HERITAGE

Founding Sisters at Lochinvar


SISTER BAPTIST DUGAN

Sister Mary Baptist Dugan was born in November 1846, the daughter of John Dugan and Mary Bowen. Mary Anne Dugan entered the newly established Institute of the Sisters of St Joseph at Vale Rd Bathurst in May 1877. She was professed in December 1878. She came as a member of the group to make the foundation at Lochinvar in 1883.
Her first years were spent at Lochinvar where she was active amongst the people of the district as well as in the convent and school. In June 1889 she was appointed Sister Assistant by Sister Ambrose Joseph and was reappointed in 1890 when Sister Imelda became Sister Guardian.

In July 1900 she went to Glendonbrook till the following year when she was appointed a member of the community making a foundation in Wybong. She worked as a teacher of junior classes at Wybong for ten years travelling by buggy to school each day in Upper Wybong. She returned to Glendonbrook to continue her work there till her retirement in 1917. She visited the branch houses frequently till her death after a short illness in June 1921.