Philip Whitehead, an alumnus of our former school, is carving the centenary stone which will be blessed during the Mass on June 21.The first of six groups of Year 9 pupils from Bl Hugh Faringdon School, Reading, came for a Retreat Day.
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June 27 - 29
Fr Gervase led a Pastoral Programme Retreat Praying the Prayer of the Church.June 26
The Diocese of Oxford School Advisory Committee met in the Conference Centre.June 24
Retreatants taking part in a Spirituality & Music retreat at Osterley came for Vespers, preceeded by a talk from Fr Gervase.June 23 - 27
A group from the Retired Clergy Association (Anglican) are working in the Guest House and Conference Centre for five days.June 22
Fr Edmund Power OSB, who is Prior of Sant' Anselmo, Rome, presided at Mass to celebrate the 25th anniversary of his ordination. The Abbot Primate, Notker Wolf OSB, was present and played the flute during communion.June 21
A festive buffet lunch was held in the former school refectory for the Douai Society, the Association Guillaume Allen and the monastic community.
In the evening in the Abbey Church the first of the three summer concerts of baroque music was given by members of 'London Baroque'.
Opening of the year of celebrations of the centenary of the community's arrival in England. (June 18, 1903).June 20
The members of the Association Guillaume Allen from Douai, France, who are coming to join the centenary celebrations arrived this afternoon.June 15
The parish of St Joseph, Newbury, came for a picnic in the grounds.June 14
Fr Gervase travelled to our parish of Alcester, Warwickshire, to set up an oblate chapter there. Four oblate novices were enrolled.June 13 - 15
The last of the current series of Spirituality-in-the-Workplace retreat/workshops directed by Fr Dermot took place. A new series will begin in October.June 11
Douai Oblate Newsletter no 19 is now published.June 9Diocese of Oxford Industrial Mission Team met in the Conference Centre.
June 8 WHITSUNDAYThe first of six groups of Year 9 pupils from Bl Hugh Faringdon School, Reading, came for a Retreat Day.
The music at Mass was Mozart's Credo Mass, Processional: Veni Creator plainchant with fauxbourdon by Henry Washington, Offertory: Confirma hoc and Communion: Factus est repente by Byrd. The organ recessional was Veni Creator by Durufle.June 7A group came from St Peter's parish, Winchester, for Mass and a Day of Recollection. Fr Gervase gave them a conference in the afternoon.
The Reading Bach Choir gave a concert of English Music From Tallis to Tavener in the Abbey Church. About 230 people attended.June 6 - 8Fr Abbot confirmed seven Catholic girls from Downe House School in the Parish Church: they had been catechised by Br Christopher Greener OSB.
Fr Gervase Holdaway OSB gave a Readers Workshop at St Joseph's Parish, Maidenhead.
Fr Oliver Holt OSB gave the Holy Spirit Retreat, part of the Pastoral Programme.June 5
The Diocesan Council of Priests with the bishop held their meeting in the Conference Centre.June 2
Fr Peter Bowe OSB returned from an Interfaith Conference in Liege, Belgium.Fr Dermot Tredget OSB gave the first of four lectures at the church of St Mary Moorfield, City of London, on Spirituality in the Workplace.
Fr Gervase Holdaway OSB began a Pastoral Programme for Training Ministers of the Eucharist.
A Memorial Mass for Fr James Donovan OSB was held in St Gregory's church, Cheltenham, Glos. Fr James had been parish priest there from 1961 - 84. Fr Austin Gurr OSB who had been an assistant priest there presided, Fr Timothy Kelly OSB, who had been Fr James' successor as parish priest preached, and Fr Richard Jones OSB, currently parish priest of Broadway, also attended.
May 31
Fr Nicholas led a Healing Workshop, part of the Pastoral Programme.May 30 - June 1
A group of Catholic lay people with Benedictine connections known as the Manquehue group came for a retreat led by Sr Catherine Cruz and the Verbum Dei community from Reading.May 25 -30
Eight men from the southern dioceses who are to be ordained to the permanent diaconate shortly came to make their pre-ordination retreat.May 24 - 31
Fr Gervase went to lead a Lectio Divina retreat at Marie Repatrice Retreat Centre, Wimbledon, South London.May 24
Pastoral Programme event Christians Meeting Zen led by Fr Peter Bowe OSB and George Robertson was held in the Conference Centre. About twenty people took part.May 23The first meeting of the Bracknell Group, organised by Fr Nicholas Broadbridge OSB took place in the Conference Centre.
Fr James Donovan's funeral took place today. There was large congregation, many coming from the various parishes he had served, including a coach load from Cheltenham. During the procession to the cemetary and the burial the newly hung bell was tolled.May 22
The bell which had been restored at Nicholson's bell works in Bridport was hung in the north tower of the Abbey Church. For the present it is used for the Angelus at midday and 6pm and to signal the start of all the day offices.May 21
May 19 - 21The North West American chapter of the Knights and Dames of the Holy Sepulchre visited the Abbey, hosted by the English & Welsh chapter. They joined the monks for Mass at 11.30 and lunch. Afterwards Fr Abbot gave them a conducted tour.
Fr Nicholas led a Retreat for the Third Age, part of the Pastoral Programme.May 17
A University of Reading Dayschool was held in the Conference Centre in conjunction with the Pastoral Programme. The subject was 'By the labour of their hands: medieval and Victorian images of work'. The subject matter included images of trade in stained glass at Chartres Cathedral, representations of work in Chaucer's 'Canterbury Tales', work in Victorian paintings and rest and ease in Victorian poetry.May 16 - 18
Hartney Whitney parish, Hants, held a men's retreat at Douai.
May 15Fr James Donovan OSB died whilst the community were at conventual MassMay 12
The Trondheim Solists, a young Norwegian group of string players, some still students, with trumpeter Ole Edvard Antonsen gave a concert in the Abbey Church as part of the Newbury Spring Festival. The programme was Handel Suite in D, Mendelssohn Sinfonia no 10, Albinoni Concerto for trumpet and strings in B flat, Teleman Concert Sonata in D for trumpet and strings, and Shostakovich Chamber Symphony no 110a. Part of Grieg's Holberg Suite was played as an encore.May 11
The Bishop of Oxford, Richard Harries, opened an exhibition of paintings in the Abbey Church, 'Step Into The Picture'. This is part of the 'Open Studio Project', running alongside the Newbury Spring Festival. 'Step Into The Picture' is a joint and ongoing project between the artist, Paul Forsey, the Diocese of Oxford and the publisher Barnabas. The exhibition is of illustrations for a children's book about the life of Jesus, which are a contemporary essay in the tradition of the illustrated manuscript. In his address Bishop Harries spoke of the importance of art in passing on the Christian message. The exhibition will remain in the church for a week.May 9 - 11
A 'Myers-Briggs' course was held in the Conference Centre.May 8Br Hugh Somerville Knapman OSB represented the community at the sesquicentenary of L'Institution St Jean at Douai in France.
Fr Oliver gave the first of three talks on 'Science & Religion'in the Conference Centre, part of the Pastoral Programme and Fr Gervase gave a talk on 'Benedictine Spirituality' at Campion House, Osterley.May 7
Fr Peter flew to Ireland for a Benedictine bursars' meeting at Glenstal Abbey, Co Limerick.
May 3
The Choir of Clare College, Cambridge, gave a concert of Music for Eastertide in the Abbey Church. The propramme consisted of Motets Lobet den Herm & Jesus meine Freude by J.S. Bach; Dum transisset Sabbatum by John Taverner; two organ works, Toccata in 7 & Duet: Variations on an Easter Theme, and The Lord bless you and keep you by John Rutter; and a contemporary work, Son of God Mass, with saxophone obligato by James Whitbourn, who was present. There was a large appreciative audience.Fr Nicholas led a Healing Workshop, part of the Pastoral Programme.
May 2 - 5
Nine people took part in a Lectio Divina retreat, led by Fr Gervase, part of the Pastoral Programme.
May 2
We learn that Oblate Tom Barrow's funeral will take place at St Edward's Church, Windsor, on Friday May 9 at 12 noon.
May 1
May opens with rain and strong wind; the weather has become much colder.
April 30
We heard this morning that Oblate Tom Barrow had died in Wrexham Park, Hospital, Slough, after a long illness, suffering from colon cancer and diabetes. Please pray for him.
April 25 - 27
A Pastoral Programme Spirituality in the Workplace retreat-workshop took place in the Conference Centre.
April 20 EASTER SUNDAY
A large congregration attended the Easter Vigil., and an even bigger number the Morning Mass. The music included Regina Caeli by Soriano and Surgens Jesus by Peter Philips.April 18 Good Friday
At the Solemn Liturgy in the afternoon the music included Popule meus and O vos omnes by Victoria, the Reproaches by C.Hope, Sepulto Domino by Zelenka and We adore you, O Christ by C. Mawby.April 17 Maundy ThursdayAt the Service of Music and Reflections in the evening, for which the Abbey Church was full, the Order of Service was:
- Organ Prelude Herzliebster Jesu - J.C. Oley
- Hymn: There is God's garden stands a tree (verses 1-3) - J.S.Bach.
- Introduction and Prayer
- How doth the City sit solitary - Matthew Locke
- Popule Meus - Lajos Bardos
- Quartre Motets pour le Temps de Penitence - Francis Poulenc (each followed by a reflection)
- Timor et Tremor
- Tristes est anima mea
- Vinea mea electa
- Tenebrae factae sunt
- Drop, drop, slow tears - William Walton
- Salvator mundi - John Blow
- Hymn There in God's garden stands a tree (verses 4 -6) - J.S. Bach
- Prayer and Blessing
- Organ Postlude Hertzliester Jesu - H. Bornefeld
At the Mass of the Last Supper the Douai Singers sang music by Byrd (part of the Mass for Three Voices), Durufle (Ubi caritas), Mozart (Ave Verum) and Palestrina (Pange linqua).April 17 - 20
Twenty-four people stayed with us for the Easter Triduum Retreat; the talks this year were given by Fr Gervase.
April 17
The 2002 issue of The Douai Magazine is now avilable on line.April 13
Superb weather for the Palm Sunday procession from St Mary's Parish Church to the Abbey Church for the start of the Holy Week celebrations. The Douai Abbey Singers sang music by Victoria and Bardos.April 12 - 13
A Cursillo Formation Weekend was held in the Guesthouse and Conference Centre.April 12
Br Christopher Greener OSB led a Day of Recollection for Ministers of the Eucharist and Readers from four local parishes, as part of the Pastoral Programme.April 11
In the evening the Newbury Choral Society combined with the Royal Leamington Spa Bach Choir to give a performance of Rachmaninov's Vespers in the Abbey Church which was filled almost to capacity.
Fr Wilfrid Sollom OSB and Fr Terence FitzPatrick OSB took the Bell which had been brought from France in 1903, to Bridport, Dorset, for restoration.
April 7 - 11
Eight pre-seminary students from Campion House, Osterley, came for a silent five day retreat with their two spiritual directors, Fr Tony Nye SJ and Sr Annie Bromham IBVM.
April 4 - 6
A group of our oblates gathered for a retreat here. After Compline on Saturday oblate ceremonies took place in the Abbey Church.
April 1
A sudden change in the weather! April showers and winds brought an end to the fine sunny three weeks we have enjoyed during March.
Mar 31
The Clerkes of Christchurch, Oxford, arrived for three days of recording in the Abbey Church. They are making a CD of 16th century polyphony.
Mar 29
A busy Saturday! 42 parishioners from St Thomas More Parish, Markborough, Wilts, came for a Day of Recollection in the Conference Centre with Mass in the Parish Church, led by their own parish priest. Fr Nicholas Broadbridge OSB led a 'Holy Spirit Day' for Maidenhead Catholic parish Alpha Course at Henley, and Fr Gervase Holdaway OSB gave a Day of Recollection at St Teresa's Parish, Beaconsfield, Bucks, for the Ministers of the Eucharist and Readers.
In the evening the Phoenix Choir gave a concert in the Abbey Church, with music from the sixteenth to the twenty first centuries.
Mar 28 - 30
A Spirituality-in-the-Workplace 'follow up' weekend took place under the direction of Fr Dermot Tredget OSB
Mar 27
Fr George Augustine OSB, a monk of Assirvirnam monastery, India, has come to stay for three weeks. He is currently studying in the USA at Valyermo, CA.Mar 26 - 27
Fr Peter Bowe OSB attended a meeting of Monastic Interfaith Dialogue at Minster Priory, Kent.
Mar 21 - 23
This weekend Fr Nicholas Broadbridge OSB gave a 'Healing' Retreat at Osterley Retreat House, London. Prior Dermot Tredget OSB led a 'Spirituality in the Workplace' Workshop at Glenstal Abbey, Ireland, and Fr Gervase Holdaway OSB attended the Diocesan Church Unity Committee and Ecumenical Forum at Park Place, Wickham, Hampshire.
Mar 15 - 21
Fr Abbot travelled to St Louis, MO, for a meeting of the EBC Abbots and Abbesses. This is the first time they have met in the USA.
Mar 14 - 16
Fr Gervase Holdaway OSB led a Lectio Divina retreat at Osterley Retreat House, London.
Mar 13
The Historic Churches Committee for the south of England met in the Conference Centre.
Mar 9
First Sunday of Lent, the music at Mass was Kyrie & Agnus from Missa Quarti Toni by Victoria, Sanctus XVII, Ave Regina Caelorum by Soriano and Ave Verum by Saint-Saens.
Mar 7 - 9
This weekend the Pastoral Programme organised two events, a Lent Retreat led by Fr Gervase and on Saturday a Workshop Healing Families led by Fr Nicholas.
Mar 5
Work is being done by Martin Hagan, our electrician, on separated the power supplies for the monastery from the former school system.
Mar 3
We have been hosting three Jesuit scholastics from Eastern Europe who came for a retreat prior to diaconate ordination at Farm Street Church, London, at the end of the week. They are studying theology at Heythrop College, London.
Mar 1
Thames Voyces gave a concert in the Abbey Church which included Latin motets by Elgar, Durufle, Poulenc and Rutter's Requiem.
Mar 1 - 2
A group of seminarians from Oscott College, Birmingham, came for an 'away' day.
Feb 28 - Mar 2
A 'Team of Our Lady' from Merton, South London, came for a weekend retreat.
Feb 24 - 28
Eight Priests took part in a retreat organised by the Pastoral Programme.
Feb 23
The English Baroque Choir sang Choral Evensong in the Anglican Rite in the Abbey Church this afternoon. Canon Christine Redgrave, vicar of Woolhampton presided. There was a large congregation.
- Introit: The Lord is my Shepherd - Lennox Berkeley
- Responses - Millington
- Magnificat & Nunc Dimittis - Alan Gray
- Anthem: Save Us O Lord - Bairstow
Feb 22
The University of Reading held two Saturday Schools in the Conference Centre in partnership with the Pastoral Programme. One, Christian Poetry, was given by Myra Cottingham, Phillipa Hardman and Fr Oliver Holt OSB, and the other, Rayonnant architecture in 13th century France, was given by John McNeill. Over twenty people attended each school.
Feb 21 - 23
Hatton Road Baptist Church came for a weekend retreat in the Guesthouse, their last weekend together as a church, since their neighbourhood has been swallowed up by the extension to London Airport.
Feb 20 -22
John Webster, an Anglican ordinand, who lives in the next village, Beenham, spent three days with us 'on placement' as part of his ordination training. He will be required to give a presentation on the monastic community.
Feb 20
The novice mistress and the two novices came from Stanbrook Abbey to spend a day with our novices and have classes together.
Feb 19
SpiritWorks held a conference in the Conference Centre.
Feb 18
Tree surgeons cut down an ash tree and timmed a beech and an oak in preparation for the monastery building works.
Feb 17 - 19
Girls from St Bernard's Convent School, Slough, came with Sr Stella for a retreat in the cottages.
Feb 16
The annual Organ Recital by an award winner at the Oundle School for Young Organists was given in the Abbey Church this afternoon. The 2002 winner, Katherine Hambridge, aged 18, playedKatherine will be organ scholar at Worcester Cathedral 2003/4 and organ scholar at Girton College, Cambridge, from 2004.
- J.S Bach - Trio Sonata in Eflat
- J.S. Bach - Prelude and Fugue in A BWV 536
- Mendelssohn - Sonata in A op 65
- Cesar Franck - Pastorale
- Haydn - Three Pieces for a Musical Clock
- Alaian - Le Jardin suspendu
Feb 15
The Douai Oblate Newsletter no 18 was published today.The Pastoral Programme organised a Meditation Workshop led by Fr Peter Bowe OSB and a Healing Workshop led by Fr Nicholas Broadbridge OSB.
Feb 14
The chief army chaplains held a meeting in the Conference Centre.
Feb 13
St Joseph's, Maidenhead, Parish Pastoral Council had a Retreat Day in the Conference Centre led by Fr Gervase.
Feb 8
Dr John Rowntree led a workshop for church choir directors and members as part of the Pastoral Programme. Twenty took part.In the evening The West and Central Berks Music Schools held their annual concert in the Abbey Church. Nearly 200 young people took part.
Feb 7 - 15
Two Indian Grace & Compassion Benedictine sisters Sr Arokiaselvi and Sr ArokiaMary came to make their pre-solemn profession retreat here. They belong to the houses in Bognor Regis and Bury St Edmunds.
Feb 6
The annual Conventual Chapter took place, many of the community living in parishes came in for the occasion.
Feb 5 - 7
Twenty - seven students and faculty from Allen Hall Seminary, London, held a mini-retreat here.
Feb 5
A group of School Chaplains from the Portsmouth Diocese held a Day of Recollection in the guesthouse.Fr Gervase attended a diocesan meeting at Maidenhead on the topic of priests' retreats.
Feb 4
Euphony, a telecommunications organisation held a business seminar in the Conference Centre.
Feb 3
Prior Dermot Tredget gave the annual Plater Lecture at Plater College, Oxford, on Business Ethics.
Feb 2 Feast of the Presentation
Mass began with the blessing of candles and procession. The Douai Singers sang Missa Brevis by Rheinberger, Senex puerum by Byrd and Nunc Dimittis by Victoria.
Jan 31 - Feb 2
A group of a dozen young people connected with the Church of St Mary Moorfields in the City of London came for a weekend Spirituality in the Workplace retreat led by Fr Dermot and organised by Fr Peter Newby, Parish Priest. Most were employed in the City of London.
Jan 30
A JCB digger arrived this morning and commenced digging holes for the laying of cables and pipes to the Parish Church, so that when it is divided off from the school buildings it will continue to have electricity, water and telephone connections. This is the beginning of the enabling works for the development of the site.Jan 29
Probus, an organisiation or retired professional and business people came on a visit, joined us for Midday Prayer and had lunch.
Jan 28
Sir David Goodall gave a talk to the community on the role of the monastery in today's secular society. The text will be published in the next issue of The Douai Magazine.
Jan 27
The Waverley Group held a meeting in the Conference Centre.
Jan 26
Fr Abbot preached at a Unity Service at Harrow-on-the-Hill United Reform Church.
Jan 25
A Pastoral Programme Healing Workshop was conducted by Fr Nicholas.
Jan 24 - 25
Berkshire Girl Guide Commissioners held a meeting the Guest House and Conference Centre.
Jan 24
Oxford Christian Institute for Counselling held a retreat in the Conference Centre
Jan 22 - 23
Spirituality in the Workplace Network met in the Guest House and Conference Centre.
Jan 21
A Mongovian Budhist monk, Sanoarbat, spoke to the community about monasticism in Mongovia.Basingstoke Methodist ministers came for a Retreat Day.
Jan 18
A concert in the Abbey Church given by the choir Canticum in aid of St John Ambulance included a performance of a recent work by Keith Roberts, Veni, a large scale dramatic setting of the Great 'O' Antiphons.Tilehurst parish confirmation candidates came for a retreat day.
Jan 17 - 19
The Pastoral Programme Office ran a Spirituality-in-the-Workplace weekend retreat/workshop run by Fr Dermot.
Jan 16
The Anglican Ordinands from Cuddesdon, Wycliffe and St Stephens Colleges, Oxford, had a study day on Buisness Ethics led by Fr Dermot in the Conference Centre.
Jan 15
CAFOD south held an area planning meeting here.
Jan 11
The community entertained members of their families to Mass and lunch today.
Jan 10
The community were 'at home' to the parishioners this evening.
Jan 7
A heavier fall of snow today.
Jan 6 - 10
Fr Dermot Tredget OSB travelled to the Catholic University of Piacenza, Italy, to give a Business Ethics course.
Jan 6
Fr Oliver led a Day of Recollection for the staff of the Marist Convent Prep School, Ascot, in our Conference Centre.
Jan 4
As we came out from Mass this morning the first snow of the winter was falling, but it did not stay long.
Jan 1
As usual we saw in the New Year with a silent Vigil from 11pm till Midnight with the Blessed Sacrament exposed and a reading each quarter of an hour. About a dozen people came to join us to pray for a peaceful New Year.
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