OUR SISTERS : TASMANIA

Sr Frances McShane : Beaconsfield

In 2004 Frances moved to the Beaconsfield community part of the West Tamar Parish in the north of Tasmania after managing the Catholic Book Centre for many years in Hobart. Prior to this she had worked in country parishes in South Australia, New South Wales and Tasmania. She works as a pastoral associate for the country towns and districts that stretch from the northern area of Launceston to the mouth of the Tamar River. She leads Sunday liturgical celebrations for those communities that do not have Mass, visits families and those who are sick and is a member of the Pastoral Council. She enjoys being a listening presence in the parish for those who call in and is active with the other church groups in the community. Many groups such as those who are involved in liturgical ministry and prayer/discussion groups are flourishing. There is a great spirit in the community that is fostered by local activities such as the annual fair, ecumenical gatherings and an interest in developing Neighbourhood Church Communities.

Sr Paul Coad : Claremont

Sr Paul has retired from a very active and full ministry spanning 44 years. She joined the Congregation in 1946 after serving with the Australian Women's Army Service as a specially trained wireless operator. During her time as a member of the Congregation Paul has spent 23 years on mission in various mainland locations, and 21 years in her home state of Tasmania. She now enjoys gardening, water colour painting and extending the hand of friendship to a wide range of people in her local area.

Sr Monica Franklin : Claremont

Monica was born in Victoria, Australia and attended schools conducted by the Good Samaritan Sisters. While working as a telephonist she heard of a new apostolate in Tasmania and joined the group in Launceston, Tasmania in 1945. Her early mission days were in the country areas of Tasmania, followed by missionary work in Wilcannia-Forbes diocese, New South Wales and then Townsville, Queensland. For many years she was part of the apostolate to aboriginal people in Charters Towers. Currently she lives at Guilford Young Grove and spends time with the residents there.

Sr Carmel Hall : Claremont

Carmel was born in Tasmania and became aware of the Rosary House Sisters in the 1950s. These Sisters were different; they travelled all over the Island visiting country families and provided correspondence lessons in religion. For several years she viewed them cautiously from afar, taking note of their activities which were reported regularly in the local Catholic paper. The day came when she could no longer resist the call to at least try their way of life. Forty-six years and many challenges later, she has no regrets! She is happy and grateful that she is a Missionary Sister of Service, privileged to have served over the years in the MSS Correspondence School apostolate, secretarial work for their Founder and Congregation, Marriage Tribunal work and the Diocesan Heritage Museum and Archives in Hobart.

Sr Barbara Hateley : Claremont

Barbara is a member of the Tasmanian community and lives at Claremont in Hobart. Since the early 1980s she has been involved in pastoral ministry in the Archdiocese. This has been carried out through her role at the Catholic Education Office where she has been responsible for providing faith education opportunities for parents and children who do not attend Catholic Schools. With the advent of inter-denominational religious education in the State Schools in Tasmania she has been involved in providing formation programs for voluntary Christian Religious Education teachers who have weekly classes in about 70% of State Primary Schools. Barbara finds it is a joy to be with families in parishes as they share their story as well as support and encourage them in their endeavours to pass on the faith to their children.

Sr Lorraine Groves : Ellendale

Lorraine lives in Ellendale, a small rural town in central Tasmania and works in the Catholic parish of Central Tasmania. This is the largest in the state comprising the rural areas of four main communities with 13 Mass centres spread over approximately 22,000 square kilometres. She sees her main role as networking with the needs of both parish and communities scattered over this wide area. Much time is given to the pastoral care of the sick and elderly and those with special needs. She is involved in local community initiatives such as a market to assist those seeking employment and enjoys meeting people and providing outreach through local fairs, shows and open days.