“You, my dear Sisters – and I feel so privileged to call you my sisters – you are signposts. May we all have the wisdom and the grace to follow where that signpost is pointing, which is always God, and a closer relationship with Jesus Christ.”

— Bishop Columba Macbeth-Green during his Groundbreaking Speech

The Sisters would like to extend their gratitude to all who attended their Groundbreaking Ceremony on Saturday 10 January in order to mark commencement of construction for the first stage of their monastery residence.

An estimated 750 people were present, some traveling significant distances from throughout the diocese and every state in Australia. The event was attended by local councillors, members of the project team involved in the monastery construction, representatives from the local Christian, Aboriginal and Anglican communities, and many other local and interstate friends of the Carmel. The Sisters were especially honoured by the attendance of Fr Simon Ckuj, Protossyncellus of the Melbourne Eparchy, Dr Olha Bilyakovska, Executive Assistant to Mykola Cardinal Bychok, Bishop Richard Umbers, Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Sydney, and Bishop Peter Murphy, Bishop of Armidale.

Ground was broken by Cardinal Mykola, CSsR, Bishop Columba Macbeth-Green, OSPPE, Mrs Colleen Jreissati (representing Mr Elias Jreissati AM KJGC—the principal patron of the Chapel), and Mayor John Harvie, of the Murray River Council. Speeches were given by the original founding committee of the Carmel, along with Cardinal Mykola, Bishop Columba and Mrs Jreissati.

After the ceremony, Cardinal Mykola was warmly welcomed by those attending, many of whom knelt in the red dust to receive his blessing. Guests remained to enjoy an informal sausage sizzle along with a selection of wines generously donated by Mrs Colleen Jreissati from the Jreissati Family’s Levantine Hill winery. Each guest was also presented with a commemorative bottle of Pinot Noir from “Colleen’s Paddock.”

Guests were enthralled as Mrs Jreissati arrived and departed in a red and gold helicopter, a poignant reminder of St Elijah's fiery chariot.

“As we break the ground today, let it symbolise the planting of hope, faith, and love in our community. May the monastery flourish and become a beacon of light, echoing the prophetic voice of Saint Elijah—calling us to live with compassion, courage, and unwavering dedication to God and to one another. ”

— Mrs Colleen Jreissati during her Groundbreaking Speech

The day after the Groundbreaking Ceremony, on Sunday morning 11 January, a unique liturgy was held, as Bishop Columba celebrated a Solemn Pontifical Mass at the faldstool as the ordinary of the diocese, in the presence of Cardinal Mykola who presided from the throne.

With approximately 450 people in attendance, the liturgy took place in the paddock on the site of the future chapel under three dramatic marquee tents, evoking the scripture texts “Lord it is good for us to be here” (Matthew 17:4) and Psalm 84:1, literally “How lovely are your tents, Lord God Almighty!” (Quam dilecta tabernacula tua).

A schola choir and organist from the parish of the Maternal Heart of Mary, Lewisham, generously travelled to contribute reverent and uplifting music for the ceremonies, including an original polyphonic composition by composer Nathan Culshaw, based around the text from Exodus 3:5 “Take off your sandals, for the place where you are standing is holy ground”, which resonated across the paddock to an incredible climax as the earth was turned.

During the glorious liturgy of Holy Mass for the Feast of the Holy Family, many present were moved by the harmonious meeting of eastern and western rite traditions. The choir sang in Greek and Slavonic as well as the traditional Gregorian chant. While the principal parts of the Mass were prayed in Latin, several elements were spoken and sung by Cardinal Mykola in the Ukrainian language, and he gave the final Solemn blessing from the customary Eagle Rug using the dikirion and trikirion candles, according to his own Ukrainian rite.

Cardinals of the Church have the unique privilege to enter the monastery cloister, so the Sisters were delighted to welcome Cardinal Mykola and his entourage to spend time with them inside their enclosure. It was an occasion of great joy and encouragement for the Sisters, as they experienced through the Cardinal’s presence and kind words, the love and appreciation that Holy Mother Church has for them and their hidden vocation.

For several years now, the Sisters have been focused on building their chapel, but as they stood in the midst of so many people, prelates and priests praising God in peace together, they realised they were seeing the fruits of the real, spiritual building-up of the Church that has been their daily mission since they arrived seven years ago

“A Carmel is a powerhouse of prayer. Hidden from the world, yet at the very heart of the Church, it is a place where day and night the cry of humanity is lifted up to God. ”

— Mykola Cardinal Bychok during His Eminence's Homily Address

The Sisters would like to extend their deepest gratitude to all those who helped over the weekend. Around 100 volunteers assisted during the two events to ensure both days ran smoothly. The Sisters would especially like to thank the Christus Rex Pilgrimage Committee who provided generous time, resources and equipment, in addition to the Sydney Archdiocese who kindly loaned their beautiful “Walk with Christ” marquee as the sanctuary tent for the occasion. They would also like to thank Patrick Giam for providing photography for both events.

The occasion was an opportunity for the Sisters to show their gratitude for the past decade of support from the many family, friends and supporters who have so faithfully accompanied the Sisters and enabled them to pursue their contemplative lives while embarking on the costs of consultation and design for their permanent monastery.

While a generous pledge has assured approximately 20% of funding for Stage One of the Sisters’ building project, further support will be needed to continue and complete construction. The Sisters would welcome further donors willing to pledge substantial amounts alongside the Jreissati Family.

Further content related to the Groundbreaking Ceremony and Solemn Pontifical Mass will be uploaded to the Sisters’ website and social media pages in the coming weeks.

Please continue to keep the Sisters and their monastery building project in your prayers.

May God reward you!

Photos: Supplied, and courtesy of Patrick Giam.