Monastery of Our Lady and St. Bernard 2025 Programme
Explore the 2026 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.
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
Friday, September 11, 20266:00 PM - Sunday, September 13, 20262:00 PM
Come, refresh and deepen your knowledge and understanding of the Roman Catholic faith. During the weekend we will explore these topics: Prayer in the Roman Catholic tradition within the shape of the Liturgical Year; the place of Our Lady in the life of the Church; and the Sacrament of the Eucharist.
Loving God, Living Simply, Living Deeply
Thursday, September 24, 20265:30 PM - Sunday, September 27, 20263:30 PM
Reflecting and learning from St. Francis of Asisi’s lifestyle which brought him the graces of freedom of heart, inner peace and confidence in God’s love.
Vocation Weekend - Taste the goodness of the Lord who loves you
Friday, November 6, 20266:00 PM - Sunday, November 8, 20262:00 PM
An opportunity to experience monastic life for women in their 20s, 30s and 40s, who have not already made a life commitment.
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.
Supporting Independence & Preventing Falls in Sisters Living with Dementia – 18 September 2026
This webinar will equip caregivers and church leaders with simple, low-cost strategies to prevent falls and support independence for sisters with dementia, grounded in dignity and Catholic values. The speaker will be Alison Walsh, BHSc Hons, Occupational Therapy, and the moderator will be Sr. Siobhán O’Keeffe, SS.H.J.M, The ANNA Trust Cognitive Impairment Program Director.
Depression in Later Life – 8 October 2026
This webinar will explore some of the ways depression presents differently amongst older people, the factors which may lead to changes in mood, and ways we can support older people when they start to experience depression. The speaker 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.
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.
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. 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 and Autumn programme, offering a rich schedule of retreats, days of reflection, and spiritual opportunities.
www.loretocentre.org.uk
Celebrate 20 Years of the Medaille Trust
Celebrate 20 years of the Medaille Trust with a day of Mass, talks, art and reflection at Liverpool Metropolitan Cathedral on 26 September.
The Medaille Trust is celebrating its 20th Anniversary with a special event on Saturday 26 September, from 11.00am–3.00pm, at Liverpool Metropolitan Cathedral of Christ the King.
Join Medaille Trust as they celebrate 20 years of supporting survivors of modern slavery and exploitation. The day will begin with Mass and will include lunch, talks and reflections from survivors, staff and partners, as well as the Medaille Art Roadshow Exhibition, showcasing artwork and storytelling created by Medaille service users.
The celebration offers an opportunity to reflect on two decades of trust, dedication and community commitment in the fight against modern slavery, while honouring the resilience, creativity and hope of survivors.
Places are limited to 140 attendees, so advance booking is essential. To RSVP or for further information, please contact events@medaille-trust.org.uk.
We warmly encourage members, partner organisations, volunteers and supporters to join Medaille Trust for this special anniversary celebration.
Mission Together: Introducing Synodality to Our Parishes
A workshop exploring synodality and the Church's mission today, led by Dr Austen Ivereigh.
Mission Together: Introducing Synodality to Our Parishes is a workshop taking place on Saturday 12 September 2026 at Holy Cross Priory (Frassati Centre), Leicester, led by Dr Austen Ivereigh, biographer of Pope Francis and an invited expert at the Synod on Synodality. Open to everyone – clergy and laity alike – the day will explore what it means to become a more synodal Church by listening deeply, discerning together and responding to God's mission in today's world. Participants are invited to bring a packed lunch (tea and coffee provided), with a suggested donation of £20. Full details, including booking information, can be found in the flyer below.
Celebrate 70 years of the Claretian Missionaries at Buckden Towers
The Claretian Missionaries warmly invite you to a Claretian Family Day at Buckden Towers on Monday 31 August 2026, celebrating 70 years of the Claretians' presence at Buckden Towers.
The Claretian Missionaries warmly invite you to a Claretian Family Day at Buckden Towers on Monday 31 August 2026, celebrating 70 years of the Claretians' presence at Buckden Towers. Everyone is welcome to join this relaxed and joyful day of faith, friendship and community. The programme includes prayer, a BBQ lunch, family activities, guided tours, music, an outdoor Mass (weather permitting), refreshments and opportunities to discover the history and heritage of Buckden Towers. There is no need to book in advance. For full programme details and further information, please see the poster below or visit www.buckdentowers.com.
Kairos Spirituality Centre Retreat Programme 2026
A year of retreats, prayer opportunities and spiritual renewal at the Kairos Spirituality Centre.
The Kairos Spirituality Centre has published its Retreat Programme for 2026, offering a wide range of opportunities for prayer, reflection and spiritual growth.
Rooted in the concept of Kairos – a “favourable time” or “graced moment” – the programme invites participants to step away from daily demands and enter a space of stillness, renewal and encounter with God. Each retreat offers time for prayer, reflection, and rest, within a supportive and peaceful environment.
The programme includes:
Silent preached retreats led by experienced retreat directors
Themed retreats and Holy Week retreat experiences
Individually guided retreats with spiritual direction
Weekend events and workshops, including leadership formation
Day retreats and opportunities for young adults
Particular highlights this year:
Living Your One, Wild And Precious Life, hosted by Fr Hugh Lagan SMA, taking place from 18th – 20th September 2026
These days of rest, reflection and renewal will offer practical wisdom and ancient spiritual truths on how to create the life you deserve, overcome obstacles, deepen your personal calling and reawaken your soul's desire. Your one, wild and precious life is waiting for you.
Father Hugh Lagan is a priest with the Society of African Missions and a chartered clinical psychologist. He has led workshops and retreats internationally on psychological and spiritual ell-being, positive change, trauma and resilience.
I will make the young their leaders. (Isaiah 3:4) hosted by Fr Gary N. McCloskey, O.S.A. from 16th – 18th October 2026
In an age of violence and disruption the young Saints Carlo Acutis, Maris Goretti, and Pier Giorgio Frassati, provide 20th and 21st beacons of hope as our Spiritual Guides. We will experience our guides through reflection, prayer experiences, and dialogues.
Rev. Gary N. McCloskey, O.S.A. , a spirituality preacher and retreat director, has had the privilege of sharing his ministry on 6 of the 7 continents. This has included being an international leader in spreading the teaching and spirituality of Saint Augustine. In North America he has ministered primarily in Florida, Massachusetts, and Pennsylvania. Born in 1951, Fr. McCloskey professed religious vows in the Order of St. Augustine in 1970 and was ordained a Roman Catholic priest in 1977.
For full details, including dates, themes and booking information, please visit the Kairos website.
Medaille Trust Statement and Briefing on the Immigration and Asylum Bill
We are sharing two resources from Medaille Trust relating to the proposed Immigration and Asylum Bill and its modern slavery provisions.
We are sharing the following resources from Medaille Trust relating to the proposed Immigration and Asylum Bill.
The documents include Medaille Trust's statement on the Bill's modern slavery provisions, together with a clause-by-clause briefing outlining the organisation's concerns about the potential impact on survivors of modern slavery.
Downloads
Appeal for a Confessional Kneeler
A parish in the Diocese of East Anglia is seeking the donation of a confessional kneeler with a screen. Congregations who may be able to help are invited to get in touch.
Photo credit: unsplash-image-ZwaqicZOAgc.jpg
A parish in the Diocese of East Anglia is appealing for the donation of a confessional kneeler with a screen.
If your congregation has a spare confessional kneeler that is no longer required and would be willing to donate it, Fr John Minh would be very pleased to hear from you.
Those who may be able to assist are invited to contact the parish directly:
Email: cambourne.sawston@rcdea.org.uk
Telephone: 01223 832397
Thank you for any assistance you may be able to offer.
Sion Catholic Community for Evangelism – Seeking a New Base
The Sion Catholic Community for Evangelism is seeking suitable premises to support its residential community and ongoing mission.
The Sion Catholic Community for Evangelism has been serving the Church for over 40 years through parish and school missions, retreats, training and evangelisation events across Great Britain.
As they look to the future, the community is seeking a new long-term base to support its residential community life and wider mission. They are particularly interested in hearing from religious congregations or organisations that may have suitable premises available, ideally in the Midlands or Home Counties.
The community is looking for accommodation for a small residential team, together with space for guests, storage and community activities. Access to larger meeting facilities nearby would also be beneficial for their wider gatherings and events.
If your congregation or organisation may be able to help, or if you would like to find out more about the Sion Catholic Community for Evangelism and their work, please contact Teresa, Administrator, by email at admin@sioncommunity.org.uk or by telephone on 07521 419 526.
Spirituality Consultation Day
A Spirituality Consultation Day will take place on Thursday 25 June 2026 at St Paul's Convent, Selly Park, Birmingham.
A Spirituality Consultation Day will take place on Thursday 25 June 2026 at St Paul's Convent, Selly Park, Birmingham.
The day will explore the enduring relevance of Augustinian spirituality in the life of the Church today. Sr Moira O’Sullivan CRSS will introduce participants to the key themes of the Augustinian tradition, while Dr Austen Ivereigh will consider its influence on the papacies of Pope Francis and Pope Leo.
Hosted by the Spirituality Committee of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of England and Wales, the event offers an opportunity to reflect on these themes and contribute to wider conversations about spirituality in the contemporary Church.
The cost is £30 per person. Booking can be made via Eventbrite.
Walking with Young People Along Paths of Faith and Vocation
Free online event hosted by UCESM exploring youth and vocation ministry with Brother Matthew, Prior of Taizé, on 10 June 2026.
UCESM (The Union of European Conferences of Major Superiors) is hosting an online meeting with Brother Matthew, Prior of Taizé, on Wednesday 10 June 2026.
The session, entitled Walking with Young People Along Paths of Faith and Vocation, will explore accompaniment of young people in their journey of faith and vocational discernment.
The event is open to Religious and lay people involved or interested in youth and vocation ministry. Participation is free of charge.
Simultaneous translation will be available in English and Italian.
Further information and registration details can be found by clicking here REGISTRATION LINK
AMRI is Hiring – Co-ordinator of Vocations Ireland
AMRI is seeking a Co-ordinator of Vocations Ireland to help promote and foster vocations to religious life across Ireland.
The Association of Missionaries and Religious Leaders of Ireland (AMRI) is currently seeking a Co-ordinator of Vocations Ireland.
AMRI represents and promotes active collaboration between Religious Institutes, Societies of Apostolic Life and Lay Missionary Organisations. As a representative association of 150 membership congregations, its mission is to provide leadership and support and foster collaboration among its members.
The Coordinator of Vocations Ireland will work with those religious congregations who are members of Vocations Ireland to promote and foster vocations to religious life in Ireland.
Key responsibilities include:
• developing and implementing a strategy for vocations ministry in Ireland
• reviewing and evaluating current vocations ministry
• reviewing and developing strategic priorities
• building positivity and enthusiasm for vocation ministry
• strengthening relationships with various Church bodies and other institutions in order to foster awareness of vocations to religious life
• coordinating and planning vocation promotion initiatives
The successful candidate will also maintain active links with AMRI as part of the staff team.
This is a full-time fixed contract role and will involve some evening and weekend work.
To apply, please send a cover letter outlining how you meet the criteria together with a CV to the Secretary General of AMRI at info@amri.ie.
Closing date: 19 June 2026.
Download the full job description HERE.
Pilgrimage of Reparation and Prayer for the Sanctity of Life
All are welcome to join the annual Pilgrimage of Reparation and Prayer for the Sanctity of Life on Saturday, 1 August 2026, at the Shrine of Our Lady of Walsingham.
All are welcome to join the annual Pilgrimage of Reparation and Prayer for the Sanctity of Life on Saturday, 1 August 2026, at the Shrine of Our Lady of Walsingham.
This pilgrimage aims not only to act as an act of reparation for abortion, praying for the souls of babies who have been or will be aborted, but also for all mothers and fathers facing this very difficult decision.
The Walsingham pilgrimage will commence with the 12pm Pilgrim Mass and the Angelus in the chapel. The remainder of the day will include Eucharistic Adoration, Stations of the Cross, the Divine Mercy Chaplet, the Litany of Life, and Benediction. This will be followed by the praying of the Sorrowful Mysteries of the Blessed Rosary and a silent walk as an act of reparation. The pilgrimage will conclude with a Prayer for England and the Salve Regina.
More information, including details on coach bookings, can be found on the poster and website: Pro-Life Pilgrimage Website
Those unable to attend in person are invited to join the pilgrims in prayer
Friends of the Holy Land – A Call to Prayer and Support
A call to prayer and support for Christian communities affected by conflict in the Holy Land.
At this time, many are aware of the deeply distressing situation unfolding across the Middle East. The fragile nature of peace is once again evident, as conflict and uncertainty bring suffering to so many, especially to Christian communities living in the Holy Land, the very place where Christ walked, died, and rose again.
Friends of the Holy Land, an ecumenical charity, continues to provide vital, practical support to Christian families in Israel, Palestine and Jordan. Their work includes direct financial assistance for those facing hardship, displacement, and insecurity; skills training to help young adults find pathways into stable employment; fresh water provision for families in the West Bank; support for the elderly; special educational needs provision in Bethlehem; and summer camps for children traumatised by conflict and violence.
This is a moment not only for awareness, but for prayer and solidarity. It is a reminder of how quickly peace can unravel, and how important it is to hold these communities in our hearts.
To learn more about their work or to offer support, please visit: 👉 www.friendsoftheholyland.org.uk
Centre of Applied Carmelite Spirituality Summer 2026
Three July events to celebrate Saint John of the Cross with opportunities for prayer, renewal, and formation.
Three special events this July at the Carmelite Priory, Oxford, mark the double jubilee of Saint John of the Cross, offering opportunities for renewal, prayer, and formation.
The Centre for Applied Carmelite Spirituality at the Carmelite Priory, Boars Hill, Oxford, is hosting three special gatherings this July, marking 300 years since the canonisation of Saint John of the Cross and 100 years since his proclamation as a Doctor of the Church.
These events offer rich opportunities for renewal, formation, and deepening for members of religious communities, bringing together scholars, spiritual directors, artists, and seekers from across the world.
Contemplative Spirituality Summit · 10–11 July 2026 · Oxford & Online
Contemplative Creativity & Human Flourishing
A two-day gathering exploring the renewal of the human spirit through contemplative wisdom, with keynote addresses, sessions, workshops, shared silence, and sacred music. Speakers include Cardinal Anders Arborelius OCD, Dr Susan Muto, and Fr Iain Matthew OCD. A deep source of renewal and theological nourishment for those in active religious life.
Within God Concert · Saturday 11 July, 7:30 pm · Oxford & Livestream
Five original musical pieces inspired by the mystical poetry of Saint John of the Cross, offering a contemplative act of prayer through music, accessible to all.
In person £38/£30 · Online £20
Spirituality Summer School · 12–16 July 2026 · Oxford & Online
Taste and See: The Wisdom Sayings of Saint John of the Cross
A week of deep formation including teaching, prayer, silence, and community life at the Priory, guided by Dr Susan Muto. An ideal retreat and formation opportunity for those seeking renewal.
Residential from £789 · Online from £150
All are welcome. Further details, including registration, can be found at carmelite.uk.net.
For Sale: 11-Bedroom Community Property in Surrey
11-bedroom community property in Surrey with chapel, private grounds and ample parking.
A religious congregation has an 11-bedroom en-suite property available in Wonersh, near Guildford (Surrey), ideally suited for use as a community house.
The house is arranged over three storeys and benefits from an internal lift, providing ease of access throughout the property. The property includes a reception area, chapel, living room, kitchen, dining room and laundry facilities. There is ample parking, including two garages, and the house is set within a very private area with its own grounds, including a wooded area.
Located within the Diocese of Arundel and Brighton, the property is close to other religious communities.
For more information, or to be put in touch with the relevant contact, please email communications@corew.org.
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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.
Let Him Easter in us
Saturday 25 April 2026
Led by Dr Antonia Lynn
The Feast of St Mark falls in Eastertide and we celebrate it today. This spring Saturday offers a chance to reflect on the Paschal Mystery through the lens of St Mark’s Gospel; a chance to experience Easter as a verb (as Gerard Manley Hopkins does in his poem The Wreck of the Deutschland, from which today’s title comes) — God’s work in progress in our lives. This is planned as a spacious day, with time to go at your own pace and enjoy reflection, rest and gentle creativity.
Cost: £35 / including B&B: £110
Longing for God: Individually Guided Retreat
Friday 1 – Sunday 3 May 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
Contemplative Art
Thursday 7, 14, 21, 28 May & 4, 11 June 2026
Led by Cari Bridgen
Creativity and art can help us connect more deeply with ourselves, God, and the world around us. This course offers an opportunity to explore contemplative art, and our creative expression and prayer. Over six mornings, there will be space to creatively respond to themes exploring the relationship between ourselves, God and creation, including our embodied nature; spirituality, theology and ecology; and our personal response to destruction and the present eco-crisis. Each session will include time for prayer, meditations on a weekly theme, music, practical creative time, and sharing. This course will meet on six Thursdays between 10am and 1pm.
Cost: £90
When the Saints go Marching in
Saturday 30 May 2026
Led by Anne Booth
When the Saints go marching in, do we really want to be in their number? In the Christian tradition we have the Saints, whose stories and images are so familiar that they can feel like our heavenly friends and family, yet sometimes their extraordinary examples of holiness can be hard to reconcile with our own more ordinary lives. How can we be inspired without being demoralised, and how is God inviting us to live out our own call to sainthood? This day will explore the stories of the saints and their spiritualities, and the fact and fiction which surrounds them. We will pray about and ponder the fact that they were real, imperfect people, and, using the Gospels, poetry and the writings of Thomas Merton, consider the part they can play today in inspiring us to love God with all our hearts, souls and minds, and our neighbours as ourselves.
Cost: £35 / including B&B: £110
Longing for God: Individually Guided Retreat
Friday 5 – Sunday 7 June 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
Present Tents
Friday 19 – Sunday 21 June 2026
Led by Mary Chamberlin
This weekend workshop/retreat is an invitation to rest in peaceful surroundings and recognise an internal space that is within us all. Inhabiting this prayerful place, we can reflect how God longs to lovingly envelop us and waits for our response. Over this mid-summer weekend, we will use art materials to make marks and/or build 3D images that assure us of God’s vital, constant, unconditional and eternal love. It is not necessary to have any artistic skill or to have had any previous art experience, you are just invited to reflect and respond visually noticing what might be emerging for you as you do so.
Cost: Standard: £240 / En-suite: £260 / Day guest: £125
Llysfasi Spirituality Workshop
A creative experiential journey at the Loreto Spirituality Centre Llandudno.
The Llysfasi Spirituality Workshop is a residential, experiential programme offering a rich opportunity for ongoing formation, personal renewal, and deepening in spiritual accompaniment.
Rooted in the dynamics of the Spiritual Exercises of St Ignatius of Loyola, the workshop invites participants into a reflective and creative journey through key themes of human and spiritual life. It is designed for those who are already engaged in their own inner journey and are open to growing in awareness, discernment, and accompaniment of others.
The programme includes times of prayer and personal reflection, contemplative listening in small groups, and input from an experienced team. Participants will explore the practice of discernment and have the opportunity both to accompany another person and to be accompanied during a three-day retreat within the workshop. A variety of creative resources — including art, music, poetry, movement, and scripture — are also used to support a deeper encounter with God.
Facilitators: Mary Rose Fitzsimmons HHS, Richard Sloan, Sheila McNamara RSCJ, and Silvia Bereczki HHS — an experienced team in spiritual accompaniment, retreats, and formation.
This workshop is particularly suited to those who are reflective, open, and attentive to their inner life, and who recognise spirituality as a way of being in the world that seeks to encounter God in all things.
Taking place at the Loreto Spirituality Centre in Llandudno, the workshop runs from Saturday 8 August (4:00pm) to Tuesday 25 August 2026 (after breakfast). The cost is £1,600, inclusive of accommodation, resources, and team fees. A limited number of bursaries are available.
Further details, including how to apply, can be found in the flyer linked here.
Shepherds Law News
Read the latest Shepherds Law newsletter for community updates and news from the Hermitage.
We are delighted to share the April 2026 edition of Shepherds Law News. To stay connected with life at the Hermitage, please visit shepherdslawhermitage.org.
