The Community past and present

OUR PAST

Lavinia Crosse, daughter of a Norwich Doctor, founded the Community in 1855, which grew out of her work with a House of Mercy, where girls rescued from the streets could be given a home and trained for domestic service. She felt this needed a group of women committed to this work for life. As the Community grew in numbers, work grew to include a Hospital, an Orphanage (which became a school and subsequently the conference centre), embroidery and work in Norwich Parishes. We were founded in a small village called Shipmeadow, but moved a few years afterwards to Ditchingham, where we have remained. Our work has been largely based in our grounds at Ditchingham, in the Hospital in the village, and in branch houses in Norwich and Ipswich, although there was a period in Canada between 1884 and 1920. The Community has never been large, and our works have always been maintained with outside help.

Our present

Welcome is a strong element in the Community's ethos and it overflows to all the works. People look for welcome, acceptance, time to be listened to and comfort in difficult patches. Others are seeking a quiet place for prayer, reflection, seeking God in the silence, the beautiful surroundings and the Chapel. The whole is sustained and supported at the hub by prayer and dedication to God by the Sisters under vows and their closest extension, the Oblates, under promise.

The Community is like a wheel - at its core the Community of Sisters in Final Vows forms the hub. Spokes radiate out of the hub. Oblates, Associates and Contact members form an extended family. Participation at any level of involvement is voluntary, though marked by differing levels of formal commitment and obligation.

Achievements and Performance

Spiritual direction and accompaniment: Sisters maintained links with individuals, supporting them in their spiritual journey and the way they embody this in their daily lives. These relationships are sometimes formalised under the title of ‘spiritual direction’ and more commonly are informal, proceeding at the pace and in the style that suits the people concerned.

Some guests staying at the retreat houses ask for individually guided retreats, and these can be provided by the Sisters or the Chaplain.

The Community facilitates a programme of retreats, some run by Sisters and others led by trusted friends. These complement the individual work.

Public benefit: Prayer is central to the life of the Community and it is that from which all else flows. Times of silence within the Convent contribute towards a deeper atmosphere of prayer. Time is made daily for personal prayer and spiritual reading. Corporately, our worship is expressed in a four-fold Office, a daily Eucharist and regular periods of meditation.

The outward element of our life is vitally important to us, although the nature of the work changes with the times. The Community’s prayer life shapes and is enriched by the use of our time and money. It is this outward element which constitutes public benefit as it is understood by the Charity Commission – and it is the outward and visible sign of an inward and spiritual communal life.

The Sisters have direct personal involvement in offering hospitality to guests, spiritual direction, retreat work, writing and some pastoral work in the nearby Hospital and Nursing Home. The Community supports the work of our Day Nursery, although Sisters do not have day-to-day contact with the staff or children. Finally the Community supports the charitable work of Emmaus Norwich, the Friends of Julian, All Hallows Healthcare Trust and the Belsey Bridge Conference Centre by making available the property they occupy at below-market rates.

Hospitality: Women and men are welcome to come and stay in one of our Guest Houses for a retreat or just for some space and a rest. The pattern of stay at the retreat houses varies from a quiet day to a stay of a week or more, depending on the preferences of the guest. Guests are not charged for their stay, though a donation is invited if they feel themselves to be in a position to contribute.

Ditchingham Day Nursery : The Nursery continues to receive more enquiries than we have spaces, and enjoys a good reputation with parents and professionals alike. This was confirmed by the rating of ‘Good’ received in an unannounced OFSTED inspection in January 2010.

The Chapter has resolved to withdraw from ownership and management of the Day Nursery and is pleased that the Benjamin Foundation has agreed to ensure continuity of the much valued provision.

Emmaus Norwich, Friends of Julian, All Hallows Healthcare Trust, St Matthew Housing and the Belsey Bridge Conference Centre.

The Community is the freeholder owner of premises occupied by these charities. As they are each engaged in activities consistent with the Community’s Objects it has been decided not to charge a market rent for their leases. The value of this support in kind to other charitable work is well in excess of a quarter of a million pounds per annum.