Archive
Old content from this website will be moved here when it is no longer current, although no material has, as yet.
History of the Website
This website has been in existence since 10th November 2001 and has undergone many changes in the intervening years. The current site, launched on 21st April 2009, was commissioned by Father Paul Smyth cmf and comprehensively redesigned by Paul McKeown, of Chimney Rock, from an existing but long neglected site. Nostalgic readers can view some past incarnations of this website by following the links listed below.
- A reconstruction of the old website. An exact replica of the old site cannot be provided at the moment due to hosting issues relating to the phpWebsite Content Management System under which it was maintained. Hence the reconstruction, which we have striven to make as close to the original as possible.
- A web archive copy of the site dated 30 September 2007
- A web archive copy of the site dated 1 September 2004
Old News
An idea of some of our activities and what got us excited over the last decade can be gleaned from our past news items. Here are some of them:
-
Claretian Missionaries to Work in Parish in Belize
2002
The Claretian Missionaries in the United Kingdom & Ireland are pleased to officially announce that we have accepted the invitation of the Bishop of Belize City and Belmopan to assume responsibility for the Pastoral care of the town of Dangriga and the villages in the Stann Creek District. Fr. Chris Cutler cmf reports on this new missionary initiative.
A web archive copy of the full news item from the Claretians website can be found here.
-
Stanbrook Abbey to Move
15th April 2002 (CMO)
The Abbess and community of Stanbrook Abbey, Worcester, have announced that, after long deliberation, they have decided to move from their present monastery. As yet, no decision has been made as to when or where they will move; but safeguarding the interests of staff and tenants will be a priority, and the community wishes to leave them the maximum time to make appropriate arrangements. The monastery's property includes several acres of land and an Edward Pugin church, and the nuns hope that a sympathetic buyer will be found.
Among the reasons for the decision, Abbess Joanna Jamieson cites the community's need to make the best use of its resources, human and financial. "A strong sense of monastic purpose has given us the courage to make this difficult decision", she says. "We thank God for all we have received in this place, and trust that, faithful to the past, we may be responsive to the graces of the future. A new phase in our history is opening. Confident in the role of our monastic life in the Church of today, we face the future in hope."
The community now at Stanbrook was founded in Flanders in 1623 under the auspices of the English Benedictine Congregation as a contemplative house of Benedictine nuns whose principal work would be to praise and worship God, and to bring before him the concerns of the world. The community has been resident at Stanbrook since 1838. Through many vicissitudes the nuns have striven to embody the tradition of monastic life as the search for God in contemplative prayer, liturgical worship, love of scripture, and mutual love and service.
The nuns have undertaken literary work, printing, art work, and various crafts. The community is well known in the Catholic world for its contributions to liturgy and music. They maintain a bookshop, and a retreat house where visitors have an opportunity for quiet reflection and sharing in the monastic liturgy. Spiritual help and guidance in prayer are offered to those who ask, in person, letter or email. Writing, translating, and the production of works on prayer and spirituality have always formed part of their work. Their press has for many years enjoyed an international reputation for fine printing, and recently issued its first Fine Art e-Book.
The community today numbers 28 professed nuns and two postulants. About 120 lay people, known as oblates, are associated with the monastery, and the community has many friends at home and abroad. Strong local and ecumenical links are a significant element in the community's life. In response to the community's announcement, the Most Reverend Vincent Nichols, Archbishop of Birmingham, said "I have learned with regret that the Benedictine community of Stanbrook Abbey have come to the decision that they must seek alternative premises for their community. I know how much heartache this decision will cause. My fervent wish is that the Stanbrook community will remain within the Archdiocese of Birmingham. We appreciate and cherish their presence and their witness to the importance of Gospel living." We are holding another of these "no-strings-attached" weekends from 14-16 June. Again we hope that the atmosphere of the weekend will be relaxed, prayerful and of help in sensing God's presence in our lives.
Click here to find out more about Stanbrook Abbey.
Copyright © 2000-2001, Catholic Internet Trust. All rights reserved.
-
Daughters of Charity hold "Search and Share" Weekend
14-16 June 2002
From time to time the Daughters of Charity hold "Search and Share" weekends at our Provincial House in Mill Hill, north-west London, for women in their 20's, 30's, and 40's who want to explore life's options by reflecting upon call and vocation with the Daughters of Charity.
We are holding another of these "no-strings-attached" weekends from 14-16 June. Again we hope that the atmosphere of the weekend will be relaxed, prayerful and of help in sensing God's presence in our lives.
The weekend will begin with lunch at 12.30pm on Friday, 14th June and will end with lunch on Sunday, 16th June.
There is no fixed charge for the weekend since we are offering it as hospitality to those who are searching.
If you know of anyone who would like to take part in the weekend please contact:
The Vocations Team, Provincial House, The Ridgeway, Mill Hill, London NW7 1EH
( E-mail Contact ) Note: old link disabled
CLICK HERE FOR ELECTRONIC BOOKING FORMNote: old link disabled
Every blessing, Sr Maureen Tinkler DC
-
A new face for God Knows Where!!!
Over the summer months work has gone into redesigning the vocation's website that was established by the association of vocation personnel.
Designed to be a gateway to websites for Religious Congregations this website includes information about Religious Life, and offers information and resources to help people approach the matter of discernment.
Since its inception the difficulty has been that of collecting material and resources for inclusion on the site.
Images used through out this edition of the newsletter are ideas for adverts to promote the site. Let us know what you think.
Even as this newsletter is being typed work is being undertaken to create an area in the website to allow Religious involved in vocation ministry to access a forum that will provide a means of sharing ideas and resources over the internet.. Keep an eye on the website to learn more about this new feature.
-
Advertising Day
September 2004
Advertising for some is the black hole of the Vocation Minister's budget. Often this has been because advertising has been undertaken with the enthusiasm of being newly appointed to the position rather than the skills and knowledge required to use resources well.
In June, at The Claret Centre, two days were organized so as to provide some information and experience of the skills that are required for successful advertising. The days presented by Mary MacIntyre were so helpful and successful that a further day was requested and has been organized for November 18th this year.
In the one day workshop Mary's presentation showed how 'branding' has become such an integral part of advertising in our society. The importance of clearly defined goals and values underpinning all the materials created to promote an organization was noticed as often lacking in materials produced by religious congregations.
Using examples from the business world Mary showed the importance of having clear core values that help define the way an organization presents itself.
The images used in this newsletter to promote the Vocation website are examples of images generated by people at the workshop.
-
Bournemouth Vocations weekend
September 2004
Bournemouth Vocations weekend
Br Paul Bednarczyk csc, the executive Director of the National Religious Vocation Conference, U.S.A. regularly runs orientation programmes for Vocation ministers. This November (12th - 15th) at the Tralee Hotel, Bournemouth he will lead a workshop which aims to touch upon a wide range of issues that are of concern to Religious Vocation personnel in The UK and Ireland today. Topics will include:
- Theology of Call
- Contemporary Social and Ecclesial Factors
- Issues related to accompaniment
- Behavioural Assessment
- Professional Behaviour
- Ethics and confidentiality
- Community involvement
- Role of leadership
- Practicalities of Vocation Ministry
-
Course – Advertising and Vocation Ministry
September 2004
Course - Advertising and Vocation Ministry
Advertising and Vocation Ministry. November 18th 2004 Mary MacIntyre will lead this one day workshop. It will aid participants in identifying the different tiers of values that need to underpin the preparation of materials that promote their congregation. It is highly recommended that a few representatives participate from each congregation. Part of the dynamic of the day will be for participants to identify and clarify the values of their own order. This workshop was requested by those that attended the days in June. Cost £95 per person. or £200 for three representatives from the same congregation.
-
Course - Introduction to Prayer
September 2004
Course - Introduction to Prayer
Introduction to Prayer December 6th-9th This is a workshop retreat for people new to Religious Life in the initial stages of formation. Led by Cath Lloyd rscj and Paul Smyth cmf it will seek to aid participants in deepening their understanding of differing prayer styles and help them identify which styles might be most appropriate in this particular part of their journey. Cost "145.
-
Course – Leading Change
September 2004
Course- Leading Change
Leading Change. October 16th-17th. Cost £145 There are still a few places on this workshop which is offered for those in leadership in Religious Congregations. This workshop will help you explore the nature of change so that you better understand it, are less afraid of it and you can embrace and initiate it within your congregation. This will be accomplished through Reflecting on and sharing past experiences of change Reviewing some approaches to change management Developing self help networks Sharing some change management tools Applying theory through the use of a variety of exercises.
-
Inter-novitiate programme 2004 - 5
September 2004
The Inter-congregational Initial Formation Programme has been running for over 30 years. It aims to supplement and support the existing formation programme of each congregation. Each year the course aims to provide an interactive learning approach which includes input, reflection, group work and evaluation.
The course is open to novices in the first and second years of first formation in both Anglican and Roman Catholic Religious Congregations. Novice Directors are encouraged to attend.
The programme covers material relating to Human Development, Prayer and Spirituality, Theology of Religious Life, the Vows and Charisms, For more information about this years course contact Cath Lloyd rscj
-
School Project progresses
September 2004
Since March meetings have continued to take place to bring Religious together to create a resource for schools to give accurate information about Religious Life.
Aims and Objectives
The project's aim is to create a resource that can be offered to secondary schools and 6th forms. Materials will be developed to meet the needs of Key Stages 3, 4 and 5.The resource will be designed to be a developmental "Tool Box" that would provide a range of resources and activities that teachers could use to aid them in exploring the topic of religious life with pupils.
This resource must provide accurate up-to-date information about Religious Life and combat stereotypes. Able to be incorporated into any RE programme it should be accessible to 3 learning styles; visual, aural and kinaesthetic (hands on). It will also provide teachers with spiritual resources.
Shape of the Resource.
It is proposed that the package would include a DVD with a selection of filmed segments, information, articles, worksheets etc. An open meeting for all interested in finding out more about the project will take place at Buckden Towers Tuesday 28th September.
-
Supplements Swanwick 2005 June 15th -17th
September 2004
Preparations are already underway for next year's Formation Conference at Swanwick. The keynote speakers will include Timothy Radcliffe op and Gemma Simmonds cj. The conference is offered to religious under 60. The conference organizers aim to offer a space for those whose experience of ministering as religious is post Vatican II, to gather and reflect on their sense of the challenges that face them as Religious.
Planning is in the early stages but given the limited places available the organizers are requesting that interested people indicate their desire to attend as soon as possible. Further information and booking forms will be sent so that places can be confirmed.
To be sure of reserving a place send an email with your details to: Paul@cmfbuck.force9.net
Or write to:
Swanwick 2005
The Claret Centre
The Towers
Buckden -
Vocation Conference Swanwick
September 2004
In July some 84 Religious from all parts of the United Kingdom and Ireland made their way to the Hayes Centre Swanwick to take part in the 2004 Vocation Conference. The event allowed participants to confront the reality that faces us as Religious today in a hope filled though realistic way. After a belated start on Friday evening-due to problems on the M1 the participants began the task of reflecting upon their experience as Religious in the United Kingdom and Ireland.
The frank and open discussions that arose from the presentation by Paul Smyth cmf on the Reality of Religious Life Today found expression in a number of challenging and energetic and statements. Saturday afternoon saw participants taking part in a series of workshops and seminars looking at issues of relevance to those involved in Vocation Ministry today: building a website; promotion strategies; accompaniment skills, the experience of different generational groups and an exploration of the appropriate use of tools such as supervision, spiritual direction and counselling in the work of a vocation minister.
The Sunday morning session began with a prayerful reflection on the struggles of being involved in Vocation Ministry today given by Cath Lloyd rscj. After offering some space for regional network groups to gather together, the remainder of the morning was given over to an open forum in which ideas were exchanged relating to a wide range of matters; websites, school projects, experiences of alternative experiences of community. The evaluation process revealed that many of the participants had found the whole experience to have been very positive and energizing. The hope and enthusiasm of the conference for Vocation Ministry and Religious life was captured by one groups plea...
Some ideas expressed by religious vocation personnel at Swanwick.
It is God's work not ours. We need to be available and live in the reality of Change - which can be both painful and life-giving.
Each Congregation needs to re-identify with the core meaning of Religious Life. Network as congregations in order to present ourselves as Religious in new ways that will be challenging and attract people.
Aware of our problems we work together with HOPE and CONFIDENCE.
Be in Love now. "Live well and prosper".
We have a valid proven way of life, which is hinged on our prayer life, community and mission. We need to raise the profile of a good image of Religious Life (nationally).
We need to be open to the challenge of living as church, committed to living collaboratively with ambiguity.
Let's be fully who we are.
Leave the 'cloning' and allow the Spirit to help the KINGdom grow!!
Having done the work of renewal and going back to our roots and charisms let us go forward in authenticity of who we are for the people of today and to the young people who are searching.