Augustinian Sisters Servants of Jesus and Mary, Australia
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  • Our story in Australia
    • Our beginnings
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    • ASJM Overseas donation policy
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    • Mission News MARCH 2025
  • Archives
    • General Chapter 2021-2022
      • General Chapter 2021-2022
      • Photo gallery General Chapter 2021
      • Provincial Chapter MALTA 2022
      • 50th Anniversary
      • 2017 60th Anniversary
        • Bishop Terry Curtin's homily
          • Mother General, Tessie Bezzina asjm
          • Maltese Community Council Publicaiton
          • Photo gallery 60th Anniversary
      • Dignitary visits
      • Sr Connie's Golden Jubilee
  • In Memoriam
    • Sr Renata Cross
    • Sr Blandina Pace
    • Sr Candida Manche
  • Prayer room
    • Spiritual Direction
    • Resources~links
  • Members login
  • Contact
  • Home
    • Who was Maria Teresa Spinelli
    • Venerable Mother Teresa Spinelli
    • Spinellinian Spirituality
    • What it means to be Augustinian
    • Pathway to commitment
    • Our emblem explained
    • Painting explained
  • Policies
    • ASJM Keeping children and adults safe
    • ASJM Overseas donation policy
  • Our story in Australia
    • Our beginnings
  • Provinces
    • Overseas
    • Hospitality: Bed and Breakfast
    • ASJM Overseas donation policy
    • Missionary support
    • Mission News MARCH 2025
  • Archives
    • General Chapter 2021-2022
      • General Chapter 2021-2022
      • Photo gallery General Chapter 2021
      • Provincial Chapter MALTA 2022
      • 50th Anniversary
      • 2017 60th Anniversary
        • Bishop Terry Curtin's homily
          • Mother General, Tessie Bezzina asjm
          • Maltese Community Council Publicaiton
          • Photo gallery 60th Anniversary
      • Dignitary visits
      • Sr Connie's Golden Jubilee
  • In Memoriam
    • Sr Renata Cross
    • Sr Blandina Pace
    • Sr Candida Manche
  • Prayer room
    • Spiritual Direction
    • Resources~links
  • Members login
  • Contact

Our Beginnings

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First steps

 The story began in 1956 when there was an approach made to Rev.M General Sr.M.Caterina Galieti to supply the parish of North Sunshine with a team of nuns who would be involved in various parochial activities.

Following much correspondence from His Lordship Bishop Fox, it was decided to allow the establishment of the first Augustinian convent in the Parish of St.Bernadette’s Parish, North Sunshine.

Therefore, in 1957 the first community of Augustinian Sisters, Servants of Jesus and Mary arrived in Melbourne.

As many people know, beginning in a new country has its difficulties.  The sisters arrived yet the convent had not been completed.  

Fortunately the Sisters of St.Joseph (Josephites), under the care of Sr.John Forrester, in the Maidstone community, made room in their convent for the first Augustinian community. This ‘boarding time’ was to extend to 10 months.

 The Augustinian Sisters are forever grateful of the kindness and assistance shown to us by the Sisters of St.Joseph.

 December, 1957:   The sisters move into their convent at 59a Westmoreland Road.

 Since our coming to Australia, the congregation has had houses in:

            North Sunshine 1957 –             (re-located to new convent, June 2011)

            Broken Hill       1964 – 1970

            Frankston          1970 – 1982

            Avondale Heights 1986 –

In all these parishes, the sisters have been involved in:

Ø      Education

Ø      Pastoral care:  visitation, bereavement ministry    Church ministry: sacristan/home visitation  to St.Bernadette’s Parish

Ø      Adult education for those preparing to enter the Church; marriage preparation, catechism classes.

Ø      Organising and leading Parish Communion services for the many times that there are no priests available for weekly mass.

Ø      Running retreat days for young adults and parish groups, spiritual direction

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St Bernadette's Primary School administered by the Augustinian Sisters, Servants of Jesus & Mary c.1965
Where are they now?

Since our beginnings in Australia, there have been many sisters who have ministered here in Australia.     

Some now enjoy the peace of eternal life, others ministering in other countries:

Sr.Evodia Bonnici      (rip) 
Sr.Leonide Caruana   (rip)
Sr.Blandina Pace       (rip)
Sr.Alessina Tabone    (rip)
Sr.Eugenia Sammut    (rip)
Sr.Paulina Zahra         (rip)
Sr.Generosa Apap       (rip)
Sr.Renata Cross        (rip)
Sr.Teresa Aquilina ~  Malta
Sr.Navigia Sammut     (rip)  
Sr.Agostina Ancilleri ~ Malta 
Sr.Candida Manche     (rip)
Sr.Marlene Falzon ~     Australia
Sr.Connie Mamo ~       Australia
Sr.Nancy Bezzina ~     (rip)
Sr.Carmen Bugeja ~    (rip)
Sr.Pierina Apap            (rip)        
Sr.Angelica Bajada ~   Malta
Sr.Lorraine Testa ~      Australia
Sr.Anna Chircop ~       Australia
Sr.Damiana Micallef ~ Malta
Sr.Atanasia Buhagiar ~ Malta
Sr.Emma Micallef ~       Malta
Sr.Yolanda Canja ~   Phillipines
Sr.Ninette D'Amato ~ Malta
Sr.Cresilda Villas ~Australia
Sr Sola -Dad~ Italy
​Sr Rhoda Mendoza ~ Phillipines
​Sr Maylaflor Escaner ~ Australia


Sr Renata Cross
Sr Blandina Pace
Sr Candida Manche
You are all to live together,one in mind and one in heart,and honour God in one another,because each of you has become his temple.(Rule of St Augustine no. 8)

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ASJM Italy
ASJM Malta
St Monica Guest House bookings/enquires
Augustinian Sisters, 
Servants of Jesus & Mary
2 Venice Court
Avondale Heights   3034
+61 93374595


​For information on Mission Support contact: 
[email protected] 



  • Home
    • Who was Maria Teresa Spinelli
    • Venerable Mother Teresa Spinelli
    • Spinellinian Spirituality
    • What it means to be Augustinian
    • Pathway to commitment
    • Our emblem explained
    • Painting explained
  • Policies
    • ASJM Keeping children and adults safe
    • ASJM Overseas donation policy
  • Our story in Australia
    • Our beginnings
  • Provinces
    • Overseas
    • Hospitality: Bed and Breakfast
    • ASJM Overseas donation policy
    • Missionary support
    • Mission News MARCH 2025
  • Archives
    • General Chapter 2021-2022
      • General Chapter 2021-2022
      • Photo gallery General Chapter 2021
      • Provincial Chapter MALTA 2022
      • 50th Anniversary
      • 2017 60th Anniversary
        • Bishop Terry Curtin's homily
          • Mother General, Tessie Bezzina asjm
          • Maltese Community Council Publicaiton
          • Photo gallery 60th Anniversary
      • Dignitary visits
      • Sr Connie's Golden Jubilee
  • In Memoriam
    • Sr Renata Cross
    • Sr Blandina Pace
    • Sr Candida Manche
  • Prayer room
    • Spiritual Direction
    • Resources~links
  • Members login
  • Contact