Rockhampton

From Cappoquin  to Rockhampton 1893

Rockhampton was a branch house of Brisbane until 1882. When a new diocese was formed it became a separate house.                                                                                                                                                      The Cappoquin annals record the following : “May 1892 Bishop Cani of Rockhampton visited and made a request that some Sisters might be given for the Australian Mission. Of those who offered themselves three were chosen. On the 6th October 1893 Srs. Margaret Mary O’Brien, Clare Ambrose and Zita Kavanagh left Cappoquin for Rockhampton. Rev. T. McDonnell PP and Rev. T. Walsh CC accompanied them to the train. A crowd of people from the town ad assembled on the platform to wish them god speed.

The records from Rockhampton record the following on the three Sisters : Sr. Margaret Mary was chosen as Mistress of Novices from 1902-1911 and Mother Bursar  from 1911-1914. She died in Townsville on the 4th October 1915.

Sr. Clare was from Limerick . she was professed in Cappoquin in 1881. She was appointed Mother Assistant in Townsville from 1902-1908;1914-1920. She died in St. Patrick’s, Townville in 1933.

On Sr. Zita’s death Bishop R. Hayes paid tribute to her dedication to the care of the children in Meteor Park orphanage. She was a kind, selfsacrificing person. “She was a truly great and hidden soul.” She is  buried at North Rockhampton Cemetery.

Rockhampton from Cappoquin

1893

Sr. M. Clare Ambrose

Sr. Margaret Mary O’Brien

Sr. Zita Kavanagh