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30% of the 756 convicts to arrive on the first fleet in 1788 were baptised Catholics. -
In 1788 Governor Philip ordered all convicts to attend Sunday Church services, which were conducted by the Anglican Minister, Rev Richard Johnston. Catholic convicts refuse to attend and were flogged if they continued to refuse to go. -
On their death beds Catholic convicts asked the preist to give them sacraments.
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As penal colony any mission to NSW had to have the permission of British authorities and the governor. -
To keep there catholic faith they had to do prays like roses to keep there catholic faith in secret -
Fr Dixon was caught up in the reaction to the Irish Rebellion of 1798 and was transported to Australia, arriving in January 1800 -
In Australia occurred in Sydney on 15 May 1803. Catholics were only able to attend Mass in their place of residence so Sunday mass was held in rotation in Sydney Parramatta and Hawkesbury. As well as mass Dixon officiated at marriages baptise children and attended prisoners on the scaffold