A RETREAT ON JOHN OF THE CROSS’ THE SPIRITUAL CANTICLE (November 25th 2024) Led by Donna Worthington

In the darkness of a prison cell, from the Carmelite John of the Cross, prayer-maker and visionary, emerged one of the most compelling poems ever written, The Spiritual Canticle. This retreat day which will go on to explore The Spiritual Canticle through presentation, stillness, prayer, imagery and discussion. An opportunity to go deeper in your Christian spirituality with this wise pioneer of faith as our guide.

For more information, contact Sr. Mary Bernard hyningbookings@yahoo.co.uk

£30 includes refreshments and lunch.

Christmas card making day led by the sisters. Includes all materials, cooked lunch and refreshments. £30

A Day on St. Brigid.

THE FIRE & THE WELL & THE CLOAK | Explore the spirituality of the wonderful Christian pioneering woman,  Saint Brigid and her compelling symbolism.

£30 includes lunch and refreshments. (Prices may be reviewed)

THE WOMAN WHO ANOINTED JESUS | Imagine a woman walking through the streets to Jesus… She wants to do a brave thing for him before he dies. She carries a bowl of exquisite, expensive perfume in her hands… And Jesus’ responses: ‘She has done a beautiful thing to me’. ‘What she has done will be told in memory of her.’ We will explore this incredible Gospel text through drama, reflection, discussion, prayer etc.

Timetable to follow.

£30 includes refreshments and lunch. (Prices may be reviewed)

Card making day £30 - all materials included. Lunch and refreshments provided as part of the fee.

Explore this incredible mystical text written in the 14th C, a profound guide on prayer.

We’ll be exploring the wonderful 14th C contemplative text ‘The Cloud of Unknowing’ through attention to specific parts of the text, music, prayer, discussion, a reflective creative task, in a quest to deepen our own prayer lives.

For more information, call Donna on 07770719198 or contact Sr. Mary Bernard hyningbookings@yahoo.co.uk

£30 includes refreshments and lunch.

Saturday 25th November 2023: Exploring the Spirituality of the Desert Mothers £30 Please contact hyningbookings@yahoo.co.uk

(Lunch included).

10am Coffee

10.30am – 4pm More details of sessions nearer the time.

This retreat will offer windows into the compelling spirituality of the Desert Mothers of the early centuries.  We will explore the faith, prayer and lives of these incredible Christian women, deep disciples of Christ, who journeyed into the wilderness, lived alone or in community, battled with their demons and yearned to put on the mind and heart of Christ. The retreat will include presentation, opportunity for discussion, music, images etc.  

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Donna is an experienced retreat giver and worked at the ecumenical Tabor Retreat Centre in Preston, Lancashire, which involved leading retreats, events exploring spirituality, contemplative prayer/meditation and creative liturgy.

Trained in Ignatian spiritual direction, Donna has accompanied many people during weeks of guided prayer and through one-to-one direction.

Trained as a labyrinth facilitator, she has led many labyrinth events for groups of all ages in various educational and faith contexts. Offering labyrinth training to others has included working with schools, chaplains, churches and individuals wanting to explore this ministry.

Having studied Theology at Cambridge, Donna completed an MPhil at Manchester University, while developing a local theology in the context of working as a street theologian on a marginalised housing estate in Blackburn, Lancashire.

Donna is a trained teacher and has worked in secondary, further and higher education, including as Head of the Ethics, Philosophy, Religion Department in a secondary school, teaching Religious Studies up to GCSE and A Level. She has also been a teacher trainer in Primary RE. Donna also has training in counselling and mindfulness.

Donna has MAs in Theatre Directing, Writing and TV Production (The Star-Gazer film was shown on Granada TV in 2000) and is trained in Storytelling. She has written several plays including Illumination written in the light of the Lindisfarne Gospel Exhibition, Blackbirds At Dawn, created to raise awareness of human trafficking and Desert Mother, developed to explore Christian contemplative prayer. Donna has led creative workshops with all ages and on various themes, including exploring the Gospels through theatre and movement. 

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Christmas card making day led by the sisters. Includes all materials, cooked lunch and refreshments. £30

THE WOMAN AT THE WELL (John 4:1-42)| An invitation to journey to the well, to Christ the Living Water.

7pm - 9pm An evening in October 2023 at Hyning Monastery Suggested price £10 Contact hyningbookings@yahoo.co.uk to book a place.

At Jacob’s well, Jesus broke strict rules of his time in order to reach a woman who was struggling with past relationships, exclusion and isolation; he listened to her in a non-judgmental way, saw her huge potential and she was transformed, finding her own confidence and her own voice. We will explore this intriguing Gospel passage, which helps to illuminate women’s inner soul journeys and offers an invitation to walk to the ‘well’, to Christ the One who restores us. The retreat will include a short theatre piece, discussion of the Gospel passage, Ignatian guided prayer based on the beautiful journey to the well and a short presentation of guitar music, words and candlelight.

Card making day led by the sisters. Includes all materials, cooked lunch and refreshment. £30

We invite you to help the Sisters maintain their heritage environment, particularly the delightful but energy demanding eleven acre landscaped garden.

Tasks will include clearing and tidying wild areas, some outdoor painting, planting, path and wall maintenance. Other lighter activities also available.

Please wear clothes suitable for outdoor work including sturdy shoes or boots. Gardening gloves would also be greatly appreciated.

Most activities are outdoors. In the event of very heavy rain, please consult our website to see if the day is maintained. If it is raining lightly, please find something waterproof to wear!!

Please bring a packed lunch. Drinks and refreshments will be available throughout the day and we will conclude with a Coronation tea at 3.45 pm, featuring Sr Michaela's delicious cakes!!

A chance to discover the Monastery of Our Lady of Hyning, to meet the sisters and share in the beauty of creation.

Ideally, please register through thebighelpout app or through the website www.thebighelpout.org.uk

If you cannot manage this, please contact us and we will add you to the list.

Recommended minimum stay of 3 days over the period 4th - 13th April. £55 per night.

A day on Calligraphy led by Michelle Castles, a local artist and sculptor.. (Please click on the website for details of her work). Cost £30. Refreshments and lunch will be provided.

Most materials will be provided but you need to bring a special pen. Please contact Sr. Mary Stella for details of the pen needed. srstella@yahoo.com and contact Sr. Mary Bernard to book for the course on hyningbookings@yahoo.co.uk. Please let her know about any dietary requirements.