First Catholic Mission to the Aborigines



The first Passionists came to Australia in 1843, to begin the first Catholic Mission to the Aborigines. This was on Stradbroke Island off Brisbane. They set up their home in an abandoned government building at Dunwich, and from there attempted to get to know the language and culture of the local community. After three years, this mission was abandoned and they began a sea journey to Perth. The arrived in Adelaide and didn’t get any further.

1993- 150th Anniversary Mass

Emeritus Bishop John Gerry, Fr. John O’Halloran, Fr. Kevin Dance cp and Aunty Rose Borey
.2013 -170th Anniversary Mass
Archbishop Mark Coleridge, Fr. Gerry Hefferan, Monsignor John Butler, Fr. Frank O’Dea, Fr Paul Rooney and students from Star of the Sea Catholic School and Carmel College

2003 -160th Anniversary Mass

Auxiliary Bishop Joseph Oudeman. Fr Ted Houlihan and Eucharistic Minister Evelyn Parkin

2018 175th Anniversary Mass

Fr. Ted Houlihan, Fr. Ashley Warbrooke, Provincial Tom O’Donoghue cp, Fr. Kevin Dance cp, Fr. Gerry Hefferan.  Children who were baptised at the Mass. Jamaya, Amarli, Ashiah & Deacon Borey & Braith Cowell & Sr Kay McPadden
2023 180th Anniversary Mass
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Fr Frank O’Dea, Fr. Kevin Dance cp, Fr Ray Sanchez cp, Archbishop Mark Coleridge, Deacon Gerard Lai, Fr Paul Merceica cp, Fr. Rony Chacko, Fr. Ashely Warbrooke