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.

Loreto Spirituality Centre, Llandudno

The Loreto Spirituality Centre in Llandudno provides a wide selection of options to cater to individual needs.

Website

Retreat Programme for 2025

Latest Newsletter

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.

The Briery Preached Retreats & 2025 Programme

The Briery is a place of spiritual renewal, where those who come can find God in an atmosphere of love, prayer, healing and peace. Where all are valued, encouraged to discover their gifts and challenged to use them in the service of others. Where the poor, the suffering and the lonely can experience the power of the cross and Resurrection in Christ.

Explore what’s on offer by reviewing the 2025 Programme or visiting 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

Becoming Apostolic - CCS Book Launch Series

Becoming Apostolic: Conversations with Older Roman Catholic Sisters

In her latest publication, Dr Catherine Sexton seeks to understand how sisters make meaning and sense of their apostolic vocation in old age, and how this contributes to the evolving theology and identity of apostolic religious life for women. She interviewed and drew on the lived experience and narratives of a group of ageing sisters from five congregations.

The voices and theologies of this group of women religious are at the heart of this book, as it explores how sisters make meaning of their new personal, and institutional contexts, through what appear to be new articulations of ‘being with and being for’ as the foundation of active ministry.

Sisters articulated three distinct and emerging forms of ministry, through which they contend with the loss of active ministry, moving away from a task-based identity, towards one of being apostolic. These are: an emerging understanding of presence as ministry; an acceptance of the validity and necessity of ministering to each other instead of those outside their congregations, and ministry to their carers.

At this celebratory launch event, Prof. Karen Kilby (CCS Director), Prof Clare Watkins (Durham and the University of Roehampton) and Sr Jo Robson (Carmelite Nuns) will be in conversation with Dr Catherine Sexton (CCS Honorary Fellow).

All are welcome! Please click here to receive Zoom details.

CCS Scholarships and Bursaries 2025/26 Applications Now Open

The Centre for Catholic Studies (CCS) at Durham University has opened applications for Scholarships and Bursaries for 2025/26.  

• In partnership with the Faithful Companions of Jesus (FCJ), the CCS is offering ONE FCJ Bicentenary Scholarship to a full-time or part-time MA or PhD candidate in Catholic Theology or Catholic Studies in the Dept of Theology and Religion at Durham University.  The award includes full tuition fees (at the UK/Home rate) and a maintenance allowance of up to the UKRI level (pro rata) per annum.

• Other tuition fee only awards, made possible by donations from the Congregation of Jesus, the Carmelite Nuns, the Hartley Trust, and individual donors, are also being offered for 2025-26.

Applications for the MA in Christian Theology (Catholic Studies) V8K607, and PhD’s in the following areas of Catholic Theology and Catholic Studies will be considered:

• Constructive Catholic Theology;

• Catholic Historical Theology;

• Interpretation of Scripture in Catholic Tradition;

• Catholic Social Thought and Practice;

• The History of Catholicism;

• Lived Catholicism;

• Social-Scientific study of Catholicism;

• Franciscan Studies. 

Full details of the awards available for 2025/26, including eligibility criteria and an application form, are available at Funding - Durham University

The closing date for applications for the FCJ Bicentenary Scholarship is Sunday 23 February 2025. New candidates for a postgraduate degree within the Department of Theology and Religion at Durham University must also complete a standard DU application for postgraduate admission with all supporting documents by Sunday 2 February 2025. The closing date for all other awards is 1 June 2025.

If you have any questions about the CCS scholarships, please do not hesitate to get in touch – theresa.phillips@durham.ac.uk or 0191 334 3952.

Property Sale

A religious house, located in Manchester, built in the 1960’s.  It includes a large octagonal chapel together with up to about 15 single bedrooms (depending on the use made) with shared facilities together with communal areas, kitchen and utility accommodation.  There is also a small walled garden.

For those interested, please contact communications@corew.org

National Religious Vocations Personnel Conference 2024

Message from Fr Joseph Raju Katthula CMF, Religious Life Promoter at the National Office for Vocation.

Greetings from the National Office for Vocation (NOV). I hope and pray that you are keeping well by the grace of God.

We are delighted to invite you to register for the National Religious Vocations Personnel (NRVP) 2024, which is to be held on 2nd November 2024, 9.30 am to 4pm. We are fortunate this year to have two guest speakers. Fr Nicholas Crowe OP the provincial superior of the Dominican order in UK and Beth Przybylska, the strategic project director at Catholic Youth Ministry Federation (CYMFed). Fr Nicholas is author of the famous book ‘Living our Vocation (Even If You Don’t Know What It Is Yet)’. Fr Nicholas will guide us through his reflections on how we are able to sow the seeds of vocation into the hearts of people, while Beth will talk to us about the culture of young people today. Mass will be part of the schedule on the day.

The conference will take place at Galleon Suite, ROYAL NATIONAL HOTEL, 38-51 Beford way, London – Euston, WC1H 0DG. It is just five minutes’ walk from Euston station.

Please feel free to circulate the information and extend this invitation to as many religious as possible. NRVP has always been the best place for the religious to connect and become more integrated in England and Wales.

We invite you to book your slot by filling in the form and follow the instructions to make a registration fee payment of £60. The deadline for returning your application is 10th October 2024. Please note to secure arrangements, cancellations received less than 30 days before the conference start date, will not be refunded, but a nomination for a replacement delegate will be accepted free of charge. This fee includes snacks, tea, coffees on arrival, a fully catered lunch plus more refreshments in the afternoon.

We are really looking forward to meeting you in person!  

Thanking you in anticipation.

Fr Joseph Raju Katthula CMF

Click here to see the full flyer.