Religious Communities

Parish’s Name:

• St Patrick’s, Glen Innes

Religious Communities throughout the Parish’s history:

• Sisters of St Joseph – 1884         
• Provincial House established – 1899-1995

Regarding the foundation at Glen Innes, the bishop wrote to Mother Mary (MacKillop) from Tenterfield (29 October 1883):

“…I am very please to hear that the good Sisters are ready for Glen Innes. The little convent of Glen Innes is quite completed and beautifully furnished. I blessed it last Sunday week. Dr Redwood (NS) was with me. I think it would be much better for the Sisters to go to Glen Innes after Christmas when I could accompany them for the opening of school … the opening then will be a great success. The people are most anxious to have the Sisters and will do their very best to support them If you will kindly let me know how much money is wanted to bring the Sisters from Adelaide to Glen Innes, I will direct a collection to be made at once to defray all expenses.”

An extract from Freeman’s Journal (2 February 1884) reads:

“On Tuesday, 15 January, four Sisters of St Joseph, accompanied by Dr Torreggianni, Bishop of Armidale, and Rev J Doyle of Narrabri assisted at Glen Innes. They were met at Glencoe, a distance of about twelve miles, by Rev Marianus Bambini, OSFC and a large number of leading Catholics, and escorted by them to town. Arriving at the convent where a very large number of ladies and gentlemen had previously met to welcome the Sisters, His Lordship thanked them for the hearty and encouraging welcome they had so kindly accorded the good Sisters.”