Retreats

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Autumn Retreat 2011

From Friday 14th - Sunday 16th October The Province enjoyed its Autumn Retreat at Nympsfield, where we had our usual warm welcome from the Sisters and Staff. We had a varied programme for the weekend, which included Meditations on the Person of Christ, and social time together. At the Stational Mass on Sunday, we also prayed for the Repose of the Soul of Bishop Rob's brother-in-law, Alfred Skidmore, who had sadly died on Saturday. Alfred's widow Rosemary and +Rob's wife Pam joined us for the Requiem and were +Martyn's guests for lunch following Mass. Pictures of the day can be found here.

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6th May - 8th May 2011

From Friday 6th May to Sunday 8th May the Province met together for their Spring Retreat at Nympsfield. As always, there was a varied programme of worship, training and social time together. We were so pleased to welcome back with us on retreat, Bishop Robert McBride. +Robert kindly conducted Evensong on Friday and Saturday, and was accompanied by +Pete Sanders-White on the organ for the canticles. Tony+ celebrated a Taize Mass on Friday evening, orgainised by +Pete, who also preached a homily. We had several first time retreatants with us this year: Eugene, Jasmine and Noreen. Eugene served alongside Jasmine at the Masses, and both also helped with the readings at all of the services, along with Gwen Grassie. Deacon Ron led Compline on Friday evening before some retired to the local pub for a drink and to socialise. +Robert celebrated Mass on Saturday and +Martyn preached a homily. Rehearsals were held for the all the major services and training sessions were also held. Tony+ presided at Benediction for the first time on Saturday evening, which was a very moving service. Canon Robin then led Compline. On Sunday everyone co-celebrated with +Martyn and +Rob Lees preached the homily. During the Mass, Tony+ was made a Canon by +Martyn. We were pleased that Pam Lees joined us for Mass and lunch afterwards. As usual, we were very well looked after by the Sisters and Staff, and the food was as lovely as ever!

Some Photos of the Retreat can be seen here

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29th October - 31st October 2010

The Province met together, once again, for Retreat at Nympsfield, Gloucestershire. There was a varied programme of worship, social time and talks. The retreat started with Evening Prayer led by Bishop Martyn, when Fr. Brian and Sr. Eileen were formally welcomed back as full members of TESSAC. We also welcomed Fr. Tony's friends: Sylvia and John, who had joined us for the weekend. A Meditation led by Bishop Rob followed Evening Prayer. After dinner Bishop Rob celebrated Mass in honour of His Beatitude John Henry Newman, followed by Compline, led by Fr. Tony. We then retired to the pub for some social time. Saturday saw an early start with Morning prayer at 7.10am led by Sr. Eileen. This was followed by a Mass celebrated by Canon Pam. After breakfast Bishop Rob led a talk on the book 'Liturgy and Communication' by John Bryden Rodgers. At 11.30am Fr. Tony celebrated Mass for Our Lady on Saturday. There was then a free afternoon before a talk on how the New Testament came into being, by Bishop Martyn. Fr. Tony led Evening Prayer. After dinner Bishop Martyn led a service of Benediction with Bishop Rob, who then said Compline. More social time in the local pub followed. Sunday started with Morning Prayer led by Canon Pam at 7.30am. After breakfast an Open Meeting was held. We discussed our plans for the future. At 11.00am the culmination of the weekend was the Ordination and Stational Mass. It was also the first anniversary of Bishop Martyn's Consecration. Ron Williamson from St. Francis, Southampton, was made a Permanent Deacon and Sr. Eileen was also ordained a Deacon. Fr. Tony was also Instituted as Parish Priest of St. Francis, Southampton, to be Inducted next week at Southampton. It was a very moving service. We were also pleased to welcome Fr. Robin Westwood back to see us over the weekend and also to announce his return as a member of TESSAC, to be formalised at Southampton in a few weeks time. So, all in all, a very busy, but rewarding and spiritually uplifting, weekend was had by all.

Fr. Brian being received into Full Membership of TESSAC

Sr. Eileen being received into Full Membership of TESSAC

+Rob blessing the incense for Mass

Procession at Mass

Listening to a talk on the New Testament

Fr. Tony at Evening Prayer

Waiting for Benediction

Benediction

Compline

Two Deacons with two bishops after Ordination

Deacons with Bishop Martyn after Ordination

Deacon Eileen and Fr. Brian

Deacon Ron and Fr. Tony

Institution of Fr. Tony as Parish Priest

Getting ready for the next picture!

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30th April - 2nd May 2010

We met once again for our Spring Retreat in Gloucestershire. It was good to meet up with our old friend Fr. Robin who came to see us Friday Evening and stayed for Evening Prayer and Dinner. He also joined us for a drink at the Rose and Crown. Saturday we welcomed old friends Bishop Rob and Rev'd Pam Lees for the day. We also welcomed Fr. Stephen Ashton, our guest preacher at Mass, who also gave us a very interesting talk in the afternoon about Pastoral Ministry. Cameron came along with Fr. Stephen and kindly played the organ at Mass and also at Solemn Evensong and Fr. Stephen officiated. The retreatants then retreated to the Rose and Crown after Compline. On Sunday, Fr. Stephen and Cameron returned for Solemn Mass and joined us for lunch afterwards. We were very well looked after by the Sisters once again. Everyone enjoyed a very spiritual and uplifting weekend, wishing it could last longer!

Sr. Eileen, the Vicar General - Canon Brian and Fr. Paul, catching up on news with Fr. Robin

Fr. Paul, Gwen, Ron and Fr. Tony

Bishop Rob, Rev'd. Pam and Fr. Brian

Fr. Stephen being idolised by Gwen!

Cameron, Canon Brian, Fr. Stephen, Bishop Martyn, Gwen and Bishop Rob

Gwen and Fr. Paul before Mass

The Confession

Fr. Tony Celebrating Mass

Fr. Stephen con-celebrating

The elevation of the Host

Con-celebrating

Deaconess Eileen and Ron serving the Mass

After dinner

After dinner

Fr. Stephen and Poppy

Everyone before the talk by Fr. Stephen

Fr. Stephen talking to us about Pastoral Ministry

Cameron playing the organ for Solemn Evensong

Ron serving at Solemn Evensong

Fr. Stephen Officiating at Solemn Evensong

Solemn Evensong

Reading the First Lesson at Solemn Evensong

Ron censing Fr. Stephen during the Magnificat

Gwen reading the second Lesson at Solemn Evensong

Fr. Tony officiating at Morning Prayer

After Sunday Mass

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30th October to 1st November 2009

		Retreatants gather together for a group photo.
		A group clergy photo following the Bishop Martyn's first Mass as bishop on All Saints Day.
		The Consecration Mass
		Listening to one of the talks given over the weekend.
		The Consecration Mass
		Sister Eileen & Canon Brian
		Mealtime & a chance to catch up with fellow retreatants. Bishops Robert & Martyn, Brother Bruno+, Canon Brian, Sister Eileen & Abbot +Hugh
		Mick, Gwen (1), Deacon Anthony, Gwen (2) & Ron
		Relaxing in the evening.
		Deacon Anthony is literally left holding the baby!
		Halloween Night! He's behind you Sister Eileen.
		"We are the Champions"!
		Deacon Tony takes a turn.
		Looking forward to 2010!

 

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1st to 3rd of May 2009

Left to right: Bp. Robert, Bp. Rob, Canon Martyn, Canon Robin, Sr. Eileen, Fr. Brian, Dcn. Anthony & Revd. Pam Lees.

The following images were taken during the weekend retreat held at the Retreat Centre in Gloucestershire from Friday 1st to Sunday 3rd of May. The Retreat Centre is set in a small Cotswold village in stunning countryside.