Author: admin

Alnmouth Welcomes COP 26 Pilgrims

Alnmouth Welcomes COP 26 Pilgrims

By admin in Latest News on October 11, 2021

Yesterday the Brothers at Alnmouth greeted fifteen pilgrims who are making their way to next month’s COP26 talks in Glasgow. They are undertaking a truly remarkable journey, walking from the south of England to Scotland, sharing their prayerful message of environmental justice along the way.
Our Brothers ensured the pilgrims received generous helpings of food and good cheer, and then walked in solidarity with them for a short way along the Northumberland coast to the village of Longhoughton. Prayers were said at St Peter’s church.
Please keep the forthcoming COP26 talks in your prayers, that our governments will initiate effective methods to combat climate change and prevent further environmental destruction.
2021/22 Ordo Available Soon

2021/22 Ordo Available Soon

By admin in Latest News on October 5, 2021

The 2021/2022 Ordo is now being prepared and printed, containing helpful information for all who use the SSF Office book.

If you would like a copy, please send a stamped addressed envelope, plus loose additional stamps to the value of £1 (to cover printing costs) to Sara Whistance at Hilfield:

Sara Whistance
Secretary to SSF
The Friary
Hilfield
Dorchester
Dorset
DT2 7BE
United Kingdom
Requiem for Helen Julian CSF to be Livestreamed 14th October

Requiem for Helen Julian CSF to be Livestreamed 14th October

By admin in Latest News on October 5, 2021

Helen Julian’s memorial service on Thursday 14th October at 2pm will be livestreamed from Southwark Cathedral.   Here’s the link for those who wish to join with us on-line at that time, or share in the service later.

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCal1PTQIUohMqybIc9Lipkw/live

The link will be live from 1.55pm on the day of the service.

If you plan to come to the cathedral please email ministercsf@franciscans.org.uk to help us estimate numbers.

 

Environmental Success for SSF in the Solomon Islands

Environmental Success for SSF in the Solomon Islands

By admin in Latest News on September 30, 2021

Good news to share!
Our Franciscan brothers in the Solomons, have been working with the Dominican sisters and friars, through our partners in Geneva, Franciscans International and Dominicans for Justice and Peace.
We’ve highlighted issues of human rights abuses related to the widespread and increasing logging industry in Solomon Islands. This logging strips bare whole hillsides, and the round logs are exported without any processing. The devastation, ecological, social and spiritual, is profound and seemingly endless.
Through our Geneva partners who work through the human rights mechanisms at the UN we’ve lobbied their member states as part of the Universal Periodic Review of Human Rights. Some member states took our submission and made recommendations to the Solomons delegation at the UN. Of the seven issues relating to logging, SIX have been accepted by the Solomons government. These will be voted on in the next few days in the full assembly of the UN Human Rights Council.
These six human rights recommendations – accepted by the Solomons government – are:
104.68 Take appropriate legislative and administrative measures to ensure that the use of exploitation of natural resources, in particular logging, do not adversely affect the enjoyment of economic, social and cultural rights of local communities (Slovenia);
104.69 Protect human rights against abuses and environmental degradation by logging companies and ensure effective remedies when abuses have occurred (Slovenia);
104.70 That all forest exploitation projects include prior and informed consultation with the concerned local and indigenous communities, as well as a report on the environmental and human rights impact, specifically in the area of the rights to water and sanitation (Spain);
104.71 Take further measures to prevent and mitigate the human rights violations caused by business activities (Timor-Leste);
104.72 Ensure that policies relating to the environment take into consideration their impact on human rights and on communities (Philippines);
104.73 Ensure the conservation and protection of fragile habitats against deforestation and forest degradation, and strengthen sustainable forest management practices to protect human rights related to a safe, clean, healthy and sustainable environment (Canada);
By accepting these recommendations the SI will have to report regularly to the UN on its progress in keeping these human rights. We’ll keep them up to the mark! But in a very positive way we can be part of the solution. NGOs such as ours have credibility at village level. We can work in villages, educating in human rights, and promoting more sustainable practices than extractive logging. There’s still a long way to go, but a road has opened up.
As the SSF brothers in the Solomons prepare to celebrate their 50th anniversary this weekend, this news is one of the best indications of what we’ve achieved since our Franciscan presence was founded there in 1970. We’ve taken the voices of those who know and trust us in the villages, people who often are without voice. We’ve amplified their voices and taken them to the United Nations. Now, under positive international pressure, those voices are influencing government policy in the Solomons.
(in the photos – the Solomons Dominican / Franciscan coalition preparing lobbying information packs. And one of our many Zoom meetings!)
Death of Brother Daniel SSF

Death of Brother Daniel SSF

By admin in Latest News on September 27, 2021

With great sadness we share the news that Brother Daniel SSF died this morning, 27th September, in Brisbane. He was 85 years of age.
Daniel joined SSF in the UK, was received as a novice on June 5th 1964, and made his first profession on the 24th February 1967 at Hilfield. He then made his life profession at Koki in Papua New Guinea on 30th March 1970. He was one of the founding group of four brothers to open a friary in Solomon Islands later in 1970.
Later, after theological studies at Bishop Patteson Theological College, he was ordained deacon on December 9th 1973 and priest on September 29th 1974. He was transferred to New Zealand in 1983, and later to Australia where he was at the friary in Windale, Newcastle, and then the Brisbane friary.
Daniel held many leadership positions in his years with SSF, including Minister Provincial of the (then) Australia New Zealand Province (1987 – 1997), and Minister General (1997 – 2007).
May he rest in peace and rise in glory.
2021 Annual Brothers’ Chapter Meets at Hilfield

2021 Annual Brothers’ Chapter Meets at Hilfield

By admin in Latest News on September 23, 2021

The Annual Brothers’ Chapter (ABC) has just concluded at Hilfield. This year’s ABC focused on the themes of reunion and renewal after a long period of separation.

Simon Cocksedge TSSF led sessions on well-being and mental health in the context of the Covid pandemic. Brothers also shared their experiences and other topics with one another, in addition to the regular business of the Chapter.

The ashes of Anselm SSF and Raymond Christian SSF were interred in the cemetery, and the brothers also visited the extraordinary Shire Hall Museum in Dorchester, site of the conviction of the Tolpuddle Martyrs.

 

Requiem for Helen Julian CSF 14th October

Requiem for Helen Julian CSF 14th October

By admin in Latest News on September 18, 2021

Sister Helen Julian died on 22nd August, aged 66. She had been in Profession for 33 years and had served as CSF’s Minister General since 2012. She had cancer and sadly was expected to live only a few months more, but in the event she died very suddenly whilst visiting a relative.
There was a small family funeral in Edinburgh on 9th September.
CSF has arranged a Requiem on Thursday 14th October at 2pm at Southwark Cathedral, with Bishop Christopher Chessun, our Bishop Protector, presiding at the Eucharist.
Light refreshments will be served after the service.
All are very welcome to attend, and those planning to be present are asked to notify Sister Sue on ministercsf@franciscans.org.uk as soon as possible, so that we have an idea of numbers.
Southwark Anglican Cathedral is adjacent to London Bridge.
The service will be livestreamed and details will be published on our website and Facebook page when available.
Preparing For The 26th U.N. Climate Change Conference (COP26)

Preparing For The 26th U.N. Climate Change Conference (COP26)

By admin in Latest News on September 15, 2021

The 26th United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP26) is fast approaching. It will be held in Glasgow from Sunday 31st October until Friday 12th November.
Earlier this year, the Archbishop of Canterbury addressed an international group of faith leaders and declared:
“I speak as a Christian. Jesus teaches us that there are no greater commandments than to love God and love our neighbour. To abide by those commandments as a Christian today is to step up to the challenge of climate change and connected environmental crises.
The Society of Saint Francis stands firmly with fellow Christians and peoples of all faiths and none in our commitment to tackling the disastrous threats of Climate Change. We have committed ourselves to a target of carbon neutrality by 2030 and are curently taking the practical steps to make this happen. We also plan to have a presence in Glasgow during the conference.
If you are wondering how you might be able to help make a difference in the run-up to COP 26, you might wish to draw upon the prayerful and practical resources offered by groups such as:
We are all being encouraged to write to our MPs ahead of the conference, in order to make our voices heard. here is a handy link giving advice and tips on how best to do this:
Worldwide First Order Chapter Update

Worldwide First Order Chapter Update

By admin in Latest News on September 13, 2021

Sisters and brothers from every province of SSF around the world are continuing to meet on Zoom for 2 hours most days for the First Order Chapter – meeting all together, sometimes in different small groups, and a couple of times with sisters and brothers meeting separately.
As well as the necessary business, sharing of news, and mutual encouragement, there has been some brilliant expert input from others:
Dr Cathy Ross is a leading missiologist working for the Church Mission Society. She reflected on Mission in a Post Pandemic world, emphasising the importance of imaginative thinking.
Garth Blake SC is an experienced Australian barrister who chairs the Anglican Communion Safe Church Commission. He provided a useful presentation on Safeguarding from a world-wide perspective.
Chapter meetings will continue until Wednesday.
Enquirers Pilgrimage to Walsingham

Enquirers Pilgrimage to Walsingham

By admin in Latest News on September 6, 2021

Finnian and Tobias have been at Walsingham for the past few days, with a group of friends and enquirers. The pilgrimage has consisted of lots of prayer and worship, shared meals, discussions, plus a lovely ecumenical walk which took in both the Anglican and Roman Catholic shrines, and Saint Seraphim’s Orthodox church.