Papua-New Guinea

For many years the Federation participated in a joint ministry in Papua-New Guinea.  Three Tasmanian sisters served there during the period when it was administered by the Federation. 

Our Tasmanian involvement in the Papua-New Guinea missions began in 1969 when, in response to the request of Bishop Paschal Sweeney, C.P., we sent one of our members to join the Goulburn community in Vanimo.

In the early years, the sisters taught in the Mission Schools in the Vanimo Diocese.  Later their ministry included adult faith formation and pastoral ministry amongst the sick and elderly in the villages in the dioceses of both Vanimo and the neighbouring Aitape diocese.  Some of the sisters became very actively involved with West Papuan refugees during the late seventies and early eighties.

The sisters of St Joseph in Papua-New Guinea were well-known for their great spirit of dedication and generosity.  Such luxuries as spiritual assistance, reliable transport and communication and opportunities to relax with friends were not available to them.  They had to be prepared for the unexpected:  the impassable, flooded rivers, late or non-arrival of planes and frequent mechanical breakdowns.  They gave expression, in a very real way, to the words of our co-Founder, Fr Julian, who urged us

Despite the fact that our sisters are no longer physically present in Papua-New Guinea, the Federation has continued to support the Church in New Guinea in both financial and other practical ways.  Students of Sacred Heart College continued to support the PNG mission long after the Tasmanian sisters withdrew from the Mission there.

From 1996 until 2004, Sr Mary Noonan was on the staff of the Good Shepherd seminary at Banz training the students in Catechetics and homiletics and establishing a theological library.