The Life

Smaller nowadays, the Community maintains the balance between prayer and work that has always been there. All our work is underpinned by our prayer life, both communal and individual. Central to the life of the Community is the Daily Eucharist, the Divine Office and time for private prayer, meditation and spiritual reading. Times of silence and regular retreats help us sustain this. Our days are punctuated by the rhythm between prayer and work as we go from one to another. Communal prayer supports our life together, as do our regular get-togethers over a cup of tea and our times of celebration. The work of the Community has changed to adapt to different circumstances.

The Hospital has continued to meet needs in the local community throughout its existence and this work has been supplemented by a Nursing Home; steps are being taken to set them up as a Charity independent of the Community. Sisters, as well as Oblates, are still involved in both in a small pastoral capacity. The Community supports and is supported by its Associates. The School closed in the late 1980's and its buildings have been adapted for St Gabriel's Conference Centre. We also run Guest Houses for individuals wishing to stay; some Sisters are involved in giving Retreats and Spiritual Direction; others have a valued correspondence ministry. The Day Nursery provides care and early years education for local children.

Our work also involves the regular tasks of daily life - cleaning, washing up etc - but in these we are aided by our staff. Hospitality has always been an important part of the Community's life, opening up our grounds for those in need, whether this involved the House of Mercy girls as in earlier days or people in need of rest and refreshment as now. Our gardens vary between formal and informal areas, giving a variety for those in need of peace.