Autumn happenings

When the autumn comes, the priory takes on a different pace of life. The cold and wet months of October and November sees a decrease in the numbers visiting the priory. This respite also allows the community to return to it's itinerant call as friars. The last few weeks have seen some of the community sharing their ministry across these lands.

Fr Michael Manning blessing the St Jude oil at Faversham

 Fr Michael, together with novices Bro Tiago and Bro Torsten, journyed 20 miles south to assist the Carmelite community in Faversham during the days around the feast of St Jude. The friary church of Our Lady of Mount Carmel in Faversham houses the national shrine of St Jude and many pilgrims came to celebrate his feast and join in the devotions at the shrine. Tiago and Torsten were also able to see another Carmelite community in action and work with our friars in Faversham

Bro's Tiago and Torsten with Bro Mike Brooks of the Faversham community

Fr David Waite at the Lay Carmelite retreat in Hawkstone Hall

Fr David, our bursar and librarian flexed his preaching muscles with the West Midlands lay Carmelites who had gathered for a weekend retreat in Hawkstone Hall. 

Fr Damian drove to Scotland to visit a lay community of families and young people at Craig Lodge, Dalmally, The Craig Lodge community were celebrating the 20th anniversary of their founding. Over the years many Carmelite friars have worked with the community. Fr Brendan Grady and Fr Tony Lester first worked with some of the young people in community there. In more recent years Fr Damian has had strong links with the community and their work with young people. and feels very close to his highland family.

Fr Damian Cassidy in Dalmally

Today Fr Brendan and Fr Joseph travel to Dublin for a meeting with the Provincial Counils of Ireland and Britain. Please keep them in your prayers as they meet and discuss how the Carmelite family in the UK and Ireland can best serve God's holy people in the coming years.

Being on 'the road' is part of the ministry of a friar. We are to go where God's people gather and share something of our story so that others may see how close God is to them and have confidence in the love of God which is wholly for each of us.