Better Together 2026 – Flourishing: Living Life to the Full
A gathering at Boarbank Hall exploring how religious communities caring for the sick can flourish through shared learning, reflection and support.
A two-day gathering of Religious Communities Caring for the Sick (RCCS) will take place at Boarbank Hall, Cumbria, bringing together those involved in care within religious communities to share learning, reflection and support.
The RCCS network began following a meeting of Religious Communities Caring for the Sick held at Boarbank Hall at the turn of 2018/19. At the end of that meeting there was a desire to continue meeting, sharing ideas and offering mutual support.
To support this, an ECHO (Extended Community Health Outcomes) Network, hosted by Queenscourt Hospice, Southport, was established. Since April 2019, the RCCS ECHO Network has met for one hour at 8.00am roughly each month. The network continued to support one another throughout the Covid-19 pandemic and has now met more than 60 times.
Over time the sessions have explored a wide range of topics connected with care in religious communities. These have included caring for the dying, future care planning, the spirituality of ageing, collaborative working, funding, healthy eating, grief and bereavement, happiness and wellbeing, sensory impairment, meaningful activity, regulatory frameworks, and sleep, rest and recreation.
Guest speakers have included Kathryn Mannix, Dr David Unwin, and Baroness Hollins, whose contributions have enriched the conversations and shared learning within the network.
The Better Together Conference grew from the group’s desire to meet face-to-face, get to know one another better, and share both physical and spiritual nourishment. This gathering will be the fourth Better Together Conference, focusing on the theme “Flourishing: Living Life to the Full.”
The conference will take place from Tuesday 28 to Thursday 30 April at Boarbank Hall, Allithwaite, Grange-over-Sands, Cumbria (LA11 7NH). The programme will include reflection, discussion sessions, shared prayer, and opportunities for informal conversation and community building as participants explore together what it means to flourish in later life and in communities caring for others.
The organisers are grateful to Douai Abbey and Boarbank Hall, who have kindly agreed to host the conference on alternate years.
Bookings can be made by contacting Sr Marian at bookings@boarbankhall.org.uk or by telephone on 015395 32288.
Monastery of Our Lady and St. Bernard 2025 Programme
Explore the 2025 programme at the Monastery of Our Lady and St. Bernard.
The Bernardine Cistercians at the Monastery of Our Lady and St Bernard are pleased to offer a programme of retreats and Quiet Days during 2026.
Full details for each event are shown in the posters below. For further information or to make a booking, visitors are invited to contact the monastery directly or visit the website.
📧 bookings_brownshill@yahoo.co.uk
📞 01453 883084
St Euphrasia’s Care Home – Respite Service for Religious Sisters
St Euphrasia’s Care Home in Manchester is offering respite stays for Religious sisters in a supportive and welcoming environment.
St Euphrasia’s Care Home in Blackley, Manchester, is now offering a respite service for Religious sisters who may benefit from a short period of rest, support, and renewal in a welcoming community setting.
The home provides a warm, friendly, and peaceful environment, designed to support sisters who may need additional assistance while taking time to regain their strength and independence.
During a respite stay, residents can benefit from:
Support with daily living
Assistance in regaining independence
A nurse call system throughout the home
Staff on duty 24 hours a day
Home-cooked meals
Assisted bath or shower facilities
A welcoming community and companionship
Daily Mass
Single bedrooms, some with en-suite facilities
Wi-Fi access
Television in each room
Telephone in each room with a private landline number
For further information, please contact Jayne (Manager):
Telephone: 0161 653 2010 / 07850 181556
Email: euphrasia116@gmail.com
Shepherds Law News
Read the latest Shepherds Law newsletter for community updates and news from the Hermitage.
The March 2026 edition of Shepherds Law News shares the latest updates from the Hermitage, including developments in the buildings, upcoming events, and plans for monastic life at Shepherds Law.
To stay connected with life at the Hermitage, please visit shepherdslawhermitage.org.
Catholic Investors Forum
An invitation to diocesan and religious finance leaders to explore the creation of a Catholic Investors Forum focused on faith-aligned investment and shared stewardship.
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Managing institutional funds today presents a unique set of challenges. There is a great deal to be gained by sharing experience and working more closely together to ensure that Catholic faith is reflected in investment decisions.
An informal gathering is being convened to explore the creation of a new Catholic Investors Forum. The aim is to establish a dedicated space where Catholic investors can come together as peers to share insights, discuss common hurdles, and learn from one another.
An initial online meeting is being organised for diocesan finance professionals and those responsible for investments within religious orders and congregations. This will be an opportunity to meet colleagues and hear something of their journeys so far.
Date: Thursday 5 March
Time: 3.00 pm – 4.30 pm
Location: Online (Zoom link provided upon registration)
Proposed Agenda
Opening Prayer – MaryAnne Francalanza fcJ
The Catholic Investors Forum – A brief introduction to what has brought this group together
Group Discussions:
Introductions: What brings you here today?
Alignment: How do the teachings of the Church currently affect your investment choices?
Reflection: Are you satisfied with how your portfolios align with your faith?
Support: What specific help or resources would you value from a group like this?
Next Steps – A proposal for a future in-person meeting
How to join: Please use this link to register for the event: https://forms.office.com/e/KNtfDzFQF2
Those interested in being part of the Forum but unable to attend this first meeting can also express their interest and stay updated by clicking HERE.
The convening group includes Sr MaryAnne Francalanza fcJ (Faithful Companions of Jesus), Fr Seamus O’Neill (St Patrick’s Missionary Society), Br Stephen Power SJ (Jesuits in Britain), and Bokani Tshidzu (Operation Noah).
Going Deeper: A Series of Workshops – Interculturality • Eco Theology • AI
We are pleased to share details of Going Deeper, a three-part workshop series hosted at the FCJ Centre for Spirituality and EcoJustice in London during 2026.
We are pleased to share details of Going Deeper, a three-part workshop series hosted at the FCJ Centre for Spirituality and EcoJustice in London during 2026.
This series offers space for reflection, dialogue and learning around three significant themes shaping religious life and mission today: intercultural living, ecotheology, and the ethical and spiritual challenges of artificial intelligence. Each day combines input from experienced facilitators with opportunities for discussion and shared reflection.
Loreto Spirituality Centre, Llandudno
“Come with me to a quiet place and rest awhile”
Tucked beside the Great Orme on the North Wales coast in Llandudno, the Loreto Spirituality Centre offers a peaceful haven for prayer, rest, and reflection. Run by the IBVM/Loreto Sisters, the Centre hosts a variety of individually guided and themed retreats, welcomes groups and conferences, and provides quiet time for individuals seeking solace in beautiful surroundings.
Explore their 2026 programme, a rich schedule of retreats, days of reflection, and spiritual opportunities
JPIC Links Annual Conference 2026
Hope is in our nature: Love, resilience and hope in our relationship with the natural world
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The JPIC Links Annual Conference 2026 will take place 8–10 May 2026, in person at Wistaston Hall Retreat Centre, 89 Broughton Lane, Crewe CW2 8JS, and also online via Zoom.
The conference is open to Religious, Associates, Third Order Members and friends and will explore the theme “Hope is in our nature” (Love, resilience and hope in our relationship with the natural world).
The programme runs from Friday evening to Sunday lunchtime, with both residential and non-residential options available (see attendance form for details).
Cost
Residential: £200
Day only: £30.00
Non-refundable deposit: £40
The full amount must be paid by 10 April 2026, and there will be no refunds after this date.
Those who are unable to attend in person are warmly welcome to join via Zoom (free of charge).
Mary Colwell is an award-winning author, producer and campaigner for nature. She is Director of the charity Curlew Action and Chair of the Curlew Recovery Partnership England. Mary was a producer for the BBC Natural History Unit, making wildlife documentaries for both TV and radio. The author of many nature-promoting books, she has spearheaded the campaign for a GCSE in Natural History in England.
All bookings and queries should be directed to:
David Richardson – jpiclinks@gmail.com
Sisters of St Joseph of Peace, Foxhall Lodge, Foxhall Road, Nottingham, NG6 6LH.
Further information can be found at: www.jpiclinks.com
Lenten Reflections on Change and Renewal
Six short reflections to accompany prayer, repentance and renewal throughout the season of Lent.
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Six short reflections to accompany prayer, repentance and renewal throughout the season of Lent.
1. The Wilderness Within
Lent invites us into the wilderness — not to punish us, but to purify our hearts. In the quiet, distractions fall away and we begin to notice what truly shapes us.
The wilderness reveals both our hunger and God’s faithfulness. It shows us where we rely on comfort instead of trust, noise instead of prayer.
Perhaps this season of discomfort is not emptiness, but invitation — a space where God is gently reshaping your heart.
Reflection Questions:
• What distractions is Lent asking me to lay down?
• Where do I rely on comfort more than on God?
• What might God be teaching me in this wilderness season?
2. The Grace of Honest Repentance
Lent is not about shame. It is about truth told in the presence of mercy.
To repent means to turn — to acknowledge where we have drifted and to choose a different direction. God does not reveal our weaknesses to condemn us, but to restore us.
The courage to name our sin is the beginning of freedom.
Reflection Questions:
• Where have I drifted from God’s desire for my life?
• What habits or attitudes need to be surrendered?
• What would it mean to truly turn and trust God’s mercy?
3. Fasting and True Hunger
When we fast, we make space. We feel hunger. We notice longing.
But beneath physical hunger lies a deeper desire — the longing for God. Lent reminds us that not all appetites lead to life. Some consume without satisfying.
In choosing restraint, we remember that God alone sustains us.
Reflection Questions:
• What appetites or attachments are shaping my life?
• What deeper hunger might lie beneath them?
• How can I allow this season of fasting to draw me closer to God?
4. Seeds of Conversion
Conversion is rarely dramatic. Often it is quiet and hidden, like seeds beneath the soil.
Prayer, repentance, generosity, forgiveness — these are small seeds planted in faith. Lent calls us to trust that what is planted in humility will bear fruit in time.
God works patiently in hearts that are willing.
Reflection Questions:
• What small act of faith is God inviting me to plant this Lent?
• Where do I need patience in my spiritual growth?
• What fruit do I hope to see by Easter?
5. Taking Up the Cross
Jesus walks toward the cross with love and surrender. Lent invites us to follow — not in despair, but in trust.
To take up the cross is to release control, to forgive when it costs, to love when it is inconvenient, to choose obedience over pride.
In dying to self, we make room for resurrection.
Reflection Questions:
• What cross am I being asked to carry right now?
• Where is God inviting me to surrender control?
• How might sacrifice lead to deeper freedom?
6. The Promise of Renewal
Lent does not end in darkness. It moves steadily toward resurrection.
Every act of repentance, every quiet prayer, every hidden sacrifice prepares the heart for new life. God does not waste our efforts to return to Him.
Hope grows in hearts that are willing to change.
Reflection Questions:
• What new life do I long for this Easter?
• How has God already been at work in me this season?
• What must I release in order to receive renewal?
Walking Pilgrimage for Peace – Year of St Francis of Assisi
An invitation to mark the Year of St Francis of Assisi through walking pilgrimages for peace across England, Wales and beyond.
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St Francis of Assisi was a pilgrim who undertook significant journeys to Rome and Santiago de Compostela and attempted to travel to the Holy Land. He embodies the pilgrim spirit of humility, love for nature, peace-building through encounter with others, and the search for God.
In today’s troubled times, a walking pilgrimage for peace offers a meaningful way to mark this anniversary year. Pilgrims are encouraged to walk the Way of St Francis in Italy from Florence to La Verna, Assisi and Rome. Alternatively, individuals or groups might walk to a church dedicated to St Francis of Assisi in England or Wales.
For example, in the Diocese of Clifton, a group pilgrimage is planned for the Feast Day, with two routes of 10 and 6 miles respectively, beginning at Clifton Cathedral and the Franciscan church in Clevedon, converging at the Church of St Francis of Assisi in Nailsea.
Details of 48 Catholic churches dedicated to St Francis of Assisi and Franciscan communities in England and Wales can be found on the project website: https://www.pilgrimways.org.uk/churches-of-st-francis-of-assisi
Those aware of other churches or communities are invited to make contact. News of any Franciscan-related walking pilgrimages being planned would also be welcomed.
This initiative will be among the matters discussed at the Project’s Spring Gathering in London on 21 March 2026: https://www.pilgrimways.org.uk/spring-walking-pilgrimage-gathering
All who are interested in walking pilgrimage are warmly invited to take part and to share details within their communities and congregations.
Further information about the project can be found at: https://www.pilgrimways.org.uk/
The project is led by Phil McCarthy, Project Lead for Hearts in Search of God.
Stepping Into Stillness
An Introduction to Contemplative Praying and Living. In the way of Franz Jalics SJ (The Gries Path of Prayer).
An Introduction to Contemplative Praying and Living - In the way of Franz Jalics SJ (The Gries Path of Prayer)
Many people discover that their prayer changes over time, drawing them increasingly towards stillness and silent attentiveness before God. Stepping into Stillness offers a series of residential and online retreats for those who feel this invitation and wish to explore it more deeply.
These retreats are rooted in Franz Jalics SJ’s Way of Contemplative Praying and Living, also known as the Gries Path of Prayer. This path gently supports participants in entering a contemplative way of prayer that is grounded, embodied, and attentive to God’s presence in everyday life.
“There are many paths to contemplation. I show you one of them. I myself have walked the way I describe; should it help someone else to find his or her way, I am satisfied.”
— Franz Jalics SJ
The retreats are suitable both for those new to this way of prayer and for those already familiar with it, offering structured guidance, silence, and a prayerful rhythm of living.
20–24 April
St Rita’s Centre, Honiton
An introduction to the Gries Path of Prayer, with the option of a short retreat for those already familiar with this way of praying.
Further details: Retreat Co-ordinator, Paddy Rylands – paddyrylands@gmail.com
11–20 May
St Augustine’s Priory, House of Prayer, Old Colwyn
An 8-day contemplative retreat for those experienced in this way of prayer, while also welcoming those for whom the Gries Path is new.
Further details: House of Prayer Administrator – enquiries@houseofprayer.org.uk
18–27 August
St Rita’s Centre, Honiton
An 8-day contemplative retreat. The retreat team will include the current Director of Haus Gries, Fr Lutz Mueller SJ, along with Margaret Castro and Paddy Rylands.
Further details: Retreat Co-ordinator, Paddy Rylands – paddyrylands@gmail.com
1–8 November
Haus Gries, Wilhelmsthal, Germany
A 6-day contemplative retreat in English, welcoming English-speaking retreatants from across the world.
Further details: exerzitien@haus-gries.de
Online Programme Starting 22 September 2026
Tuesday evenings | 7.00–9.00pm (UK time)
A 7-session online (Zoom) introduction to the Gries Path of Prayer.
Further details: enquiries@houseofprayer.org.uk
Religious Life Forum – Leeds Cathedral
A one-day forum in Leeds bringing together leaders in religious life to reflect on shared challenges, legal developments, and the future of religious communities.
Tuesday 24 March 2026 | Wheeler Hall, Leeds Cathedral
The Religious Life Forum event offers those in religious life a dedicated space to reflect on shared challenges and to hear from experts on key issues facing religious communities today. It provides an opportunity to deepen connections with others in religious life, exchange insights and experiences, and explore ways to strengthen communities for the future.
The Forum is aimed at all those who lead Religious communities, whether that be superiors, trustees, bursars, or others in positions of responsibility.
The event will be chaired by Elizabeth Wilson, Head of Wrigleys Solicitors’ Faith Team, who acts as legal adviser to many religious orders and faith organisations. She will be joined by contributors including Amanda Francis (formerly of Buzzacott LLP), Dr Catherine Sexton (author of Becoming Apostolic), and James Hutton of Sarasin and Partners. Together, they will reflect on shared challenges, recent legal developments affecting religious communities, and relevant Charity Commission investigations.
Venue: Wheeler Hall, Leeds Cathedral, Saint Anne’s Street, Leeds LS2 8BE
Bookings:
📞 0113 204 1122
✉️ events@wrigleys.co.uk
🌐 Online booking: https://www.wrigleys.co.uk/events/detail/religious-life-forum-26/
Celebrating the 30th World Day of Consecrated Life
Marking the 30th World Day of Consecrated Life with resources and vocation initiatives from the National Office for Vocations.
2 February 2026 marks the 30th World Day of Consecrated Life, celebrated on the Feast of the Presentation of the Lord (Candlemas). The day was instituted by St John Paul II in 1997 and is an opportunity to give thanks for the gift of consecrated life and to pray for women and men religious.
To mark the occasion, the National Office for Vocations (NOV) has made available a range of resources for use in parishes, schools, and religious communities. These include a pastoral letter, prayers of the faithful, resources for school assemblies, and a prayer card.
NOV is also inviting Religious and priests to take part in online Zoom sessions with Catholic schools across England and Wales. These sessions give students the opportunity to hear vocation stories, ask questions, and learn more about religious life and ministry.
In addition, NOV is currently producing a short film offering a glimpse into a day in the life of a woman religious. The film highlights community prayer, shared life, and the wide range of ministries undertaken by religious communities, and is intended as a resource for discernment and vocation promotion.
Further information and resources are available via the National Office for Vocations website.
Towards Lent at St Andrew’s
Quiet days and a retreat in daily life, offering space for reflection, creativity and prayer in preparation for Lent.
The Sisters of St Andrew are offering a series of reflective quiet days in preparation for Lent, drawing on Ignatian spirituality, creativity, poetry and prayerful reflection. These gatherings invite participants to pause, reflect, and engage deeply with themes of Sabbath, seasonality, and sacred landscape. Alongside the quiet days, there is also an opportunity to take part in a Lent retreat in daily life, with weekly personal accompaniment offered either in person or online. Advance booking is essential, and further details are available on the Sisters of St Andrew website.
The ANNA Trust Foundation: Upcoming Webinars & Initiatives
Supporting Catholic sisters worldwide to age with dignity, health, and the care they deserve.
The ANNA Trust works alongside congregations worldwide, with a special focus on those in challenging circumstances, to promote a dignified and healthy aging journey for Catholic sisters. It values their lasting contribution to ministry and is committed to ensuring they receive the care and support needed for the years ahead.
Upcoming Webinars
Safeguarding for Senior Female Religious - Challenges and Directions, January 21 2026
This webinar seeks to explore the particular challenges for safeguarding senior female religious face today, and to identify directions for a future rooted in safety and dignity. The speaker will be Fr. Hans Zollner, SJ, Director of the Institute of Anthropology. Interdisciplinary Studies on Human Dignity and Care (IADC) at the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome. The moderator will be Sr. Siobhán O'Keeffe, SS.H.J.M, The Anna Trust Cognitive Impairment Program Director.
Religious Life: Caring for the Past to Build the Future, January 22 2026
A prayer often attributed to St. Oscar Romero was in fact written by US Bishop Bishop Ken Untener. It expresses the idea that our efforts in life often only bear fruit in a future that we do not live to see. Care of our elderly members honours that prophetic dimension of their lives and shows the value we place on the contribution they have made to an unknown future. The speaker will be Sr. Gemma Simmonds, CJ, a senior research fellow at the Margaret Beaufort Institute of Theology, Cambridge where she teaches pastoral theology and Christian spirituality and the moderator will be Sr. Siobhán O'Keeffe, SS.H.J.M, The Anna Trust Cognitive Impairment Program Director.
The Psychological Impact of Dementia, February 11 2026
This session will explore the emotional and psychological impact of caring for someone with Dementia, focusing on ways we can understand our own responses and how to support ourselves. The speaker of the event will be Dr Ruth Watson.BSc,Clin.Psy.D., C.Psychol, AFBPsS, Consultant Clinical Psychologist and Lead for Later Life Psychology in the British NHS. The moderator will be Sr. Siobhán O'Keeffe, SS.H.J.M, The Anna Trust Cognitive Impairment Program Director.
To register please visit the website resources page https://annatrustfoundation.org/en/resources/webinars/
Training Programme (Coming in 2026)
The ANNA Trust will launch a Dementia Care Training Programme for Sisters in 2026. Further details will be announced later.
International Collaboration: Clinical Dementia Education
In collaboration with the Global Brain Health Institute at Trinity College Dublin and its associated UK neurology department, ANNA Trust is developing an International Dementia Certificate Course for Clinical Professionals aimed at global religious communities. This initiative is especially pertinent for sister doctors and other clinicians involved in dementia care.
Additional Initiatives
The Foundation recently launched a Cognitive Impairment Support Initiative, supported by the Conrad N. Hilton Foundation, in partnership with the Avila Institute for Gerontology. This program equips sisters worldwide to understand and care compassionately for those experiencing dementia, including Alzheimer’s disease—grounded in a gospel-based, compassionate ethos.
About ANNA Trust
The ANNA Trust is a global nonprofit based in Rome dedicated to supporting the collective efforts of congregations globally, especially those in vulnerable contexts, to ensure a healthy, dignified aging process for all Catholic sisters and to help them provide the relevant long-term care needed.
The House of Prayer Programme 2026
The House of Prayer offers a breathing space and everything needed for a retreat.
The House of Prayer offers a breathing space and everything needed for a retreat. They offer to others a way of nurturing their relationship with God through prayer, meditation, spiritual retreats, and Christian education. Explore the programme brochure for 2026 here.
Making choices with St Ignatius
Saturday 31 January 2026
Led by Benjamin Kerridge
Ignatius offers some wisdom to help us make choices, both the big decisions about what kind of life we lead, and the smaller ones of how we live out our day. The day will offer some input as to how we might pray through the choices we want to make, and how to notice where God is in our every day lives so we can draw closer to God and the consolation God offers.
Cost: £35 / including B&B: £110
Longing for God: Individually Guided Retreat
Tuesday 3 - Thursday 5 February 2026
Led by the House of Prayer Team
A silent individually guided retreat for busy people, those who have not made a retreat before, or for anyone who simply needs time and space to stop, breathe, and pray. A trained spiritual director will be available for daily individual meetings to accompany you through the retreat. Above all, this retreat is a time of listening to God who is present in the experiences of prayer and daily living.
Cost: Standard: £230 / En-suite: £250
Saturday 28 February 2026
Led by Catherine Lomas
As we begin our Lenten journey, this day will allow opportunity to consider the place of icons in our spiritual discipline. We will learn about how the iconographic tradition has developed over centuries and what that means for us as we seek to be united with the spiritual realms through the icon in prayer. The day will provide guided reflections on how we might approach praying with icons, as well as uncluttered time in God’s presence, with the opportunity to spend time with the icons that will be available in the House for the day.
No creative skill is required for this quiet day – just a willingness to be open in prayer. The day does not specifically involve painting or drawing an icon.
Cost: £35 / including B&B: £110
Longing for God: Individually Guided Retreat
Friday 6 – Sunday 8 March 2026
Led by the House of Prayer Team
A silent individually guided retreat for busy people, those who have not made a retreat before, or for anyone who simply needs time and space to stop, breathe, and pray. A trained spiritual director will be available for daily individual meetings to accompany you through the retreat. Above all, this retreat is a time of listening to God who is present in the experiences of prayer and daily living.
Cost: Standard: £230 / En-suite: £250
Lent Retreat: A Journey into God’s Love
Friday 13 – Sunday 15 March 2026
Led by Audrey Hamilton
Join us for a time of silence and stillness as we journey through Lent and explore our deepening intimacy with Jesus as beloved disciples. There will be times of guided reflections and space for personal and community prayer with poetry, music and Scripture.
Cost: Standard: £240 /En-suite: £260
Lent Quiet Morning: A deserted place
Friday 20 March 2026
Led by Kerryn Penson
Jesus sustained himself by withdrawing to deserted places to pray alone. This morning offers a quiet clearing to draw near God this Lent. We will ponder the sayings of the early Desert Mothers and Fathers whose heart-wisdom speaks to the challenge of seeking God amid our sometimes frenetic and conflicted lives.
Cost: £15
The Call of Ecological Conversion
Saturday 28 March 2026
Led by Sr MaryAnne Francalanza fcJ
"Living our vocation to be protectors of God's handiwork is essential to a life of virtue" Pope Francis, Laudato Si', #217.
Join us as we explore how to live a life that honours God's presence in all creation. We will find God in the beauty and resilience of creation, and as we look towards Holy Week, we will hear the Cry of the Earth and the Cry of the Poor. The day will include time to listen to God's voice in silence, prayer, and each other.
Cost: £35 / including B&B: £110
Make space to listen to your life and listen to God with a Quiet Day or morning this Lent. We welcome retreatants between 10am and 4pm. You will be allocated a private room and can make use of our Prayer Room and other meeting spaces in the House and gardens. Bring a packed lunch with you. Refreshments, including tea and coffee, are available throughout the day in the Dining Room or Library. If you would like to speak with someone during your Quiet Day, we can arrange for a meeting with a spiritual director. Suggested donation: £25.
Draw aside from the noise and busyness of your daily life and experience some peace and quiet to listen to God. We offer a space for individuals to make a private retreat (catered and self-catered) throughout the year. Spiritual direction may be available upon request and should be booked in advance of your visit to ensure availability.
Looking for a quiet and prayerful space to host your next parish quiet day, team meeting, or prayer group? We offer warm hospitality, meeting spaces and accommodation to suit your needs and requirements. We can also support you to find a retreat leader for your group retreat or day.
Meeting rooms are also offered and warm hospitality should you be looking for a prayerful space to hold your next parish, prayer, or team meeting: www.christian-retreat.org/group-retreats
Preached Retreats at The Briery
The Briery is a place of spiritual renewal, where those who come can find God in an atmosphere of love, prayer, healing and peace.
The Brierley Retreat Centre is offering a rich programme of retreats in 2026, providing space for prayer, reflection, spiritual renewal and encounter with God in a peaceful and supportive environment. Each retreat is fully residential unless otherwise stated and is led by experienced retreat leaders.
For more information or to book, please visit their website or contact the Administrator 📞 01943 607287 ✉️ admin@brierley.org.uk
CACS Inaugural Carmelite Spirituality Network Lecture with Fr Hans Zollner SJ
Safeguarding: An Integral Part of the Mission of the Church.
The Carmelite Spirituality Network is hosting an online presentation by Fr. Hans Zollner SJ, one of the world's leading voices on safeguarding within the Catholic Church:
Safeguarding: An Integral Part of the Mission of the Church
📅 Saturday, 10 January 2026
🕒 3:00 PM – 4:30 PM GMT
💻 Online via Zoom
About the Speaker:
Fr. Hans Zollner SJ is Director of the Institute of Anthropology – Interdisciplinary Studies on Human Dignity and Care at the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome. A psychologist and licensed psychotherapist, he was one of the original eight members of the Pontifical Commission for the Protection of Minors established by Pope Francis in 2014. He has advised bishops' conferences worldwide on safeguarding policy and practice.
Professional Development opportunity
A CPD certificate will be issued by the Carmelite Spirituality Network (CSN)
Recordings will be available for three months for those unable to attend live
Suitable for safeguarding leads, DLPs, and those with safeguarding responsibilities in religious communities
Donation: £30- or £20-pounds concessions for any person interested.
Registration is available via the Carmelite Spirituality Network website.
Enquiries: admin@carmelite.org.uk
View the full promotional flyer here.
Appointment of Bishop Richard Moth
The Conference of Religious England and Wales welcomes the appointment of Archbishop Richard Moth and offers its prayers and support as he begins his ministry in collaboration with the Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales.
Bishop Richard Moth - Picture by Jonathan Brady / PA
The members of the Conference of Religious of England and Wales (COREW) congratulate Bishop Richard Moth on his appointment as Archbishop of Westminster and we offer our gratitude to him that he has agreed to take on this new ministry. We are aware that, during these last years, he has spoken out on behalf of the Bishops Conference on a range of justice issues and we trust that he will continue to enable the voice of our Church to be heard during the very challenging times in which we live. We also are aware of the synodal approach that he followed in drawing up a new plan for the Diocese of Arundel and Brighton, and we trust that he will promote synodality throughout the Church in England and Wales. We look forward to working in partnership on these and other issues with Archbishop Moth and other members of the Bishops Conference.
We are also hoping that we can continue to build on relationships already formed between Archbishop Moth and members of the executive of COREW through the meetings of the Mixed Commission of Bishops and Religious.
Archbishop Moth has spoken of the importance of two religious communities in supporting him and we now promise the prayerful support of all our members, hoping too that we can continue to build on relationships already formed between Archbishop Moth and members of the executive of COREW. We wish him every blessing in the years to come.
We also extend our thanks to Cardinal Vincent Nichols for his years of faithful ministry as leader of the Church in England and Wales and we send our very best wishes for many years of happy retirement.
Pax Christi Resources for Peace Sunday 2026
Pax Christi offers new resources to reflect on Pope Leo XIV’s call for an ‘unarmed and disarming’ peace this Peace Sunday 2026.
Theme of Pope Leo's World Peace Day message: Peace be with you all: towards an ‘unarmed and disarming’ peace.
Once again, Pax Christi, the international Catholic movement for peace, has produced a variety of online and printed resources to support this year’s theme. These materials are designed for parishes, communities, and families, and encourage creativity in marking the occasion in different places and at different times.
In a message to parishes, Pax Christi’s National President, Bishop John Arnold, says:
Dear Father,
Peace Sunday - 18 January 2026
Earlier this year, I was appointed President of Pax Christi England and Wales. I look forward to my new role, and I hope to do all I can to help promote peace, justice, care of creation, and all that is involved in building bridges between communities. One of my first tasks is to encourage you to celebrate Peace Sunday in your parish, underlining that it is the task of all of us to be peacemakers.
The Catholic Church marks the World Day of Peace, instituted by Pope St Paul VI, on 1 January each year. The Catholic Bishops of England and Wales designate the second Sunday in Ordinary Time as ‘Peace Sunday’ – on 18 January this year.
Every parish in encouraged to reflect on the message of Pope Leo XIV which is: Peace be with you all: towards an ‘unarmed and disarming’ peace. This is a challenging but exciting goal. He is telling us that peace should not rely on fear, threats, or weapons. Peace should have the capacity to resolve conflicts and open hearts through mutual understanding and hope.
With the support of the Bishops’ Conference, Pax Christi provides parishes with resources which can be used on Peace Sunday (or on any other Sunday if more convenient). Enclosed with this letter you will find a liturgy booklet with homily notes on the theme and bidding prayers. There are separate resources for children and young people, and others on the Pax Christi website https://paxchristi.org.uk
The Bishops’ Conference has produced a very helpful statement on this topic: Called to be Peacemakers. In this, they urge the UK to forsake its nuclear arsenal, support the global ban on nuclear weapons and promote ‘general and complete disarmament’. The bishops advocate for a shift from a ‘logic of fear’ to an ‘ethic of responsibility by fostering trust and dialogue’.
We are in a world torn by violence and war; a time of uncertainty; a time when strong leadership can help disperse doubt and show us a positive way forward in full hope.
Pax Christi gives a practical expression to this hope through its outreach work promoting the Gospel message of nonviolence and offering peace education in schools. It is a national organisation but with a small team of just three members of staff. I know that the generosity of our parish communities each year makes a big difference to the funds needed for its vital work to continue. I invite you to take this opportunity to support us with a collection or donation on Peace Sunday. Your help is greatly appreciated.
With every blessing,
Bishop John Arnold
President, Pax Christi England and Wales
All Pax Christi’s resources can be accessed here: https://paxchristi.org.uk/peace-sunday-2026/
For further information, Pax Christi can be contacted at: info@paxchristi.org.uk
