The sisters of Mathoura’s Carmel of Jesus, Mary and Joseph Monastery are gearing up for some big celebrations and are inviting friends to join them.
Monday, April 8 is the Feast of the Annunciation and it will see the veiling of Sister Gabriela of Immaculate Heart of Mary, ocd at a Solemn Pontifical Mass, celebrating her solemn profession of vows.
The ceremony will also coincide with the fifth anniversary of the founding of the Carmel Monastery in Mathoura.
The mass and veiling ceremony will be officiated by the Most Reverend Columba Macbeth-Green DD OSPPE, Bishop of Wilcannia Forbes.
The Sisters are encouraging all friends of the Carmel to attend the special mass at 10.30am, and then stay on for a paella lunch (meat and vegetable options available).
The lunch will be in the grounds of the Monastery, and a donation of $10 is suggested.
Please register if you will be attending so the Sisters can provide enough seating and food! Go to https://www.trybooking.com/CPUVD.
The Carmelites’ connection with Mathoura began five years ago when four nuns walked up the hill to take up residence in the farmhouse that was to become their home.
In the following years they have been joined by four other Sisters, for whom additional accommodation has been added.
Another two are due to join them in the near future.
Following the April 8 ceremony, information and drawings will be shared about the sister’s plans to build a bigger home.
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Congratulations to Mathoura’ Bowling Club’s Men’s Division 1 team who won the Campaspe Pennant Bowls grand final on Saturday.
It was the club’s first Division 1 grand final appearance in 58 years, so it was worth the wait.
The team was particularly rapt in the support it received from Mathoura Public School students, who made posters wishing them well.
I think the players may have been nearly as thrilled about the posters as they were with their success, lining up with them in front of their bus for photos.
The interaction between the students and the bowlers is typical of small communities where everyone looks out for each other.
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Mathoura residents have been saddened to learn of the recent passing of Jean Porter in Ballarat.
Jean and her husband, Max, moved to Mathoura from Moama more than 40 years ago.
They were accompanied by Jean’s son, Brian, who looked after her after Max passed away.
Sympathy is extended to Jean’s family.
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Easter is just around the corner, and with it will be the annual Easter Fair.
It is a great event with a range of market stalls, food and entertainment for people of all ages.
The event will be held in the Soldiers’ Memorial Gardens on the corner of Lawrence and Livingstone Streets.
It is an event that should not be missed by locals or visitors.