Seeking Accommodation for New Missional Community in London
A congregation is seeking accommodation for two Sisters in the Islington area.
The Missionary Sisters for Polish Migrants are looking to establish a new missional community in the Islington area of London. They are currently seeking accommodation for two Sisters, either in a flat or in a convent located in or near Islington, or within a 30-minute journey by Tube.
If you are able to assist or would like to find out more, please contact the CoR secretariat at 020 3255 1085 or communications@corew.org, and we will be happy to direct your enquiry to the appropriate contact.
Better Together Group
A supportive network for those caring for elderly and sick members of Religious Communities, meeting monthly online and annually in person.
Douai Abbey
The Better Together group is open to anyone, lay or religious, who is involved in supporting Religious Communities caring for the sick and elderly, either within their communities or in their own nursing/care homes. The group is hosted on Zoom by Dr Karen Groves and Queenscourt Hospice, Southport. Most members are either part of religious communities or healthcare professionals who work alongside them. Once a year, the group meets in person for a couple of days.
In April, the group was blessed to be hosted by Douai Abbey (and by fine weather!). This year’s theme was The Heart of Healthcare, with speakers leading sessions on spiritual distress, cardiac health, listening skills, spiritual care for the frail in community, and the link between Catholic teaching and mutual support for well-being. For evening entertainment, the group watched the film Patch Adams. Members also joined the Douai Community for Mass and the Divine Office, and enjoyed the delicious food and other comforts of the Guest House. Particular thanks were given to Brother Christopher for hosting, to Fr Alex the Guest Master, to Brother Aidan for leading a walk, and to Fr Geoffrey for a wonderful tour of the archives.
Anyone interested in joining the group can email Lorna Chamberlain at education@queenscourt.org.uk. Those wishing to explore the group can attend a meeting to see if they would like to become regular members. Meetings take place at 8 am on a Thursday morning once a month, last exactly one hour, and cover different themes requested, and usually led, by members.
Douai Abbey
In Memoriam: His Holiness Pope Francis
It is with deep sorrow that the Conference of Religious in England and Wales joins the Church and the global Catholic community in mourning the passing of His Holiness Pope Francis.
It is with deep sorrow that the Conference of Religious in England and Wales joins the Church and the global Catholic community in mourning the passing of His Holiness Pope Francis.
Pope Francis's life was a profound witness to the Gospel, marked by a deep commitment to justice, peace, and the dignity of all people. His leadership, humility, and unwavering faith were an inspiration to countless religious and lay people around the world.
We give thanks for his life and ministry, and we hold him in our prayers with gratitude and love. May he know the fullness of God’s peace and the eternal embrace of Christ, whom he served so faithfully.
Eternal rest grant unto him, O Lord,
and let perpetual light shine upon him.
May he rest in peace. Amen.
Operation Noah CST Toolkit and Webinar Series
Operation Noah is pleased to share a new toolkit, Catholic Social Teaching and Investing in Climate Solutions, a guide for Catholic organisations seeking to align their investments with CST.
New Resource & Webinar Series: Catholic Social Teaching and Investing
Operation Noah is pleased to share a new toolkit, Catholic Social Teaching and Investing in Climate Solutions, a guide for Catholic organisations seeking to align their investments with CST. This practical resource supports responsible financial stewardship in the context of the climate crisis.
To explore this with other Catholic investors, join the lunchtime webinar series starting on Tuesday, 29th April 2025 at 1pm BST and learn how CST can inform impactful climate investments.
Download the toolkit and register for the webinars here: https://www.operationnoah.org/catholic-social-teaching-toolkit/
The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales Spirituality Consultation Day “Living the Charism Today for Lay Spirituality”
A day of talks exploring Benedictine, Carmelite, Dominican, and Jesuit spiritual traditions for lay life today.
The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales is hosting a Spirituality Consultation Day titled “Living the Charism Today for Lay Spirituality” on Thursday, 19 June 2025, from 10:30 a.m. to 3:45 p.m., at the Redemptorist Monastery in Clapham, London.
This special day of reflection and dialogue will explore the rich spiritual wisdom of the Benedictine, Carmelite, Dominican, and Jesuit traditions. Through a series of engaging talks, attendees will be invited to reflect on how these charisms can inspire and support lay people in their spiritual lives today.
The event is free of charge, with donations gratefully received. Tea and coffee will be available throughout the day, and participants are encouraged to bring a packed lunch.
Venue: Redemptorist Monastery, 8 Clapham Park Road, Clapham, London, SW4 7AP (Nearest tube station: Clapham Common)
Booking: Places can be reserved via Eventbrite
This consultation day offers a unique opportunity to deepen one’s understanding of lay spirituality through the lens of time-honoured Catholic traditions.
Centre of Applied Carmelite Spirituality (CACS) Summer Summit and Summer school
Spirituality Summit honouring Saint Thérèse of Lisieux and a Summer School exploring the wisdom of St. Teresa of Ávila with Dr. Susan Muto.
Exploring the Spiritual Legacy of Saint Thérèse – Spirituality Summit 2025
The Carmelite Spirituality Summit returns in 2025 with a special two-day gathering on 11–12 July, marking the 100th anniversary of the canonisation of Saint Thérèse of Lisieux. Taking place at the peaceful Carmelite Priory in Oxford, with the option to attend online, this year’s theme focuses on Living in Hope: The Spirituality of Saint Thérèse.
The summit will feature renowned speakers, including Dr. Susan Muto, who will reflect on Thérèse’s enduring message of hope, and Fr. Vincent O’Hara, OCD, exploring her personal struggles with faith and how they resonate today.
Attendees will benefit from inspiring keynote talks, interactive workshops, and panel discussions, all designed to deepen understanding of Saint Thérèse’s “little way” and its relevance for modern spiritual seekers. Moments of shared reflection and prayer will also create space for personal growth and community connection.
Whether attending in person or online, participants will find the summit a rich opportunity for spiritual nourishment and renewal.
Event Details:
Dates: 11–12 July 2025
Location: Carmelite Priory, Boars Hill, Oxford OX1 5HB, UK / Online
More Info & Registration: carmelite.uk.net
Deepen Your Spiritual Journey at the 2025 Summer School with Dr. Susan Muto
The Centre for Applied Carmelite Spirituality is pleased to announce its annual Summer School, featuring esteemed scholar Dr. Susan Muto. This enriching five-day seminar will take place from July 14 to 18, 2025, at the serene Carmelite Priory in Boars Hill, Oxford.
Event Highlights:
In-Depth Exploration of Teresian Spirituality: Delve into the teachings of St. Teresa of Ávila, the renowned Carmelite mystic and first female Doctor of the Church, focusing on her seminal work, The Way of Perfection.
Expert Guidance: Benefit from the insights of Dr. Susan Muto, Dean of the Epiphany Academy of Formative Spirituality and author of over forty books on Christian spirituality.
Comprehensive Programme: Engage in spiritual accompaniment, guided prayer, silence, and peaceful contemplation designed to nurture the whole person—body, mind, soul, and spirit.
Moreover, attendees will have the unique opportunity to celebrate the Solemnity of Our Lady of Mount Carmel with the Carmelite Friars during their visit.
Event Details:
Dates: July 14–18, 2025
Location: Carmelite Priory, Boars Hill, Oxford OX1 5HB, UK
Registration: Secure your place by booking before June 1, 2025.
For more information and to register, please visit: carmelite.uk.net
Loreto Spirituality Centre, Llandudno
“Come with me to a quiet place and rest awhile”
The Loreto Spirituality Centre in Llandudno provides a wide selection of options to cater to individual needs.
Living Theology Summer School 10th - 13th July
Living Theology: A Summer School in Christian Faith
A Summer School in Christian Faith. Living Theology has been organised by Jesuits and their associates in venues across the country for over 50 years. The courses continue to provide opportunities for Christians of all denominations to deepen their understanding of the Christian faith and develop their personal reflection on Christian living and belief. No prior theological knowledge is required, just an open mind and willingness to engage.
Click here for more information about the courses as well as a booking form.
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.
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.
Boarbank Hall Programme of Residential Events
The Sisters at Boarbank Hall are offering a full programme of residential retreats and courses, including nature retreats, Latin study, and a deep dive into St Augustine’s Confessions, all set in the beautiful surroundings of Morecambe Bay.
The Sisters at Boarbank Hall are offering a full programme of residential events for the first time since the pandemic. Several of these may be of particular interest to Religious Brothers and Sisters.
The programme includes opportunities to rejoice in the beauty of God’s creation. Two Wings and Some Prayers: A Birdwatching Retreat (12th–17th May) introduces birdsong for beginners, led by Sr Margaret Atkins and Dr Margaret Phillips. Celebrating Creation: The Joy of Limits (27th–31st May or 4th–10th October) is guided by Sr Margaret Atkins and John Paul de Quay of the Ecological Conversion Group. Both retreats include trips out, walks, talks, and practical engagement with the natural world.
For those interested in learning Latin through prayers and Scripture, Our Lady in Latin (18th–20th/21st July) and Magnificat! (24th–26th/27th October) offer an engaging and enjoyable way to study and sing Latin using familiar texts. These sessions are taught by Alison Samuels, a highly experienced Latin teacher.
A deep dive into St Augustine’s Confessions (18th–22nd August) provides an opportunity to explore this classic text in greater detail, with Sr Margaret Atkins offering guidance throughout. This may be of particular interest to communities with Augustinian roots.
All courses take place in the comfortable Guest House at Boarbank Hall, set in extensive grounds overlooking Morecambe Bay. Participants are welcome to join the Community for Mass and the sung Daily Office.
For more information, see https://boarbankhall.org.uk/whats-on/ or email Sr Margaret Atkins on margaret@boarbankhall.org.uk
The Heart of Health: Putting the Heart Back into Healthcare
The project aims to use the Church’s practical and theoretical resources to shift both the debate and shared practices around healthcare.
A group of Catholics involved in healthcare policy and practice, local politics, and theology has begun a project entitled ‘The Heart of Health: Putting the Heart Back into Healthcare.’
The project aims to use the Church’s practical and theoretical resources to shift both the debate and shared practices around healthcare. Specifically, it seeks to help people care for their physical, emotional, and spiritual health and resilience by fostering, extending, and linking existing church, healthcare, and other local communities. This effort is focused on building networks for personal mutual support, with an emphasis on the inclusion of those living in material and social poverty.
The project is inspired by various existing examples and is illuminated by the Church’s rich understanding of human beings as spiritual persons in community, endowed with dignity, freedom, and agency. It is grounded in the belief that people are made for mutual loving relationships and lives of purpose and hope.
The political benefits of this project and approach are seen in the following ways:
Nearly all the ways of staying healthy and happy are cheap or free, yet health services are in constant financial need.
People need support to follow these healthy ways of living.
Building supportive local communities can unite people across political divides, avoiding polarization by honouring the left’s concern for solidarity and care for those in need, and the right’s concern for freedom, creativity, and independence.
This is a positive and inspiring vision that can help address not only the healthcare crisis but also the ecological, financial, and social crises facing society. It offers a ready-made philosophy and language rooted in the Christian tradition, yet accessible to people of all faiths and none.
For more information, individuals are invited to join the following webinar: The Heart of Good Health: Supporting the Whole Person in Local Communities, hosted by the Las Casas Institute, Blackfriars, Oxford, on Thursday, April 3rd, from 18:30–19:45.
For more details, visit https://www.bfriars.ox.ac.uk/event/the-heart-of-healthcare/.
To register, please email lascasas@bfriars.ox.ac.uk
As the personal, social, and economic costs of current healthcare approaches rise, causing distress to both patients and healthcare professionals, this webinar brings together experts and concerned individuals from the health service, the churches, and public life. It will explore what a Catholic vision of the human person in society offers as an alternative in terms of public policy and local initiatives.
Speakers include:
Sr. Margaret Atkins CRSA, “The Heart of Health – A Vision for the Church and Society”
Professor James McManus, Director of Public Health, Wales, “Theology Meets Health Policy: A Catholic Contribution to Health Policy Starts Theologically and Proceeds Practically”
Thomas Horton, Head of Community Justice at His Majesty's Prison and Probation Service in Wales, “Theology in Action: Probation and Community”
Christians on Ageing AGM & Spring Conference
Accompanying age: what are the churches doing?
Accompanying age: what are the churches doing?
30 APRIL 2025, 10.30am-4pm
Join in person at Bar Convent, York
Free event (donation for refreshments)
As well as the necessary business of an AGM there will be focusing on one of CoA’s core objectives – celebrating the gifts and potential of later life – and helping churches and others to develop activities which contribute to facilitating older people’s spiritual growth.
The keynote speaker will be Revd Dr Chris Swift, recently appointed as Director of the Leeds Church Institute, and previously Director of Chaplaincy and Spirituality at Methodist Homes (MHA). After lunch, we will look at three examples of good practice in church activities that can ‘accompany ageing’.
ALL WELCOME!
CoA members, and anyone interested in later life and older people ministry, are invited to join.
To sign up for this event email: secretary@christiansonageing.org.uk
Visit www.christiansonageing.org.uk for further details and programme news.
Religious Formation Ministry Programme
The Religious Formation Ministry Programme is now accepting applications for the 2025-2026 year.
Time for Transformation?
The Religious Formation Ministry Programme is now accepting applications for the 2025-2026 year.
The RFM Programme brings together priests and religious from around the world for a nine-month journey of inner transformation. Participants come with a view to preparing themselves to take on roles of responsibility in formation or leadership at the end of the Programme. For further information visit the website or email rfmploretohouse@gmail.com
Closing Date for Applications: Friday 11th April 2025.
Note: Potential participants are strongly advised to apply early in order to have sufficient time to process the required Minister of Religion Visa.
To view a letter of invitation, please click HERE
House of Prayer Lent Retreat Programme
The House of Prayer are offering several retreats during this Lenten season of deeper reflection and listening to God.
The House of Prayer are offering several retreats during this Lenten season of deeper reflection and listening to God.
Longing for God: Individually Guided Retreat
Friday 14 – Sunday 16 March
Led by the House of Prayer Team
A silent individually guided retreat for busy people, those who have not made a retreat before, or for anyone who needs time away to stop, breathe, and pray. A trained spiritual director will be available for daily individual meetings to accompany you through the retreat. Above all, this retreat is a time of listening to God who is present in the experiences of prayer and daily living.
Arrive in time for supper at 7pm on Friday and depart by 3pm on Sunday.
Cost:
Ensuite: £230
Standard: £210
Stepping out in Faith: Finding the courage to walk on water
Saturday 29 March
Led by Alison MacTier
Our journey through Lent involves trust and courage. But taking that step is a journey towards becoming truly ourselves. We explore this theme using Scripture, reflective prayer, poetry, images and music.
Starts at 10am and finishes at 4pm. Please bring a packed lunch.
Cost: £35
Including B&B (Fri – Sat): £100
Lent Retreat: Journeying to Jerusalem
Friday 4 – Sunday 6 April
Led by Audrey Hamilton
Join us for a time of silence and stillness as we journey through Lent and ponder the height and depth of God’s personal love for us. There will be times of guided reflections and space for personal and community prayer with poetry, music and Scripture.
Arrive in time for supper at 7pm on Friday and depart after lunch on Sunday.
Cost:
En-suite: £240
Standard: £220
Day guest: £110
Friday 11 April
Led by Kerryn Penson
A time for prayer, companionship and reflection as we ponder the transformative meaning of abiding in God this Lent.
Starts at 10am and finishes at 1pm.
Cost: £15
Holy Week: Individually Guided Retreat
Tuesday 15 – Thursday 17 April
Led by the House of Prayer Team
As we journey through Holy Week, this silent retreat offers a time of deeper listening to God who is present in our daily living and experiences. There will be times of community prayer. A trained spiritual director will be available for daily individual meetings to accompany you through the retreat.
Arrive in time for supper at 6pm and depart by 3pm on Thursday.
Cost:
Ensuite: £230
Standard: £210
Wednesdays, 2pm – 3pm
Led by Helen Healy
An opportunity to join a small group meeting at the House of Prayer. Lectio Divina is divine reading, listening to Scripture with the ear of the heart. A short passage of scripture is read slowly and meditatively. There are periods of silence, letting the words penetrate deeper in our hearts, and listening to God and to each other.
Donations welcome.
Make space to listen to your life and listen to God with a Quiet Day or morning this Lent. We welcome retreatants between 10am and 4pm. You will be allocated a private room and can make use of our Prayer Room and other meeting spaces in the House and gardens. Bring a packed lunch with you. Refreshments, including tea and coffee, are available throughout the day in the Dining Room or Library. If you would like to speak with someone during your Quiet Day, we can arrange for a meeting with a spiritual director. Suggested donation: £25.
Draw aside from the noise and busyness of your daily life and experience some peace and quiet to listen to God. We offer a space for individuals to make a private retreat (catered and self-catered) throughout the year. Spiritual direction may be available upon request and should be booked in advance of your visit to ensure availability.
Looking for a quiet and prayerful space to host your next parish quiet day, team meeting, or prayer group? We offer warm hospitality, meeting spaces and accommodation to suit your needs and requirements. We can also support you to find a retreat leader for your group retreat or day.
Meeting rooms are also offered and warm hospitality should you be looking for a prayerful space to hold your next parish, prayer, or team meeting: www.christian-retreat.org/group-retreats
Monastery of Our Lady and St. Bernard 2025 Programme
Explore the 2025 programme at the Monastery of Our Lady and St. Bernard.
We invite you to explore the 2025 programme at the Monastery of Our Lady and St. Bernard. Offering a unique opportunity for personal growth, spiritual development, and deepening community engagement. For further information, please visit the website or contact bookings_brownshill@yahoo.co.uk
St. Anselm’s Institute Prepares for 40th Anniversary Jubilee
St. Anselm’s Institute is celebrating its 40th anniversary in 2025 and invites alumni to share memories through videos, photos, and testimonials.
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 is seeking a chaplain to celebrate Mass and the sacraments for their monastic community, guests, and parishioners.
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
You will show me the path of life, the fullness of joy in your presence.
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
Dupuis Retreat and Conference Centre 2025 Programme
Explore the 2025 Programme of events to see what’s on.
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
A series of summer courses in Liturgy, Syriac, Biblical Hebrew, and Latin.
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
An informative and engaging roundtable event on investing in climate solutions.
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