Novice Guardian meeting at Alnmouth
Novice Guardians from many Anglican Religious Communities are currently in Alnmouth Friary along with visiting speakers Dom Mark Ephrem Nolan OSB (Monastery of the Holy Cross, Rostrevor) and Sr Mary Philippa O.Cist (Monastery of Our Lady and St Bernard, Stroud)
Sr Judith SLG and Sr Mary Philippa O.Cist
The assembled Novice Guardians.
Patronal Festival at St John the Baptist, Alnmouth.
Br John presided and Br Reginald preached at the Patronal Festival of the Parish Church of St John the Baptist, Alnmouth. Our guests from the Friary joined us to celebrate the Eucharist at the Parish Church.
The Parish Church of St John the Baptist, Alnmouth.
Br Reginald Preaching
Brs John and Reginald with Susanna (the Reader)
Br John with Isabel and John (the Churchwardens)
Blessing of the Tractor Shed at Hilfield.
The Rev’d Jonathan Herbert (a member of the Hilfield Community) blessed the new Tractor Shed at Hilfield recently. Within the next few months the shed will be used to house the new Biomass boiler which will burn wood chips.
A New Poustinia at Hilfield.
A Poustinia is has been erected in Hilfield. Here is a definition of what a Poustinia is (courtesy of Wikipedia):
“…A poustinia (Russian: пустынь) is a small sparsely furnished cabin or room where one goes to pray and fast alone in the presence of God. The word poustinia has its origin in the Russian word for desert (пустыня)…”
The frame of the Poustinia with members of the Hilfield Community who helped erect it.
First Parish Group at the New Convent in Il Seon Ri
On 22nd May, Srs Frances and Jemma welcomed to their new home a group of around 30 people from a church in Daejeon Diocese who had been unable to attend the Blessing the previous week. It was a joyful celebration of God’s guidance and provision for the Community in Korea, and of their vision for the future. The group shared refreshments, joined in a beautiful Taize service in the chapel, listened to the story and then all went out to lunch to celebrate! It was the day before the sisters left for Seoul, so Sue and Gina were able to see the ministry of hospitality unfolding in the sisters’ new home.
Rejoicing together
Taize service in the Chapel
Srs Frances and Jemma serving the group
Sr Gina with the group
Gathered in the living room
Frances speaking about the Community
Novices at the Annual Brothers’ Chapter
This year the Annual Brothers’ Chapter (the ABC) met in Hilfield Friary from Monday 2nd June until Friday 6th. Novices from all three years of Formation were present. Here they are with Br Desmond Alban SSF (the Novice Guardian)
SSF Novices 2014
Dorset Art Week at Hilfield Friary 2014
Jonathan Herbert in the Canticle Garden outside the exhibition
Hilfield has opened for Dorset Art Weeks for the first time, every afternoon from 24th May to 1st June. The art weeks happens every two years but this is the first time Hilfield has been involved.
Minna Harvey’s vibrant paintings and triptychs of saints, circuses and celebration, speak of the inherent joy at the heart of all things.
Jonathan Herbert weaves baskets, sculptures and hangings, out of local, sustainable and recycled materials. His weaving is an expression of the interconnectedness of all people and the whole of creation. Displayed in a spacious gallery – the recreation room – the work reflects Franciscan values.
Visitors also explored the friary grounds, and visited the canticle garden, the kitchen garden and the secret garden.
A Minna Harvey Triptych of St Francis Chapel during Families Camp Week with Brother Philip presiding
Brian Lethbridge (editor of Hilfield Update) and Minna Harvey
Giving thanks for a wonderful week of hospitality and new friends – Jonathan Herbert and Minna Harvey with community and guests
