Videos on Dominican Life: in anticipation of the General Chapter
1-21 September 2010
As part of the Order's
preparations for the General Chapter in Rome from 1-21 September
2010, a series of videos about the Dominican life has been made and
uploaded to
the Order's YouTube channel. The areas
covered are
Dominican
Government, Study (part
1 &
part 2),
the Order's Mission (part
1 &
part 2),
and the
Consecrated Life, with interesting
interviews given by the Master of the Order, and his assistants.
If you would like to know more about the Order of Preachers, and catch a glimpse of our life and mission as it is lived internationally, have a look at these videos either by going directly to the
YouTube channel or by clicking the links above.In addition, please pray for the Order and for those who will be attending the General Chapter in September, asking the Holy Spirit to bless their counsel and decisions, and to help them in the election of a new Master for the Order.
Unveiling of new statue at Portsmouth Cathedral
23 July 2010
Sister Michelle and Sister Maria attended the unveiling of a new statue of Saint John the Evangelist outside Portsmouth Cathedral today.
Please click here for some more photos
and
here for a report located on the website of the Archdiocese of
Westminster
Pope John Paul II Pilgrimage to Walsingham
15-19 July 2010
The 5th edition of the John Paul II Pilgrimage - a 50 miles walk for the intention of the New Evangelisation taking place from the 15th to the 19th July - was this year again a great success. We started with a historical Mass in Bury St Edmunds: the first time that Mass was celebrated in the ruins of the Abbey Church, where the High Altar would have been, since Henry VIII destroyed it in 1539. The 35 pilgrims enjoyed the hospitality of the parishioners in Bury and started the walk on Friday from Brandon, after Mass and a huge cooked breakfast provided by our dear friends from the parish.
We arrived in Walsingham on Sunday for the 12 noon pilgrim Mass and concluded the pilgrimage by walking the Holy Mile and praying Evening prayer and Benediction in the Walsingham new Annunciation Church. The pilgrimage was the occasion of great blessings: praying and suffering together (with a great harvest of blisters...), and enjoying thoroughly throughout these few days the wonderful peace and joy of unity and friendship in the Lord.
Please click here for some more photos
Summer Fete
10 July 2010
Thanks to everyone who helped - we raised
£1,500 -
Please click
here for some photos.
Invocation 2010
2-4 July 2010
Sisters Michelle, Veronica, Hyacinthe and Mary Benedicta attended
Invocation 2010, the first national vocations festival
which was held at Oscott College 2-4 July 2010. The event was
attended by nearly 200 young Catholic men and women who were seeking
to discern God’s will for their lives and were at least open to the
possibility of priesthood or consecrated life; as well as over 100
religious, priests and seminarians who were accompanying them
throughout the weekend.
Community Retreat
18-27 June 2010
Our annual community retreat begins
this evening. We are pleased to welcome Father Dominic Legge
OP from the USA who will preach the retreat for us.
Sponsored Walk & Cycle
Ride
13 June 2010
Sister Maria
and Father Richard, along with many other friends, will take part in
a Sponsored Walk and Cycle Ride to raise funds for Fanning the
Flame. If you would like to sponsor them please click the link below
and do so through Just Giving. Thank you for your generosity
and God bless you.
UPDATE:
We all
survived the sponsored ride/walk - thanks to all those who took part
and sponsored us. We don't have a final
figure yet but it is in excess of £2000 - so thank you all for your
immense generosity.
Corpus Christi
6 June 2010
PLEASE CLICK HERE FOR MORE PHOTOS
Bank Holiday Monday
Teas
31 May 2010
Our annual bank holiday Afternoon Teas fundraising event was well
supported this year on Monday 31st May.
A big thank you to all our supporters, those who helped serve
and those who came and enjoyed themselves. God bless you all.
The money raised helps us greatly with our work - you helped
raise £627.50. Now we
can renew the electric's in the field, for the Children's Fanning
the Flame summer Camp!
PLEASE CLICK HERE FOR MORE PHOTOS
First Communion Class
from Saint John Beaumont School visit the Priory
Sister Veronica and the
sisters had a delightful day with the boys from St John Beaumont
School, who with their teacher Miss Carr-Jones, came to the Priory
in order to prepare for the reception of their First Reconciliation.
We spent the day
meditating on the story of the Call of Abraham and the journey of
Jesus to the Cross of Calvary. For the first time here at the
Priory we used the beautiful figures from the Notre Dame de Vie
Catechetical series. The children were led into a time of
prayer, considering what they needed to embark on their journey with
God and what burdensome things they would leave behind. It was
a real joy to see the serious and prayerful attitude that the boys
took to complete this prayerful activity. I am sure they
prepared themselves well for the beautiful Sacrament of
Reconciliation the following day.
PALM SUNDAY AND THE PASCHAL TRIDUUM
Please click of the links to see galleries of photos taken during
the ceremonies of Holy Week. Grateful thanks to Neville
Lewcock for taking the pictures.
CANTERBURY TO ROME
8th April
Our friend Nicholas Steven is walking from Canterbury to
Rome in order to raise funds for our community. If you would
like to help him help us please visit his page at
Just Giving.
LENTEN MEDITATION TO MUSIC
25 March 2010
THE SEVEN LAST WORDS
OF OUR SAVIOUR FROM THE CROSS
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Thursday 25 March 2010 at 7:15 pm
Music by Franz Josef Haydn
played by the Grainger String
Quartet
LENTEN DAY OF RECOLLECTION
13 March 2010
The Lenten Day of Recollection will take place at the Priory on
Saturday 13 March from 10:00am to 4:00pm. The theme is
The Season of Lent and the Sacrament of Reconciliation.
There will be opportunity to receive the Sacrament of
Reconciliation.
LENTEN REFLECTIONS
Lent 2010
Here is the schedule for this year's Lenten Reflections:
22 February: The Temptations of Christ
1 March: The Transfiguration of Christ
8 March: The Woman at the Well
15 March: The Man Born Blind
22 March: The Raising of Lazarus
Monday evenings at 7:15pm : £2.50
BISHOP HOLLIS VISITS SAINT DOMINIC'S
21 February 2010
Bishop Crispian Hollis came to visit the community on Sunday 21st
February. He celebrated Mass for us and stayed for lunch.
Because of heavy snow in January, Bishop Hollis was unable to travel
over from Portsmouth to preside at the election of Sister Michelle
as our new prioress, a task he delegated to our chaplain, Father
Richard. Sister Maria and Sister Julie are not pictured as
they are still in Scotland "Fanning the Flame".
CLICK
HERE FOR A GALLERY OF PHOTOS
TOO MANY COOKS ???
1 February 2010
Our chaplain Father Richard helped out with the cooking this week.
On Monday he prepared his signature dish of Pork Chops in a Creamy Mushroom
Sauce ala Delia Smith's original recipe with cream and not crème
fraisch. Sister Maria and Sister Mary Benedicta prepared the
veggies and the delicious dessert - Baked Alaska! This was
quite a change from our usual daily fare.
DECORATORS HALL OF FAME
Here are the photo's of the courageous volunteer painting team, too
whom we are so very, very grateful!!......." Thank you to all
our helpers".... Father Desmond and to all from St Joseph's House of
prayer, Fordingbridge and Ringwood Parishes, and here at St
Dominic's Priory.....well done!...we could not have done it without
you all..... That's 9 rooms, 1 hallway, 4 corridors and 1 stair
way!....all in 2 weekends!
PLEASE CLICK HERE FOR THE GALLERY
ELECTION OF NEW PRIORESS
6 January 2010
Today the Sisters elected Sister Michelle Hawkes OP as the new
prioress of our community. We ask your prayers for Sister
Michelle and the community as we begin a new chapter in our lives as
the Dominican Sisters of Saint Joseph.
SNOW IN THE FOREST
January 2010
PLEASE CLICK HERE FOR A GALLERY OF PHOTOS
NATIVITY OF OUR LORD AND SAVIOUR JESUS CHRIST
25 December 2009
We wish all our relatives, friends and benefactors a very happy and
holy Christmas.
CLICK HERE FOR A GALLERY OF CHRISTMAS PICTURES
DOMINICAN ORDER: 793 years and counting
22 December 2009
On 22nd December 1216, Pope Honorius III gave
official approval to the creation of the Order of Preachers to Our
Holy Father Dominic. As we look forward to the birth of Our
Saviour, we also celebrate the birth of our Order. The anniversary
is still observed in the Order, but impeded liturgically because of
the primacy of these days before Christmas.
CAROL SERVICE & BENEDICTION
13 December 2009
CLICK HERE FOR A GALLERY OF PHOTOS
CHRISTMAS BAZAAR
28 November 2009
The Christmas Bazaar was a great success. We welcomed many old and
new visitors to the priory who were generous in their purchases and
participation. We thank all those many friends who helped us
out on the day and ran the stalls. God bless you all.
Please click on the link below for a gallery of photos.
CHRISTMAS BAZAAR : GALLERY OF PHOTOS
NEW FIRE ESCAPE ERECTED
November 2009
The new fire escape has been erected. Once again, we thank all
our benefactors for their generous support and we assure you of our
heartfelt prayers. Photos were taken during the construction,
you may like to view them - please click on the link below.
NEW FIRE ESCAPE : GALLERY OF PHOTOS
JEROME NICHOLS ENROLLED IN THE ARCHCONFRATERNITY
21 September 2009 - Feast of Saint
Matthew
Jerome Nichols was enrolled as a member of the
Archconfraternity of Saint Stephen for Altar Servers. Together
with his brother Anton and friend Matthew, Jerome has been a regular
and faithful altar server here at Saint Dominic's. After Mass
Father Richard was invited to a celebration at the Nichols' home.
PLEASE CLICK HERE FOR A GALLERY OF PHOTOS
DOMINICANS ON THE RADIO
20 September 2009
Tim Daykin of BBC Radio Solent
interviewed Sister Rosaleen and Sister Michelle about the successful
appeal for funds to replace the old fire escape - this interview
will be part of the Tim Daykin Show on BBC Radio Solent (96.1 &
103.8 FM & DAB) after 8am on
Sunday 20th September 2009.
Sister Rosaleen and Tim Daykin (BBC Radio Solent)
BENEDICTA RECEIVES THE DOMINICAN HABIT
17 September 2009
Benedicta Chinwe Obiora was Clothed
in the Dominican habit during a simple ceremony which
took place during Midday Prayer today. The new novice will be
known as Sister Mary Benedicta and her feast day will be 11 July -
the feast of Saint Benedict. Several members of Sister Mary
Benedicta's family, some of whom travelled all the way from Nigeria,
joined her for the ceremony.
PLEASE CLICK HERE FOR A GALLERY OF PHOTOS
RELICS OF SAINT THERESE OF LISIEUX
16 September 2009
Sister Margarita and Sister Michelle
venerate the relics of St. Therese
[ photo: The Telegraph Online News ]
Several of the Sisters visited Portsmouth
Cathedral today to venerate the relics of Saint Therese of Lisieux.
The remains of Saint Therese hailed, by many, as the greatest saint
of modern times has begun a tour of England and Wales in one of the
most important events for British Roman Catholics since the visit of
Pope John Paul II 27 years ago.
Click here for a report in The Times Newspaper Online
THE STORY OF A SOUL
The Autobiography of Saint Therese of
Lisieux
REPLACEMENT FIRE ESCAPE
All the funds needed to replace the
old and dilapidated fire escape have been raised. Thanks to the most
generous support of friends and benefactors we can now complete this
essential work. God bless you all - you are in our prayers
each day.
THE SOWER REVIEW
Sister Rosaleen Shaw O.P. is the new Sub Editor
of THE SOWER REVIEW,
a quarterly periodical dedicated to Catholic catechetics, published
by the Maryvale
Institute in association with the Franciscan
University of Steubenville and the Studium
of Notre Dame de Vie.
PRIORY SHOP: New CD
We are happy to promote Ben Nichols'
new album: Making faith Alive - the words and teaching of
Pope John Paul II. Copies of the album are
available in the Priory Shop or you can download online from
MAKING
FAITH ALIVE: the words and teaching of Pope John Paul II
CREAM TEAS
31 August 2009
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CLICK HERE FOR A GALLERY OF PHOTOS
Grateful thanks to Gerry Walden for
the pictures www.gwpics.com
YOUTH 2000: WALSINGHAM
27 - 31 August 2009
FANNING THE FLAME: HAMPSHIRE CAMP
17 - 21 August 2009
This year 111 young
people aged 10-25 took part in the FANNING THE FLAME Summer Camp
along with 38 Adults.
The theme of the week
“I have come that you may have life to the full,” was explored
through preaching, teaching, drama, music, the use of puppets and
art.
To enable each young person to be able to
explore the theme at their academic and spiritual level there were 5
Teaching Streams and then these were broken down once again into
smaller groups to enable the young people to talk about and grow in
what they had received on a more intimate level.
The Streams were run by 2 Diocesan Priests, 2
brothers from the Friars of the Renewal, the Dominican Sisters of
St. Joseph and a couple of married couples. Young leaders who have
been coming to FANNING THE FLAME for a number of years led the small
groups.
Highlights from the week were the tangible
presence of GOD in the main marquee whilst the young people prayed
and waited for the Sacrament of Reconciliation. In the stillness and
silence one was reminded of Elijah on the mountain when GOD came to
him in the ‘still small voice’ and not in the earthquake or fire.
The following night was powerful as the Sacrament of Confirmation
was given to one of the young people. During the ‘laying on of
hands’ and the ‘anointing by chrism’ one recalled the number of
people in Sacred Scripture who had been called by name by GOD to
walk in His paths and follow His ways, such as the prophet Jeremiah
who was called when he was young, Samuel, King David, Mary the
mother of Our Lord, the disciples, St. Paul and the many who have
been called down through the ages. As the young person added her
Fiat to the many fiats throughout history one had a sense that GOD
is still moving among His people and for those who can respond to
His call there lies ahead a life full of hope and promise not only
for them but for all whom they will encounter in life. The walk to a
local ‘lake’ and the celebration of Mass whilst watching the new
Forest Ponies pass followed by a picnic lunch and a few games before
returning to camp was a real high light for many.
The list of the many spiritual highlights could
go on for pages but GOD is interested in the whole of our being so
it would be right to add the joys of those who encountered the camp
tuck shop, the food during the week was a great hit … especially the
curry that was served as an ‘alternative’ to chicken and bacon. For
those who had come from big cities like Liverpool the experience of
seeing the stars was something they said they would always treasure
but even more than the stars the main high light for many was the
experience of getting on a horse and having a ten minute walk in the
forest during supper time.
On the last night there is a ‘GOD Concert’
where the young people share their gifts and talents.
It is an evening of celebration of how special everyone is.
It is an evening of acknowledging that all we have is from GOD and
that with Him and in Him all things become possible when we work to
together.
Every year we say ‘This year was the best
ever.’ This our 15th year those words were true once
again because everyone grasped that GOD calls us individually but
our individual ‘Yes’ then unites us to Him and to His Body. This
year the seeds of a dream given 18 years ago were truly coming into
harvest. The young are hungry for GOD we need labourers to help
guide them to the fountain of Living Water that they may drink from
the source and then learn how to lead others to He alone who is the
One who can give ‘life to the full.’
Sister Maria and Father Richard, along with many other friends, will take part in a Sponsored Walk and Cycle Ride to raise funds for Fanning the Flame. If you would like to sponsor them please click the link below and do so through Just Giving. Thank you for your generosity and God bless you.
UPDATE: We all survived the sponsored ride/walk - thanks to all those who took part and sponsored us. We don't have a final figure yet but it is in excess of £2000 - so thank you all for your immense generosity.
6 June 2010
Bank Holiday Monday Teas
31 May 2010
8th April
Our friend Nicholas Steven is walking from Canterbury to Rome in order to raise funds for our community. If you would like to help him help us please visit his page at Just Giving.
25 March 2010
OF OUR SAVIOUR FROM THE CROSS
played by the Grainger String Quartet
13 March 2010
The Lenten Day of Recollection will take place at the Priory on Saturday 13 March from 10:00am to 4:00pm. The theme is The Season of Lent and the Sacrament of Reconciliation. There will be opportunity to receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation.
Lent 2010
Here is the schedule for this year's Lenten Reflections:
1 March: The Transfiguration of Christ
8 March: The Woman at the Well
15 March: The Man Born Blind
22 March: The Raising of Lazarus
21 February 2010
1 February 2010
6 January 2010
January 2010
25 December 2009
22 December 2009
13 December 2009
28 November 2009
November 2009
21 September 2009 - Feast of Saint Matthew
20 September 2009
Tim Daykin of BBC Radio Solent interviewed Sister Rosaleen and Sister Michelle about the successful appeal for funds to replace the old fire escape - this interview will be part of the Tim Daykin Show on BBC Radio Solent (96.1 & 103.8 FM & DAB) after 8am on Sunday 20th September 2009.
17 September 2009
16 September 2009
[ photo: The Telegraph Online News ]
Several of the Sisters visited Portsmouth Cathedral today to venerate the relics of Saint Therese of Lisieux. The remains of Saint Therese hailed, by many, as the greatest saint of modern times has begun a tour of England and Wales in one of the most important events for British Roman Catholics since the visit of Pope John Paul II 27 years ago.
The Autobiography of Saint Therese of Lisieux
All the funds needed to replace the old and dilapidated fire escape have been raised. Thanks to the most generous support of friends and benefactors we can now complete this essential work. God bless you all - you are in our prayers each day.
Sister Rosaleen Shaw O.P. is the new Sub Editor of THE SOWER REVIEW, a quarterly periodical dedicated to Catholic catechetics, published by the Maryvale Institute in association with the Franciscan University of Steubenville and the Studium of Notre Dame de Vie.
We are happy to promote Ben Nichols' new album: Making faith Alive - the words and teaching of Pope John Paul II. Copies of the album are available in the Priory Shop or you can download online from MAKING FAITH ALIVE: the words and teaching of Pope John Paul II
31 August 2009
Grateful thanks to Gerry Walden for the pictures www.gwpics.com
27 - 31 August 2009
17 - 21 August 2009
CLICK HERE FOR A GALLERY OF PHOTOS
ANNUAL YOUTH PILGRIMAGE TO FRANCE
3 - 13 August 2009
FANNING THE FLAME: HEREFORD CAMP
28 - 31 July 2009
CLICK HERE FOR A GALLERY OF PHOTOS
JPII WALKING PILGRIMAGE TO WALSINGHAM
16 - 20 July 2009
http://www.flickr.com/photos/rosamundi/sets/72157621757173038/
GALLERY OF PHOTOS 2
© Matthew Goodman 2009
COMMUNITY RETREAT
19 - 28 June 2009
Our annual Community Retreat is led by Father Jacob Restrick OP from the USA. Father Jacob is chaplain to the cloistered Dominican Nuns in Buffalo, New York.
CORPUS CHRISTI
14 June 2009
We celebrated the Solemnity of Corpus Christi with style and great devotion today. Friends of the community joined us for Mass which was followed by a procession around the grounds of the priory. At the altar of repose we sang Eucharistic hymns and prayed the Litany of the Eucharist. Benediction was given in the chapel.
CLICK HERE TO VIEW A GALLERY OF PHOTOGRAPHS
PENTECOST
31 May 2009
.JPG)
HEAR SISTER HYACINTHE SINGING THE
SEQUENCE FOR THE
FEAST OF PENTECOST
.JPG)
GOLDEN JUBILEE OF RELIGIOUS PROFESSION
2 May 1959 - 2 May 2009
Today our dear Sister Margarita Schwind OP celebrates the Golden Jubilee of her Religious Profession as a Dominican Sister. Sister Margarita wanted to mark the occasion with little fuss. After the Mass of Thanksgiving, Father Richard joined the community for lunch. It was a truly "Community Day" very prayerful and reflective. A friend of the community baked and iced a cake which was shared among the 30+ friends and visitors who participated in the Mass on Sunday morning. Sister Margarita and the assembled crowd were treated to an African song and dance orchestrated by our postulant Benedicta. It was a sight and sound to remember and was rousingly appreciated by all. God bless you Sister Margarita and Ad Multos Anos!
PLEASE CLICK HERE FOR A GALLERY OF PHOTOS
TAKEN OVER THE JUBILEE WEEKEND
PLEASE CLICK HERE FOR A COLLECTION OF ARCHIVE PHOTOGRAPHS OF SISTER MARGARITA
STUDY WEEK FOR THE COMMUNITY
20-25 April 2009
Today we welcomed Father Vivian Boland OP who will teach us more about the Summa Theologica of Saint Thomas Aquinas. Father Vivian preached our community retreat last year and we are glad to have him with us for a second visit. Father Vivian is Master of Students of the English Dominicans, and lectures in theology at Blackfriars, Oxford. He is also Director of the Aquinas Institute.
The Second Sunday of Easter: DIVINE MERCY SUNDAY
19 April 2009
At 3 o'clock in the afternoon, the hour of mercy, the Sisters, joined by 15 visitors, assembled in the chapel to say the Chaplet of Divine Mercy. During adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, our chaplain, Father Richard heard confessions for one and a half hours. Our Lord's Divine Mercy was dispensed liberally! The devotions ended with Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament. Please click on the link below to view some photos taken on the day:
Divine Mercy Chaplet and Devotions Gallery
EASTER SUNDAY
12 April 2009
HOLY SATURDAY: THE PASCHAL VIGIL
11 April 2009
Click here
to listen to the Exultet
sung by Father Tim Hepburn
GOOD FRIDAY: COMMEMORATION OF THE LORD'S PASSION
10 April 2009
MAUNDY THURSDAY: MASS OF THE LORD'S SUPPER
9 April 2009
We began the great Paschal Triduum with the Evening Mass of the Lord's Supper. Friends and seven visiting retreatants were here to celebrate the Mass with us followed by an hour of watching with Our Lord at the Altar of Repose which was erected in Mater Ecclesia. Please click on the following link to view some photographs taken during the liturgy.
PALM SUNDAY
5 April 2009
Holy Week got off to a good start with the celebration of Palm Sunday. The palms were blessed in the hall before the procession into the chapel for Holy Mass. Please click on the link below for a gallery of photographs.
HOLY WEEK AND EASTER:
LITURGICAL TIMETABLE
MAUNDY THURSDAY
08.00
Office of Readings & Morning Prayer
12.30
Midday Prayer
17.00
Rosary
20.00
Evening Mass of the Lord’s Supper
GOOD FRIDAY
08.00
Office of Readings & Morning Prayer
12.30
Midday Prayer
15.00
Solemn Celebration of the Lord’s Passion
20.00
Compline
HOLY SATURDAY
08.00
Office of Readings & Morning Prayer
12.30
Midday Prayer
17.00
Evening Prayer
21.00
EASTER VIGIL
EASTER SUNDAY
07.45 Morning Prayer09.30 Mass of the Resurrection
12.30 Midday Prayer
17.00 Easter Vespers
"ECHOES" DAY OF REFLECTION
28 February 2009
During the summer of last year Canon Hetherington, the parish priest of these two parishes approached Sr. Veronica to help and advise him with the training of his newly formed team of Catechists. Starting in September the group began the 'Echoes' programme, which has been produced by the Maryvale Catholic Institute in conjunction with CTS.
The programme consists of 11 sessions (led by a member of the parish) to help Catechists to come to know their faith and build firm foundations for them to undertake the task of passing on the faith to others in a variety of situations. They are introduced to the Catechism, Scripture and the Teachings of the Church and given the practical skills to know how to use these sources effectively.
The group were somewhat nervous about the undertaking, but 6 months later they have finished the course and will be receiving their certificates as official recognition of the efforts they have put in! Already their work is bearing fruit. Here are some of their comments:
“I feel more confident about
passing on the faith”
“I feel more able to talk to others about my faith”
“It was good to delve into the Catechism and other Church Documents”
“I realised how little I knew about my faith and how rich our faith
is”
“We have grown in fellowship and community and can use the sources
to discover answers”
"It is about discovering Christ in
everyday reality, I now have a living faith”
If you or your
parish would like to know more about the 'Echoes' programme please
contact Sister Veronica (a Maryvale approved leader) she will be
happy to show you how it operates and provide relevant training for
group/parish leaders.
VOCATION RETREAT AT SAINT DOMINIC'S PRIORY
13-15 February 2009
On the 13th-15th of February we welcomed a group of nine young women open to consider the call to religious life. They came from all parts of England, Wales and Scotland to attend the weekend masterfully led by Fr Stephen Langridge. Sharing in the liturgical life of the Sisters, attending spiritual conferences and talks, and participating in lively discussions, the young women hopefully went home with an enriched appreciation of the religious life as a radical, unconditional gift of self to God, lived according to diverse charisms at the service of the Church. Some of them also had a chance to see the Isle of Wight for the first time in their life on Saturday afternoon, when, satiated with prayers and talks we all nipped down to the sea to be blown away by the wind... It was a wonderful occasion that also reminded us Sisters of the beauty of our life, offered to us as a gift from God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit - an amazing gift that calls for a total 'YES!'
FRENCH YOUNG PEOPLE VISIT THE PRIORY
12 February 2009
On the 12th February, we welcomed a group of French young people from the parish of Sainte-Mere-l'Eglise (Holy Mother Church!), a Normandy village famous for welcoming the allied forces landing on D Day in 1944. The young people were accompanied by Guillaume a seminarian, and Clotilde and Sonya who are catechists in Sainte Mere l'Eglise. Father Tom Dubois welcomed them all in Salisbury and brought them to us. It was a great joy to meet them, and while they all practiced a bit of English, the Sisters were able to practice their French, including Sister Hyacinthe who gave a talk in French for the first time in her life (They all looked like they understood what she was saying...). We had a beautiful Mass in French in the chapel, and they also joined us for Evening prayer in English. We were amazed that the young people were able to join us with the chanting of the Psalms, and one young lady even said afterwards that it was easier to pray in English than in French! We were delighted to pray with them and share a bit of our life with them, and look forward to more visits from beyond the Channel!
FEAST OF THE PRESENTATION OF THE LORD
2 February 2009
DAY RETREAT
11 January 2009
Sister Maria with a group from The Teams of Our Lady (Southbourne Branch) who visited the Priory for a Day Retreat. "Thank you so much for a very thought-provoking and prayerful retreat today"
PILGRIMAGE TO LITTLEMORE
3 January 2009
Sister Hyacinthe organised what has now become an annual winter
pilgrimage, this time to the John Henry Newman Centre in Littlemore
near Oxford. It was in Littlemore that John Henry (later
Cardinal) Newman made the decision to convert to Catholicism and was
received into the Church in 1845 by Blessed Dominic Barberi.
The Sisters of the Society of the Work gave us a very warm welcome
on what was a very cold day. After coffee and leftover
Christmas cake one of the Sisters of the Work (who take care of the
College) gave an excellent talk on Newman's life after which Father
Richard celebrated Mass for us in Newman's oratory. After
lunch we returned to the oratory for Adoration and Benediction
during which several pilgrims availed themselves of the Sacrament of
Penance.
A brisk walk burned off the rich Christmas cake and the day ended
with a Catholic quiz.
Please click for more information about Cardinal Newman
or The International Centre of Newman Friends.
+ Thanks to Matthew Charlesworth SJ for the photos +
Christmas 2008
Feast of Saint Lucy
13 December 2008
Christmas Market
27 November 2008
Thanks to Nevil for the pictures - used with permission
Sister Veronica receives Diploma
15 November 2008
Maryvale Institute
Bishop O'Donoghue congratulates Sister Veronica
Sister Veronica reports: This is the picture from the awards
ceremony at Maryvale on Saturday 15 November. I was awarded a
Diploma in Evangelisation and Parish Ministry with Distinction!
It was presented by Bishop Patrick O'Donoghue, Bishop of Lancaster.
Formerly my own bishop in Diocese of Westminster (West Area) .
Before I entered I was under the Direction of Bishop Patrick as a
Consecrated Virgin. The ceremony concluded with an inspiring
address by Bishop Patrick and concluded with sung vespers.
Cemetery Service
3 November 2008
Commemoration of All Souls
Several of the Sisters, along with Father Richard, drove up to the
cemetery in Lyndhurst where three of our deceased Sisters are
buried: Sister Hermengild, Sister Ariberta and Sister Dominic.
We prayed the the repose of the souls of our dear Sisters and Father
Richard blessed their graves. May the souls of all the
faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace.
Amen.
New Postulant
29 September 2008
Feast of the Holy Archangels Michael, Gabriel & Raphael
Today we received a new postulant in our community: Benedicta Chinwe Obiora, who is from Lagos,
Nigeria. Benedicta will spend
a year as a postulant learning more about life as a Dominican Sister
before entering the novitiate to begin the more formal training.
Please pray that Benedicta will settle into her new life with us and
that God will grant her a long and happy religious life.
Twenty Years Professed
10 September 2008
Today Sister Maria celebrates her 20th anniversary of Religious Profession. Father Richard celebrated his 20th anniversary of Profession a few days earlier. Ad multos anos!
Fanning the Flame
18-22 August 2008
Fanning the Flame youth camp took place this week. More pictures on the Fanning the Flame page.
Pilgrimage to France
4-12 August 2008
Waiting for the plane at Southampton airport
The First Day
Notre Dame
The Eiffel Tower
Paris
Rue du Bac
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On the road - van number 1
Mass in Lisieux
Nevers
The Last Day
+ Thanks to Matthew Goodman for the photos +
Pope
John Paul II Pilgrimage from Ely to Walsingham
17-21 July 2008
(Text and images lifted from the English Dominican students blog)
Last week, the annual John
Paul II pilgrimage from Ely to Walsingham was held.
The pilgrimage was a great
success with over 30 people, both young and old, taking part,
walking along some of the same paths that have been used by pilgrims
for centuries.
It was organised by Sr.
Hyacinthe of the
Dominican
Sisters of St. Joseph, and Fr Ben Earl was the Dominican
Chaplain. As we walked the
fifty mile journey over two and a half days, there was a real sense
in which we were capturing the Dominican spirit.
Like St Dominic, we were on
the road for the sake of the Gospel, for the salvation of souls,
praying and singing hymns as we walked along.
Pilgrimage can be seen as a
metaphor for the Christian life. A
pilgrimage has a clear destination, a definite purpose and goal, and
this is reflected in life, a journey in which our final destination
is with God. On a pilgrimage
we need to continually check that we are going in the right
direction, and so too in life, we need to continually check that our
lives are directed towards Christ. As
we journey, we do not go it alone, but we travel down paths which
others have trod, we journey as a community of believers helping
each other along the way, always encouraging, building friendships
and bonds of love, not letting anyone get left behind.
Pilgrimage can also be a way
of discovering that ascetic dimension to life, a dimension in which
in one way or another, all Christians are called to participate.
Christ showed his great love
for us by dying on the cross, and so in a small way by doing
something arduous and renouncing ourselves, we can show our love for
Christ and grow in the virtue of charity.
In the Middle Ages, pilgrimage
was very much associated with penance. In the 12th Century, Pope
Eugenius III gave St Gerlac the penance of making a pilgrimage to
Jerusalem and spending seven years there serving the sick and the
poor. St Gerlac had asked for
a severe penance in order to make amends for his former way of life.
Whilst our two and a half day
pilgrimage hardly compares with the efforts to which St Gerlac went,
the penitential nature of our pilgrimage was still present.
We were reminded of the great
importance of the sacrament of reconciliation and we were encouraged
to go to confession so that we could enter Walsingham having been
forgiven of all our sins.
On arriving at the
Slipper
Chapel, we prayed to Our Lady for the conversion of
England and Wales, before going into Mass in the
Chapel of
Reconciliation. We
then walked the final mile into Walsingham, praying the Rosary as we
went, joyful in the anticipation of reaching our final destination.
Our pilgrimage came to an end
with Benediction in the
Church of
the Annunciation in Walsingham; it was a chance to focus
on our final goal, life with Christ, and an opportunity to be
thankful for the many graces which we had received through the
prayers of Our Lady of Walsingham on our pilgrimage.
1-10 July 2008
This year the Sisters' annual Retreat will be preached by Father Vivian Boland OP. Father Vivian is a friar of the Irish Province assigned to the English Province where he is socius to the Provincial and Master of Students.
Golden Jubilee of Receiving the Dominican Habit
28 April 2008
Today Sister Margarita marks the 50th anniversary of being Clothed as a Dominican Novice on 28 April 1958. More photographs in the Gallery & Archive section.
Daily Homilies
14 April 2008
Father Richard uploads his homilies to the website each day. Should you wish to listen to them please click on the Chaplain link and scroll down to Homily Archive. Click on the file you want to listen to and it will open automatically in the Windows Media Player already installed on your computer. You may need to visit the Microsoft website for the latest version of the player.
ENROLMENT IN THE ARCHCONFRATERNITY OF SAINT STEPHEN
Anton Nichols and Matthew Goodman were enrolled as members of the Archconfraternity of Saint Stephen for Altar Servers. Anton and Matthew have served the altar for quite some time and regularly here at Saint Dominic's since Father Richard's arrival as our chaplain.
The Sisters mark 10 years in Lymington
10 years ago today the Sisters moved from Ashurst to Lymington. Several friends joined them for Mass and refreshments.
Divine Mercy Sunday
30th March 2008 at 15.00
Chaplet of Divine Mercy
Exposition and Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament
The Sacrament of Reconciliation
Benediction
The Sacred Paschal Triduum
Liturgical Timetable
Maundy Thursday : 20th March 2008
08.00 Office of Readings & Morning Prayer
12.30 Midday Prayer
17.00 Rosary
19.30 Evening Mass of the Lord's Supper
Watching until 22.00 in Mater Ecclesia
Good Friday : 21st March 2008
08.00 Office of Readings & Morning Prayer
12.30 Midday Prayer
15.00 Solemn Celebration of the Lord's Passion and Death
19.45 Compline
Holy Saturday : 22nd March 2008
08.00 Office of Readings & Morning Prayer
12.30 Midday Prayer
17.00 Evening Prayer
20.00 The Paschal Vigil
Easter Sunday : 23rd March 2008
07.45 Morning Prayer
09.30 Mass of the Resurrection
12.30 Midday Prayer
Feast of the Chair of Saint Peter
Friday 22nd February 2008
Ceremony of Clothing
This evening our postulant Anne received the white habit of the Dominican Order in a simple yet profound ceremony which took place during vespers. The Prioress, Sister Rosaleen Shaw OP, gave the habit to Anne saying "Receive the habit of the Order of our Holy Father Dominic. May your faith, Hope and Charity grow greater and may you be renewed in holiness of life." After donning the habit the new novice received the name by which she will be known, "In the world you were known as Anne. From henceforth you will be called Sister Mary Anne Frances." Sister's parents and four sisters travelled south for the occasion and joined the Community for a light supper in the guests' dining room. Photographs taken on the day may be viewed in the Gallery & Archive section.
December 2007
Launch of new Website
Our new website was uploaded to the Internet and is best viewed with Windows Internet Explorer - for some reason Mozilla Firefox can't cope with the formatting. The link to the old site has been deleted so please update your bookmark. Kindly report any inaccuracies or broken links to our webmaster Father Richard at frrich@bluebottle.com