Mary MacKillop will be canonised in Rome on October 17 by Pope Benedict XVI, a ceremony that follows the official recognition of her second miracle late last year.

It’s an exciting time for many south-west church leaders, who have been busy organising events to mark the occasion.

Father Denis Ryan of All Saints Catholic Church in Portland said two sisters from Mother Mary’s order of Josephite nuns had agreed to visit the city.

Pupils from All Saints Parish School will attend Mass with the women, who also plan to spend time with students in the classroom.

“We are going to have a monument made — which won’t be ready in time — dedicated to Mary MacKillop, which will be out the front of the school,” Father Ryan said.

“We’ve already got the plaque for it, so we’ll be talking about her as being a great educator, which she was.”

On October 17 the church will open its doors for a live telecast of the canonisation ceremony, at which four others will also be declared saints.

“Instead of just having an invitation to the Catholic community, there will be an open invitation for anyone to come,” Father Ryan said.

“They’ll be witnessing the canonisation ceremony in the church in which she worshipped for four years.”

Mother Mary taught in Portland before moving to Penola, where she opened a school with Father Julian Tenison Woods. Her father, Alexander, is buried in the Hamilton cemetery, a connection to be honoured in another event next month.

On October 15 a procession led by members of St Mary’s parish will make its way along Coleraine Road to the cemetery, with bands and singers to accompany the group.

About 1000 people are expected to take part in festivities to mark the occasion, including parishioners from Hamilton’s Uniting and Anglican churches.