Our history

1933

Fr John Wallis arrives in Tasmania, Australia.

Fr John meets Mrs Kit Hawkins on Bruny Island, Tasmania.

1934

Experimental correspondence lessons sent to children on Bruny Island.

1938

Beginnings of small Catholic lending library in Hobart.

1939

Fr John writes to the Sisters of Service in Canada’s isolated prairie country.

He writes locally of the need for a community of sisters to reach out to rural families.

1941

Lending library established in the Commercial Bank building, Hobart.

1942

Miss Valerie Casey, a Legionary, appointed Librarian at the Catholic library, Hobart.

1943

Gwen Morse, attending a meeting of the Legion of Mary addressed by Fr John offers herself as the first volunteer.

First of several meetings of those interested in forming a group to discuss proposed community.

1944

Archbishop Tweedy announces plans for the new community at clergy conference, Archdiocese of Hobart.

Beginnings of new community at Launceston, Tasmania known as The Home Missionary Sisters of Our Lady, with the motto: Into the Highways and Byways.

1945

First correspondence lessons sent to thirteen children on Flinders Island.

1946

At the request of Archbishop Tweedy, two Sisters take up residence in North Hobart.

1947

Approval given by Rome for this new society of women to live in community without vows.

Sisters design and adopt a grey dress and veil, together with hat and cloak when travelling.

1948

Two Sisters accept first invitation for mission in Derby parish, Tasmania.

1949

The community moves from Launceston to Longford, Tasmania.

The novitiate and correspondence school transfer to North Hobart.

Two Sisters travel to Stanley, Tasmania, where a caravan is used on mission for the first time. (Caravan remained in use until 1960.)

1950

Archbishop Tweedy invites Fr John to accompany him on his ad limina visit to Rome.

Their visit includes a private audience with His Holiness, Pope Pius XII.

1951

Formal approval given for the Home Missionary Sisters of Our Lady to be established as a religious congregation with public vows.

Constitutions of the congregation accepted.

Twelve Sisters make their first public vows.

1954

Final vows taken by seven Sisters.

1955

Resignation of Archbishop Tweedy who is succeeded by Archbishop Young.

Congregation represented at Catholic Life Exhibition, Melbourne.

1956

First General Chapter of Elections and Affairs.

First issue of Rosary House News, later to become Highways and Byways.

1957

The Catholic library and bookshop, together with correspondence school, relocate.

They move to Macquarie Street, Hobart.

Four Sisters leave Tasmania to begin first mainland foundation at Parkes, NSW (Wilcannia-Forbes diocese 1957-1992).

1958

At the request of Archbishop Young, two Sisters staff the hostel for country girls in Launceston (1958-1963).

Purchase of property at Lindisfarne, Hobart.

1959

The Lindisfarne property becomes home for the congregation’s central house and correspondence school. Sisters transfer from Macquarie Street, Hobart.

1960

First death within the community: Sr Anne Murphy.

Purchase of land at Penna, Tasmania for retreat/holiday house.

1962

Scottsdale and Ellendale Mission Centre opens (1962-1974).

Vatican Council II begins (1962-1965).

Style of dress and veil simplified.

1964

Former hostel becomes the base for mission house and correspondence school (1964-1982).

Toowoomba foundation, Queensland opens. Five Sisters begin working in the diocese.

1966

Mathoura mission base opens (1966-1969): two Sisters stationed all-the-year-round to work in Wilcannia-Forbes diocese (NSW).

1967

Completion of new Novitiate on Lindisfarne property. The North Hobart house is vacated.

Celebration of Silver Jubilee of Congregation.

1969

Sister commences solo apostolate at Broken Hill, Wilcannia-Forbes diocese, NSW (1969-1983).

1970

Beginning of MSS involvement in Catholic Education Office, Hobart.

Fire damages the Lending Library in Hobart, forcing it to cease operation.

1971

Sr Lynette Ehler dies in a car accident one month after Incorporation.

One Sister commences at the Brisbane Catholic Education Office (1971-1981).

Two Sisters travel to Whyalla, South Australia, to begin working in the Port Pirie diocese.

Name of the congregation changes to Missionary Sisters of Service.

1972

Preparation of parent/catechist correspondence course for adults.

St. Marys, Tasmania is added to the Scottsdale Mission Centre (1972-1974).

1973

Death in Launceston of pioneer member, Sr Monica Carroll.

1974

Launching of scripture correspondence course for adults.

Involvement in social welfare work (Tasmania and Queensland) for approximately 10 years.

1975

General Chapter is held at Lindisfarne, Tasmania.

1980

Beginning of involvement in Aboriginal mission, Queensland.

1982

Celebration of Fr John’s golden jubilee of ordination.

Two Sisters begin parish ministry in Richmond, Townsville diocese (1982-1991).

Completion of new Generalate buildings at Forest Hill, Victoria.

1983

Blessing and opening of new buildings at Forest Hill.

Transfer of central house from Tasmania to Victoria.

1984

First MSS appointed to lead a parish without a resident priest (Oatlands, Tasmania 1984-1993).

One Sister begins working in Bundaberg (Rockhampton diocese).

Full-time involvement with YCW National Team, Sydney (1984-1991).

1985

Participation in aerial ministry, isolated Queensland parishes (1985-1988).

1986

Sale of Lindisfarne property and transfer of local community to New Town, Tasmania.

1987

General Chapter is held in Melbourne, Victoria.

Death of pioneer member, Sr Vianney Moore.

1988

Sister begins pastoral work at Weipa, Cairns diocese (1988-1991).

Death of Archbishop Sir Guilford Young (Hobart).

1989

Toowoomba community celebrates 25 years.

Death of pioneer member, Sr Teresa Morse, the first volunteer.

Death of Sr Helen Haywood.

1990

Parish ministry at Pyramid Hill, Sandhurst diocese, Victoria (1990-1993).

1992

Celebration of Fr John’s diamond jubilee of ordination.

Tribute is published: One Man’s Yes To God by Penelope Edman.

Fr John receives Australia Day award for services to religion.

1993

Beginning of catechetical ministry, Singapore/Malaysia.

1994

Celebration of 50th anniversary of foundation of the congregation.

Anniversary Mass celebrated at St Mary’s Cathedral, Hobart, Tasmania, July 10th 1994.

Death of pioneer member Sr Venard Casey in her 90th year.

1995

Culmination of Jubilee year: festival at Turramurra.

Bookshop moves to new premises in Macquarie Street, Hobart.

50th Anniversary celebration for Agnes Ryan, Monica Franklin, Edith Moore and Paul Coad.

1996

Death of Sr Winifred Sharp in Toowoomba, Queensland.

1998

Sr Lorraine Groves wins Australia Day Citizen Award.

Ninth General Chapter, Turramurra.

1999

Sister travels to East Timor giving support to non-government groups prior to East Timor elections.

Tasmanian Community moves from New Town to Claremont in Hobart.

2000

Celebration of Fr John Wallis’ 90th birthday.

2001

New millennium gathering of all Sisters in Melbourne with Fr John Wallis.

Death of Congregation founder Fr John Wallis.

Mass of Christian Burial, St Mary’s Cathedral, Hobart, August 8th 2001.

Retreat site at Penna sold to Catholic Education Office, Tasmania.

2002

Transfer of Administration centre from Forest Hill to Vermont, Victoria.

2003

Sisters cease managing Catholic Centre Bookshop, Hobart, Tasmania.

Beginning of Open Chapter, the first of three sessions.

2004

Conclusion of Chapter with election of leadership team.

60th Anniversary of the founding of the Congregation.

Audio

Fr John Wallis reads Luke 14:21-14:24

Highways & Byways

(Words and music by Peter Kearney, from his CD The Common Good)