Franciscan Friars in Australia

2009

Franciscan Friars world-wide celebrate 800 years since the establishment of the Order.

2000

Franciscans begin working in Kuching, Malaysia.

1985

The Papua New Guinea Mission becomes a Vice-Province in its own right.

1978

The Come In Youth Resource Centre, adjacent to St Francis Church in Paddington, is established. This is eventually managed by St Francis Social Services. It is later named Centre 360.

1975

Franciscans take responsibility for Maylands, in Western Australia. In the same year, Franciscans assume responsibility for the parish of St Francis Xavier, Box Hill, Melbourne. The adjoining parish of St Clare is added in 2002.

1973

Yarra Theological Union is the result of a coming-together of the teaching resources of several Religious Orders, including the Franciscans. The facility is based at St Paschal’s College at Box Hill.

1970

The Province assumes responsibility for the Franciscan presence in Singapore.

1969

Franciscans are involved in the development of St Paul’s College, part of the new James Cook University in Townsville.

1963

Franciscans assume responsibility for a number of parishes in and around Townsville West, until 1999.

1960

Franciscans assume responsibility for the parish of St Brigid, in Collie, Western Australia, until 2000.

1959

Franciscans take on the role of chaplain to the Palm Island community. Working with other religious, a presbytery, school, convent and church are constructed.

1956

Franciscans are invited to administer the parish of Trevallyn-Riverside in Launceston, Tasmania by Archbishop Guildford-Young. Padua College is established in Kedron to serve the growing need for secondary education in the Catholic tradition.

1954

Asiana House in Ashfield opens to support Asian students. This develops into a hub for the Chinese catholic community in Sydney. Franciscans begin working with the community on Fantome Island, off the northern coast of Queensland, where a leprosarium had been established in the 1940s. Franciscans assume responsibility for the parish of St Liborius, around Eaglehawk in Victoria, until 1998.  

1952

A new Retreat House, Mt Alverna, is opened in Wahroonga, Sydney.

1950

Franciscans assume responsibility for Midland Parish in the northern districts of Perth, Western Australia, until 1997.

1949

St Bernardine Friary, ‘Greyfriars’, Mount Eliza opens to accommodate theology students from St Paschal College.

1946

Robertson is chosen as the site for the new St Anthony’s College. This is a continuation of the work begun at St Bonaventure’s College in Rydal. Holy Spirit Province sends missionaries to northern New Guinea, which is trying to rebuild after the destruction caused by WWII.

1945

Baraga House is established in Melbourne in support of migrants coming to Australia after the devastation of WWII.

1939

Following a major period of growth and expansion into Victoria, Queensland and New Zealand in the 1930s, the Australian mission gains sufficient size for recognition as an independent province. In October 1939, Holy Spirit Province is established in Australia as an independent entity of the Franciscan Order of Friars Minor.

1936

A Franciscan College and friary are established at Box Hill. The Franciscans and students move into St Paschal’s College in 1936.

1934

Maryfields at Campbelltown NSW becomes the home of the Franciscan Novitiate.

1931

The Franciscans are granted permission to establish a permanent foundation in Melbourne. A retreat house called La Verna is established in Kew.

1929

The Franciscans assume responsibility for a parish in Brisbane, Queensland. A new friary is constructed at Kedron, along with St Anthony’s Primary School.

1927

Fidelis Griffin is appointed by the Ireland Province to head the mission in Sydney, with specific instructions to build it up into an independent Franciscan Province.

1918

St Bonaventure College opens in Rydal near Lithgow in NSW. It is the first local training college for those wishing to join the Order.

1917

Franciscans have responsibility for the Parish of St Anthony of Padua, in Clovelly.

1913

Mary Immaculate Church is built in Waverley, New South Wales and opened with a dedication ceremony by Most Rev Michael Kelly, DD. Today it is the mother-church of the Franciscan Friars in Australia.

1904

The first two Australian-born Franciscan, Cornelius Bartley and Basil Piper, join the Order.

1879

Frs James Hanrahan, Martin Holohan and Paschal McGinley arrive in Sydney from Ireland to establish the first community of Franciscans.

1875

Fr O’Farrell dies leaving a substantial sum in trust to establish a Franciscan community in Sydney.

1854

Fr Peter O’Farrell arrives in Australia. Much of his salary over next 20 years is saved for the establishment of a Franciscan community in Australia.

1853

Fr Laurence Bonaventure Sheil arrives from Ireland, succeeding Geoghegan as Bishop of Adelaide.

1838

Fr Bonaventure Geoghegan arrives in Melbourne and is responsible for building St Francis Church in Melbourne.