Brisbane

Extract from the Annals of St. John’s, Balloonagh, Tralee, Co. Kerry

Mission to Brisbane 1871

In the summer of 1871 Mother M. Vincent Whitty, Foundress and Superioress of the Order of Mercy in Brisbane, Australia, returned to Ireland after ten years, in quest of subjects for that mission.

She arrived at St. John’s, Balloonagh, Tralee, accompanied by M.M. Liguori of Baggot Street. She spoke of her mission with interest and love.

She looked for volunteers among the Sisters and proposed hanging a basket before the statue of Our Blessed Lady for the reception of billets. On the following morning fifteen billets were found in the basket. The names of the volunteers were submitted to His Lordship, Most Rev. Dr. Moriarty who limited the number to three.

The three Sisters chosen were, Sisters M. Xavier Kenyon, Emelian Daly, Bridget Shine. The first mentioned had been professed twelve years, the second six years and the last mentioned three years.

Most Rev. Dr. Quinn, Lord Bishop of Brisbane, who had accompanied Mother M. Vincent, received the candidates with much kindness.

Mother M. Vincent and Mother M. Liguori remained at St. John’s for some time, making arrangements for the voyage of the volunteers.

Rev. Mother Vincent Whitty requested the Bishop of Kerry, Dr. Moriarty, to arrange with the Superioress of Tralee that some of the subjects, she hoped to receive in the near future, would be trained in St. John’s Novitiate. The request was granted. In the course of five years thirteen subjects for the Brisbane mission were trained and despatched from St. John’s, Balloonagh.

From the Annals of Convent of Mercy, St. John’s, Balloonagh, Tralee, Co. Kerry .

* The names of the thirteen postulants who went to Brisbane from St. John’s Balloonagh, Tralee have not been recorded in the Register of the Tralee convent.

Brisbane from Tralee  1871-1879.

In 1871 (2 went)

 Sr. M. Xavier Kenyon               

Sr. M. Emelian Daly (returned to Tralee 1896 and died in 1908                                                                                                                

In 1873 (1 went):          

Sr. M. Bridget Shine

In 1877 (2 went) (They were sisters)                                                                         

Sr. M. Kevin Smyth                  

Sr. M. Malachy Smyth

In 1879 (2 went)                                                                                                                                                   

Sr. M Brendan O’Connell (returned to Tralee 1884 , died in 1924)

Sr M. Benignus Stritch