Significant Contributions towards Establishing the Catholic Church in Colonial Australia'

By lbatey
  • Mary's birth

    Mary's birth

    Mary was born on January 28 1842: Brunswick Street at Fitzroy in Melbourne
  • Mary meets Father Julian and Tenison Woods.

    Mary meets Father Julian and Tenison Woods.

    1861: In Penola in South Australia is where she meets Father Julian Tenison Woods.
  • first fee Catholic school

    first fee Catholic school

    1866: With Father Woods, starts the first free Catholic school in Penola.
  • Mary joins with Father Woods to form a new religious order of nuns

    Mary joins with Father Woods to form a new religious order of nuns

    1867: Joins with Father Woods to form a new religious order of nuns, the Sisters of St Joseph, devoted to teaching the poor.
  • Mary opens more catholic schools in Queensland

    Mary opens more catholic schools in Queensland

    1869: Mary Takes her final vows on December 8, and leaves for Queensland to open schools there.
  • when Mary arrived in Australia

    when Mary arrived in Australia

    Mary Mackillop and five other Sisters of Saint Joseph arrived in Queensland on 31 December, 1869, at the invitation of James Quinn, first Catholic bishop of Brisbane and founder of the Catholic Education system in Queensland.
  • Mary travels to Rome for a personal audience with Pope Pius IX

    Mary travels to Rome for a personal audience with Pope Pius IX

    1873: Mary travels to Rome for a personal audience with Pope Pius IX, obtains papal approval for the sisterhood but the 'Rule of Life' Father Woods set down is discarded and another is drawn up, causing a breach between Mary and Father Woods.
  • Mary returns to Australia

    Mary returns to Australia

    1874: Mary returns to Australia with 15 Irish postulants, following travels in Europe to visit schools
  • The sisters expand to New Zealand

    The sisters expand to New Zealand

    1883: The sisters expand to New Zealand with the establishment of their first foundation.
  • Between 1902 and 1915 five more schools

    Between 1902 and 1915 five more schools

    Between 1902 and 1915 five more schools were opened in Alpha
  • suffers a stroke and travels to Rotorua

    suffers a stroke and travels to Rotorua

    1902: Mary suffers a stroke and travels to Rotorua in New Zealand.
  • when Mary died

    when Mary died

    1909: Mary dies on August 8 at Mount Street in North Sydney and is buried at Gore Hill Cemetery.