Two years of hard work has paid off for the sisters of the Tyburn Monastery in Ngakuru.
The final building of their monastery, which is based on Lake Ohakuri, near Rotorua, has been blessed.
The sisters first moved to the property in 2009 when Bishop Denis Browne of the HamiltonDiocese invited them to make a foundation in his diocese. When they first arrived, there was only a small house and a garage. Now it is complete with living quarters for the sisters and a retreat wing for guests, which includes a library, laundry, kitchen and gardens.
Most of the retreat rooms have lake and mountain views.
The sisters also plan to make a Rosary Garden Walk, Stations of the Cross Walk and a Native Bush Walk. The full name for the monastery is Cor Iesu Fons Vitae, which means "The Heart of Jesus, the Fountain of Life". At the blessing last week, Bishop Browne was there to help bless the final addition to the property.
Mother Xavier McMonagle, who is the Mother General of the Tyburn Sisters, says the building has been gradually constructed over the two years. She said it was designed to be a spiritual centre for the people of their diocese.
Mother Xavier said it was a place where people could go for peace and quiet.
