Boarbank Hall Programme of Residential Events

The Sisters at Boarbank Hall are offering a full programme of residential events for the first time since the pandemic. Several of these may be of particular interest to Religious Brothers and Sisters.

The programme includes opportunities to rejoice in the beauty of God’s creation. Two Wings and Some Prayers: A Birdwatching Retreat (12th–17th May) introduces birdsong for beginners, led by Sr Margaret Atkins and Dr Margaret Phillips. Celebrating Creation: The Joy of Limits (27th–31st May or 4th–10th October) is guided by Sr Margaret Atkins and John Paul de Quay of the Ecological Conversion Group. Both retreats include trips out, walks, talks, and practical engagement with the natural world.

For those interested in learning Latin through prayers and Scripture, Our Lady in Latin (18th–20th/21st July) and Magnificat! (24th–26th/27th October) offer an engaging and enjoyable way to study and sing Latin using familiar texts. These sessions are taught by Alison Samuels, a highly experienced Latin teacher.

A deep dive into St Augustine’s Confessions (18th–22nd August) provides an opportunity to explore this classic text in greater detail, with Sr Margaret Atkins offering guidance throughout. This may be of particular interest to communities with Augustinian roots.

All courses take place in the comfortable Guest House at Boarbank Hall, set in extensive grounds overlooking Morecambe Bay. Participants are welcome to join the Community for Mass and the sung Daily Office.

For more information, see https://boarbankhall.org.uk/whats-on/ or email Sr Margaret Atkins on margaret@boarbankhall.org.uk

The Heart of Health: Putting the Heart Back into Healthcare

A group of Catholics involved in healthcare policy and practice, local politics, and theology has begun a project entitled ‘The Heart of Health: Putting the Heart Back into Healthcare.’

The project aims to use the Church’s practical and theoretical resources to shift both the debate and shared practices around healthcare. Specifically, it seeks to help people care for their physical, emotional, and spiritual health and resilience by fostering, extending, and linking existing church, healthcare, and other local communities. This effort is focused on building networks for personal mutual support, with an emphasis on the inclusion of those living in material and social poverty.

The project is inspired by various existing examples and is illuminated by the Church’s rich understanding of human beings as spiritual persons in community, endowed with dignity, freedom, and agency. It is grounded in the belief that people are made for mutual loving relationships and lives of purpose and hope.

The political benefits of this project and approach are seen in the following ways:

1. Nearly all the ways of staying healthy and happy are cheap or free, yet health services are in constant financial need.

2. People need support to follow these healthy ways of living.

3. Building supportive local communities can unite people across political divides, avoiding polarization by honouring the left’s concern for solidarity and care for those in need, and the right’s concern for freedom, creativity, and independence.

4. This is a positive and inspiring vision that can help address not only the healthcare crisis but also the ecological, financial, and social crises facing society. It offers a ready-made philosophy and language rooted in the Christian tradition, yet accessible to people of all faiths and none.

For more information, individuals are invited to join the following webinar: The Heart of Good Health: Supporting the Whole Person in Local Communities, hosted by the Las Casas Institute, Blackfriars, Oxford, on Thursday, April 3rd, from 18:30–19:45.

For more details, visit https://www.bfriars.ox.ac.uk/event/the-heart-of-healthcare/.

To register, please email lascasas@bfriars.ox.ac.uk

As the personal, social, and economic costs of current healthcare approaches rise, causing distress to both patients and healthcare professionals, this webinar brings together experts and concerned individuals from the health service, the churches, and public life. It will explore what a Catholic vision of the human person in society offers as an alternative in terms of public policy and local initiatives.

Speakers include:

• Sr. Margaret Atkins CRSA, “The Heart of Health – A Vision for the Church and Society”

• Professor James McManus, Director of Public Health, Wales, “Theology Meets Health Policy: A Catholic Contribution to Health Policy Starts Theologically and Proceeds Practically”

• Thomas Horton, Head of Community Justice at His Majesty's Prison and Probation Service in Wales, “Theology in Action: Probation and Community”

Christians on Ageing AGM & Spring Conference

Accompanying age: what are the churches doing?

30 APRIL 2025, 10.30am-4pm

Join in person at Bar Convent, York

Free event (donation for refreshments)

As well as the necessary business of an AGM there will be focusing on one of CoA’s core objectives – celebrating the gifts and potential of later life – and helping churches and others to develop activities which contribute to facilitating older people’s spiritual growth.

The keynote speaker will be Revd Dr Chris Swift, recently appointed as Director of the Leeds Church Institute, and previously Director of Chaplaincy and Spirituality at Methodist Homes (MHA). After lunch, we will look at three examples of good practice in church activities that can ‘accompany ageing’.

ALL WELCOME!

CoA members, and anyone interested in later life and older people ministry, are invited to join.

To sign up for this event email: secretary@christiansonageing.org.uk

Visit www.christiansonageing.org.uk for further details and programme news.

Religious Formation Ministry Programme

Time for Transformation?

The Religious Formation Ministry Programme is now accepting applications for the 2025-2026 year.

The RFM Programme brings together priests and religious from around the world for a nine-month journey of inner transformation. Participants come with a view to preparing themselves to take on roles of responsibility in formation or leadership at the end of the Programme. For further information visit the website or email rfmploretohouse@gmail.com

Closing Date for Applications: Friday 11th April 2025.

Note: Potential participants are strongly advised to apply early in order to have sufficient time to process the required Minister of Religion Visa.

To view a letter of invitation, please click HERE

House of Prayer Lent Retreat Programme

The House of Prayer are offering several retreats during this Lenten season of deeper reflection and listening to God.

Longing for God: Individually Guided Retreat

Friday 14 – Sunday 16 March

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 needs time away 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.

Arrive in time for supper at 7pm on Friday and depart by 3pm on Sunday.

Cost:

Ensuite: £230

Standard: £210

Stepping out in Faith: Finding the courage to walk on water

Saturday 29 March

Led by Alison MacTier

Our journey through Lent involves trust and courage. But taking that step is a journey towards becoming truly ourselves. We explore this theme using Scripture, reflective prayer, poetry, images and music.

Starts at 10am and finishes at 4pm. Please bring a packed lunch.

Cost: £35

Including B&B (Fri – Sat): £100

Lent Retreat: Journeying to Jerusalem

Friday 4 – Sunday 6 April

Led by Audrey Hamilton

Join us for a time of silence and stillness as we journey through Lent and ponder the height and depth of God’s personal love for us. There will be times of guided reflections and space for personal and community prayer with poetry, music and Scripture.

Arrive in time for supper at 7pm on Friday and depart after lunch on Sunday.

Cost:

En-suite: £240

Standard: £220

Day guest: £110

Quiet Morning: Abide with me

Friday 11 April

Led by Kerryn Penson

A time for prayer, companionship and reflection as we ponder the transformative meaning of abiding in God this Lent.

Starts at 10am and finishes at 1pm.

Cost: £15

Holy Week: Individually Guided Retreat

Tuesday 15 – Thursday 17 April

Led by the House of Prayer Team

As we journey through Holy Week, this silent retreat offers a time of deeper listening to God who is present in our daily living and experiences. There will be times of community prayer. A trained spiritual director will be available for daily individual meetings to accompany you through the retreat.

Arrive in time for supper at 6pm and depart by 3pm on Thursday.

Cost:

Ensuite: £230

Standard: £210

Lectio Divina

Wednesdays, 2pm – 3pm

Led by Helen Healy

An opportunity to join a small group meeting at the House of Prayer. Lectio Divina is divine reading, listening to Scripture with the ear of the heart. A short passage of scripture is read slowly and meditatively. There are periods of silence, letting the words penetrate deeper in our hearts, and listening to God and to each other.

Donations welcome.

Quiet Days

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.

Individual Retreats

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.

Group Retreats

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

Monastery of Our Lady and St. Bernard 2025 Programme

We invite you to explore the 2025 programme at the Monastery of Our Lady and St. Bernard. Offering a unique opportunity for personal growth, spiritual development, and deepening community engagement. For further information, please visit the website or contact bookings_brownshill@yahoo.co.uk

St. Anselm’s Institute Prepares for 40th Anniversary Jubilee

St. Anselm’s Institute is eagerly preparing for its 40th anniversary jubilee celebrations, set to take place on May 12, 2025. This milestone event will be a time of gratitude and reflection, honoring the Institute’s journey over four decades and remembering all those who have been part of its history, including the late Fr. Len.

As part of the celebrations, St. Anselm’s is inviting alumni and friends to contribute their memories and experiences in various ways:

• Video testimonials (under one minute) sharing memories of the Institute or Fr. Len, recorded in landscape mode and HD quality.

• Photographs from past years at St. Anselm’s or with Fr. Len.

• Written testimonials reflecting on experiences at the Institute, which may be published later.

All contributions can be sent to 40jubilee@st.anselm.org.uk, and acknowledgments will be provided upon receipt.

Despite the absence of Fr. Len, the Institute continues its mission, with Fr. Estifanos leading the community successfully. The team at St. Anselm’s looks forward to celebrating this special occasion with the extended community and appreciates all support in making it a memorable event.

For further updates, stay connected with St. Anselm’s as they prepare for this significant celebration.

Chaplain Needed for the Bernardine Cistercian Community

The Bernardine Cistercian Community at the Monastery of Our Lady and St Bernard, Brownshill, near Stroud, is seeking a priest to celebrate Mass and the sacraments for their monastic community of 6 sisters, as well as guests and parishioners who join them.

With their current chaplain retiring after Easter, they are looking for a priest from May 2025, initially for a short-term period which could be extended.  A self contained flat would be provided.  They would be grateful if you would forward this on to any priest who might be interested and able to fulfil this need, for example, a retired priest, a priest on sabbatical or a priest who simply needs a break.

The monastery is situated in the Cotswold ‘Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty’.  It is a mile away from local shops. There is a local bus service into Stroud but having one’s own car is desirable.

For further information, please visit the website Welcome — Bernardine Cistercians

You can contact Sr Maria either on 01453 883084 or  srmariabernardine@yahoo.co.uk

Catholic Spirituality Network Conference 2025 – Listening to our Life

We are pleased to be able to share with you an invitation to the Catholic Spirituality Network Conference 2025, exploring the theme Listening to our Life.

Date: Saturday 26 April 2025

Venue: Irenaeus Centre, 32 Great Georges Road, Waterloo, Liverpool L22 1RD

Speaker: Lister Tonge

Conference Fees: £30 / CSN members £25 - **apply £5 early bird discount until 14th March 2025: £25 / CSN members £20**

Bookings: Margaret Palladino - catholicspiritualitynetwork@gmail.com

Download the leaflet for further information

Dupuis Retreat and Conference Centre 2025 Programme

Dupuis Retreat and Conference Centre

St. Paul's Convent, 94 Selly Park Road B29 7LL.

Discover tranquillity and inspiration with a diverse range of retreats, quiet days, and conferences on offer.

Explore the 2025 Programme of events to see what’s on.

QUIET DAYS

Starting in September. These will take place from 10.30 a.m. to 3.30 p.m. on the 1st Wednesday of each month.

Days will be led by Sr. Pauline Myers SP

Cost: £20 Please bring own lunch. Tea and coffee provided

RETREATS

6-day Preached Retreat

‘Freedom to live as the children of God’

Fr. Chris Thomas, The Irenaeus Project, Archdiocese of Liverpool

March 19th-26th

Cost: £650

Individually Guided Retreat

6-day Individually Guided Retreat

Led by Sr. Pauline Myers SP and Sr. Una Coogan IBVM

May 19th-26th

Cost: £650

Midweek Preached Retreat

Led by Fr. Eamon Mulcahy CSSp

November 10th-14th

Cost: £220

Day Conferences

‘Easter, the Springtime of our lives’

Rev. Cameron Butland, Retreat Association Trustee

Saturday May 17th

Cost: £35 Please bring own lunch. Tea and coffee provided

HOPE DOES NOT DISAPPOINT!

David Wells, author of ‘The Reluctant Disciple’ and ‘The Grateful Disciple’

 Saturday June 14th

What is Hope, why do we need it, and what difference does it make? In a restless world of anxiety and heightened conflict, isn’t hope a bit of a luxury? When people are in the midst of struggle does Hope actually achieve anything? In this session we will explore the great virtues, especially Hope, and consider why people all over the world are awakening to the power of a virtuous approach to Monday mornings. Hope does not disappoint!

Cost: £35 Please bring own lunch. Tea and coffee provided

Quiet Day with the Retreat Association Icon – Reflecting on the meeting between Jesus and the Samaritan Woman at the Well

Alison MacTier, Director of the Retreat Association

Saturday October 18th

The day will include an exploration of how this beautiful icon was made, within the tradition of iconography, as well as how we can begin to interpret its meaning. Then we will spend time reflecting in detail on the Gospel story of this encounter and what it may mean for us today.

Cost: £35 Please bring own lunch. Tea and coffee provided.

For more information or to make a booking please contact Sr. Margaret Mattison - 0121 415 6100 - margaret.mattison@sellypark.org

Summer Language and Liturgy Courses

Summer Language and Liturgy Courses – July & August 2025

The Institutum Liturgicum and Benedictine Institute are offering a series of summer courses in Liturgy, Syriac, Biblical Hebrew, and Latin for July and August 2025. These courses provide a wonderful opportunity to deepen your knowledge in these areas.

In-person courses are available for Liturgy, Syriac, and Biblical Hebrew, while Latin is offered both online and in person.

Accommodation is available in their House for Guests and Monastery, with limited spaces.

For full details and to register, visit Liturgy Institute or Benedictine Institute.

Catholic Green Investment Roundtable

Date: Tuesday 18th February Time: 09:30 AM - 12:00 PM 

Location: The Amigo Hall: St George's Cathedral, Southwark, Lambeth Rd, London SE1 6HU

Operation Noah would like to invite you to attend an informative and engaging roundtable event on investing in climate solutions. The event will feature an introduction to a toolkit aligning investment strategies with the principles of Catholic Social Teaching (CST) and presentations from guest speakers on the intersection of faith, finance, and climate action. There will also be networking opportunities with other faith-based investors and trustees.

Please RSVP here: https://forms.gle/sin86BKskKF4HHADA 

CAS Data Protection Training Day

The Catholic Archives Society are hosting a Data Protection Training Day. This will take place in the afternoon of the 2 April 2025 at Hinsley Hall, Leeds and will provide attendees with guidance and understanding of working with the Data Protection laws in an archive setting.

To register, complete the booking form, or you can visit their website for further information.

Kairos Spirituality Centre

Experience peace and renewal at The Kairos Centre, a Catholic spirituality and conference centre in southwest London, provided by the Poor Servants of the Mother of God. Nestled in landscaped gardens overlooking historic Richmond Park, this urban oasis offers a serene space for prayer, reflection, and connection.

Explore their 2025 Retreat Programme, designed to uplift and transform, with options for day visits, overnight stays, spiritual direction, and personal quiet days.

For further details of the Retreat Programme, including prices, booking forms and details of other programmes and events, please visit their website.

Religious Orders Urge UK Banks to Halt Fossil Fuel Funding

UK Christian campaigners protest Barclays fossil fuel financing - credit Christian Climate Action.

Eight Catholic religious orders have joined a group of 70 Christian organisations in publishing a statement calling on the big five UK high-street banks to end their financing of new fossil fuels, which are fuelling dangerous levels of global heating.

Catholic religious orders signing the statement include the Religious of the Assumption (English Territory), the Sisters of St Joseph of Peace, the Columbans in Britain, the Columban Sisters, the Daughters of the Holy Spirit, the Sisters of the Holy Family of Bordeaux, the Congregation of Our Lady, Canonesses of St Augustine (UK) and the English Province of the Union of Presentation Sisters. Catholic charities also signed the statement, including SCIAF, the National Justice & Peace Network, and Justice and Peace Scotland.

In the largest action yet calling for change from UK high street banks on their fossil fuel financing, the religious orders, Churches and Christian organisations involved join the many charities, universities and medical institutions that have already taken action on this issue.

The statement was co-authored by a coalition of climate and Christian organisations, including Laudato Si’ Movement, JustMoney Movement, Make My Money Matter, Churches Together in Britain and Ireland (CTBI), Christian Climate Action (CCA) and Bank Better, with support from the World Council of Churches (WCC).

The statement raises concerns over the $556 billion that Barclays, HSBC, Santander, NatWest and Lloyds have provided to the fossil fuel industry since the Paris Climate Agreement. In 2023, the hottest year on record, the five banks collectively financed companies expanding fossil fuels with almost $25 billion.

Latest figures show that 2024 is likely to surpass 2023 as the hottest year on record, and the UN has previously called investment in the fossil fuel industry “moral and economic madness”. The expansion of oil and gas is incompatible with limiting global heating to 1.5°C, according to the UN, the International Energy Agency and thousands of leading climate scientists.

Sr Susan Francois CSJP, Assistant Congregation Leader of the Sisters of St Joseph of Peace, one of the signatories, said: “We believe that we have a fiduciary responsibility to earth and present and future generations. We signed this statement because we agree with Pope Francis that we must transform the economy from one that kills into an economy of life.”

Sr Jessica Gatty ra, JPIC Representative for the Religious of the Assumption, said: “The climate crisis is with us now; we all need to do what we can not only as individuals but as institutions too.”

There is a strong precedent of Christian organisations taking action on their banks’ fossil fuel financing. The move follows in the footsteps of Christian Aid, Sheffield Cathedral and Greenbelt Festival, all of whom announced plans to leave Barclays last year due to its fossil fuel financing.

The statement highlights that the climate crisis will not only affect future generations, but is already affecting the most vulnerable today, especially in the Global South. The signatories stress that this is an effort to align their financial choices with their own values. The signatories have said that until the banks halt their financing of new fossil fuels they will continue to speak out and consider alternative banking options wherever possible.

James Buchanan, Climate Finance Campaign Manager at Laudato SI' Movement, said: “This largest-ever call for action from Christian organisations to UK banks financing new fossil fuels demonstrates the significant concern of religious groups about the role of banks in fuelling the climate crisis. Given the leading role of faith institutions in divesting from fossil fuel companies, banks financing fossil fuel expansion can expect to lose a growing number of clients, as faith groups move their money to ethical banks.”

The statement remains open for UK-based Christian organisations wishing to sign. You can read the full statement and see a full list of signatories here.

For more information on how your religious order can divest from fossil fuel companies and switch to an ethical bank, see the resources on the Laudato Si’ Movement website and/or contact James Buchanan on james@laudatosimovement.org

Thresholds of Transformation

Thresholds of Transformation (TT) has been developed by, Monica Brown, (Australia)  Donna Fyffe (America) and Hilary Musgrave (Ireland), and was launched by Emmaus Productions in February 2023. It is an interactive on-line multi-disciplined transformative process that integrates our Christian Story and the story of the Universe with the call of Laudato Si and Laudato Deum to ecological conversion. TT has become a global transformative movement with thousands of women religious actively engaged in it.

Thresholds of Transformation (TT) is both a personal and communal invitation to stretch one’s mind, heart and behaviours in order to be a contributor and shaper of a new world order.  TT is not about changing Religious Life but from what we are hearing it is bringing about change in the inner life of communities.  TT is feeding a spiritual void, enabling/facilitating deeper and more meaningful conversations, impacting better relationships, reconnecting people to God and one another and fostering greater understanding and respect of our oneness with all creation.  In addition to this personal and communal spiritual enrichment, TT has a global concern for Earth and all creation; it’s about a new world order of integral ecology as prophetically articulated by Pope Francis in Laudato Si.

There is something for everyone in TT  – the thinkers, dreamers, poets, analysts, theologians, cosmic beings and dwellers of the heart.  Mary-Louise Petro RSM

You can find detailed information about TT on the website.

If you would like to discuss TT or set up a zoom meeting,  please contact the office at  admintt@emmausproductions.com

Guided Retreats at Buckfast Abbey in 2025

Clergy Retreat - 24/02/25 - 28/02/25 from £425

Led by Fr Gregory

“When I am weak then I am strong” An opportunity to reflect on catholic priestly ministry in a changing landscape of the church. With reduced numbers of catholic clergy and increasing levels of responsibility how can we prepare to minister in new ways and in new situations. Becoming more self-accepting and aware of the opportunities offered us in ministry today, our few days together at Buckfast will provide a shared experience to listen, to learn and to look forward.

Creation Retreat- 19/05/25 -23/05/25 from £575

Led by Paula Pearce

St Francis spent time at a Benedictine monastery discerning the future direction of his life. Why not do something similar and join us at Buckfast for these few days focusing on Creation in the light of Franciscan thought and mission.

Church Musicians’ Retreat - 28/08/25 - 01/09/25  from £500

Led by Peter Stevens - Assistant Master of the Music at Westminster Cathedral and a Benedictine Oblate

I will sing praise to Thee in the sight of the angels” (Rule of St Benedict, Chapter 19) — a retreat for church musicians which includes sessions on Gregorian chant and its accompaniment, the use of the organ in the liturgy, and open rehearsals with the Abbey Choir. A unique opportunity to learn more about the role of music in the liturgy of the Roman Catholic Church, in the tranquillity of a Benedictine monastery on the edge of Dartmoor National Park.

Women Religious Retreat - 27/10/25 - 31/10/25 from £595

Led by: Dom Geoffrey Scott OSB

The role of women religious in the church has often been underestimated and undervalued. Abbot Geoffrey will gently guide us in the beautiful setting of Buckfast Abbey to reflect, reconsider and reorientate ourselves to better serve the church in the bright future that God promises. Do join us for these few days together inspired by the Benedictine monastic liturgy, the spectacular grounds at Buckfast and our shared experiences which will emerge through our conversations.

There is a choice of accommodation available at either the Northgate House Hotel or St Petroc’s Retreat House. Please click here to view the accommodation brochure.

To book and for more information visit www.buckfast.org.uk/retreats

CCS Boundary Breaking Research Project

The Centre for Catholic Studies' (CCS) Boundary Breaking research project explored the ecclesial and cultural implications of the child abuse crisis in the Catholic Church in England and Wales.

The research took place from 2019-2023. 

The Cross of the Moment

The main research report based on the qualitative work was published in April 2024, titled The Cross of the Moment. A supplementary, quantitative report, Attitudes of Catholics in England and Wales towards Child Sex Abuse in the Catholic Church, was published in October 2024 to accompany the main report.

Find out more: https://www.durham.ac.uk/ccs-boundary-breaking

You can download the digital versions of the reports below. The main report can be downloaded either in the complete version or in separate chapters.

Alternatively, you can request printed copies of the reports by clicking here.

Self-Catering Cottage to Rent in Ilkley

Delightful Arts & Crafts-style cottage in a quiet area, close to all local amenities.

This detached cottage has a ground-floor double bedroom and bathroom, two single rooms on the first floor plus another bathroom, a comfortably furnished living room and fully equipped kitchen.

There is a small outside area to the front and a dedicated off-road parking space.

The cottage is in the grounds of a retreat house in a quiet neighbourhood, and is available for weekends, short breaks and weeks when not in use by retreat groups.

For more information, click here.

BOOKINGS: Please contact the administrators at The Briery, 38 Victoria Avenue, Ilkley LS29 9BW

Tel: 01943 607287

Email: admin@briery.org.uk

Advent Preached Retreat Weekend

Fr Chris Thomas will lead this weekend retreat at The Briery, Ilkley.

Friday 13th – Sunday 15th December. 

£215pp fully inclusive. 

For more information or to book, please contact the Administrators on 01943 607287 email admin@briery.org.uk website www.briery.org.uk