{"id":104,"date":"2017-04-24T09:46:48","date_gmt":"2017-04-24T09:46:48","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/zealous-poitras.207-180-230-28.plesk.page\/?page_id=104"},"modified":"2026-05-22T01:45:10","modified_gmt":"2026-05-22T01:45:10","slug":"about-us","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/foah.org.au\/?page_id=104","title":{"rendered":"About Us"},"content":{"rendered":"

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70 Years of History: 1954 – 2024<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Francis of Assisi Home is dedicated to living up to our Vision, making us a preferred choice in aged care.\u00a0Our approach to aged care makes our residents feel valued and cared for. This can be seen in our everyday actions and in the care provided by our dedicated staff. At Francis of Assisi, staff and residents are like family \u2013 from the moment you enter our doors, you will feel welcomed, loved and cared for.<\/big><\/p>\n

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Our History<\/strong><\/h3>\n
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The old Vestergard Home, moved from Victoria St, August 2nd 1953.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Francis of Assisi Home was founded from a vision of compassion and care for elderly people in the Mackay community who had nowhere to go after leaving hospital.<\/p>\n

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Franciscan Sisters at the 70th year celebrations, 2024<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

In the late 1940s, Parish Priest Fr Andrew Healion recognised the growing need for aged care support and worked alongside local community members and the Catholic Church to establish a Home dedicated to caring for the elderly with dignity and compassion.<\/p>\n

Land in Dupuy Street was purchased in the early 1950s, and the original building was relocated to the site in 1953. The Home officially welcomed its first residents on 19 September 1954, becoming the first aged care home established in North Queensland.<\/p>\n

Soon after, the Franciscan Sisters from Malta arrived in Mackay to care for residents and help guide the Home\u2019s mission and values. Their dedication and service played an important role in shaping the caring community that continues today.<\/p>\n

Over the decades, the Home has continued to grow and evolve to meet the changing needs of residents and families. New wings, care sections, a Chapel, dining areas, kitchen facilities, and specialised care areas \u2014 including a Memory Support Unit \u2014 have all been added through ongoing redevelopment and expansion projects.<\/p>\n

Major renovations and rebuilding works were completed in 2005 and again in 2016, creating modern living spaces and improved facilities for residents.<\/p>\n

Today, Francis of Assisi Home continues to provide compassionate residential aged care in a welcoming and faith-filled environment, while embracing modern systems and high standards of care.<\/p>\n

Our mission remains at the heart of everything we do:<\/p>\n

\u201cServing with compassionate and generous love, those we care for.\u201d<\/em>[\/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space alter_height=”medium” hide_on_mobile=””][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n

History of The Franciscan Sisters of the Heart of Jesus<\/strong><\/h3>\n
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Mother Margherita<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Franciscan Sisters of the Heart of Jesus were the first female religious congregation founded in the Maltese Islands.<\/p>\n

The Congregation began in 1877 in Gozo, Malta, when a young woman named Maria Carmela Xerri formed a small prayer group devoted to the Sacred Heart of Jesus. Guided by Fr Joseph Diacono, the group grew through a strong focus on prayer, humility, charity, and caring for those in need.<\/p>\n

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Fr Joseph Diacono<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

In 1880, the group officially became a religious congregation known as the Franciscan Tertiaries, later renamed the Franciscan Sisters of Malta, and eventually the Franciscan Sisters of the Heart of Jesus.<\/p>\n

One of the Congregation\u2019s most influential early members was Mother Margherita of the Heart of Jesus, whose leadership, faith, and spirit of compassionate love helped shape the identity and mission of the Sisters for generations to come.<\/p>\n

Despite humble beginnings and many challenges, the Congregation continued to grow and expand its mission throughout the world. Today, the Franciscan Sisters serve communities across several countries including Malta, Italy, Australia, Brazil, Pakistan, the Philippines, Ethiopia, Kenya, and Mozambique.<\/p>\n

In 1954, Mother Luisa Busuttil, then Mother General of the Franciscan Sisters of Malta, agreed to establish a foundation in Mackay, Queensland. Six Sisters arrived in Mackay that same year to begin caring for the elderly and establish what was then known as St Vincent de Paul Home.<\/p>\n

In 1997, the Home was officially renamed Francis of Assisi Home.<\/p>\n

Today, the spirit and values of the Franciscan Sisters continue to guide the Home\u2019s mission of compassionate, respectful, and faith-filled care.[\/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space alter_height=”medium” hide_on_mobile=””][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n

Life of St Francis of Assisi – our Patron Saint<\/strong><\/h3>\n

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St Francis of Assisi was born in Assisi, Italy, around 1181. Born into a wealthy family, Francis enjoyed a comfortable and carefree life as a young man.<\/p>\n

After experiencing illness, war, and a deep spiritual awakening, Francis chose to leave behind his wealth and dedicate his life to God, prayer, and caring for the poor and vulnerable.<\/p>\n

Francis became known for living a simple life of humility, peace, and compassion. He founded the Franciscan Order in 1210, encouraging his followers to live according to the teachings of Jesus Christ through poverty, service, obedience, and love for others.<\/p>\n

He is traditionally portrayed wearing a simple brown robe tied with a rope featuring three knots, symbolising the Franciscan vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience.<\/p>\n

St Francis also had a deep love and respect for nature and all living creatures. He often referred to animals, the earth, and all creation as his \u201cbrothers\u201d and \u201csisters,\u201d believing that all creation reflected the goodness of God. Because of this, he is recognised as the patron saint of animals and the environment.<\/p>\n

In 1212, alongside Saint Clare of Assisi, Francis helped establish the Order of Poor Clares for women devoted to prayer and simple living.<\/p>\n

St Francis died on 3 October 1226 and was declared a saint by Pope Gregory IX in 1228.<\/p>\n

His feast day is celebrated each year on 4 October<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

Today, the values of St Francis \u2014 compassion, humility, simplicity, peace, and care for others \u2014 continue to inspire the mission and spirit of Francis of Assisi Home.
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 [\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row content_placement=”middle”][vc_column][\/vc_column][\/vc_row]<\/p>\n<\/section>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner][vc_single_image image=”1067″ img_size=”large” add_caption=”yes”][\/vc_column_inner][\/vc_row_inner][vc_empty_space alter_height=”medium” hide_on_mobile=””][vc_column_text] 70 Years of History: 1954 – 2024 Francis of Assisi Home is dedicated to living up to our Vision, making us a preferred choice in aged care.\u00a0Our approach to aged care makes our residents feel valued and cared for. This can be seen in our everyday actions and in the care provided by our…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":1077,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-104","page","type-page","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/foah.org.au\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/104","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/foah.org.au\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/foah.org.au\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/foah.org.au\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/foah.org.au\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=104"}],"version-history":[{"count":20,"href":"https:\/\/foah.org.au\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/104\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1263,"href":"https:\/\/foah.org.au\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/104\/revisions\/1263"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/foah.org.au\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/1077"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/foah.org.au\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=104"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}