DOUAI ABBEY

Pastoral Programme


RESIDENTIAL RETREATS

autum meadow While on retreat,
one can take
a prayerful
walk in the
monastery woods.


2010

QUO VADIS? I.G.R.

led by Christopher Greener OSB & Gervase Holdaway OSB

Tuesday March 23 12.30pm - Friday March 26 9.30am.

A silent individually guided retreat where the focus is upon both discernment and prayer. Relax in God's presence surrounded by natural beauty and supported by the community prayer.

Gervase Holdaway OSB is Oblate Director and editor of Oblate Life (2009). He has an MA in Theology from the University of Louvain. Christopher Greener OSB has an MA in Applied Ethics from KU Leuven (University of Louvain), dissertation on the philosophical understanding of the human person (2004); attended the Introduction to Spiritual Direction Course, Oxon/Berks/Bucks, Spider 2006 at Begbroke (to be taught at Douai Abbey 2010-11); and recently MA Christian Spirituality, Heythrop, dissertation on the Spiritual Direction of Augustine Baker (2009).

FULLY BOOKED

EASTER TRIDUUM RETREAT

Thursday April 1, 5pm - Sunday April 4, 3pm

led by Oliver Holt OSB

The Triduum is the climax of the church's liturgical cycle. Come and celebrate with the monastic community and have time for silent prayer and reflection. There will be talks on the spirituality and significance of the celebrations.

FULLY BOOKED

DEPRESSION

led by Nicholas Broadbridge OSB & Fodhla McGrane PhD

Friday April 30 - Sunday May 2, 2010 2.30pm

Depression is 'the common cold' of our psychology. The illness affects approximately one in every five people. Depression according to the Vatican is the biggest disease in the world. If you are a Christian suffering from depression, come and spend a weekend looking at this subject in the warmth, peace and security of Douai abbey. If you are a Christian caring for someone with depression, this weekend aims to be a blessing to you too. We'll look at what the Bible and the Rule of St Benedict can teach us on these themes and we'll consider a range of perspectives and resources. Our time together will include praayer for healing. (This weekend is the second in a series looking at our human conditions.)

Fodhla works as a teacher and trainer in interpersonal communication skills, she is an oblate of St Benedict (a lay person who follows the Rule of St Benedict in daily life), she has a PhD in interpersonal dispute resolution in the workplace and her work is published in the Leadership and Organisational Development Journal.

FULLY BOOKED

BOOKING/ENQUIRY FORM.

LECTIO DIVINA RETREAT

led by Gervase Holdaway OSB

Friday April 30, 5.30pm - Monday May 3, 2.30pm

Experience a way of praying with Scripture, an ancient art at one time practiced by all Christians. It is a slow contemplative prayer which enables one to listen to God's word and to make prayerful response. There will be time for sharing, silence, solitude and reflection. It does not involve discussion or study.

Limited to eleven participants. As this retreat was heavily over-subscribed last year,
it will be offered a second time, August 27 - 30.

FULLY BOOKED

LONELINESS: A HUMAN CONDITION

led by Fodhla McGrane PhD & Gervase Holdaway OSB

Friday Sunday June 4, 5.30pm - Sunday June 6, 2010 2.30pm

Loneliness is one of our human conditions. It is natural, normal and inevitable for everyone to feel lonely whether they are single or married, with children or without, in or out of friendship, in or out of employment, with or without pets, in or out of faith. Come and let’s explore this phenomenon and learn how it fits in with God’s plan for us. Let’s examine the Bible and especially Jesus’ experience of loneliness. Let’s see if the Rule of St Benedict and other writers can assist us. Of course, let’s learn from each other’s experiences. A prayer room and creative space will be created for your weekend. (This weekend is the third in a series looking at our human conditions.)

Fodhla works as a teacher and trainer in interpersonal communication skills, she is an oblate of St Benedict (a lay person who follows the Rule of St Benedict in daily life), she has a PhD in interpersonal dispute resolution in the workplace and her work is published in the Leadership and Organisational Development Journal.

Event 8310. Cost for the waged £200, £30 reduction for those willing to share a room, reductions for those on low income, non-returnable deposit of £30 please. Limited to 14 participants.

BOOKING/ENQUIRY FORM.

SILENT RETREAT

Friday June 18, 5.30pm - Sunday June 20, 2.30pm
Saturday is the National Quiet Day

A chance to spend a weekend in silent prayer and meditation. Retreatants will be welcome to take part in the monastic offices, as well as being able to spend time walking in the Berkshire countryside.

Event 2210. Residential cost £90, reductions for those on low income; deposit of £30 please.

BOOKING/ENQUIRY FORM.

THOMAS MERTON RETREAT

led by Michael Woodward

Friday July 2, 5.30pm - Sunday July 4, 2.30pm

Event 4510. Residential cost £150, reductions for those on low income; deposit of £30 please.

BOOKING/ENQUIRY FORM.

COME TO THE QUIET

led by Elizabeth Rees OCV & Benedict Thompson OSB

Monday July 19, 5.30pm - Friday July 23, 2.30pm.

A silent individually guided retreat. Relax in God's presence surrounded by natural beauty and supported by the community prayer.

Event 2310. Residential cost £200, reductions for those on low income, premium for single en-suite room in the guesthouse £20; deposit of £30 please.

BOOKING/ENQUIRY FORM.
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TRANSITIONS

led by Bernard Kilroy & Pamela Lee

Friday July 23, 5.30pm - Sunday July 25, 2.30pm.

This retreat has helped others to work through a transition, even one that is past,but still feels present - whether the ending of a relationship, an illness, disability or death, a change of role, promotion, retirement or redundancy.
You work on your own or in pairs with music, meditation, or perhaps freestyle drawing - in a quiet and relaxed atmosphere, respecting everyone's privacy.
The weekend is open to both women and men, those of any faith or none, but numbers are limited. Participants may attend some monastic offices alongside the monks. The programme allows time to walk in the Berkshire contryside. Optional massage is available from aromatherapist, Sr Jean Page, for a nominal charge.

Event X107. Course fee £70, cheque payable to Bernard Kilroy. Residential cost £90, reductions for those on low income, £20 reduction for those sharing a room; deposit of £30 please.

BOOKING/ENQUIRY FORM.

LECTIO DIVINA RETREAT

led by Gervase Holdaway OSB

Friday August 27, 5.30pm - Monday August 30, 2.30pm

Experience a way of praying with Scripture, an ancient art at one time practiced by all Christians. It is a slow contemplative prayer which enables one to listen to God's word and to make prayerful response. There will be time for sharing, silence, solitude and reflection. It does not involve discussion or study.

Limited to eleven participants. As this retreat was heavily over-subscribed last year
we are offering it a second time this year.

Event 4610. Residential cost £165, reductions for those on low income, deposit of £30 please.

BOOKING/ENQUIRY FORM.

HEALING GRIEF

led by Nicholas Broadbridge OSB & Benjamin Standish OSB

Friday Sept 10, 5.30pm - Sunday Sept 12, 2.30pm.

This retreat provides a spiritual framework for helping to heal the grief of those who have experienced the death of a loved one. The experience can also be beneficial for those who minister to the grieving. Through prayer, reflection, conferences and small group interaction, participants can grow in their understanding of the grieving process, and draw upon their spirituality as a means of healing. The retreat will be within the context of Christian and specifically Benedictine spirituality, and faith in God's ultimate purpose of healing and wholeness. Those who are leading it are not necessarily qualified in the secular disicplines of psychiatry, psychotherapy or counselling.

Event 4710. Residential cost £110, reductions for those on low income, reduction of £20 for those willing to share a room; deposit of £30 please.

BOOKING/ENQUIRY FORM.

QUO VADIS? I.G.R.

led by Christopher Greener OSB & Gervase Holdaway OSB

Monday September 27 12.30pm - Friday October 1 9.30am.

A silent individually guided retreat where the focus is upon both discernment and prayer. Relax in God's presence surrounded by natural beauty and supported by the community prayer.

Gervase Holdaway OSB is Oblate Director and editor of Oblate Life (2009). He has an MA in Theology from the University of Louvain. Christopher Greener OSB has an MA in Applied Ethics from KU Leuven (University of Louvain), dissertation on the philosophical understanding of the human person (2004); attended the Introduction to Spiritual Direction Course, Oxon/Berks/Bucks, Spider 2006 at Begbroke (to be taught at Douai Abbey 2010-11); and recently MA Christian Spirituality, Heythrop, dissertation on the Spiritual Direction of Augustine Baker (2009).

Event 2410. Cost £200, reductions for those on low income: deposit of £30 please.

BOOKING/ENQUIRY FORM.

JULIAN OF NORWICH RETREAT

led by Christopher Greener OSB & Vincent Manning

Friday October 1, 5.30pm - Sunday October 3, 2.30pm

During this weekend we will thoughtfully break open the main themes of Julian's writing, and explore how they may be applied to our prayer life. Retreatants will be invited to share their own expereicnes of praying with Julian. By way of preparation, those taking part are requested to have read some of Julian's writing before the weekend. We hope retreatants will be enriched intheir understanding of prayer as a Revelation of Divine Love.

Christopher Greener OSB has an MA in Ethics from Louvain and an MA in Christian Spirituality from Heythrop College, London. Vincent Manning has an MA in Theology from St Mary's, Strawberry Hill, has done social work in various fields, and over the years has facilitated a number of retreats at Douai.

Event 4810. Residential cost £150, reductions for those on low income; deposit of £30 please.

BOOKING/ENQUIRY FORM.

TO GOD THROUGH MUSIC

led by Gervase Holdaway OSB

Friday November 5, 2010, 5.30pm - Sunday November 7, 2010 2.30pm.

For many people music creates the atmosphere conducive to prayer. This retreat will give opportunity to grow closer to God through music. No expertise is needed, just an ability to listen.

Event 4910. Residential cost £110, reductions for those on low income, reduction of £20 for those willing to share a room; deposit of £30 please.
BOOKING/ENQUIRY FORM.

COME LORD JESUS! A RETREAT FOR ADVENT

led by Gervase Holdaway OSB

Friday December 3, 2010, 5.30pm - Sunday December 5 2010, 2.30pm.

The Church invites us to reflect on the wonder of a people waiting for Messiah. The marvellous gift of Christmas, God-become-flesh, demands a prayerful heart awaiting the coming of the Lord. This retreat will help you prepare to receive God's gift of his own Son.

Event 41010. Residential cost £110, £20 reduction for those willing to share a room, reductions for those on low income,; non-returnable deposit of £30 please.

BOOKING/ENQUIRY FORM.

SILENT RETREAT

Monday December 6, 2010, 5.30pm - Friday December 10, 2010, 9.30am

A chance to spend a weekend in silent prayer and meditation. Retreatants will be welcome to take part in the monastic offices, as well as being able to spend time walking in the Berkshire countryside.

Event 2510. Residential cost £130, reductions for those on low income; deposit of £30 please.

BOOKING/ENQUIRY FORM.

PRE-CHRISTMAS RETREAT

led by Nicholas Broadbridge OSB

Friday December 17 2010, 5.30pm - Sunday December 19 2010, 2.30pm.

The Church invites us to reflect on the wonder of a people waiting for Messiah. The marvellous gift of Christmas, God-become-flesh, demands a prayerful heart awaiting the coming of the Lord. This retreat will help you prepare to receive God's gift of his own Son.

Event 41110. Residential cost £110, £20 reduction for those willing to share a room, reductions for those on low income,; non-returnable deposit of £30 please.

BOOKING/ENQUIRY FORM.

Accommodation is in the Guest House (en-suite or semi-en-suite).Since the Guest House is not only a service but also a source of our livlihood, we appreciate a donation that will cover our operational costs and contribute to our income. We are grateful to those who can give more and welcome those whose means allow for less. Please do not let the cost prevent you from coming. Included within the rate is accommodation, breakfast, lunch, and supper. As many of the rooms in the Guest House are twin or double, we are offering a reduction to those willing to share.

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