Welcome to Boarbank Hall

‘We should not think that any care we give to the dead will reach them themselves, except the solemn supplications we offer for them, around the altar, in our private prayers, and through our almsgiving’ (St Augustine, On Caring for the Dead, 22)

Funeral of Augustine’s father, Patrick, Historia Augustini (1430-1440), Berlin

October / November 2011 News

On 21st September, we celebrated the ninetieth anniversary of the foundation of Boarbank on 29th September 1921. Bishop Michael celebrated the Mass, along with a sanctuary full of priests. [Click here for sermon] We were joined by several hundred visitors for the Mass and a buffet lunch after, using the marquee we had hired for the occasion! It was lovely to see so many old friends, including Sisters from Park House in Liverpool, the community from which we were founded and from Ince Blundell, our “sister” community also founded from Park House. To commemorate the anniversary, the Sisters had prepared an exhibition 90 years of memorabilia, including a mannequin in one of the original habits! The exhibition, including lots of old photos, has been being enjoyed by guests and staff over the last couple of months.

On 23rd September, the Amabile choir, a local girls’ choir and former winner of the BBC Radio 3 Youth Choir of the Year, gave a concert to an audience which filled the chapel. A superb and varied programme ranging from ‘Panis Angelicus’ to ‘You’ll never walk alone’, and finishing with an Irish blessing was greatly enjoyed by all. It was an excellent performance and we thank the choir, their conductor and pianist and their helpers. This was kindly sponsored by a friend who wishes to remain anonymous and to whom we are are most grateful. We would like to thank our friends here who helped with tickets, parking, raffle and refreshments - Sheila R, Sheila P, Peter, Shirley and Aidan.

Another lovely celebration was held on 18th November, for Sr Placid’s Diamond Jubilee. Fr Bede Leach OSB from Ampleforth celebrated the Mass, and a suitably celebratory meal followed. Sr Placid’s sisters and brothers-in-law, and her two Benedictine Sisters from Princethorpe and Fernham, Sr Mary Bernard and Sr Mary Stephen, who are now at Minster Abbey in Kent were all able to come and stay. They are all old friends of the Community and it was especially good to have them for such a joyful occasion.

Sr Yvonne spent three weeks in hospital having a hip replacement. We are very glad that she is back with us, with her pain relieved. Various Sisters have been taking their week in Ambleside over this period, and most of us have been very blessed with the unseasonably fine weather. On 23rd November we held our annual Day of Prayer for the Deceased Sisters of the Community.

The formation group benefited from two visiting speakers during October. Fr Adrian Towers gave talks on ethics, focusing on conscience and the right to truth. Sr Madeleine from South Africa, an old friend of this Community came to stay for a week on 28 th October, and had sessions with the formation group on the history of the Federation. She outlined three periods: the medieval period before the rule and constitution were established, the period influenced by the reforms of the Council of Trent, including enclosure, and the modern period when the Second Vatican Council provided a stimulus to the work that had already begun of rediscovering the Augustinian inspiration of the newly established Federation.

Sr Madeleine with Sr Silvana and Sr Josephine

Sr Ildikó and Sr Margaret travelled to France on 22nd September to attend a two week gathering of the ‘SM 45’, that is, the Sisters of the Federation who are (in theory!!) 45 and under. We are very grateful to Fr Chris Ingle and his friends the Thompsons for their lovely hospitality, which made it possible for us to travel to Dieppe by ferry, a real treat on a beautiful sunny day. The Community at Thibermont, near Dieppe, welcomed us to their lovely guest house, a converted mews in the grounds of the old manor house that is now their convent, set in lovely woods, complete with woodpeckers and red squirrels. The perfect weather matched all the other delights of the week: lovely hospitality from the Community, a very beautiful Office in their calm and simple chapel, the warm friendship of the other Sisters, from France, Burkina Faso and Nigeria France and Poland, and excellent talks. These were given by Sr Marie Aimee and Sr Jean Thérèse of Thibermont, on the history and charism of the Federation respectively, and by Pere Joël, Abbot of Mondaye, a Norbertine Abbey, who talked about the history and charism of the Canons - the Norbertines are very close to us in their rule and in their inspiration, aiming in a similar way to combine the contemplative and the active vocation, grounded in serving the local people and church. It was good to explore what it means for us to be ‘Canonesses’, a more precise description for us than ‘nuns’, or even ‘Sisters’.

After the week in France we flew with our group to Cracow to take part for a week in the second international Divine Mercy Conference, from 1st-5th Octover. There we were part of the 200-strong French contingent among about 3,000 participants from 70 countries. We stayed in the centre of that very beautiful city, which combines a feel of Eastern Europe with Italian influences, with its elegant square and open-air cafes and many lovely churches. On the first day we were given a guided tour of the castle of Wawel, which had been the seat of the Polish kings until the seventeenth century.

The theme of the conference was ‘Mercy, the source of hope’. Delegates from parishes, dioceses, movements and new communities, priests and religious and interested lay people were invited to take part. The conference was held in the Divine Mercy shrine of Lagi, built next to the convent where Sr Faustina lived. The liturgies were beautifully celebrated with great dignity and reverence, in Latin and several other languages, with multiple translation available. Cardinal Stanislaw Dziwisz, the Metropolitan of Cracow, recalled during the opening ceremony that the message of the divine mercy was central to the teaching of Pope John Paul II: the Church in its whole mission should be more aware and more motivated by the mercy of God. Both Popes John Paul II and Benedict XVI have called us to experience divine mercy and its effects: changing mentalities, making our lives shine, making people free, giving joy, bringing about vocations, creating community.

Various topics were examined in the light of Pope John Paul II’s encyclical of 1980, Dives in Misericordia (‘Rich in Mercy’). Personal testimonies were also given by people living in very diverse, and often adverse, settings. The participants also reflected on the New Evangelisation in view of the 2012 Synod of Bishops, which will be held in October. This evangelisation is called ‘new’ because of the new zeal, the new methods and the new expressions it will involve. The first proclamation should be: ‘God loves you.’ The New Evangelisation must create mature Christian communities.

On Monday, the congress prayed for peace and mercy for the world during a silent march at the site of the former Nazi German concentration camp of Auschwitz-Birkenau, and on Tuesday an ecumenical prayer for Christian unity was held at Wadowice, the birthplace of John Paul II. Before we left Poland, the Sisters went to visit the beautiful sanctuary of the Black Madonna of Jasna Gora in Czestochowa.

Sr Ildikó and Sr Margaret are very grateful for the opportunity to have experienced such a rich two weeks, and to make friends and live in community with our Sisters from across the world, all of whom are doing wonderful work helping the poor and sick, some of them in difficult and even dangerous circumstances. Please keep our African Sisters in particular in your prayers.

Teresa came from China on 15th November to join us for four months to improve her English and work in the Guest House. We are very pleased to continue our link with China.

From 3rd to 6th October, Sr Annette and Sr Elizabeth went to the Association of Provincial Bursars Conference in High Leigh.

On 11th October, Sr Ildikó and Sr Geneviève attended prizegiving at Cartmel School, where several of our young staff received prizes. Congratulations to all of them. On 6th October Eaglesfield Paddle School in Cockermouth brought their Year 5 for a day of recollection and input from the Sisters, with the opportunity for each child to ask the Sisters a question.

On 21st November, Sr Eileen and Sr Anne were able to make a return visit to their school for a performance of ‘Hairspray”.

On 27th October two of the Sisters attended a day for the religious of the diocese at Brettargh Holt, at which Fr Dixie spoke about the background to Benedict XVI’s book Jesus of Nazareth, linking this to broad themes including Vatican II and ecumenism, and faith and reason. Fr Dixie also gave his annual lecture to the Catenians in Chesterfield in early October, also on Benedict XVI, and has begun a series of talks on the infancy narratives at St Charles’ Parish as a preparation for Christmas.

In Marymount, there was a film matinée on 5th October of the Ealing comedy ‘The Lady killers’, and a music night on 9th November on the theme ‘H’ for Harmony. On both occasions guests joined the patients for the entertainment.

On 24th September a group of Mother Teresa’s volunteers came for a day of recollection and spiritual direction.

A moving Remembrance Day Mass included Sr Anne playing the Last Post and Fr Dixie’s sermon recalling the sacrifice of so many using the words of the War Poets. [Click here for sermon]

On 14th November we were joined by a small group of healthcare professionals for the second of our Health and Salvation weeks on the theme of ‘Ethical Dilemmas’. Three visiting consultants gave superb talks on general ethical dilemmas, on end-of-life care and on questions of fertility. We were joined through the week also by some of the other guests and by day visitors. The participants joined fully in the prayer of the Community, and also enjoyed some social activities, including a walk around Easedale Tarn in Grasmere for the more energetic, a film and a social evening. For a full report see the Health and Salvation page.

We are very sad to report the deaths of two residents of Marymount, Mr Martin Kevill, on 19th September and Mrs Anne Fagan on 20th October, and also of Mr Chris O’Gorman, Sr Imelda’s brother. Fr Dixie preached the homily for Chris’ funeral, and Sr Eileen and Sr Anne were able to attend the funeral. We offer sympathy to all of their families and friends. May they rest in peace.

As always we are extremely grateful to all our donors and benefactors, our staff, patients and guests, our families and friends for their generosity, care and support. We recently received £500 from an anonymous donor and a number of legacies. Bethany continues to be appreciated by those who stay there and at present the total of fundraising and donations for the refurbishment is £17,000. Thank you too to all who gift aid their donations - the extra income is very welcome.

All are remembered in our prayers.

Future Events

Can we ask you to spread the word about our new week for teachers, during the February half-term? Please emphasise that there will be an atmosphere of holiday, recreation and retreat - it is NOT just another work conference. We know that busy teachers need a restorative break at half-term! The details are:

VISION IN EDUCATION , 13th-18th February, for Catholic schoolteachers and those who teach in Catholic schools. This is a new venture following the model of our other weeks for professionals who lead busy lives and need time to relax, enjoy themselves and talk about their work and their faith in a context of prayer, community and friendship. Speakers will include two experienced head teachers and the diocesan director of education, with talks including a mix of theology and practical experience. The ideal half-term break to refresh and renew a Catholic teacher! Cost: single rooms from £290, or £225 for the low paid. [Click here for leaflet].

Here is our full programme of Retreats and study weeks for 2012:

9th-14th January Health and Salvation: the spiritual care of the sick . Retreat for healthcare workers

13th-18th February Vision in Education. Retreat and holiday for Catholic schoolteachers and those who teach in Catholic schools.

9th-11th March: Time to Reflect: what is education anyway? Retreat for lecturers.

28th April to 3rd May: Freedom and Hope: faith in prisons . Retreat and holiday for all who work for prisoners.

19th-26th May: Thinking Scripture: Acts of the Apostles . Study week open to all.

21st-27th July: Thinking Faith: faith and hope . Holiday/study/retreat for Catholic students and young professionals.

8th-15th September: Thinking Scripture: Acts of the Apostles . Study week open to all.

12th- 17th November: Health and Salvation: the spiritual care of the sick . Retreat for healthcare workers.

For more information see the Events page, or contact Sr Margaret Atkins on Sr Margaret@Boarbank or 015395-32288.

Christmas Services

Christmas Eve	Evening Prayer	3.30 pm
	Office of Readings	5.30 pm
	Mass	10 pm

Christmas Day	Morning Prayer	7 am
	Mass	10 am
	Evening Prayer	6 pm

Christmas week	Morning Prayer	7 am
	Mass	10 am
	Evening Prayer	6 pm