She later reported to Rev Julian Tenison Woods, the co-founder of the congregation, that she had experienced visions, as did another member of community.

Due to the scandal, however, Sister Ignatius took it upon herself to leave the congregation in July 1872, just four months after having made her final profession of religious vows.

[2] Reportedly inspired by the care that she had given a pregnant girl brought to her by the police the previous year, she opened the St. Margaret's Maternity Home in Strawberry Hills, New South Wales, in 1894.

The home was run by her small religious community, but was not under the authority of the Catholic Church, determined to provide nonsectarian care.

The community began to use the concept of art union lotteries to raise money, since they were not a recognized Catholic institution.