Mother Mary Xavier Dooley (19 June 1858 – 4 July 1929) was born Eliza Dooley in Forth, Tasmania, Australia.[1] She was professed as a Sister of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Tasmania in 1883.[2] In 1911, she became the first Superior of the amalgamated Hobart and Launceston Presentation Congregations.[2] She died in Launceston, Tasmania.[3]
Mother Mary Xavier Dooley | |
|---|---|
 Mother Xavier Dooley, professed as Presentation Sister on Presentation Day, 21 November 1883. | |
| Born | Eliza Dooley June 19, 1858 |
| Died | July 4, 1929 (aged 71) |
Early life edit
Eliza Dooley was the second daughter of the late Alice and James Monaghan Dooley, of Latrobe.[1] Eliza spent several years as a boarder at the Presentation Convent, Hobart.[2]
Religious life edit
In 1880 she entered the Novitiate of the Presentation Convent in Hobart; and in 1881 her Superior, Mother Xavier Murphy, sent her to Launceston. In the following year she was received as a novice, and in 1883 she made her religious profession in the Church of the Apostles.
The popularity of the Convent Schools incited jealously in those who were afraid of their success.[2] In the Launceston Examiner, 17 June 1887, Reverend Charles Price of the Tamar Street Congregational Church penned a slanderous letter about the Convent. This led the Convent to file criminal application against Price for defamatory libel.[4] Price withdraw his imputation and the case was dismissed.[5]
In 1896 Mother Xavier Dooley was chosen, along with Mother Bernard Moore, to open St. Columba's School in Launceston. Dooley taught there until 1906,[3] when she was elected Superior of the Launceston Presentation community.[6] She was re-elected in 1909 for another three years.[7] During this time it was proposed that the Hobart community would join with the Launceston community, with one Superior for a Tasmanian Congregation. Launceston was recognized as the Mother House with the Novitiate, and Hobart was to be a filial formation.[2] Dooley as Superior in Launceston automatically became Superior of the first amalgamated Tasmanian Congregation. This change came into effect in 1911.[8]
After leaving the role of Superior, Dooley went back to St. Columba's School for a few years, and in 1923 she was transferred to St. Mary's School, where she worked until her death in 1929.[9]
References edit
- ^ a b "Dooley, Eliza". librariestas.ent.sirsidynix.net.au. RGD33/1/36 No. 1764. 19 June 1858. Retrieved 1 September 2020.
- ^ a b c d e Fox, Noela M. (2006). An acorn grows among the gums: the Presentation Sisters, Tasmania, 1866–2006. Hobart: Presentation Sisters Property Association, Tasmania. ISBN 0-9756829-8-9. OCLC 225201240.
- ^ a b "OBITUARY". The Examiner. 5 July 1929. p. 12. Retrieved 1 September 2020.
- ^ "SUPREME COURT". Launceston Examiner. 6 July 1887. p. 3. Retrieved 1 September 2020.
- ^ "Law Courts". The Tasmanian. 23 July 1887. p. 7. Retrieved 1 September 2020.
- ^ "PRESENTATION NUNS". The Examiner. 17 July 1906. p. 5. Retrieved 7 September 2020.
- ^ "ABOUT PEOPLE". The Examiner. 18 August 1909. p. 5. Retrieved 7 September 2020.
- ^ Burke, Mother Anthony. Memoirs – In the footsteps of Nano Nagle, 1897–1963.
- ^ "MOTHER XAVIER DOOLEY". The Mercury. 8 July 1929. p. 3. Retrieved 7 September 2020.