Most Reverend Columba Macbeth-Green removes the cover from the new plaque with assistance from Fr Terence Mary Naughtin.
A large crowd of Mathoura’s St Brigid’s congregation, visiting clergy and friends, turned out to celebrate the centenary of its convent this month.
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The convent was officially opened on January 10, 1926.
The building was home to 33 nuns of the Mercy Order, over a period of 40 years.
As well as reflecting on their Catholic faith, they taught the ABCs at the Catholic primary school.
The convent and school were valuable parts of the local community until 1963.
The convent has been restored over the past three years and has become ‘home’ for Fr Terence Mary Naughtin, who serves as Chaplin for the nuns at the Carmel of Elijah Monastery.
Incidentally, the Monastery had its own party the same weekend.
Theirs was a sod turning ceremony for a new development at the property just outside Mathoura.
To mark the convent anniversary, a centennial celebration was held.
It involved the blessing and re-opening of the restored convent building, along with the erection of a centenary plaque to acknowledge the event.
This was officiated by Most Reverend Columba Macbeth-Green, Bishop of the Wilcannia-Forbes Diocese, with assistance from Fr Naughtin.
Fr Naughtin’s efforts in putting together a display board bearing the names of the 33 Sisters of Mercy who had served in the convent over the years, accompanied by a life-size statue of a nun to serve as Reverend Mother, were also well received by the Bishop and many of the visitors.
Following a service in the nearby church, attendees were treated to refreshments served at the RSL Hall to wrap up proceedings for the day.
The Bishop examines the nuns’ display board and makes the ‘acquaintance’ of Reverend Mother.
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