August 12, 2026
Queensland author Carrie Lock hosted a short writer’s talk in Kingaroy on Sunday, just a day after her latest book was officially launched in Brisbane.
The work, “Mary MacKillop and the Path of the Foundress”, explores the lives of 50 influential women in Catholic Church history who went on to found religious orders.
Many of them ran afoul of Church authorities, including Australia’s first canonised saint, Mary MacKillop, who was briefly excommunicated at one stage during her life.
Ms Lock’s book has a special focus on Mackillop (now known as “St Mary Of The Cross” who founded the Sisters Of St Joseph), St Teresa of Avila (who founded the Discalced Carmelites), St Teresa of Calcutta (“Mother Teresa” who founded the Missionaries Of Charity) and the Venerable Magdeleine of Jesus (who founded the Little Sisters of Jesus).
Ms Lock told her audience she had identified 17 themes that link these founders, including having the courage to take risks and a restlessness of spirit.
This is the third book by the former aid worker, who has lived in Sri Lanka and India and is now a staff member at St Mary’s Catholic College in Kingaroy.
