Category: Latest News

On 26 August 2023, Br John SSF was blessed in his new role as Guardian of Hilfield Friary by the European Minster Provincial, Br Micael Christoffer SSF.

The simple liturgy taken from the Daily Office SSF was incorporated into the midday Eucharist. During the service, heartfelt thanks were given to God and Br Clark Berge for his ministry as Guardian over the past six years. He was commended to God in prayer for the next stage of his journey as he prepares to move to the USA. The Hilfield community and local friends witnessed the day, as John knelt for the blessing.

Br John commented: “I am happy to be back living at Hilfield after a gap of fifteen years, listening to the owls hooting at night and praying for wisdom. My deep gratitude goes to all of the community members for the warmth of the welcome I have received, and the kindness and patience shown to me. Together, we look forward to what God has in store for us in the future.”

A few days later, on the 30 August, Br John was licensed by the Bishop of Salisbury who joined the Hilfield Community to share in their hospitality.

Br Clark the outgoing Guardian, said: “I’ve had a wonderful six years as Guardian. It has been a full and rich time. I learned much and I hope I have given love and encouragement to the community. Where I have failed, I ask pardon. John and the community are much in my thoughts and prayers!”

In the next couple of weeks, Clark will be walking the Camino de Santiago, after which he will be returning to the USA. The Community and Brothers and Sisters of the First Order wish him well and thank him for his service.

Br Micael Christoffer who led the blessing, added: “I am pleased on behalf of SSF, to bless John in his new ministry.”

To find out more or to consider taking a retreat or course at Hilfield please see their website.

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. 

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.