News
CJ ENGLISH PROVINCE ASSEMBLY HINSLEY HALL, LEEDS 30 MAY - 1 JUNE 2013
Twenty-four members of the English Province met at Hinsley Hall, Leeds for the Province Assembly, on the theme "Community for Mission, Today and Tomorrow". Even though not everyone could be there physically, there was a sense in which the whole province was taking part and acting as one united body.
This was the first Assembly after the 2011 General Congregation. Its main purpose was to look as the issues which have arisen since then, following the meeting of the seven European Provincials, and the April 2013 meeting of all Provincial and Regional Superiors - described below. We looked at ourselves realistically in the context of the blessings and diminishments of our times - English Province, the European region, and worldwide - as we considered what is likely to be asked of us in the coming years. The Assembly included five very moving presentations by different members on what had inspired, sustained and supported them in community over the years. In the final evaluation the predominant view was summed up as "energy, commitment, faith, dedication and trust in each one, together with an openness and readiness for the future." Sister Frances and her Council had arranged a balanced programme which included presentations, time for prayer and reflection, group and plenary discussion, with a light touch and and a freedom which enabled all of us to feel included and to contribute with ease and confidence. These days have set up a good foundation for the future, with a real union of minds and hearts.
[Entry dated: 08/06/2013]CAFOD LOBBY OF PARLIAMENT IN SUPPORT OF THE IF CAMPAIGN TO END HUNGER
This campaign is supported by many of the major charities in the country, including CAFOD – the Catholic Fund for Overseas Development. Sr Pat Robb one of the lobby's organisers said, "Big demonstrations make the government acknowledge that people from all backgrounds have a voice. We hope that our politicians will listen to us, but also act to defend the poorest and most hungry in our world." The campaign emphasises that there is enough food for everyone on the planet IF we work concretely to ensure a fair distribution of the food that our planet produces.
PILGRIMAGE TO MOUNT GRACE MAY 2013
The CJ Pilgrimage to Our Lady's Chapel, Mount Grace, Yorkshire, in honour of Mary Ward, took place on 18 May 2013
Despite the rain, the Pilgrimage was a great success, with time for prayer and reflection in this beautiful place, lunch together, and Mass in Mount Grace Chapel at the end of the afternoon. The Congregation of Jesus were joined by members of the Mary Ward Association and other friends.
[Entry dated: 08/06/2013]MEETING OF PROVINCIAL AND REGIONAL SUPERIORS IN ROME APRIL 2013
The 17 Provincial and Regional Superiors of the Congregation of Jesus have been meeting in Rome for Rome for two weeks during April to discuss the life and mission of the CJ.
This truly international group, coming from the continents of Africa, Asia, Europe and South America, has an advisory function.
During the meetings the provincials exercise “collegial responsibility in areas of collaboration and mutual inter-provincial support, common planning, universal mission, formation, and the ‘union of hearts’.”
The photographic record can be seen on the Gallery page. To reach this quickly, click HERE
MARY WARD. Sermon preached at Osbaldwick on 27 January 2013
Evensong in honour of Mary Ward at the Church of St Thomas, Osbaldwick, on 27th January 2012, the Sunday nearest to the anniversary of Mary Ward's death on 30 January 1645 and her burial in Osbaldwick churchyard.
This year Sister Frances Orchard CJ, Provincial Superior, was the preacher To read the sermon CLICK HERE.
[Entry dated: 01/04/2013]MARY WARD PLAQUE IN ROME
The anniversary of Mary Ward’s death – 30 January – was celebrated in a special way in Rome this year as the last joint IBVM/CJ Jubilee project came to fruition. On that afternoon the members of both Generalates, together with the Via Nomentana community, were joined by Monsignor Nicholas Hudson, Rector of the Venerable English College, for the blessing of the newly erected plaque in honour of Mary Ward – a partner to the one recently unveiled in St Omer.
The Rome plaque has been placed on the wall of the English College facing Via Montoro and therefore directly opposite the site of the house in which we believe that Mary Ward and her companions lived when in Rome in the 1620s. The plaque makes specific reference to the work of Mary Ward and her English companions in opening a school for the poor children of Rome in 1625.
It was a very happy and moving occasion for all of us as Mary Ward’s daughters to see her commemorated and honoured in Rome, a city in which she underwent so much suffering in trying to establish “this course of ours…” Ad Majorem Dei Gloriam!
Text and photographs from the CJ Rome Website www.congregatiojesu.org
ST OMER - MARY WARD PLAQUE
In 1609 Mary Ward left England for Flanders with five companions, and early in 1610 she bought a house in St Omer and founded a school for girls. On 28 November 2012 a group of CJs and IBVMs converged on St Omer for the unveiling of a plaque commemorating Mary Ward which has been placed on the wall of her house there. There were about 30 people present for the occasion, including representative of both Generalates, both CJ and IBVM English provinces and the IBVM Irish province. The St Omer civic officials, notably the Mayor and the Deputy Mayor, met the proposal with great enthusiasm and not only supported it but also arranged a Reception to follow the inauguration of the plaque. The Mayor spoke about Mary Ward with a depth of understanding and appreciation that moved us all. It was a very happy day with a real sense of the union of minds and hearts among all Mary Ward’s daughters – which we all experienced as we prayed together in the Cathedral and sang the Salve Regina in front of the statue of Notre Dame de Miracles, a statue before which we know that Mary Ward also praye
d.The initiative for this plaque, as for its partner which will be placed on the wall of the English College in Rome, came from the two Generalates and is the final collaboration of the Jubilee years. The Rome plaque will be inaugurated in 2013.
ST BEDE'S PASTORAL CENTRE. 25 YEAR CELEBRATION 1987 - 2012
On May 26th 2012 a crowd of friends and visitors, including three of the five Ampleforth monks who were its original founders, descended on St Bede’s house and garden for an all-day celebration of St Bede's 25 year Jubilee. With an exhibition in the house, delicious food and drink temptingly set out in the sunny garden and a wonderful welcome, there was time for joyful talk and reminiscences until the day closed as we gathered in the garden for a moving liturgy of ‘Thanksgiving for God’s Hospitality’.
In 1987 St Bede’s Pastoral Centre was set up in No 21 Blossom Street by a group of five Ampleforth monks. This was part of the great change which was taking place at the Bar Convent from 1985 onwards, following the closure of the Bar Convent Grammar School and the transfer of buildings to the Diocese for the new All Saints School. The Bar Convent community’s desire for a pastoral centre coincided with the wishes of Bishop Harris of Middlesbrough and Abbot Patrick Barry of Ampleforth to have an urban centre in the Diocese. In 1994 the Benedictines withdrew in order to take on other work in Yorkshire but during their seven years they had established St Bede’s as a place of welcome, friendly hospitality and spiritual support for all who
Today St Bede’s serves not only the people of York city but far beyond. To the Benedictine ethos of Christian hospitality and acceptance of all people the CJ has added its own knowledge and practice of the spirituality of St. Ignatius Loyola and his teachings on prayer enshrined in his Spiritual Exercises. Following the initial impetus of Fr William Broderick SJ, Sr Cecilia Goodman has set up courses in personal and spiritual development, spiritual accompaniment, and support for spiritual directors in the north of England.
The history of those 25 years is told by Beth Harrison in a fascinating book, The Story of St Bede’s, designed by Beth and lavishly illustrated with photographs by Cecilia Goodman CJ. A generous donation by the Friends of St Bede’s has enabled this book to be sold for £5.95 per copy. For St Bede's Website with further details click HERE.
For more photographs see the GALLERY PAGE.
MARY WARD DOCUMENTARY DVD
Mary Ward - Dangerous Visionary
This one hour documentary DVD, produced by Sarah Macdonald and the Irish TV production company ‘New Decade’ was shown during an evening session at the International Eucharistic Congress in Dublin. The theme that day was 'Communion in suffering and healing' which is appropriate for the story of Mary Ward.
'Mary Ward - Dangerous Visionary' includes re-enactments of seminal moments in Mary Ward’s life with historical commentary. It incorporates footage of two projects where Mary Ward Sisters are working today. While education has traditionally been a major part of her Sisters' work, she herself wanted her members to respond to the needs of the times. Their ministry, she wrote, would be “care of the faith and other works congruous to the times”. In her own time she sent some of her companions to support the priests on the dangerous English Mission.
Footage from the Bar Convent in York, near to the scenes of Mary Ward’s birth and death, is juxtaposed with aspects of her story in the 21st century work done by her Institute. Part of the documentary contains visually arresting images from locations in South Sudan and Canada which challenge viewers on issues such as education of girls who face discrimination and the marginalisation of the mentally ill and homeless.
The DVD is available from the Bar Convent shop, price £9 sterling per copy plus £3 UK packing and postage.
YORK BLITZ April 29th 1942
April 29th was the anniversary of the 'Baedeker Air Raid' on York, with the destruction of the Bar Convent's East Wing and part of the main building - and the deaths of five Sisters. A special Mass of Remembrance and Reconciliation was celebrated in the Bar Convent Chapel for these Sisters, for all those who lost their lives that night in York, and for all who die in war and conflict. The Chapel was crowded with people of all ages, and the older generation as they met after the Mass, exchanged memories of that terrible night. A Service of Remembrance was also held in the church of St Mary Le Grand, the York church which had suffered complete destruction in the bombing and had been rebuilt after the war. With articles and photographs daily in the local Press, this was a week of memory and prayers for peace.
MUNICH - PARADEISERHAUS EXCAVATION IN PROGRESS
In 1627 Mary Ward founded the first school for girls in Bavaria, at the request of the Elector Maximilian, who gave her a house in the Weinstrasse, named the Paradeiserhaus.
This house and school survived the suppression of Mary Ward’s congregation in 1631 but was confiscated by the government in 1809 and totally destroyed by aerial bombing in 1945. Archaeological excavations are now in progress; the cellars of the Paradeiserhaus have been discovered and 25 members of the Middle European Province have been able to visit the site.
It was the survival of the Paradeiserhaus after 1631 which saved Mary Ward’s congregation, providing a safe place where new members could be accepted and then sent out to found new communities in Germany and England. This was due to the selfless energy and sound judgement of Winefrid Bedingfield (1610 – 1666), older sister of Frances Bedingfield who founded the Bar Convent in York in 1686.
CJ SOCIAL MINISTRY
See the CJ Social Ministry page on this website. It includes the activities of CJ Provinces worldwide, as well as those of the English Province.
St Joseph's - RECENT EXTENSION ADDED
St Joseph's, York is the community for the elderly frail members of the CJ English Province who need 24 hour care. It is run by Sr Agatha, Margaret Loftus, and a team of devoted nurses and carers, but until recently the cramped nature of the premises has made their task extremely difficult. The completion of a much-needed extension coincided with the celebration of the Province Jubilees on 20 June 2009, and the festivities began with a service of blessing in St Joseph's Chapel. As well as the small but beautiful Chapel, the extension contains a fine sitting room and dining area, new bedrooms, wider corridors for wheelchairs, and various other much needed facilities, making space for better accommodation in the main house for the nurses as well as for the eleven Sisters. The opening day was a most happy occasion for everybody, and a selection of photographs can be seen on the Gallery Page
[Entry dated: 05/02/2012]NEW MARY WARD BOOK
A new book of Mary Ward source texts has been published by the Catholic Record Society, in preparation for the Jubilee 400 year 1609-2009: Mary Ward (1585-1645) A Briefe Relation with Autobiographical Fragments and a Selection of Letters, edited by Christina Kenworthy-Browne CJ, Boydell and Brewer 2008. The Briefe Relation, the earliest biography of Mary Ward, is thought to have been written c. 1650 by Mary Poyntz, one of her closest companions,. A successful book launch was hosted jointly by the CRS and the CJ at the Bar Convent on 2 December 2008. This book is available at a discount offer on the price from The Bar Convent, York.
[Entry dated: 05/02/2012]PUBLICATION OF MARY WARD SOURCE TEXTS
The long awaited publication of Mary Ward and Her Foundation.The Source Texts to 1645 has now taken place. Mary Ward und ihre Grundung. Die Quellentexte bis 1645, 4 vols, edited by Sr Ursula Dirmeier CJ, was published in Munster, Germany at the end of 2007. The texts are presented in their original languages with full introductions and notes in German. For further information on this important collection, which was presented to the Holy Father in March 2008, see the Talks and Documents page on this website where there is an account of the presentation and some photographs.
[Entry dated: 05/02/2012]Mary Ward honoured in Yorkshire, the County of her birth
The Yorkshire Society, a large group of members and corporate members, seeks to honour the achievements of distinguished people born in Yorkshire by erecting Yorkshire Rose Plaques in places with which they were associated. Up to now these plaques have celebrated famous Yorkshire men. On 31 March 2007 the Society came to the Bar Convent to set up on the front wall a plaque for Mary Ward, the first woman to be so honoured. This fine plaque, engraved by John Shaw on blue Welsh slate, has been much admired.