisters restored to Habits 19 March

Fr Woods advised to relinquish the
direction of the Sisters

Foundation formed in Bathurst diocese

1872
1873
Mary travels to Rome to seek approval of Rule written by Fr Woods
1874
Mary returns on 24 December with 15 Irish postulants
1875

Constitution of the Institute of St Joseph accepted at First General Chapter.

Mary elected as first Superior General

Sisters obliged to leave Bathurst because Bishop Matthew Quinn’s refusal to accept central government of the Institute
1876
Sisters obliged to leave Queensland because of Bishop James Quinn’s refusal to accept central government of the Institute
1879
1880

Eight Foundations in Sydney Archdiocese

Two Foundations in Armidale diocese

The last community of Josephites left Qld in July 1880 and a fortnight later the first Diocesan Josephites arrived in Qld

Second General Chapter. Mary re-elected
1881
1883

First foundation in New Zealand at Temuka

Mary dismissed from Adelaide by Bishop Reynolds and goes to Sydney

Cardinal Moran informs Mary that her election in 1881 is invalid. He appoints Mother Bernard Walsh as leader
1885

Rome rejects the Sydney Synod decree asserting
diocesan control over the Sisters

Sisters arrive in Northhampton WA

1887
1888

Decree from Rome constitutes the Sisters of St Joseph of the Sacred Heart as an approved Regular Congregation with Mother House in Sydney

Diocesan Congregations of the Sisters of St Joseph to be distinct from the other and to make some alteration in their habit and rule

Diocesan Groups were formed:

  • 1877 Perthville
  • 1880 Whangani New Zealand
  • 1882 Goulburn
  • 1883 Lochinvar
  • 1887 Tasmania

Western Australian Josephites became Diocesan after the decree of 1888

Foundation at Numurkah Victoria
1889
Sisters present in nine dioceses in Australia and New Zealand
1891
1899
Mary elected Superior General after death of Mother Bernard Walsh
1900
Sisters return to Clermont in Qld
Mary suffers stroke and goes to Rotorua
1902
Mary dies 8 August at Mount St, North Sydney and is buried in Gore Hill Cemetery
1909
Memorial Chapel built at North Sydney
1913
1914
Building of Memorial Chapel in North Sydney and translation of her remains
Process for Canonisation begins. Postponed in 1931 and re-opened in 1951
1926
1995
Beatification Ceremony in Sydney 19 January
Canonisation in Rome
2010