The story began in 1956 when there was an approach made to Rev.M General Sr.M.Caterina Galieti to supply the parish of North Sunshine with a team of nuns who would be involved in various parochial activities.

 

Following much correspondence from His Lordship Bishop Fox, it was decided to allow the establishment of the first Augustinian convent in the Parish of St.Bernadette’s Parish, North Sunshine,

Therefore, in 1957 the first community of Augustinian Sisters, Servants of Jesus and Mary arrived in Melbourne:

            Sr.Evodia Bonnici (rip)

            Sr.Leonide Caruana (presently in the B’kara community, Malta)

            Sr.Blandina Pace (rip)

            Sr.Alessina Tabone   (rip)

 

As many people know, beginning in a new country has its difficulties.  The sisters arrived yet the convent had not been completed.

 

Fortunately the Sisters of St.Joseph (Josephites), under the care of Sr.John Forrester, in the Maidstone community, made room in their convent for the first Augustinian community. This ‘boarding time’ was to extend to 10 months.

 

The Augustinian Sisters are forever grateful of the kindness and assistance shown to us by the Sisters of St.Joseph.

 

December, 1957:          The sisters move into their convent at 59a Westmoreland Road.

 

Since our coming to Australia, the congregation has had houses in:

            North Sunshine 1957 –

            Broken Hill       1964 – 1970

            Frankston          1970 – 1982

            Avondale Heights 1986 –

In all these parishes, the sisters have been involved in:

Ø      Education:  local parish school of North SunshineSr Connie Mamo, School Chaplain. Sr Lorraine Pastoral Care & Parent Liaison, Thomas Carr Secondary College, Sr Cresilda after school care program ;

Ø      Pastoral care:  visitation, bereavement ministry   Sr.Connie Mamo home, Church ministry (Sr. Renata Cross, Sr. Marlene Falzon, sacristan/home visitation  to St.Bernadette’s Parish);

Ø      Adult education for those preparing to enter the Church; marriage preparation, catechism classes.

Ø      Organising and leading Parish Communion services for the many times that there are no priests available for weekly mass.

Ø      Running retreat days for young adults and parish groups.

15^th June, 2007: Mass of Thanksgiving, St.Bernadette’s, Sunshine North.  Main Celebrant, Fr. Terence Curtin. Co-celebrants: Fr.Anthony Kerin (Parish Priest, St.Martin De Porres, Avondale Heights), Frs. Ivano Burdian, John Taliana mssp, Sunshine North, Frs Denis Carabott, Edwin Aguis.

 

Rev.Mother General, Rev. Mother, Sr.Tessie Bezzina (Italy) & Rev. Mother Provincial, Sr.Carmen Borg  (Malta) were present for this occasion.