Foundations
Ballinamore Juniorate, Ireland 1936
St John of God Convent, Ballinamore, Co Mayo Ireland in the diocese of Achonry, opened as a Juniorate in 1936 and became a Novitiate with 'temporal approval' for the duration of the war in 1942. In 1947 permission was granted to establish a novitiate at Ballinamore, this was ratified by Bishop James Fergus on 4 July 1947.
A large number of Sisters undertook their initial three year formation in Ballinamore, followed by their temporary Profession of vows of Celibate Chastity, Poverty and Obedience, prior to coming to Australia. They continued their next three year formation in Subiaco before making their final commitment as Sisters of St John of God.
The General Chapter of 1959 took a decision to close Ballinamore as a novitiate and have the novices for St Therese Province formed at Subiaco Western Australia. After the transfer of the novitiate to Australia, elderly patients were cared for in the Home prior to it being gifted to Western Care (the local division of Western Health Board) for the care of children with disabilities.
For some years, Sisters remained on the staff and lived in a house at Kiltimagh County Mayo two kilometers away, they remained until transfer to Ballymote County Sligo in 1989.
