For the first time Alnmouth friary hosted part of the Alnmouth Arts Weekend (June 16-18). The arts festival started in 2005 and has grown to hosting 50 artists in different locations around Alnmouth village. This year Alnmouth friary hosted 17 artists, who sold their wares.
The brothers along with a small team of volunteers served tea, coffee and cake alongside running a book and plant stall. We offered hospitality and a listening ear as well. Over 1,000 passed through the friary over the weekend.
A lot of local people had never been into the friary before so it was a great way to get to know the local community. People marvelled at Alnmouth friary gardens and the view from the library window. Guests kept on saying how peaceful the friary was and how they’d like to come back. Out of the weekend we’ve already seen fruit, some people have made retreat inquiries, and others have popped around for a chat.
Recently on 21st-24th April, members of the first and third order Franciscans joined 85,000 people at the Big One protest, with more than 200 organisations outside Parliament about various aspects of the Climate Crisis that are engulfing our planet.
SSF Brothers Hugh, Samuel and Magnus, and CSF Sisters Maureen and Sue joined the Third Order and hundreds of Christians with people from other faiths at St John’s Waterloo at the start of the weekend. Joining more than 1,000 Christians, they marched to Parliament, first stopping at the Shell building to present the oil company with a petition. Later at the much bigger protest aimed at raising awareness and demanding that the UK government take actual action, they manned a Faith Tent in the Corner of the Square.
Smaller protests across the weekend highlighted that continued burning and use of fossil fuels destroys on our earthly home. Together we campaigned to stop new UK coal mining sites and to stop supporting mega-corporations and their consumption of our natural resources. We highlighted that it will destroy God’s Creation for everyone and that time is running out to stop this.
To round off every evening, the Franciscans led a walk around Westminster to pray at Government Departments for the Holy Spirit to guide the workers. Also many people made small paper boats and presented them to the Home Office, saying that Refugees Are Welcome here. On the Monday, Brother Magnus joined a Mass Lobby at Parliament to see his MP. Finally to close the weekend, Sisters Sue and Maureen CSF presided at a Franciscan Eucharist outside the Supreme Court.
The Franciscans have traditionally sought to protect the Environment and God’s Creation, following the example set by St Francis. We realise that those most affected by the planet’s destruction are the poor and marginalised communities of the earth. Find out more by viewing our Caring for Creation pages here.
The C-SSF On-going Formation Conference was held at Alnmouth Friary, 13-16 February. With the assistance of Billy Crozier, the group considered the writings of John Duns Scotus, a 14th century Franciscan theologian and philosopher, especially Scotus’s teaching on the reason for the incarnation of Christ, and the Immaculate conception of Mary.
Then the group made a ‘pilgrimage’ to Duns, the place of John’s birth (the name we know him as now is derived from how he would have been called: ‘John of Duns, the Scot’). The Rector of the Episcopal Church in Duns made us very welcome, and presided at a Eucharist, and after our picnic lunch (indoors) Kenny, a local historian, spoke about Duns through the ages, and educated the group a little on Scottish history, generally, in the process.
The group standing round the cairn in the top photo are: Maureen, Gina, Benedict, Micael Christoffer, Beverley, Judi, Finnian and Sue.
Afterwards, a short walk took the group to the cairn which marks the likely birth place of John Duns, and then down through the square to a park where there is a statue of him. We felt that the pose of the statue make the theologian look rather too superior, and Sr Beverley and Br Micael Christoffer mimicked it, in a fun way.
Peace
We live in challenging times where it is cold and dark for many people in the world. We hear about war, murder, despair, and other forms of evil not far from us. In the midst of all this, we celebrate that God chose to come into the world to spread light.
Jesus challenges us that it is through his weakness rather than through power and strength that he will reign supreme. He makes himself dependent on his parents and shows us that we need to be reliant on each other in order to survive.
For most people at Christmas, we are reminded of the loved ones around us. However, we must also remember to care for those left out in the cold and dark because they do not have warmth and light to share with others.
Therefore, let us spread the good news of the contradictory newborn King and to bring His light to all people in the bleak areas of this planet.
May you all have a Blessed Christmas!
Peace and all good!
Brother Micael Christoffer SSF
Image Credit: A Church Near You.
This weekend Brother Michael Jacob made his Profession of Life Vows. He writes:
“On Saturday 5th November I made my Life Profession at Alnmouth Friary. Bishop Christopher Chessun, Bishop of Southwark and our Bishop Protector received my Life Profession on behalf of the church. Fr Harri Williams SSC preached a powerful and challenging homily.
“After the ceremony, a delicious lunch of biryani – and a stew, for those who like less spicy food – was expertly prepared by Br Vincent Paul and his team of excellent helpers. It was a very happy time of worship and fellowship. To God be the Glory.”
Whilst on Retreat in Alnmouth Friary our friend and Brother Br Paul Coleman OFM.Cap took this wonderful picture of Alnmouth Friary from the beach. If you are interested in visiting Alnmouth Friary the Guestbrother (Br Finnian) would be glad to hear from you. He can be emailed by clicking here
Brs Finnian, Jason Robert and Michael Jacob attended the Walsingham Regional Festival in Durham Cathedral today. Finnian wrote: “…It was a wonderful day. There was a sung Mass. We then went out for lunch at an Italian restaurant, we then returned to the cathedral for a procession and Benediction. The cathedral was packed. Everyone had a great time…”
A service of Thanksgiving for the Community of St Francis’ time in the Diocese of Lincoln, was held in St Peter’s Church, Dunston, on 1st October. In place of a sermon, there was a ‘sharing of memories’ by Sr Maureen, and by several people from Dunston and Metheringham. It was good to remember the contributions from Sisters Liz, Judith Ann and Catherine Iona, as well as Maureen who continues to be resident in the Metheringham house (San Damiano). Sisters from Southwark and Leicester were also able to attend the service, which was followed by ‘tea and cake’ at San Damiano. About 30 people were at the church, and a slightly different 30 people had tea and cake, and it was a good afternoon of reminiscing and catching up. Unfortunately, a glitch in the selling process to do with another house in the selling chain, combined with the current uncertainties around taking out a mortgage, mean that the sisters will not be moving from San Damiano quite as soon as expected.
Br Nicholas Alan (the Guardian of Glasshampton) has written a book entitled Being Franciscan. Priced £14.99 it is published by Canterbury Press and provides a series of vignettes into the lives of various Franciscan Holy men and women.
‘Here are examples to imitate in whatever way we can, as we seek to follow Jesus in the spirit of Francis.’ From the Foreword by Bishop David Walker
‘a series of wonderful vignettes into the lives of various Franciscan holy men and women… offering insights into the ways people have been inspired to give expression to their own calling in Christ’
John-Francis Friendship, author of What Do You Seek?
‘witnesses and guides to Franciscan spirituality speak with poignant urgency of human frailty, divine suffering, and the glory of a world ‘pregnant with God’
J.P. Williams, author of Seeking the God Beyond
‘invites readers to explore some of the key figures in the early Franciscan tradition, each offering their own contributions to the beautiful and multifaceted tapestry of Franciscan spirituality’
Daniel Horan OFM
‘Honesty, integrity and authenticity shine out.’
Andrew D. Mayes TSSF, author of Journey to the Centre of the Soul
