+ We are sisters, who share prayer, work, laughter and struggles,
+
+ and live according to the Form of Life drawn up by St Clare of
+ Assisi in 1253.
+
+
+ Learn more about us...
+
+
+
+
+
+ );
+}
diff --git a/react-router-app/app/app.css b/react-router-app/app/app.css
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..38b8bdf
--- /dev/null
+++ b/react-router-app/app/app.css
@@ -0,0 +1,12 @@
+@tailwind base;
+@tailwind components;
+@tailwind utilities;
+
+html,
+body {
+ @apply bg-white dark:bg-gray-950;
+
+ /* @media (prefers-color-scheme: dark) {
+ color-scheme: dark;
+ } */
+}
diff --git a/react-router-app/app/components/Footer.css b/react-router-app/app/components/Footer.css
new file mode 100755
index 0000000..406fd3e
--- /dev/null
+++ b/react-router-app/app/components/Footer.css
@@ -0,0 +1,3 @@
+footer {
+ font-size: 0.9em;
+}
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/react-router-app/app/components/Footer.tsx b/react-router-app/app/components/Footer.tsx
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..2ec8428
--- /dev/null
+++ b/react-router-app/app/components/Footer.tsx
@@ -0,0 +1,28 @@
+import { faFacebook } from '@fortawesome/free-brands-svg-icons';
+import { faEnvelope } from '@fortawesome/free-solid-svg-icons';
+import { FontAwesomeIcon } from '@fortawesome/react-fontawesome';
+import './Footer.css';
+
+export function Footer() {
+ return (
+ //
+ Many thanks for considering making a donation to support the life of
+ prayer and praise of our Community at Crossbush. Your generosity is very
+ much appreciated.
+
+
+
+ There are two ways you can contribute; by bank transfer or by cheque.
+
+
+
Bank Transfer
+
These are the details for making a bank transfer to our account:
+
+
+ Account name: Convent of Poor Clares
+
+
+ Sort code: 60-01-18
+
+
+ Account number: 96047569
+
+
+
+
Cheque
+
If you'd like to send a cheque, please post it to:
+
+ Convent of Poor Clares
+
+ Crossbush
+
+ Arundel
+
+ West Sussex
+
+ BN18 9PJ
+
+
Cheques made payable to: Convent of Poor Clares
+
+ );
+};
diff --git a/react-router-app/app/main/Events.tsx b/react-router-app/app/main/Events.tsx
new file mode 100755
index 0000000..e0c3175
--- /dev/null
+++ b/react-router-app/app/main/Events.tsx
@@ -0,0 +1,198 @@
+import * as React from "react";
+import { Card, CardImg } from "reactstrap";
+import stClareStatue from "./images/StClareStatue.jpg";
+import stFrancis from "./images/StFrancis.jpg";
+import strewnCross from "./images/strewnCross.jpg";
+import easterVigil from "./images/EasterVigil.jpg";
+import crib from "./images/crib.jpg";
+import taize from "./images/Taize.png";
+
+export const eventsPath = "/events";
+
+export const Events: React.FC> = (_props) => {
+ const eventStructuredData = {
+ "@context": "https://schema.org",
+ "@type": "Event",
+ name: "Christmas",
+ startDate: "2021-12-24T17:30",
+ endDate: "2021-12-25T10:00",
+ eventAttendanceMode: "https://schema.org/OfflineEventAttendanceMode",
+ eventStatus: "https://schema.org/EventScheduled",
+ location: {
+ "@type": "Place",
+ name: "Convent of Poor Clares ",
+ address: {
+ "@type": "PostalAddress",
+ addressLocality: "Crossbush, Arundel",
+ postalCode: "BN18 9PJ",
+ streetAddress: "Convent of Poor Clares",
+ },
+ },
+ image: [crib],
+ description: `Christmas Eve - 5.30pm: 1st Vespers, 11.15pm: Blessing of the Crib and Midnight Mass.
+Christmas Day - 8.30am: Christmas Morning Mass, please join us for refreshments afterwards`,
+ organizer: {
+ "@type": "CatholicChurch",
+ name: "Convent of Poor Clares",
+ url: "https://www.poorclaresarundel.org/",
+ },
+ };
+
+ return (
+ <>
+
+
Events
+
+
Regular Events
+
+
+ The Poor Clares are glad to be able to welcome anyone who comes to join
+ them in their times of prayer. Our regular timetable is:
+
+ We will be able to sell our CD from 9th of November.
+ We are selling the CD for £10 plus postage and packaging.
+ Contact us at
+ arundel.poorclares@gmail.com
+ for more details.
+
+ Although you may only receive a standardised reply, you can be confident
+ that we will indeed pray.
+
+
+ );
+}
diff --git a/react-router-app/app/main/Us.css b/react-router-app/app/main/Us.css
new file mode 100755
index 0000000..6ac1d37
--- /dev/null
+++ b/react-router-app/app/main/Us.css
@@ -0,0 +1,6 @@
+/*
+.carousel-caption h3
+{
+ background-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.5);
+ border-radius: 25px;
+} */
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/react-router-app/app/main/Us.tsx b/react-router-app/app/main/Us.tsx
new file mode 100755
index 0000000..16dbe1e
--- /dev/null
+++ b/react-router-app/app/main/Us.tsx
@@ -0,0 +1,132 @@
+import {
+ Carousel,
+ CarouselItem,
+ CarouselControl,
+ CarouselIndicators,
+ CarouselCaption,
+} from "reactstrap";
+import communityAtPrayer from "./images/Page2CommunityAtPrayer.jpg";
+import prayingInChapel from "./images/praying_in_chapel.jpg";
+import coffeeTime from "./images/coffee_time.jpg";
+import librarian from "./images/librarian.jpg";
+import vegTeam from "./images/veg_team.jpg";
+import providenceGroup from "./images/graca_and_yohanna.jpg";
+import "./Us.css";
+import { useState } from "react";
+
+export default function Us() {
+ return (
+
+
+
+
About Us
+
+ Called to a life of prayer we seek to live the Gospel in and for our
+ world of today. We share our lives and all that we do.
+
+
+ We are the Poor Clares of Arundel.
+
+
+
+ See a video of us here...
+
+
+ A way of meditating with St Clare through letting the message of her
+ letters touch you.
+
+
+ Among the few writings left to us by St Clare there are four letters
+ written to a Princess in far away Bohemia (Czechoslovakia). This lady,
+ Princess Agnes, had heard of St Clare through some Friars who went to
+ Prague from Italy. She wrote to Clare to find out what she should do, and
+ a correspondence developed over the last 20 years of Clare’s life. None of
+ Agnes’ letters have come down to us, and only four of the ones Clare
+ wrote. They reveal the heart of her spirituality: she sought poverty and
+ humility in order to become filled with the riches of the Father, through
+ Jesus His Son. What follows here are the four letters in miniature. Here
+ you will find Clare’s way of living and praying, which can be a guide to
+ all Christians.
+
+
Read on.
+
The First Letter: Clare’s Jesus and yours
+
+ Look!
+
+ The Lord Jesus Christ –
+ Love Him, touch Him, accept Him.
+
+
+ His power is stronger,
+
+ His generosity greater,
+
+ His face is more beautiful,
+
+ He loves more tenderly,
+
+ He is more gracious, more courteous –
+
+ See now
+
+ You are held tightly in His embrace.
+
+
+ NOW
+
+ You are His beloved
+
+ His mother
+
+ His sister.
+
+
+ For He is your Lover
+
+ Your Son
+
+ Your Brother.
+
+
+ Look!
+
+ The Son of Man –
+ The Poor Crucified –
+ Burn with desire to serve Him in Poverty.
+
+
+ Man of Nowhere –
+ Now Lord over Earth and Heaven
+
+ Creating you by a word.
+
+
+ Man of Poverty –
+ Now our great and good Lord
+
+ Making you rich.
+
+
+ Man Despised –
+ Now and forever
+
+ Son of the Most High Father
+
+
+ and
+
+
+ Giver of Joy –
+ Serve Him with total desire.
+
+
+ Giver of Mercy –
+ So you can grow from good to better.
+
+
+ Giver of great reward –
+ Long always to see Him
+
+ THE LORD JESUS CHRIST.
+
+
The Second Letter: Faith Journey
+
+ THE KING OF KINGS calls his daughter
+
+ The Lord of Lords beckons His handmaid.
+
+ Believe Him, the Giver of Grace
+
+ Giver of each good gift,
+
+ Creator of goodness in you,
+
+ And thank Him.
+
+
+ The KING himself makes you His companion –
+ This is your perfection.
+
+
+ Follow His footprints
+
+ In a spirit of humility and love
+
+ Unswervingly seek poverty –
+ Remember Him . . . .
+ Be aware of Him . . . .
+ Journey on swiftly,
+
+ Keeping hold of your aim,
+ with lightness of step
+ and freedom of movement
+ swiftly keep moving.
+
+
+ Let no dust collect in your steps
+ on the path to happiness.
+
+ God carefully, securely, joyfully,
+ let nothing block the way
+ on which the Spirit of the Lord
+ has called you
+ to embrace the Poor Christ.
+
+
+ As a poor and obedient virgin
+ embrace the poor Christ.
+
+ Gaze long at Him –
+ The poor condemned Christ . . .
+ Ponder and weigh in your heart
+ and contemplate Him, your Beloved.
+
+
+ The fairest of men
+ is now the lowest of all.
+
+ Despised by them all,
+ His whole body beaten and struck
+ till, desolate –
+ He dies –
+ on the Cross.
+
+
+ Suffer with Him
+ and so with Him reign
+
+ Weep with Him,
+ then with Him be joyful.
+
+ Exchange what passes, what fades
+ for Life for ever and ever
+ with Him
+
+ The KING OF KINGS
+
+ who calls.
+
+
The Third Letter: Clare’s Joy in Transformation
+
+ Sister and Beloved
+ of the Most High King of Heaven,
+
+ may you be very joyful in the Lord!
+
+ Be not entangled with bitterness
+
+ or a cloud of sadness.
+
+
+ Joy! That you are in Christ, redeemed.
+
+ Joy! In your well-being,
+
+ Joy! In your happiness.
+
+ Joy! In your progress, your growth.
+
+
+ That you, poor and humble,
+ follow in the footprints of Christ
+ poor and humble – Joy!
+
+ That you are delivered and safe
+ from evil and pride and vanity – Joy!
+
+
+ That you love to be poor,
+ and so have found in your heart
+ desire for God –
+ a treasure which ALL have hidden within –
+ Joy!
+
+
+ That you work with God Himself
+
+ to support the weak and the falling –
+ Joy!
+
+ So, rejoicing in such marvelous things
+
+
+ Place your mind in the Mirror of Eternity
+
+ -Jesus Christ –
+
+ Place your soul
+ in the Radiance of His Glory
+
+ -Lord of Lords –
+
+ Place your heart
+ in the Image of His Divine Being
+ -Son of God –
+
+ In contemplation
+ be transformed into God’s image
+ completely.
+
+
+ Then may you taste His hidden sweetness
+
+ Then love Him totally
+ who gave Himself totally
+ for your love.
+
+
+ Extravagantly gifted by Him
+ to be the most worthy of all creatures,
+ be that faithful person
+ who is His dwelling place,
+ His comfortable home.
+
+
+ Like His most sweet Mother
+ who carried in so small a space
+ that Son of hers
+ whom the Heavens could not contain.
+
+
+ So you, in humility and poverty
+ like her,
+
+ will carry Him spiritually in your body,
+ hold Him, by whom you and all things
+ are held together,
+ possess Him without fear of losing Him.
+
+
+ May you do well in the Lord!
+
+
+ The Fourth Letter: Love no words can express
+
+ (written in the year Clare died - 1253)
+
+
+ Sing a new song
+ before God’s throne and the Lamb,
+ Beloved of Jesus Christ.
+
+ Follow the Lamb wherever He may go,
+
+ You, who belong completely to Him who takes away the sin of the world.
+
+ Come to His Sacred Banquet –
+ Cling to Him with all your heart –
+ Praise His beauty there,
+ as they do in heaven.
+
+ Accept the touch of His love –
+ and be moved by Him
+
+
+ Gaze long at Him –
+ and be renewed.
+
+
+ You are fulfilled by His generosity.
+
+ Feel His sweetness overflowing in you.
+
+ To keep Him in your mind brings gentle light,
+ seeing Him glorious is to be happy
+ with everyone.
+ There, in heaven,
+ magnificent, in light,
+ the clearest Mirror.
+
+
+ Beloved of Jesus Christ,
+ look into that Mirror every day.
+ Time and again study your face in His,
+ and put on His kind of clothes,
+ within and without – His strengths.
+
+
+ Look, and see in this Mirror
+ shining out to us all
+ blessed poverty, holy humility
+ and love no words can express.
+
+
+ Look! Here! At the Mirror’s edge
+ a baby in swaddling clothes –
+ King and Lord of heaven and earth –
+ In a manger!
+
+ Look further, into the centre –
+ He endures the work and the stress
+
+ day after endless day, for us –
+ The Redeemer.
+
+
+ Look! Look yet again, at the Mirror’s farthest end –
+ in love no words can express
+ He wills to suffer and die
+ a most shameful kind of death
+ on the Tree of the Cross.
+
+
+ “O you who pass and look,
+ have you seen sorrow like this?”
+ He laments from this Mirror Cross.
+
+ “I ponder it all the time
+ and my heart sinks,”
+ united, we reply.
+
+
+ Beloved of Jesus Christ,
+ be burned up with the intensity of this love.
+
+ Contemplate His riches, His honours, His delights.
+
+ With deep desire
+ and the love of all your heart
+ run towards Him as He draws you.
+
+
+ Run, do not tire –
+ He will bring you to His wine cellar –
+ He will happily embrace you,
+ and love you totally
+ in the happiest way
+ for ever and ever!
+
+
+ Sister Clare Agnes osc.
+
{" "}
+
+);
diff --git a/react-router-app/app/main/beginnings/ClaresStory.tsx b/react-router-app/app/main/beginnings/ClaresStory.tsx
new file mode 100755
index 0000000..1425bfc
--- /dev/null
+++ b/react-router-app/app/main/beginnings/ClaresStory.tsx
@@ -0,0 +1,148 @@
+import * as React from "react";
+import { Card, CardImg, CardBody, CardText } from "reactstrap";
+import sanDamianoCrucifix from "./images/SanDamianoCrucifix.jpg";
+import francisAndClare from "./images/FrancisAndClare.jpg";
+import francisCutsClaresHair from "./images/FrancisCutsClaresHair.jpg";
+import stClare from "./images/StClare.jpg";
+import churchSanDamiano from "./images/ChurchSanDamiano.jpg";
+
+export const claresStoryPath = "/beginnings-clares-story";
+
+export const ClaresStory: React.FC> = (
+ _props
+) => (
+ <>
+
+
+
+
+
The Story of Clare
+
+
This is the Cross in our chapel.
+
+
+ It is a replica of the one that Saint Francis heard speak to him in Assisi
+ in 1206.
+
+
+
+ It was in Saint Clare’s Convent all her lifetime. She was a friend and
+ contemporary of Francis.
+
+
+
Together they founded the Poor Clares.
+
+
+
+ St Clare, St Francis
+
+
+
+ “Most High Glorious God, enlighten the darkness of my heart and give me
+ Lord a correct faith, a certain hope, a perfect love, sense and knowledge
+ so that I may carry out your holy and true command.”
+
+
+
Prayer of St Francis before the Crucifix
+
+
+ The life of a Poor Clare Sister is rooted in the love God the Father
+ showed her when his Son, Jesus, was born into our human family.
+
+
+
+ St Francis of Assisi discovered this love as he was praying in front of
+ the San Damiano Crucifix. From then on he became free from all the things
+ that had been false in his life, free to become himself, and above all,
+ free to give himself to Jesus, who had given himself totally for him.
+
+
+
+ He did not keep this treasure to himself, but with great joy and fire he
+ spoke about the Good News of Christ’s love with everyone he met.
+
+
+
+ Enter Clare di Offeduccio di Faverone
+
+
+
+
+ Francis cuts Clares hair
+
+
+
+ One of those who heard Francis speaking in the Cathedral of Assisi was a
+ young noble girl of about 16 called Clare. She had already received the
+ faith from the teaching and example of her mother, and had begun to live
+ the Christian life as well as she knew how, by praying and helping the
+ poor. But to hear Francis was something else altogether! She longed to
+ talk with him, and eventually they met secretly and Francis instructed her
+ in the ways of the gospel with such freshness and fire that all she wanted
+ was to give herself to Christ as Francis had done – in love and in
+ poverty.
+
+
+
+ On the night of Palm Sunday 1212 she fled to join Francis and his brothers
+ in the chapel of St Mary of the Angels. There Francis cut off her hair as
+ a sign of her commitment and received her promise of obedience. After some
+ uncertainty, she went to live at San Damiano, outside Assisi, and was soon
+ joined by other young women from all levels of society. To the end of her
+ life she considered her community to be one group with the Friars Minor.
+
+
+
+ She was the first woman to write a Rule for other women. It was so broad
+ and wise that it still works well today. She died in 1253 and was
+ proclaimed a saint in 1255.
+
+
+
+
+
+ St Clare
+
+
+
+
+ What was new in Clare’s vision? It was the idea of exchange. Everything
+ she and her sisters made or grew they gave to others, and others in turn
+ gave to the sisters. In this way they really shared the lives and poverty
+ of those around them. This idea came to both Francis and Clare from the
+ way that Jesus Christ shared our human life, and lived in poverty too.
+ They felt that the fewer things they had the more room they had for God in
+ their hearts.
+
+
+
+ She had many struggles with the Church about wanting to be totally poor
+ and dependent on God. The Pope and bishops did not want her to be the
+ original and determined figure that she was.
+
+
+
+ This is the tiny church of San Damiano. Built before the year 1000, St
+ Francis restored it in 1206.
+
+
+
+
+
+ The Church of San Damiano
+
+
+
+
+ It was in this chapel, when he was 24 years old, that St Francis heard a
+ voice from the Crucifix calling him to “Rebuild my Church.”
+
+
+
+ It was here in 1212 that St Francis led Clare to begin the Order of the
+ “Poor Ladies”. Clare remained there for 42 years, loving Christ in poverty
+ and following in his footsteps. There were times when as many as 50
+ sisters joined Clare’s way of life.
+
+ The form of life of the Order of the Poor Sisters that Blessed Francis
+ established is this: to observe the Holy Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ,
+ by living in obedience, without anything of one’s own and in chastity.
+
+
+
Mutual care and love
+
+
+ Let each confidently make their needs known to another. For if a mother
+ loves and cares for her child according to the flesh, how much more
+ attentively should a Sister love and care for her sister according to the
+ Spirit.
+
+
+
Forgiveness
+
+
+ If it should happen that an occasion of trouble or scandal should arise
+ between sister and sister, through a word or gesture, let her who was the
+ cause of the trouble ask pardon and beg her to intercede for her to the
+ Lord that he forgive her. Let the other sister, mindful of that word of
+ the Lord, “If you do not forgive from the heart, neither will your
+ heavenly Father forgive you,” generously pardon her sister every injury
+ she has done to her.
+
+
+
Avoiding division
+
+
+ I admonish and exhort you in the Lord Jesus Christ to beware of all pride,
+ vainglory, envy, avarice, care and anxiety about this world, detraction
+ and murmuring, dissension and division. Always be eager to preserve the
+ unity of mutual love which is the bond of perfection.
+
+
+
Following Christ’s teaching about suffering in patience
+
+
+ Let them direct their attention to what they should desire above all else:
+ to have the Spirit of the Lord and its holy activity, to pray always to
+ Him with a pure heart, and to have humility, patience in difficulty and
+ infirmity, and to love those who persecute, blame and accuse us, for the
+ Lord says: Blessed are those who suffer persecution for the sake of
+ justice, for theirs in the kingdom of heaven. But whoever perseveres to
+ the end will be saved.
+
+
+
St Clare’s blessing
+
+
+ Always be lovers of your souls
+
+ and those of all your sisters.
+ And may you always be eager
+ to observe what you have promised the Lord.
+ May the Lord always be with you
+ and may you always be with him.
+ Amen.
+
+
+);
diff --git a/react-router-app/app/main/beginnings/FrancisLife.tsx b/react-router-app/app/main/beginnings/FrancisLife.tsx
new file mode 100755
index 0000000..eb2aac4
--- /dev/null
+++ b/react-router-app/app/main/beginnings/FrancisLife.tsx
@@ -0,0 +1,135 @@
+import * as React from "react";
+import { Card, CardImg, CardBody, CardText } from "reactstrap";
+import stFrancis from "./images/StFrancis.jpg";
+import sanDamianoCrucifix from "./images/SanDamianoCrucifix.jpg";
+import theBible from "./images/TheBible.jpg";
+
+export const francisLifePath = "/beginnings-francis-life";
+
+export const FrancisLife: React.FC> = (
+ _props
+) => (
+ <>
+
+
+
+ St Francis
+
+
+
+
+ St Francis of Assisi – His Life
+
+
+
+ He was born in 1182 to Pia and Pietro Bernadone in Assisi a small town
+ towards the north of Italy. Pietro belonged to the new merchant class, and
+ made a rich living buying and selling cloth. When his first child was
+ born, he was away getting it in France. On his return he discovered that
+ his wife had had the child baptized “John”. He didn’t want that and said
+ his name was to be Francesco, or Francis, and this name stuck.
+
+
+
+ The boy grew up to be a wild leader of the youth in Assisi. They would go
+ around the town singing and dancing, drinking and eating, largely at
+ Francis’ expense. He was ambitious too. He wanted to be a Knight, which
+ would take him up the social ladder, so when he was about 18 he joined in
+ a local battle against the neighbouring town of Perugia. He was taken
+ prisoner, and remained in terrible conditions for about a year, during
+ which time he got sick. Eventually his father paid a ransom for him, but
+ on his return home he was not his usual jolly self. Depression hit him. He
+ could not even find pleasure in the beauty of the countryside as he used
+ to do.
+
+
+
+ Eventually he was able to pull himself together, and set off again in
+ pursuit of glory in battle, this time further from home. On the way he got
+ sick with malaria, and he had two dreams which seemed to indicate that he
+ was going to be leader of a great army, but that to find out more he was
+ to return to Assisi. He understood it was God who was calling him to serve
+ Him, and not another man.
+
+
+
+
+
+ San Damiano Crucifix
+
+
+
+
+ Very gradually he began to discover what God wanted of him. To do this he
+ began to pray. He would find a quiet place on his own, and God touched his
+ heart and drew him strongly into a relationship with Him. One day he was
+ passing a small chapel called San Damiano. He felt drawn to go in and
+ pray. There he saw a very large crucifix, more like an icon of Jesus on
+ the cross and he knelt down to pray. All of a sudden he was aware of a
+ voice speaking to him.
+
+
+
+ It called him tenderly by name:"Francis! Do you not see that my house
+ is falling into ruin? Go and repair it for me!"
+
+
+
+ He was amazed, but he replied: "Gladly I will do so, O Lord."
+
+
+
+ He thought he was being asked to rebuild that chapel, which was indeed in
+ ruins, but God had a wider picture in mind. He was being called to renew
+ the very Church itself which was full of immorality, excessive wealth, sin
+ and evil.
+
+
+
+
+
+ The Bible
+
+
+
+
+ This did not become evident to him for some time. First, he had to begin
+ with himself and come to new way of living. His praying took him to Mass,
+ where he heard passages from the Gospel read out. These gave him the
+ guidance he needed and he was enthusiastic to follow the teachings of
+ Jesus about having no money or unnecessary things. Above all he heard the
+ invitation of Jesus: COME, FOLLOW ME! This kind of teaching freed him and
+ filled him with joy. Soon other men joined him, and together they went
+ about sharing the Good News of how Jesus loved people, and living the
+ message he taught. All through his life Francis was tough on himself. He
+ knew how easily he could slip into sin and so he used to fast a lot. He
+ was kindness itself to others, especially to the poor, and would always
+ give away his very clothes if he saw another in need. His enthusiasm for
+ Jesus was infectious, and people flocked in great numbers to hear him.
+ Then he would go off for days into the countryside to pray. On his many
+ journeys and in the countryside he came into a close relationship with all
+ of nature, especially animals and birds, who were not afraid of him and
+ seemed to listen to his words. He felt very close to nature, and, for
+ example, referred to his Brother Sun, Sister Moon, Mother Earth, Sister
+ Water. He had been created by God, and so had they, and that is why they
+ were all of one family.
+
+
+
+ Two years before he died, as he was making a 40 days retreat in Mount La
+ Verna in Tuscany, he had a vision of a six-winged seraph (an angel). In
+ the middle of the wings was a crucified man. Francis was filled with great
+ amazement and sweetness. When the seraph disappeared he saw that his hands
+ and feet bore the marks of the Crucified Christ. He tried never to let
+ anyone see this and he never spoke of it, but it gave him both great pain
+ and a great sense of privilege.
+
+
+
+ He died in his 44th year in 1226 in his favourite place, a little chapel 4
+ miles outside of Assisi, called Our Lady of the Angels, surrounded by his
+ brothers who were lost without him. However, they carried on his spirit,
+ and are today spreading the same good news all over the world.
+
+
+);
diff --git a/react-router-app/app/main/beginnings/FrancisPrayers.tsx b/react-router-app/app/main/beginnings/FrancisPrayers.tsx
new file mode 100755
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--- /dev/null
+++ b/react-router-app/app/main/beginnings/FrancisPrayers.tsx
@@ -0,0 +1,114 @@
+import * as React from "react";
+import { Card, CardImg, CardBody, CardText } from "reactstrap";
+import statue from "./images/Statue.jpg";
+
+export const francisPrayersPath = "/beginnings-francis-prayers";
+
+export const FrancisPrayers: React.FC> = (
+ _props
+) => (
+ <>
+
+
+
+ St Francis the Poor Man of God
+
+
+
+
+ St Francis of Assisi – His Prayers
+
+
+
A Praising Prayer - Letter to the Entire Order
+
+
+ Almighty, eternal, just and merciful God grant us in our frailty the grace
+ to do for you alone what we know you want us to do and always to desire
+ what pleases you. Thus, inwardly cleansed, interiorly enlightened and
+ inflamed by the fire of the Holy Spirit may we be able to follow in the
+ footprints of your beloved Son, our Lord Jesus Christ. And, by your grace
+ alone, may we make our way to you, Most High, who live and rule in perfect
+ Trinity and simple Unity, and are glorified God all-powerful for ever and
+ ever. Amen.
+
+
+
Prayer to realize the goodness of God
+
+
+ All powerful, most holy, most high and supreme God; all good, supreme
+ good, totally good, You who alone are good, may we give you all praise,
+ all glory, all thanks, all honour, all blessing and all good things. So be
+ it, so be it, Amen.
+
+
+
Francis’ image of God - Parchment given to Brother Leo.
+
+
+ You are, O Lord our God, the only God.
+
+ How holy you are.
+
+ There is no one else who works such wonders.
+
+ You are strong, mighty,
+
+ above all and all powerful.
+
+
+
+ You are the Father so holy,
+
+ King of heaven and king of earth.
+ You are three and you are one, GOD. You are good: each good and the
+ greatest good.
+
+ The only God, the true God.
+
+
+
+ You are love and charity
+
+ Wisdom and humility,
+
+ Patience and beauty,
+
+ Peace and safety.
+
+
+
+ You are quietness, you are joy,
+
+ You are our hope and our gladness.
+
+ You are justice and judgment
+
+ You are our heart’s desire.
+
+
+
+ You - our gentleness and our Protector,
+
+ Our Guardian and our defender,
+
+ Our Refuge and our strength.
+
+
+
+ You, you are our faith, our hope and our charity,
+
+ Our great tenderness – you are unlimited goodness,
+
+ Vast and wonderful.
+ O Lord, O my God, Almighty and merciful, O Saviour.
+
+
+
Encouragement to give oneself to God
+
+
+ Look at the humility of God! and pour out your hearts before him. Humble
+ yourselves, as well, that you may be exalted by him. Therefore Hold back
+ nothing of yourselves for yourselves So that He who gives himself totally
+ to you may receive you totally.
+
+ Blessed are the peacemakers for they shall be called the children of God.
+ A person cannot know how much patience and humility they have within
+ themselves as long as everything goes well with them. But when the time
+ comes in which those who should do them justice do quite the opposite to
+ them, they have only as much patience and humility as they have on that
+ occasion and no more.
+
+
+
How we can relate intimately with Christ - Letter to the Faithful 2
+
+
+ We must never desire to be over others, rather we must be servants and
+ subject to every human creature for God’s sake. And upon all men and
+ women, if they have done these things and have persevered to the end, the
+ spirit of the Lord will rest, and He will make His home and dwelling among
+ them.
+
+
+
True love - Admonition XXV
+
+
+ Blessed is the person who would love and respect another as much when they
+ are far away from them as they would when they are with them, and who
+ would not say anything behind their back which in love they could not say
+ to their face.
+
+
+
Humility - Admonition XIX
+
+
+ Blessed is the servant who esteems himself no better when he is praised
+ and exalted by people than when he is considered worthless, simple and
+ despicable; for what a person is before God, that they are and nothing
+ more.
+
+
+
Be open to the mystery of God
+
+
+ In the holy love, which is God, I beg you, to overcome every obstacle and
+ put aside every care and anxiety, to strive as best you can to serve,
+ love, honour and adore the Lord God with a clean heart and a pure mind,
+ for this is what he desires above all things.
+
+
+
About working in a Christian way
+
+
+ Those to whom the Lord has given the grace of working should do their work
+ faithfully and devotedly, so that, avoiding idleness, the enemy of the
+ soul, they do not extinguish the Spirit of holy prayer and devotion to
+ which all other things of our earthly existence must contribute.
+
+
+);
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diff --git a/react-router-app/app/main/community/Arundel.tsx b/react-router-app/app/main/community/Arundel.tsx
new file mode 100755
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+++ b/react-router-app/app/main/community/Arundel.tsx
@@ -0,0 +1,231 @@
+import * as React from "react";
+import { Card, CardImg, CardBody, CardText } from "reactstrap";
+import dukeNDuchess from "./images/DukeNDuchess.jpg";
+import motherAbbessAgnesGasquet from "./images/MotherAbbessAgnesGasquet.jpg";
+import motherClareCampbell from "./images/MotherClareCampbell.jpg";
+import motherAustinGibson from "./images/MotherAustinGibson.jpg";
+import motherCampionFleet from "./images/MotherCampionFleet.jpg";
+import conventFromTheBack from "./images/ConventFromTheBack.jpg";
+import spire from "./images/Spire.jpg";
+import woodchester from "./images/Woodchester.jpg";
+import bulwell from "./images/Bulwell.jpg";
+import community2018 from "./images/Community2018.webp";
+import community2024 from "./images/Community2024.webp";
+import communityTripAroundHouse from "../../static/communityTripAroundHouse.pdf";
+import communityFoundationsHollington from "../../static/communityFoundationsHollington.pdf";
+
+export const arundelPath = "/community-arundel";
+
+export const Arundel: React.FC> = (_props) => (
+ <>
+
+ The Arundel Community
+
+
+
+
+
+ We are a group of women who love God and seek to live together a life
+ centred on prayer and praise. The heart of our house is the Chapel, where
+ we meet regularly for prayer throughout the day, but prayer runs through
+ all we do. Working in silence, and rarely going out, leaves us free to
+ live the day before the Lord, holding the world and its needs before Him.
+
+
+
Our History
+
+
+
+
+
+ Henry and Flora
+
+ Duke and Duchess of Norfolk
+
+
+
+
+
1886
+
+ On Monday 31 August, ten Poor Clares from the community of Notting Hill
+ stood on Victoria Station awaiting the Arundel train. They were on their
+ way to found a new community at the request of Flora, Duchess of Norfolk,
+ on land given by her husband, Henry 15th Duke of Norfolk.
+
+
+
+ The Duke and Duchess were at the station and the whole party went in six
+ carriages up the hill to the new convent where the priest and choir of St
+ Philip’s, the local Catholic church, met them with thirty acolytes. After
+ a short service of thanksgiving, the Duchess showed the sisters around
+ their new home, and then left them to unpack.
+
+
+
+ The community had a hard time in the beginning as their generous
+ benefactor, the Duchess, died on 11th April 1887. The sisters had no means
+ of support apart from begging, and five of the original sisters found it
+ so hard that they left and two young sisters died of consumption.
+
+
+
1902
+
+
+ Mother Abbess Agnes Gasquet, the founding Abbess, was succeeded by Mother
+ Clare Campbell who was abbess until her death in 1948. During those years
+ the community continued to grow and develop, there was further building
+ and the garden was gradually coaxed out of its wilderness condition.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
Mother Abbess Agnes Gasquet
+
+
+
+
+
+
Mother Clare Campbell
+
+
+
+
+
1951
+
+ Mother Columba followed Mother Clare and was in turn followed in 1951 by
+ Mother Gabriel who was also the first President of the Poor Clares
+ Association of all the English, Scottish and Welsh communities which was
+ established in 1968.
+
+
+
1972
+
+
+ Franciscan sisters of the Third Order Regular Enclosed, from Goodings,
+ near Newbury, Berkshire, with their Abbess, Mother Austin Gibson, came to
+ amalgamate with the Arundel community. Mother Campion Fleet was the
+ courageous abbess at the time. The community still laugh about those early
+ days when sixteen sisters, including two over 90, arrived in a house with
+ only one empty bedroom! The next years were a time of consolidation and
+ expansion, and soon the community numbered 44 sisters.
+
+ At this time we needed urgent work done on our chapel spire and the
+ estimate was £40,000. We had just £2,000! The diocese lent us the money so
+ that work could begin. It was then that we started a series of meetings to
+ see how we could raise more money to pay off the debt, and it was out of
+ these that the wild idea of starting a community in the Third World arose,
+ to make our life available to women there. In spite of the fears and the
+ lack of money we agreed to explore the possibility of a house in Africa,
+ where many doors were opening for us. Our Abbess set off to stay with the
+ Poor Clares in Uganda to see the African interpretation of our life. On
+ the morning she left a legacy came through the post for exactly £40,000!
+ It seemed to us that God stepped in in a very tangible way and was putting
+ his sign of approval on our venture! We were then able to repay the debt.
+
+
+
+ Kenya was finally chosen and land there was generously given by a local
+ Kenyan family. Bishop Longinus and the people in Myanga, north-west Kenya,
+ gave us a very warm welcome. So in 1992 three Sisters – Sr Angela, Sr
+ Felicity and Sr Leo set off on the new venture.
+
+ In 2001 after further discernment, the community voted to open a small
+ convent in a built-up area where the sisters would be a praying presence
+ among poor people. Finally a large house became available in Hollington,
+ near St Leonards on Sea, East Sussex. Four sisters moved in, and two
+ Franciscan Friars joined the community, living in a house opposite, but
+ joining in the prayer and community life of the sisters.
+
+
+
+ You can find more about Hollington{" "}
+
+ here
+
+
+
+
2010 - 2011
+
+ In January 2010 M. Francis and Sr Margaret came from Bulwell, Nottingham,
+ to join us. Their community had gradually become smaller and they were now
+ the only two remaining from the original community.
+
+
+
+
+
+ The Woodchester Convent closed in 2011 and sisters from there came to join
+ us. Woodchester had been founded from Taunton, so this was a connecting
+ with our own roots, as the Taunton community moved to Goodings, then
+ amalgamated with Arundel in 1972.
+
+
+
+
+
+ We continue to follow the way of life St Clare wanted, filled with prayer,
+ working together to be a Christ-centered community, so that the glory and
+ the love of God can pour out on the world for the healing of the nations.
+ Today we try to be faithful to this vision and go frequently to prayer.
+ Without losing the spirit of prayer, we also work to share with those who
+ are in need and to support ourselves. St Clare wanted us to live in
+ visible dependence of God, so we have no fixed income or assets. This
+ element of risk is one of her great gifts to us. It demonstrates that God
+ is always faithful.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+ Bishop Longinus and Sr
+
+ Aelred(Abbess) sign the
+
+ contract
+
+
+
+
+
+ On 3 June 1990 the Arundel community voted to make a foundation in Kenya.
+ In October 1991 three sisters travelled to the Poor Clare community in
+ Mbarara, Uganda to experience African Poor Clare life and in March 1992
+ they moved to Kenya and the diocese of Bungoma to which they had been
+ invited by the then Bishop, Longinus Atundo.
+
+
+
+ They were offered land near the village of Myanga by a local family who
+ wished to donate it in memory of their parents. The sisters returned to UK
+ for more consultations with the Arundel community and in October 1992,
+ after a Mass of Missioning, they left for Kenya.
+
+
+
+ The sisters settled in Myanga and supervised the building of the Monastery
+ and the first Mass was celebrated on 1 December 1992. The building was
+ done in several stages and culminated in the construction of the chapel
+ which was consecrated on 19 July 2001
+
+
+
+
+
+
+ Before the Mass of Missioning with Cardinal Cormac Murphy O’Connor
+ (then our Archbishop) and Bishop (now Cardinal) Vincent Nichols, the
+ three foundresses and the (then) Abbess of Arundel and the vicaress
+
+
+
+
+
Where We Live
+
+
+ The diocese of Bungoma is situated in Western Kenya and Myanga village is
+ 26 km from Bungoma town and very near to the border with Uganda. Our
+ monastery is on the edge of Myanga village surrounded by the houses and
+ small plots of land of the local people.
+
+
+
+
+
+ The House and the Church
+
+
+
+
The Community
+
+
+ We are in contact with many young Kenyan women who are beginning the
+ process of discerning whether they are called to Poor Clare life and we
+ pray daily for more young women to join us. Once a young lady has made the
+ decision to start her discernment with us, she has a year outside living
+ in her own environment while she follows a program with a member of the
+ professed community appointed to look after aspirants. The program is
+ designed to gently introduce her to our way of life
+
+
+
+ Over the years many sisters from our founding community in Arundel have
+ visited us and they are still closely in contact with us.
+
+
+
+
+
+ African St Clare
+
+
+
+
Our daily life
+
+
+ Our contemplative life of prayer and praise is centred around the
+ celebration of Mass, the Divine Office and daily adoration of the Blessed
+ Sacrament. We pray for the needs of the Church, our diocese and the many
+ people who come to us for help. We also spend a good part of the day
+ working at simple tasks. Cooking, cleaning and growing food. We make
+ church vestments, candles and rosaries.
+
+
+
Hospitality
+
+
+ We have a guesthouse and welcome people for a time of quiet, rest or for
+ private retreats.
+
+
+
+ Please contact us if you would like us to pray for you. Also for booking a
+ place in the guesthouse or if you would like more information about our
+ community and way of life.
+
+ It all began when I was nine years old, when my teacher hung up a poster
+ of St Francis surrounded by birds and animals. Like many a child I was
+ animal mad at that time – (and still am!). The teacher told us that St
+ Francis was a friend of all wild things and could talk to animals and they
+ to him. I was hooked! – and ran home to tell my parents about this
+ wonderful man. My Father then produced a copy of The Little Flowers of St
+ Francis which is a collection of legends about St Francis and was written
+ about a hundred years after this medieval saint died. Having consumed this
+ book I decided that when I grew up I would be a friar, and I would preach
+ to the birds and tell everybody about Jesus! As time went on I realized I
+ would have a few anatomical problems, and would have to be content with
+ being a nun!
+
+
+
+ When I was about fourteen I came in contact with the Anglican Friars. I
+ was Anglo-Catholic at the time. They introduced me to the Anglican Poor
+ Clares, who were in the process of being founded. They were undergoing
+ their formation at Tymawr in Monmouthshire where I visited them and felt
+ that this was where I would go.
+
+
+
+ In the meantime my father became a Catholic, followed by my mother and
+ then my brother. When I was seventeen I too was received into the Catholic
+ Church, and became a member of the Franciscan Third Order, which St
+ Francis founded for ordinary people wanting to live in his spirit. Knowing
+ that I would need time to settle in the Catholic Church, I chose to train
+ as a nurse before entering a convent. I then fell in love with nursing,
+ and after becoming an SRN continued with Midwifery and then trained as a
+ Queen’s District Nurse and worked in Leicester for four years in this
+ capacity.
+
+
+
+ I loved my work, but the ‘Franciscan nunbug’ was still biting when I was
+ asked if I would consider going out to Malta to pioneer District Nursing
+ there. This was a catalyst for me and it seemed I had to make up my mind
+ as to whether I continued with my nursing career or try my vocation in a
+ religious order. I thought I should try a religious order, if only to get
+ the idea out of my system! I was drawn to the Poor Clares but I had also
+ come into contact with some Franciscan contemplative Sisters at Goodings,
+ near Newbury. I would visit them now and then for a few days quiet,
+ staying in their guest house. I talked things over with my parish priest,
+ who said he thought the Poor Clares would be too tough for me, and advised
+ me to try with the Goodings sisters. So I applied and was accepted by
+ them.
+
+
+
+ At this point I became very ill and had to be hospitalized with
+ salmonella. I emerged somewhat lighter than I should be, so vocations and
+ nursing was on hold for a few months. Eventually my parish priest asked me
+ what I was going to do. I replied that I still felt drawn to the Poor
+ Clares. To which he replied, “Why don’t you go and give them the once over
+ at Arundel”? Until then I had never heard of Arundel but I came and ‘gave
+ them the once-over’ and felt that this was where God wanted me. Forty-six
+ years later I am still getting the ‘nunbug’ out of my system, but I think
+ I shall stay, if they will have me!
+
+ Well, I was 58 when I joined the Poor Clares in Arundel. Before that I had
+ been in a teaching Order, called Notre Dame de Namur. I went there when I
+ was 22, having been a Catholic for just 2 years, because I was so
+ attracted by the Person of Jesus, especially in the Eucharist. I had a
+ wonderful formation with them, and was sent to University and Teacher
+ Training College, and so into the classroom. I was there for 17 years when
+ I had a kind of a breakdown and so I left. I stopped praying and only did
+ the minimum to remain a Catholic. I went into a foolish marriage, which
+ failed after 9 years, and once more on my own I began to pray again. It
+ was then that the attraction of Jesus re- emerged, at first a small shoot,
+ and it grew into a great climbing plant that had nothing to climb up. I
+ knew he was calling me back into religious life, and this time I wanted to
+ be a contemplative, to spend quality time with him and for his people. It
+ was a love affair like no other, and so I eventually got here, and would
+ not be anywhere else!
+
+ First things first!! - I never wanted to be a nun: my desire was to get
+ married and have my three children, 2 girls and a boy! And then God
+ intervened and turned all my plans upside down and helped me find meaning
+ and true joy in my life!
+
+
+ I am originally from Zimbabwe, the last born in a family of six. I was
+ brought up a practising Catholic and owe to my parents the gift of my
+ faith, especially my dad whose unconditional love for me taught me to
+ believe in God’s unconditional love for me just as I am!. As I grew up I
+ began to take my faith for granted and it was only in my 20s that I
+ started taking my faith seriously and also to search for meaning and
+ direction in my life and at the same time to discern God’s will for me,
+ which I hoped would be marriage. At this time in my life I had also
+ experienced being in love and having a heart break, but was still full of
+ imaginations of the lucky man who was going to capture my heart and marry
+ me.
+
+
+ In April 1999 I came to England with no desire whatsoever of becoming a
+ nun. But in September of that same year I attended a 'Life in the
+ Spirit' seminar and there I had the misfortune [now I say fortune] of
+ meeting a lovely Franciscan Sister who God used to plant the seed of
+ religious life into my heart. For some months following this encounter I
+ struggled a lot with these two decisions; the more I resisted religious
+ life the more insistent the call became, but at this time I still had a
+ lot of fight left in me! In 2000 I came across the vocations Group for
+ people discerning their vocation in life. Here I was to receive immense
+ encouragement and support from like minded people discerning their
+ vocations and facing the same struggles that I too was going through. From
+ this group too, six of us decided to set up a lay community to further our
+ discernment and to offer each other support and encouragement. This was
+ another gift from God, it taught me community life.
+
+
+ In deciding which Order to join I was greatly inspired by St Therese of
+ Lisieux and Mother Teresa of Calcutta. Like Therese I wanted to be a
+ Carmelite and give myself totally to God by living a hidden life and
+ praying for the whole world. Like Mother Teresa I wanted to be a
+ Missionary, to leave my own country and go to another country to spread
+ the Good News about God’s love for us! But after visiting the Carmelites I
+ did not feel drawn to them which was a disappointment. One of my sisters
+ then suggested I visit the Poor Clares another contemplative Order, to
+ which I replied that I had no desire of becoming a poor Clare at all -
+ what a surprise it was for me when I finally decided to visit them anyway
+ and at the very instant I knew that God was calling me to be a Poor Clare,
+ but I still had a lot of sorting out to do. With this revelation also came
+ a lot of pain, indecision, and struggle as I realized all the sacrifices
+ this would involve like being so far away from my own country, enclosure
+ etc so I thought that maybe I could perhaps join an Order that wasn't
+ enclosed and was a bit freer than the Poor Clares but I couldn't find
+ any peace in any other Order except with the Poor Clares. After further
+ discernment and more struggling and pain I finally joined the Poor Clares
+ in 2004, Feast of the Annunciation. And now I realize that God has
+ fulfilled both my desires: I live a hidden life of prayer and I am also a
+ Missionary away from my own country.
+
+
+ I have had people asking me whether I am happy to be a poor Clare. How can
+ one really define happiness? [It is like trying to describe being in love,
+ you know you are in love but you cannot put it into words]! For me being a
+ Poor Clare means that God is fulfilling my deepest desires for that which
+ I desire most is also God's desire for me. When I say I am happy I am
+ saying I feel fulfilled and alive in this life, it brings me true joy and
+ peace at a deeper level. This is not happiness without struggles, pain and
+ constant challenges etc but a deep felt happiness at the very centre of my
+ being regardless of what life is throwing at me daily. Choosing to be a
+ Poor Clare means I am able to give myself totally to Jesus [whose love
+ draws me daily] in a way that I feel I cannot in any other vocation than
+ as a nun, and in my hidden life I can lift up all the needs of the world
+ in prayer and petition.
+
+
+);
diff --git a/react-router-app/app/main/community/SisterGabriel.tsx b/react-router-app/app/main/community/SisterGabriel.tsx
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index 0000000..b31fa12
--- /dev/null
+++ b/react-router-app/app/main/community/SisterGabriel.tsx
@@ -0,0 +1,71 @@
+import * as React from "react";
+import { Card, CardImg, CardBody, CardText } from "reactstrap";
+import srGabriel from "./images/SrGabriel.jpg";
+
+export const sisterGabrielPath = "/community-sister-gabriel";
+
+export const SisterGabriel: React.FC> = (
+ _props
+) => (
+ <>
+
+
+
+ Sister Gabriel
+
+
+
+ Sister Gabriel's Story
+
+
+ My name is Sr Gabriel, I am 35 years old, I was born and brought up in
+ Newcastle and I have been a Poor Clare for twelve years. I graduated in
+ 1993 having read engineering at Salford University and I worked for a year
+ before I tried my vocation with the Poor Clares. I was brought up in a
+ Catholic family along with my three older sisters, who are now all married
+ and I was greatly influenced by my own mother’s strong and practical
+ faith.
+
+
+ I didn’t really think about religious life until more than half way
+ through my degree programme. Having been educated at a girl’s convent
+ school I had lived a rather sheltered existence so I found being plunged
+ into a lecture hall full of men rather exciting!!!!! I spent the first
+ year of my degree socialising more than studying and inevitably I also
+ fell in love for the first time, you can imagine that religious life was
+ far from my thoughts at this point. However after a year that relationship
+ had run its course and I knew that we were not right for each other. With
+ a broken heart my mum invited me on holiday for a fortnight to Crete and
+ we had a great time together. I remember distinctly sitting on the hotel
+ balcony one evening saying to her ‘Mum I think there is more for me than
+ spending my life with one person’. It was the first time I verbalised what
+ had been going on inside me for some time. She said ‘Don’t you even think
+ about becoming a nun’ and I just said I didn’t know. That of course was
+ the beginning of a long process of discovering who I really was and God’s
+ plan for me.
+
+
+ While I was at university I joined the Catholic Chaplaincy and it was
+ during my second year there that I began to think about religious life.
+ With the support and help of friends I decided to seek some help to
+ discern if I had a vocation and the chaplains at the university were a
+ great help and support. I did consider using my degree to work for a
+ development organisation like CAFOD but after a period of reflection I
+ realised that God wanted me for who I was and not for what I could do. I
+ visited a few different contemplative houses but I felt most at home with
+ the Franciscans and in particular the Poor Clares.
+
+
+ Our way of life is expressed and lived out by the vows of poverty,
+ chastity and obedience promising to live enclosed, which basically means
+ living in one place. I find great fulfilment and joy in living sisterhood
+ and spending the better part of my day singing the praises of God through
+ praying the divine office. We all have different jobs within the community
+ but our primary call is to be an expression of God’s love to each other in
+ community and to those who we meet and to be a praying presence bringing
+ peace and healing throughout the world.
+
+
I wouldn’t want to live my life in any other way!!!
+ Each step of my journey has been full of gifts – and ‘gifts are of their
+ nature surprises’!!! But it all began out of inner struggle: I was 21,
+ life seemed pointless and aimless. People around me seemed happy but
+ mostly because they were looking forward to a holiday, or to a party, or
+ to other things that I liked and enjoy as well, but they so were
+ temporary, once they were over then the only thing to do was to begin to
+ prepare for the next one!
+
+
+
+ I wanted more out of life: I wanted to be happy but not just in ‘spurts’.
+ I felt very disheartened and alone because I was looking for something but
+ I did not know what so I did not know where to look or who to talk to
+ about it! One day I came across a book “The Story of a Soul” with a photo
+ of St Thérèse of Lisieux on its cover – I knew a bit about Thérèse but
+ what made me buy the book was the photo, I had no idea that a Saint had
+ ever been photographed! I was still on page one when this came to me: ‘I
+ am loved by God’ and ‘I want to love God with all of me - I am going to be
+ a Nun.’ I couldn’t believe that this was happening to me yet it was all so
+ clear. A huge flood of joy and happiness rose up in me and I felt the
+ presence of God so intimately, like being with a good friend.
+
+
+
+ I knew that there were lots of different kinds of Nuns but I felt very
+ attracted to two ‘kinds’ which seemed to me to be opposed to one another:
+ One was to be a missionary – like St Francis Xavier, I wanted to go and
+ tell the whole world about God’s love for every single person; the other
+ was to be a contemplative – to live a life, like Therese, dedicated to
+ prayer. I did not know which to choose so I prayed: “OK God you are the
+ One who is calling me, so you choose - it is over to You now!”
+
+
+
+ I knew He would answer me but I had not expected it to be so quickly! That
+ very day, in London, I met two Nuns who said that they were Poor
+ Clares!!!! I did not know anything about this ‘kind’ of Order but when
+ later, someone explained a bit about them, I knew, without doubt, that
+ this was His answer: ‘Graça, be a Poor Clare’! I knew that this was what I
+ had been looking for and this was going to be for the whole of my life!
+ The whole thing was becoming a reality and I couldn’t wait …
+
+
+
+ Everyone who knows me knows that I love speed because I do everything at
+ 100 miles an hour (something I have to work on all the time) but there is
+ only one thing in which I am very slow: Trust! As soon as I encountered
+ objections I began to loose trust in myself and in God. And so eleven long
+ years went by; during which I lived a ‘dead’ life, I lost interest in life
+ and avoided any reminders of the fact that I had once wanted something so
+ much. I carried a weight of sadness and guilt around with me because I
+ knew I had let God down as well as myself.
+
+
+
+ It was only in my 30’s, after encountering God anew through the Bible,
+ that the longing to become a nun surfaced again. I felt HIS love in me
+ very alive, (just like it had done before) but this time this love
+ triggered off a longing to embrace every single human being with this same
+ love. At the time I was being helped to pray with the Bible by a Jesuit
+ priest, Fr Hawe, and it was he who suggested the Poor Clares in Arundel. I
+ was quite fearful but I agreed to spend a weekend at the convent in
+ Arundel; I did not want to speak to any of the nuns, only to spend time
+ alone with God. It was then that I discovered what contemplative prayer
+ was – I named it: “Just Being!” I had never been aware of praying in this
+ way before – there were no words! It was strange and yet familiar; it felt
+ like when I was little, floating in the sea with a rubber ring around me –
+ I felt safe and a deep peace enveloped me. By the end of the weekend I
+ knew that God was indeed saying YES to me and I answered YES! Our YESes
+ had met! I left full of joy but worried too: How can this ever become a
+ reality? I wanted to join straight away, as quickly as possible –now I
+ wanted speed!!! As I had expected there were lots of difficulties and
+ problems which delayed things. Throughout this phrase came to me: Love has
+ brought me this far. I did not know where I had got it from but I kept
+ saying it and hearing it in me; when things got tough I repeated it and it
+ reminded me of God’s love for me and that He was looking after me and not
+ just me, but also all those who were opposing the idea. When people asked
+ me how I knew this life was for me, I answered that when my sisters had
+ got married I had asked the same thing: How do you know? The answer that
+ they gave me was the same I had to give: “I just know!” It is a knowing
+ from ‘within’ which may seem illogical.
+
+
+
It was another 2 years before I could join.
+
+
+ I had imagined that in order to become a Poor Clare I had to be forced
+ into a ‘mould’, and then at the end of the ‘formation’ time I would be
+ popped out of that mould and: Here you are, a brand new Poor Clare!!! This
+ was not at all what formation was like; instead I was gently led to find
+ who I am and in doing so discover that to be a Poor Clare was to be my
+ real self! This was such an amazing thing to me.{" "}
+
+
+
+ There was one thing that still puzzled me because I still felt very drawn
+ to be a missionary – ‘How could that be as I was now in an enclosed
+ community?’ The answer came as I learnt more of Francis and Clare and
+ experienced prayer more fully; then what Thérèse had helped me see came
+ alive: through prayer my every act of Love reaches the whole world. I
+ don’t know how else to explain this except to say it in one word: LOVE.
+
+
+);
diff --git a/react-router-app/app/main/community/SisterJoseph.tsx b/react-router-app/app/main/community/SisterJoseph.tsx
new file mode 100755
index 0000000..044aa4a
--- /dev/null
+++ b/react-router-app/app/main/community/SisterJoseph.tsx
@@ -0,0 +1,47 @@
+import * as React from "react";
+import { Card, CardImg, CardBody, CardText } from "reactstrap";
+import srJoseph from "./images/SrJoseph.jpg";
+
+export const sisterJosephPath = "/community-sister-joseph";
+
+export const SisterJoseph: React.FC> = (
+ _props
+) => (
+ <>
+
+
+
+ Sister Joseph
+
+
+
+
+ Sister Joseph's Story
+
+
+
+ I came from an Irish family of six children – two boys and four girls, who
+ all became nuns in the end. We lived on a farm in Limerick. My eldest
+ sister, Catherine, left home to enter the Little Sisters of the Poor, and
+ when my second sister left to join her, I was very upset because I knew
+ then that I would have to come in to do the housework and I missed working
+ outside with the animals, which I enjoyed very much. I had no intention of
+ following them. My dad never thought I would become a nun; I was a bit of
+ a tomboy. At the back of my mind, I really did want to enter a convent,
+ but I couldn’t decide until one day, mum and I went shopping. We always
+ called into a church and on the way back, we met a nun over from England.
+ She told us about her life which interested me a lot. After much thought
+ and prayer, I wrote to her, and had a reply back, so off I went leaving a
+ tearful mum and dad behind. I didn’t join them straight away. I worked in
+ the school and had to learn French. I went to dances and to the pictures,
+ with girl friends. I soon got fed up with it but I did once win a 100
+ cigarettes. All that came to an end one day when I met a lady who told me
+ that she had a daughter, a Franciscan nun in Taunton. She told me what
+ their work was and I thought to myself, that was just what I wanted, as I
+ didn’t like teaching. I wrote to the Reverend Mother and told her that I
+ was interested in their life. I had a nice welcoming letter back, inviting
+ me to come and visit them. The date was fixed to come and as I walked up
+ the drive, I knew straight away: this is the place for me.
+
+ I was born in Malaysia, I came to this country when I was 19 to be a
+ student. I received my calling to be a religious soon after I was
+ confirmed at 17. I had no courage at that time to acknowledge this since
+ none of my family has a religious vocation and I did not want to cause an
+ uprising in my family, especially a large extended one.
+
+
+
+ Although I did not want to believe this calling which I knew would cost me
+ a tremendous pain of not having my own family and being looked upon as
+ 'strange' within my close knit family, I felt an overwhelming
+ joy of being alive like I never did in my life. I experienced God's
+ deep love in my prayer each night and His Power at work in all things. I
+ started to improve my English and attended daily Mass secretly if
+ possible.
+
+
+
+ I came to England hoping my English would become fluent. It was during the
+ course of my degree that I became very unhappy, I no longer could
+ experience God. After all that blissful relationship with God for about a
+ year, I experienced a total emptiness of the presence of God. I began to
+ doubt if God ever existed and felt terribly guilty for my feeling, I had
+ to go to daily Mass just in case God still cared about me. It was only the
+ Mass that I had a desire for, not prayer, nor did I know if I believed in
+ the God I was brought up to believe in.
+
+
+
+ I stopped attending lectures after the Easter break in my second year, and
+ decided to search for religious life even in the stage of
+ 'unbelief'. I just had to find out if this desire for God is
+ still true, or could I totally give up my faith. I went to an apostolic
+ religious congregation only to be told to go back to university. Then
+ finally I was directed by two other religious to come to Arundel. I did
+ that as my last resort and after the first night in the guest house, I
+ knew God existed.
+
+
+
+ Not I, rather, God embraced me with the strength to leave my family and my
+ country. Despite years of struggles in everyway daily, happy to be here,
+ it is a school of all schools, a place to learn through failings and
+ mistakes, the art of love and to bear the fruits of the Holy Spirit.
+
+
+);
diff --git a/react-router-app/app/main/community/Vocation.tsx b/react-router-app/app/main/community/Vocation.tsx
new file mode 100755
index 0000000..97ef167
--- /dev/null
+++ b/react-router-app/app/main/community/Vocation.tsx
@@ -0,0 +1,122 @@
+import * as React from "react";
+import { Link } from "react-router";
+import { Card, CardImg, CardBody, CardText } from "reactstrap";
+import { addressesPath } from "../misc/Addresses";
+import chapel from "./images/Chapel.jpg";
+
+export const vocationPath = "/community-vocation";
+
+export const Vocation: React.FC> = (
+ _props
+) => (
+ <>
+
Vocation
+
+
+
+
+ In Chapel
+
+
+
+
+ If a person feels drawn by God to offer herself to him in a life of prayer
+ and contemplation, together with others who share this desire, she would
+ be advised to make enquiries about the various Contemplative Orders.
+ Should she feel drawn to following the Franciscan way begun by St Clare of
+ Assisi she then contacts one of the Poor Clare Convents in England.
+
+
+
+ You can find addresses here.
+
+
+
Requirements
+
+
For those who would like to be a Poor Clare in Arundel:
+
+
She needs to be over 18
+
+ She must have completed secondary education and either had some further
+ training or work experience for a few years.
+
+
+ She must be free from other commitments, such as marriage bonds,
+ dependent children or parents, or debt.
+
+
She needs to be psychologically mature and a lover of life!
+
Good health is also necessary.
+
+ She would need to be attuned to prayer, both personal and liturgical; to
+ have a taste for a simple life; to be prepared to live with others who
+ have responded to God’s call.
+
+
A sense of humour is essential!
+
+
+
+ St Clare’s Rule says:
+
+ If, by DIVINE INSPIRATION, anyone should come to us desiring to accept
+ this life . . .
+ This shows clearly that a religious vocation is an entirely free gift from
+ God. His is the initiative. The person’s part is to choose to respond. In
+ this delicate matter there is much need for careful discernment, on the
+ part of the individual and of the community. Time is given to this.
+
+
+
The Process
+
+
+
+ The would-be Poor Clare writes to the Abbess to ask to come to visit us.
+ She would make several visits, during which time the Sisters begin to
+ know her and she them.
+
+
+ If she feels she has found what she is looking for, and the Abbess is
+ also happy about her. She would be invited to come for a Live-In. She
+ would come and share the life of the community for up to one month, so
+ that she may gain first-hand experience of the life.
+
+
+ If she is still of the same mind, she then makes a formal request in
+ writing to join the community.
+
+
+ The Abbess ascertains that she has all the requirements mentioned above,
+ and a date of entry is fixed.
+
+
+
+
Formation in the Religious Life
+
+
+ At first she is a postulant for a minimum of one year. She wears her own
+ clothes and lives alongside the Sisters, watching and learning from them,
+ and also following certain studies which will help her to deepen her
+ spiritual life.
+
+
+
+ At the end of her postulancy the Abbess, with the consent of the
+ community, may receive her into the Novitiate. She is given the habit and
+ her religious name. She is a Novice for two years and receives formation
+ in Franciscan spirituality and prayer, scripture and doctrine.
+
+
+
+ After that, if she is considered suitable by the Abbess and the community,
+ she is accepted for First Vows, and makes the three vows of Poverty,
+ Chastity and Obedience for three years. She is now a Junior, not yet a
+ full member of the Community. Her formation continues.
+
+
+
+ At the end of the three years – or may be longer – she asks to be admitted
+ to full membership of the community. If the Abbess and Community accept
+ her, she makes her three vows of commitment to God for the rest of her
+ life at her Solemn Profession.
+
+
+);
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diff --git a/react-router-app/app/main/index.tsx b/react-router-app/app/main/index.tsx
new file mode 100755
index 0000000..3b62618
--- /dev/null
+++ b/react-router-app/app/main/index.tsx
@@ -0,0 +1,98 @@
+import { Container } from "reactstrap";
+import { Navigate, Route, Routes } from "react-router";
+import { Menu } from "./Menu";
+import { Us, usPath } from "./Us";
+import { OurPrayer, ourPrayerPath } from "./our-life/OurPrayer";
+import { OurWork, ourWorkPath } from "./our-life/OurWork";
+import { OurShop, ourShopPath } from "./our-life/OurShop";
+import { SisterAnn, sisterAnnPath } from "./community/SisterAnn";
+import {
+ SisterClareAgnes,
+ sisterClareAgnesPath,
+} from "./community/SisterClareAgnes";
+import {
+ SisterClareRuva,
+ sisterClareRuvaPath,
+} from "./community/SisterClareRuva";
+// import { SisterGabriel, sisterGabrielPath } from './community/SisterGabriel';
+import { SisterGraca, sisterGracaPath } from "./community/SisterGraca";
+import { SisterJoseph, sisterJosephPath } from "./community/SisterJoseph";
+// import { SisterMaria, sisterMariaPath } from './community/SisterMaria';
+import { Interviews, interviewsPath } from "./community/Interviews";
+import { Arundel, arundelPath } from "./community/Arundel";
+import { ClaresStory, claresStoryPath } from "./beginnings/ClaresStory";
+import {
+ ClaresThoughts,
+ claresThoughtsPath,
+} from "./beginnings/ClaresThoughts";
+import { ClaresPrayers, claresPrayersPath } from "./beginnings/ClaresPrayers";
+import { FrancisLife, francisLifePath } from "./beginnings/FrancisLife";
+import {
+ FrancisThoughts,
+ francisThoughtsPath,
+} from "./beginnings/FrancisThoughts";
+import {
+ FrancisPrayers,
+ francisPrayersPath,
+} from "./beginnings/FrancisPrayers";
+import { Events, eventsPath } from "./Events";
+import { FAQs, faqsPath } from "./misc/FAQs";
+import { Links, linksPath } from "./misc/Links";
+import { Glossary, glossaryPath } from "./misc/Glossary";
+import { Addresses, addressesPath } from "./misc/Addresses";
+import { Vocation, vocationPath } from "./community/Vocation";
+import { Kenya, kenyaPath } from "./community/Kenya";
+import { PrayerRequests } from "./PrayerRequests";
+import { prayerRequestsPath } from "./routePaths";
+import { LightForTheWorld, lightForTheWorldPath } from "./LightForTheWorld";
+import { MyPeaceIGiveYou, myPeaceIGiveYouPath } from "./MyPeaceIGiveYou";
+import { Donate, donatePath } from "./Donate";
+import { Christmas, christmasPath } from "./Christmas";
+import { Footer } from "../components/Footer";
+
+function Main() {
+ return (
+ <>
+
+
+
+ } />
+ } />
+ } />
+ } />
+ } />
+ } />
+ } />
+ {/* */}
+ } />
+ } />
+ {/* */}
+ } />
+ } />
+ } />
+ } />
+ } />
+ } />
+ } />
+ } />
+ } />
+ } />
+ } />
+ } />
+ } />
+ } />
+ } />
+ } />
+ } />
+ } />
+ } />
+ } />
+ } />
+
+
+
+
+ );
+}
+
+export default Main;
diff --git a/react-router-app/app/main/misc/Addresses.tsx b/react-router-app/app/main/misc/Addresses.tsx
new file mode 100755
index 0000000..d0abd74
--- /dev/null
+++ b/react-router-app/app/main/misc/Addresses.tsx
@@ -0,0 +1,109 @@
+import * as React from "react";
+
+export const addressesPath = "/misc-addresses";
+
+export const Addresses: React.FC> = (
+ _props
+) => (
+ <>
+
+ Addresses of Poor Clare convents in the English Association
+
+
+
+ Please address all correspondence to the Mother Abbess. For men, try{" "}
+ the Friars
+
+
+ Poor Clares Monastery
+
+ 155 Main Street
+
+ Askham Bryan
+
+ York
+
+ YO23 3QS
+
+
+);
diff --git a/react-router-app/app/main/misc/FAQs.tsx b/react-router-app/app/main/misc/FAQs.tsx
new file mode 100755
index 0000000..86f591d
--- /dev/null
+++ b/react-router-app/app/main/misc/FAQs.tsx
@@ -0,0 +1,197 @@
+import * as React from "react";
+
+export const faqsPath = "/misc-faqs";
+
+export const FAQs: React.FC> = (_props) => (
+ <>
+
FAQs
+
+
+
+
+
+
+ Do you miss male company/Do you ever feel attracted to others in a
+ romantic way?
+
+
+
+ Of course!! There is in most normal human beings a desire to belong to
+ someone in a special way and we like all human beings still experience
+ normal human needs, desires, feelings, sexual urges etc. But as celibates
+ we try to find ways of channeling these feelings in more creative ways
+ through closeness to Jesus, prayer and having healthy nourishing
+ friendships with either sex and a lot of exercise does help!!
+
+
+
What if you fall in love?
+
+
+ Falling in love is ok; it’s what you do with it. There is no guarantee
+ that once you become a nun you will never fall in love. But like any other
+ commitment when it does happen you have to recall the original commitment
+ you made to the one you love – be it to marriage, or to live as a
+ consecrated person or a priest and God- willing recommit yourself again.
+ This obviously involves pain, but it can also be a time of growth and a
+ way of deepening and making one’s vocation even stronger.
+
+
+
Who are the Poor Clares?
+
+
+ The Poor Clares are a religious Order for women who want to lead a
+ contemplative life i.e. a life dedicated to God through prayer. They were
+ started by St Francis and St Clare in 1212 in Assisi in Italy. They want
+ to become united to God through following the life and teaching of Jesus
+ Christ, through prayer and living in community. Their work and mission is
+ to pray for the world and the Church. There are Poor Clare convents in
+ every continent in the world.
+
+
+
Why do women today want to become Poor Clares?
+
+
+ The reason common to all the Sisters is that they feel a strong attraction
+ to God. Jesus said: “You have not chosen me, no, I have chosen you” (John
+ 15:16) and each Sister is very aware of that choice, and wishes to respond
+ to this invitation generously with their whole lives.
+
+
+
How do you know you have a call?
+
+
+ You do not hear a voice from heaven calling to you!! Circumstances in your
+ life play a big part. For example you may meet a Franciscan or a Poor
+ Clare sister who inspires you. Someone may teach you how to pray, and you
+ get to know and love Jesus personally. You may read a book that tells you
+ about the contemplative, Poor Clare life. All these kind of things point
+ the way. But in the end you just know in your heart that God is inviting
+ you to respond to him totally, in a spirit of poverty and humility, and
+ trusting in him to see the whole thing through. There is an emptiness in
+ you that you know nothing else can fill except complete commitment to God.
+ To put it briefly you find you have fallen in love with God.
+
+
+
+ Wouldn’t these women be better employed feeding the starving millions or
+ working among the poor?
+
+
+
+ Yes, if that is where they were called. But those who hear God’s
+ invitation to give up everything for his sake, do not do it to opt out of
+ the responsibilities we all have for those in need. First, they live day
+ in day out, in a community which is a true cross-section of society. They
+ aim to live out the Gospel command of love in this environment, alert to
+ their Sisters’ needs, willing to supply them and to make each one feel
+ that they matter. It is this kind of love that reaches out beyond our
+ walls.
+
+
+
+ Further, each Sister has a radio and newspapers are there for them to
+ read. They all know about the troubles in the world: the poverty, the way
+ in which people are searching for meaning in their lives, the violence,
+ the sickness. They identify with these needy people and carry them in
+ their hearts to God in prayer. In this way they reach out to many more
+ people than they could ever serve in a limited situation. We are here for
+ the world and the Church, and not just to have a cozy time with God.
+
+
+
Why POOR Clares?
+
+
+ Simply because we own no money, own no house or land, have no fixed income
+ or investments! This sounds foolhardy and irresponsible, but it was seen
+ by St Francis and St Clare as the way that Jesus lived, and it is
+ intimately linked to his teaching.
+
+
+
+ Jesus said:
+
+ Go, sell what you have and give the money to the poor, and
+
+ COME FOLLOW ME.
+
+
+ Think of the birds. They do not sow or reap;
+
+ yet God feeds them.
+
+ And how much more are you worth than the birds!
+
+
+
+
How then do you live?
+
+
+ We try to live a simple life-style. However, we do have money! This comes
+ from State and Professional pensions and Allowances for the sick, just as
+ any citizen would get. We also have many generous benefactors. However, no
+ individual sister owns any money. She is given some by the Bursar when she
+ really needs it.
+
+
+
+ We do earn money, by making vestments, running a small guest house, making
+ and selling cards and knitted garments in our shop. We do most of the
+ housework in this large building ourselves – the cooking, washing,
+ cleaning etc. In the garden we cut the grass, look after the fruit trees,
+ and tend the flower beds. We don’t employ people unless it becomes really
+ necessary. We care for our own elderly and sick sisters. People are good
+ enough to leave us legacies from time to time. We really do trust in the
+ Lord to see to our material needs – and he does!
+
+
+
Why don’t you go out?
+
+
+ In actual fact there are occasions when we do go out! St Clare in her Rule
+ says there are three reasons for going out: if it is reasonable, evident
+ and approved. So we go to the doctor, dentist, hospital, optician and one
+ or two sisters are designated to go shopping for things we cannot get
+ delivered or through the internet or a catalogue.
+
+
+
+ For the most part we stop at home because the convent is our “sacred
+ space” where we get in close touch with God without the noise and
+ distractions that surround people most of the time. We live here to be in
+ constant touch with God, just as a newly wedded couple like to be in their
+ place alone with each other.
+
+
+
What are vows?
+
+
+ They are a sign of our commitment and consecration to God as our Supreme
+ Love. Poor Clares take three vows
+
+
+
+
+ Chastity - focuses our love very completely on God, Father, Son and
+ Spirit. Through the love that God gives to us we are freed by this vow
+ to love more widely and more genuinely. We give to God our bodies,
+ emotions and feelings and our right to marry.
+
+
+ Poverty - frees our hearts from being tied down by possessions and opens
+ us up to a greater freedom, to live in imitation of Christ who was poor
+ for our sake so that we could become rich in him. We give to God our
+ right to possess things.
+
+
+ Obedience - by this vow we give to God our most precious gift – our
+ freewill. In this we are imitating Christ who was obedient unto death on
+ a cross.
+
+ This is a celebration of the day Jesus rode into Jerusalem the week before
+ he died. All the people greeted him with branches of palms torn from the
+ trees, and shouts of Hurray! It is celebrated in Christian churches on the
+ Sunday before Easter Day.
+
+
+
Friars Minor
+
+
These are male followers of the way of life of St Francis
+
+
Pope
+
+
+ He is the elected head of the Roman Catholic Church. He is the successor
+ of St Peter, whom Jesus made “the rock on which he would build his
+ church.”
+
+
+
Altar boys
+
+
+ These are young lads who assist the priest during Church services in the
+ Catholic Church.
+
+
+
Holy Mass
+
+
+ This is a service in the Catholic Church in which we carry out the wish of
+ Jesus to do what he did when he had his last supper with his close
+ friends. During the meal he took some bread, gave thanks to God, and said:
+ “This is my Body. – Do what I have done in memory of me”. Then he took a
+ goblet of wine and said: “This is my Blood which will be shed for you. Do
+ this in memory of me.” In doing this he wanted to make it possible for us
+ to be present in a spiritual way at his death and rising from that death,
+ and to be fed by his life, because he becomes really present in the bread
+ and the wine after the priest has said Jesus’ own words, as above.
+
+
+
This service includes listening to the Word of God in the Bible.
+
+
Other words which are used for this are Eucharist and Holy Communion.
+
+
+ This service is the very heart of the Catholic Church and is a Spiritual
+ Mystery of Faith.
+
+
+
Anglican Friars
+
+
+ These are members of the Church of England who follow the way of life of
+ St Francis.
+
+
+
Abbess
+
+
+ She is the Superior of a community of Poor Clare sisters, elected every 3
+ years by the Community
+
+
+
Blessed Sacrament
+
+
+ After the priest has said the words of Jesus over the bread and wine at
+ Holy Mass, what is not distributed in Holy Communion to the people is kept
+ in a special locked place on the altar called a Tabernacle. This is so
+ that it can be used to give anyone who falls really ill, and also as a
+ focus where people can pray and know that Jesus is really present there in
+ the form of Bread.
+
+
+
Intercessions
+
+
Prayers for special needs.
+
+
Vestments
+
+
Special clothes worn by priests when they say Mass.
+
+
Liturgical use
+
+
Whatever is used in the ceremonies of the Church Services
*/}
+
+);
diff --git a/react-router-app/app/main/our-life/OurPrayer.tsx b/react-router-app/app/main/our-life/OurPrayer.tsx
new file mode 100755
index 0000000..7cf104f
--- /dev/null
+++ b/react-router-app/app/main/our-life/OurPrayer.tsx
@@ -0,0 +1,140 @@
+import { Link } from "react-router";
+import prayerOur1 from "./images/prayerOur1.jpg";
+import prayerOur2 from "./images/prayerOur2.webp";
+import prayerOur3 from "./images/prayerOur3.webp";
+import { prayerRequestsPath } from "../routePaths";
+
+export default function OurPrayer() {
+ return (
+ <>
+
Our Prayer
+
+
+
Our life of prayer falls into three natural parts. These are:
+
+
+ The Prayer of the Church, which is sometimes called the Divine Office
+ and which punctuates our day with hymns, psalms and spiritual canticles,
+ as St Paul recommended.
+
+
+
+ Our personal prayer time alone with God. There are two hours set aside
+ for this each day though our hope is that our whole day can be filled
+ with prayer.
+
+
+
+ Our specific intercession for the needs of the Church, of our friends
+ and those who contact us asking us to support them with our prayer. This
+ takes place specifically at Morning and Evening Prayer and at many
+ private moments throughout the day.
+
+
+
+ Our usual timetable
+
+
+
+
+
+ 5.30 Rise. A quick breakfast followed by time for personal prayer,
+ reading, study until 7.30
+
+
+
+ 7.30 Morning Prayer, the Prayer of Praise to God followed by Spiritual
+ reading.
+
+
+
+ 8.30 Holy Mass (Weekdays Mass is usually at 8.30am) followed by the
+ Office of the Passion (A short Prayer written by Francis of Assisi)
+ and then work until 11.50
+
+
+
+ 12 Noon The Office of Readings – a time of prayer composed of some
+ psalms and two readings, one from Scripture and one from a Christian
+ teacher or saint. These nourish our spirits for the day.
+
+
+
+ 12.30 Dinner; followed by a short Office, then some free time until
+ 2.15
+
+
+
+ 2.15 back to work with a tea break at 3.30 and a short prayer together
+ in the refectory at 4.00 to sanctify our work
+
+
+
5.50 Evening Prayer
+
+
+ 6.30 Supper followed by an hour of personal prayer time until 8 pm.
+
+
+
8.00 Compline or Night Prayer, which closes the day.
+
+
+
+ Wednesday evening and Thursday morning there is no Office celebrated in
+ public, the sisters have a ‘hermit’ space, each praying alone.
+
+
+
Holy Mass
+
+
+ Weekday Mass is usually at 8.30am. Sunday Mass is at 6pm, preceeded by
+ Evening Prayer at 5.15pm.
+
+
+
Other forms of prayer
+
+
+ Sundays we usually have Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament from 8am to
+ 9am.
+
+
+
+ Christian Meditation (John Main) group: Tuesday evenings, c.7pm -
+ 8.30pm.
+
+ Each meeting includes a short (taped) talk and 30 minutes of silent
+ centering prayer. All are welcome, from any prayer tradition. There are
+ usually 10 - 15 people each week.
+
+
+
+ Taize style prayer meeting: last Friday of each month (except December),
+ c.7.15pm – 8.30pm. All are welcome.
+
+
+
+
Prayer Requests
+
+
+ If you would like to ask the community to pray for a special intention{" "}
+ mail us a prayer request.
+
+
+
+ Although you may only receive a standardised reply, you can be confident
+ that we will indeed pray.
+
+
+ );
+}
diff --git a/react-router-app/app/main/our-life/OurShop.tsx b/react-router-app/app/main/our-life/OurShop.tsx
new file mode 100755
index 0000000..f25ccc6
--- /dev/null
+++ b/react-router-app/app/main/our-life/OurShop.tsx
@@ -0,0 +1,21 @@
+import { Card, CardImg } from "reactstrap";
+import shop from "./images/shop.jpg";
+import statues from "./images/olivewood_statue_selection.jpg";
+
+export default function OurShop() {
+ return (
+ <>
+
Our Shop
+
+
We have a small shop which you are very welcome to visit.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+ );
+}
diff --git a/react-router-app/app/main/our-life/OurWork.tsx b/react-router-app/app/main/our-life/OurWork.tsx
new file mode 100755
index 0000000..d8a8f14
--- /dev/null
+++ b/react-router-app/app/main/our-life/OurWork.tsx
@@ -0,0 +1,94 @@
+import { Card, CardText, CardImg, CardBody } from "reactstrap";
+import sisterCooking from "./images/sister-cooking.webp";
+import work1 from "./images/Work1.jpg";
+import work2 from "./images/Work2.jpg";
+import knittedBabyClothes from "./images/knitted-baby-clothes.webp";
+import leatherWork from "./images/leather-work.webp";
+import vestments2 from "./images/vestments2.jpg";
+import selectionOfCards from "./images/selection-of-cards.webp";
+import tripAroundGuestHouse from "../../static/tripAroundGuestHouse.pdf";
+
+export default function OurWork() {
+ return (
+ <>
+
+
+
+ Sister cooking
+
+
+
+
Our Work
+
+
+ We not only work to earn our living, but still more we work as a way of
+ sharing in God’s work of creation and in the work and struggles of the
+ rest of humanity. Every sister contributes to the care of the house and
+ garden according to her capacity. There is a rota for those who cook and
+ another for answering the Front Door bell; parts of the house are shared
+ out for the cleaning. Several others work in the garden. One or two are
+ involved in the teaching and formation of new members. The Infirmarian
+ and her helpers are closely involved with the care of the elderly and
+ the sick. Each does what she can, just as each receives from the
+ community what she needs, and this will be different for each person.
+
+
+
+ We have a small guest house where people can come to find rest and
+ refreshment, sharing our prayer with us in our chapel and staying in
+ simple, but attractive rooms. We try to share the gifts God has given us
+ by enabling others to share our prayer in Chapel, and by praying
+ constantly in response to people’s needs.
+
+
+
+ You can see round our guest house{" "}
+ here.
+
+
+
+ Sisters do a variety of craft work, some of which is on sale in our shop
+ and some things can be made on request (eg. leather work).
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
Sister painting an ikon
+
+
+
+
+
+
Candles
+
+
+
+
+
Knitted baby clothes
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
Leather work
+
+
+
+
+
Small alter linen
+
+
+
+
Selection of cards
+
+
+
+ );
+}
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diff --git a/react-router-app/app/main/our-life/images/workSrMariaIcon.jpg b/react-router-app/app/main/our-life/images/workSrMariaIcon.jpg
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diff --git a/react-router-app/app/main/our-life/routePaths.ts b/react-router-app/app/main/our-life/routePaths.ts
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..db50512
--- /dev/null
+++ b/react-router-app/app/main/our-life/routePaths.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,3 @@
+export const ourPrayerPath = "/our-life/our-prayer";
+export const ourWorkPath = "/our-life/our-work";
+export const ourShopPath = "/our-life/our-shop";
diff --git a/react-router-app/app/main/prayerRequestsApi.ts b/react-router-app/app/main/prayerRequestsApi.ts
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..ec18040
--- /dev/null
+++ b/react-router-app/app/main/prayerRequestsApi.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,13 @@
+import type { Route } from "./+types/prayerRequestsApi";
+
+// export function loader(_: Route.LoaderArgs) {
+// return Response.json({ message: "I handle GET" });
+// }
+
+export async function action(actionArgs: Route.ActionArgs) {
+ const json = await actionArgs.request.json();
+ return Response.json({
+ ok: true,
+ message: JSON.stringify(json),
+ });
+}
diff --git a/react-router-app/app/main/routePaths.ts b/react-router-app/app/main/routePaths.ts
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..2c85cff
--- /dev/null
+++ b/react-router-app/app/main/routePaths.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,2 @@
+export const prayerRequestsPath = "/prayer-requests";
+export const prayerRequestsApiPath = "/api/PrayerRequest";
diff --git a/react-router-app/app/main/routes.ts b/react-router-app/app/main/routes.ts
new file mode 100755
index 0000000..5b30ff7
--- /dev/null
+++ b/react-router-app/app/main/routes.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,71 @@
+import {
+ type RouteConfig,
+ route,
+ // index,
+ layout,
+ // prefix,
+} from "@react-router/dev/routes";
+import { prayerRequestsApiPath, prayerRequestsPath } from "./routePaths";
+
+export default [
+ layout("./main/Layout.tsx", [
+ // index("./main/Us.tsx"),
+
+ route("/us", "./main/Us.tsx"),
+
+ route("/our-life/our-prayer", "./main/our-life/OurPrayer.tsx"),
+ route("/our-life/our-work", "./main/our-life/OurWork.tsx"),
+ route("/our-life/our-shop", "./main/our-life/OurShop.tsx"),
+
+ route("/community/sister-ann", "./main/community/SisterAnn.tsx"),
+ route(
+ "/community/sister-clare-agnes",
+ "./main/community/SisterClareAgnes.tsx"
+ ),
+ route(
+ "/community/sister-clare-ruva",
+ "./main/community/SisterClareRuva.tsx"
+ ),
+ // route("/community/sister-gabriel", "./main/community/SisterGabriel.tsx"),
+ route("/community/sister-graca", "./main/community/SisterGraca.tsx"),
+ route("/community/sister-joseph", "./main/community/SisterJoseph.tsx"),
+ // route("/community/sister-maria", "./main/community/SisterMaria.tsx"),
+ route("/community/vocation", "./main/community/Vocation.tsx"),
+ route("/community/interviews", "./main/community/Interviews.tsx"),
+ route("/community/arundel", "./main/community/Arundel.tsx"),
+ route("/community/kenya", "./main/community/Kenya.tsx"),
+
+ route("/beginnings/clares-story", "./main/beginnings/ClaresStory.tsx"),
+ route(
+ "/beginnings/clares-thoughts",
+ "./main/beginnings/ClaresThoughts.tsx"
+ ),
+ route("/beginnings/clares-prayers", "./main/beginnings/ClaresPrayers.tsx"),
+ route("/beginnings/francis-life", "./main/beginnings/FrancisLife.tsx"),
+ route(
+ "/beginnings/francis-thoughts",
+ "./main/beginnings/FrancisThoughts.tsx"
+ ),
+ route(
+ "/beginnings/francis-prayers",
+ "./main/beginnings/FrancisPrayers.tsx"
+ ),
+
+ route("/events", "./main/Events.tsx"),
+
+ route("/misc/faqs", "./main/misc/FAQs.tsx"),
+ route("/misc/links", "./main/misc/Links.tsx"),
+ route("/misc/glossary", "./main/misc/Glossary.tsx"),
+ route("/misc/addresses", "./main/misc/Addresses.tsx"),
+
+ route("/donate", "./main/Donate.tsx"),
+ route(prayerRequestsPath, "./main/PrayerRequests.tsx"),
+ route(prayerRequestsApiPath, "./main/prayerRequestsApi.ts"),
+
+ route("/light-for-the-world", "./main/LightForTheWorld.tsx"),
+
+ route("/christmas", "./main/Christmas.tsx"),
+
+ route("/my-peace-i-give-you", "./main/MyPeaceIGiveYou.tsx"),
+ ]),
+] satisfies RouteConfig;
diff --git a/react-router-app/app/root.tsx b/react-router-app/app/root.tsx
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..012dc87
--- /dev/null
+++ b/react-router-app/app/root.tsx
@@ -0,0 +1,85 @@
+import "bootstrap/dist/css/bootstrap.min.css";
+
+import {
+ isRouteErrorResponse,
+ Links,
+ Meta,
+ Outlet,
+ Scripts,
+ ScrollRestoration,
+} from "react-router";
+
+import type { Route } from "./+types/root";
+import stylesheet from "./app.css?url";
+
+export const links: Route.LinksFunction = () => [
+ /*
+ { rel: "preconnect", href: "https://fonts.googleapis.com" },
+ {
+ rel: "preconnect",
+ href: "https://fonts.gstatic.com",
+ crossOrigin: "anonymous",
+ },
+ {
+ rel: "stylesheet",
+ href: "https://fonts.googleapis.com/css2?family=Inter:ital,opsz,wght@0,14..32,100..900;1,14..32,100..900&display=swap",
+ },
+ */
+ { rel: "shortcut icon", href: "/favicon.ico" },
+ { rel: "stylesheet", href: stylesheet },
+];
+
+export function Layout({ children }: { children: React.ReactNode }) {
+ return (
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+ {children}
+
+
+
+
+ );
+}
+
+export default function App() {
+ return ;
+}
+
+export function ErrorBoundary({ error }: Route.ErrorBoundaryProps) {
+ let message = "Oops!";
+ let details = "An unexpected error occurred.";
+ let stack: string | undefined;
+
+ if (isRouteErrorResponse(error)) {
+ message = error.status === 404 ? "404" : "Error";
+ details =
+ error.status === 404
+ ? "The requested page could not be found."
+ : error.statusText || details;
+ } else if (import.meta.env.DEV && error && error instanceof Error) {
+ details = error.message;
+ stack = error.stack;
+ }
+
+ return (
+
+
{message}
+
{details}
+ {stack && (
+
+ {stack}
+
+ )}
+
+ );
+}
diff --git a/react-router-app/app/routes.ts b/react-router-app/app/routes.ts
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..07548a0
--- /dev/null
+++ b/react-router-app/app/routes.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,25 @@
+import {
+ type RouteConfig,
+ // route,
+ index,
+ // layout,
+ // prefix,
+} from "@react-router/dev/routes";
+import mainRoutes from "./main/routes";
+
+export default [
+ index("./Home.tsx"),
+ ...mainRoutes,
+ // route("about", "./about.tsx"),
+
+ // layout("./auth/layout.tsx", [
+ // route("login", "./auth/login.tsx"),
+ // route("register", "./auth/register.tsx"),
+ // ]),
+
+ // ...prefix("concerts", [
+ // index("./concerts/home.tsx"),
+ // route(":city", "./concerts/city.tsx"),
+ // route("trending", "./concerts/trending.tsx"),
+ // ]),
+] satisfies RouteConfig;
diff --git a/react-router-app/app/static/Stylist_Life_in_a_convent.pdf b/react-router-app/app/static/Stylist_Life_in_a_convent.pdf
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diff --git a/react-router-app/app/static/tripAroundGuestHouse.pdf b/react-router-app/app/static/tripAroundGuestHouse.pdf
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diff --git a/react-router-app/app/the-convent/GuidedPrayer.tsx b/react-router-app/app/the-convent/GuidedPrayer.tsx
new file mode 100755
index 0000000..ce286c7
--- /dev/null
+++ b/react-router-app/app/the-convent/GuidedPrayer.tsx
@@ -0,0 +1,269 @@
+import * as React from "react";
+import { Card, CardImg } from "reactstrap";
+import smallRoom from "./images/SmallRoom.jpg";
+import smallSanDamianoCrucifix from "./images/SmallSanDamianoCrucifix.jpg";
+
+export const guidedPrayerPath = "/guided-prayer";
+
+export const GuidedPrayer: React.FC> = (
+ _props
+) => (
+ <>
+
+
+
+
+
+ Guided Prayer - Praying With the Seekers
+
+
+
+ When the Seekers were with us we had a time of guided prayer for them each
+ Monday evening. Some of these prayer sessions are reproduced below, if you
+ would like to try them yourself. Each session lasted 30-40 minutes, so
+ allow plenty of time to pause between the different parts. At the end of
+ each session we had a time of sharing, when each person was free to say
+ how it had been for them, or to remain silent if they preferred not to
+ share.
+
+
+
Stillness exercise
+
+
+ Find a position you are comfortable in and then try to stay still.
+
+ Listen to the sounds around you and as you recognise them, let them go.
+
+ The train passing by
+
+ The cars
+ An aeroplane
+
+
+
+ Listen to sounds a bit nearer to home
+
+ Movement in the house
+
+ Water running
+
+ Someone passing by
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+ Now listen to the sounds in the room
+
+ The clock ticking
+
+ Someone moving
+
+ As you recognise each sound, let it go.
+
+
+
+ Now notice your body.
+
+ Notice how you feel
+
+ Notice whether you are comfortable.
+
+ Don’t change anything, just notice.
+
+
+
+ Now notice your breathing
+
+ Don’t change it, just notice the breath going in and out.
+
+ As you breathe in, take into yourself the peace that is around you
+
+ God’s peace
+
+ Breathe in the peace.
+
+ Breathe out any disturbance
+
+ Breathe in His peace
+
+ Breathe out any negativity
+
+ Breathe in the peace
+
+ Breathe out any fear, any worries
+
+
+
+ Let His light and love come into you with each breath.
+
+ Let go all darkness,
+
+ Let light fill you.
+
+ Stay a while in the light and peace.
+
+ Notice how you feel
+
+ Give thanks for it.
+
+
+
Imaginative Prayer
+
+
+
+
+
+ Read John 1:35-42:
+ John was there with two of his disciples. When he saw Jesus passing by, he
+ said, ‘Look, the Lamb of God!’ When the two disciples heard him say this,
+ they followed Jesus. Turning round, Jesus saw them following and asked,
+ ‘What do you want?’ They said, ‘Rabbi, where are you staying?’ ‘Come’, he
+ replied, ‘and you will see.’ So they went and saw where he was staying and
+ spent that day with Him
+
+
+
+ Read the passage a couple of times, pausing between to let it sink in.
+
+
+
+ Take a little while to listen to the sounds around you.
+
+ Hear the cars going by
+
+ Notice movement in the house
+
+ Notice the sounds within the room
+
+ As you hear each sound, let it go.
+
+
+
+ Go in imagination to the river where John the Baptist is preaching and
+ baptising.
+
+ See the river. What is it like? Wide? Deep? Shallow? Look at it.
+
+ What is the weather like? Sun or cloud, rain?
+ Feel the breeze.
+
+ Notice the people.
+ John the Baptist.
+ His disciples.
+
+ Yourself.
+
+
+
+ Jesus walks by.
+
+ Hear John say, ‘Behold, the Lamb of God.’
+
+ Two disciples follow Jesus. Watch them.
+
+ You go with them.
+
+ Walk with Jesus and the disciples.
+
+ Listen to their conversation.
+
+ If they are not talking, just walk with them. Hear Jesus ask, ‘What do you
+ want?’
+
+ Hear their response, ‘Where do you live?’
+
+ Jesus says, ‘Come and see.’
+
+ Go with them.
+
+
+
+ Let the disciples drop behind a little.
+
+ You are now walking with Jesus.
+
+ Hear Him ask you, ‘What do you want?’
+
+ Hear your own response.
+
+
+
+ You arrive at the house, go in with Him.
+
+ Stay with Him as long as you want to.
+
+
+
+ Take a little time to notice how you feel and to reflect back on the time
+ of prayer.
+
+ If you are with others, share a little with each other.
+
+
+
Examen of Consciousness
+
+
+
+
+
+
+ St Ignatius of Loyola developed a pattern of looking back over the day,
+ the week, the year, to see what is life-giving. It is a way of using
+ little things to get in touch with our deepest desires, our most real
+ selves, and when in touch with ourselves, we can make choices which are
+ more life-giving for us. The exercise which follows has its roots in
+ Ignatius’ Examen.
+
+
+
+ Decide before starting whether you are looking at a day, a week, or what
+ period.
+
+
+
+ Take a while to become still.
+
+ Listen to the sounds around and let go of them.
+
+ Breathe in God’s unconditional love, and breathe it out to all around (the
+ atmosphere as well as the people).
+
+ Breathe in God’s love.
+
+ Breathe out God’s love.
+
+
+
+ For what am I most grateful?
+
+ For what am I least grateful?
+
+
+
+ When did I feel most alive?
+
+ When did I feel life draining out of me?
+
+
+
+ What gave me the most life?
+
+ What took life from me?
+
+
+
+ What was today’s high point?
+
+ What was today’s low point?
+
+
+
What was most special about that moment? Enter it again, absorb it.
+
+
What was difficult? Accept the feelings. Let God’s love fill you.
+
+
Give thanks for all, whether good or bad.
+
+);
diff --git a/react-router-app/app/the-convent/Home.tsx b/react-router-app/app/the-convent/Home.tsx
new file mode 100755
index 0000000..4143da9
--- /dev/null
+++ b/react-router-app/app/the-convent/Home.tsx
@@ -0,0 +1,20 @@
+import * as React from 'react';
+import ionaComingInDoor from './images/IonaComingInDoor.jpg';
+
+export const homePath = '/home';
+
+export const Home: React.FC> = (_props) => (
+ <>
+
+
The Convent
+
+
A mini-site dedicated to the television programme 'The Convent'.
+
+
+ );
+}
diff --git a/react-router-app/app/the-convent/Why.tsx b/react-router-app/app/the-convent/Why.tsx
new file mode 100755
index 0000000..ec74243
--- /dev/null
+++ b/react-router-app/app/the-convent/Why.tsx
@@ -0,0 +1,54 @@
+import * as React from "react";
+import { Card, CardImg, CardBody, CardText } from "reactstrap";
+import communityPhoto from "./images/CommunityPhoto.jpg";
+
+export const whyPath = "/why";
+
+export const Why: React.FC> = (_props) => (
+ <>
+
Why?
+
+
+ Early in 2005 we were approached by Tiger Aspect, the film company who had
+ made the very successful TV programme, ‘The Monastery’, to see whether we
+ would be willing to be part of a similar programme for five women, which
+ would be called ‘The Convent’.
+
+
+
+ Our first response was pretty negative. This was due in part to previous
+ disappointing engagements with the media. More weighty, though, was the
+ commitment we have made to a life of silence and solitude, within an
+ enclosure into which people would normally be given entrance only for very
+ specific and necessary reasons. The thought of five strangers, along with
+ a crew of camera and sound people, plus their equipment, being with us
+ from dawn to dusk for 6 weeks, seemed too disruptive to contemplate!
+
+
+
+ Over the following months, as we watched ‘The Monastery’, which impressed
+ us deeply, heard friends, and then met with Abbot Christopher, we grew in
+ openness to the idea that perhaps, with a bit of negotiation (eg 4 women
+ rather than 5, as our home is so much smaller than Worth), we could do it,
+ and might be willing to. After long discernment we took a vote in the
+ community and a large majority were now in favour.
+
+
+
+ Ultimately our reasons for doing the programme were focused on our desire
+ to do something to spread the knowledge of the kingdom of God, and of
+ God’s overwhelming love for us all as individuals, whatever our walk of
+ life. If nothing else comes through in the four programmes, we would like
+ to think that everyone who sees it will have some understanding of how
+ much God loves everyone and that we in Arundel are here to be channels of
+ that love in our world of today.
+
+
+
+
+
+ The Community
+
+
+
+);
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diff --git a/react-router-app/app/the-convent/index.tsx b/react-router-app/app/the-convent/index.tsx
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+++ b/react-router-app/app/the-convent/index.tsx
@@ -0,0 +1,35 @@
+import { Container } from 'reactstrap';
+import { Navigate, Route, Routes } from 'react-router';
+import { Menu } from './Menu';
+import { Home, homePath } from './Home';
+import { Why, whyPath } from './Why';
+import { Angela, angelaPath } from './seekers/Angela';
+import { Debi, debiPath } from './seekers/Debi';
+import { Iona, ionaPath } from './seekers/Iona';
+import { Vik, vikPath } from './seekers/Vik';
+import { ProducerComments, producersCommentsPath } from './production-team/ProducersComments';
+import { PhotoGallery, photoGalleryPath } from './production-team/PhotoGallery';
+import { GuidedPrayer, guidedPrayerPath } from './GuidedPrayer';
+
+export default function TheConvent() {
+ const conventRootPath = '/the-convent';
+ return (
+ <>
+
+
+
+ } />
+ } />
+ } />
+ } />
+ } />
+ } />
+ } />
+ } />
+ } />
+ } />
+
+
+
+ );
+}
diff --git a/react-router-app/app/the-convent/production-team/PhotoGallery.tsx b/react-router-app/app/the-convent/production-team/PhotoGallery.tsx
new file mode 100755
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--- /dev/null
+++ b/react-router-app/app/the-convent/production-team/PhotoGallery.tsx
@@ -0,0 +1,45 @@
+import * as React from "react";
+import { Card, CardImg } from "reactstrap";
+import tiggers1 from "./images/Tiggers1.jpg";
+import tiggers2 from "./images/Tiggers2.jpg";
+import tiggers3 from "./images/Tiggers3.jpg";
+import tiggers4 from "./images/Tiggers4.jpg";
+
+export const photoGalleryPath = "/photo-gallery";
+
+export const PhotoGallery: React.FC> = (
+ _props
+) => (
+ <>
+
+ Photo Gallery of the Tigger Team
+
+
+
+ Just as much present to us during the making of this Documentary were the
+ camera and sound teams – Sandi, Elizabeth, Rebecca, Mel and Helen. Sandi,
+ Elizabeth and Rebecca had, in fact, stayed in our Enclosure before the
+ filming started in order to get the feel of our life, and they immediately
+ fitted in very well. While they were here they became known as the
+ ‘Tiggers’, the diminutive form of the Company – Tiger Aspect Productions.
+ We miss them and are always pleased to see them when they visit. Here are
+ some pictures of them at work:
+
+ A view from the Executive Producer, John Blake
+
+
+
What were we trying to do?
+
+
+ We never pretended that our volunteers were going to learn how to be nuns.
+ We didn’t set out to recruit members for the Roman Catholic church, even
+ less were we looking for novices. We had no ambitions for Christian
+ conversion. We simply offered 4 people the unique opportunity to live
+ alongside an enclosed order, and to follow their life.
+
+
+
+ We had a two-fold purpose – first to find a way to explain the traditions
+ and purpose of monastic life in terms that might seem relevant to a
+ contemporary TV audience, second to explore some issues of modern women’s
+ life – such as ambition, achievement, relationships, esteem – in a context
+ that might shed more light than the ‘10 ways to self-improvement’ style of
+ much contemporary journalism.
+
+
+
Why did people take part?
+
+
+ More than 500 women volunteered to take part in THE CONVENT. The
+ production team was impressed that so many were keen to discover what a
+ religious life was all about.
+
+
+
+ There were many motives – some candidates were profoundly unhappy about a
+ recent life experience, some knew that their reasons were more
+ deep-seated, some were purely intellectual, some had never been able to
+ ‘get’ religion at all but were curious, even envious, about the impact
+ that faith made on the lives of close friends or relatives. Very few were
+ observant religious followers. Some had a trace memory of prayer or
+ worship, as a child. Most felt they were missing something – they had a
+ spiritual gap that the material gifts of contemporary life didn’t seem to
+ fill.
+
+
+
Why did we choose Angela, Debi, Iona and Victoria?
+
+
+ We had no stereotypes in mind when we began our search. We wanted to find
+ people whose personal stories might resonate with a wide range of women,
+ and also male viewers. Our main criteria for selection were that the
+ motives were sincere, and that the volunteers had an ‘open heart’. They
+ needed to be psychologically strong enough to undertake the challenge of
+ separation from friends and family, while they were confronting their own
+ issues in a rigorous and disciplined environment. All four fitted the bill
+ in different ways – even though the experience was to challenge each of
+ them to extremes.
+
+
+
Does ‘The Convent’ make good television?
+
+
+ We knew from making THE MONASTERY that some core principles of monastic
+ life – community, discipline and silence – had struck a chord not only in
+ the surprised volunteers but also with an exceptionally large TV audience.
+ Clearly we were onto something. That series regularly attracted nearly 2.4
+ million viewers.
+
+
+
What can the programmes achieve?
+
+
+ I hope that THE CONVENT will touch people in ways they had forgotten
+ television could – maybe they will find an echo of their own lives, a
+ personal resonance whose frequency has been lost in the airwaves.{" "}
+
+
+
+ Hopefully we have shown that TV programmes on religious subjects can be
+ funny, emotional, accessible, gripping and stimulating. We hope we are not
+ preaching to the converted, and indeed, we hope we have not preached at
+ all. We hope that THE CONVENT might help people deal with important issues
+ in their lives and explore profound spiritual values at the same time.
+
+
+
+ It would be good if the benefits of the programmes go beyond the
+ experience of our four volunteers. Viewers will have a unique opportunity
+ to glimpse into the world of the Poor Clares, and they will see a world of
+ compassion, love and beauty. They will see a daily struggle for
+ discipline, honesty and truth and they might just begin to wonder
+ themselves how that might come about.
+
+
+);
diff --git a/react-router-app/app/the-convent/production-team/images/Tiggers1.jpg b/react-router-app/app/the-convent/production-team/images/Tiggers1.jpg
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diff --git a/react-router-app/app/the-convent/seekers/Angela.tsx b/react-router-app/app/the-convent/seekers/Angela.tsx
new file mode 100755
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--- /dev/null
+++ b/react-router-app/app/the-convent/seekers/Angela.tsx
@@ -0,0 +1,54 @@
+import * as React from "react";
+import { Card, CardImg, CardBody, CardText } from "reactstrap";
+import seekerAngela from "./images/SeekerAngela.jpg";
+
+export const angelaPath = "/angela";
+
+export const Angela: React.FC> = (_props) => (
+ <>
+
+
+
+ Angela
+
+
+
+
Angela
+
+
Why I applied to go to the convent
+
+
+ As a Sales Manager in my early forties my life consisted of an hour’s
+ journey to work, long manic stressful days at the office and a single but
+ unfulfilling personal life. Despite the fact that work success meant
+ having a nice car and home, expensive holidays and being able to eat out
+ and buy clothes whenever I wanted, being single without children, with a
+ number of failed relationships behind me, and coming home to an empty
+ house each night, left me thinking that there must be something more to
+ life. I wondered if faith was the answer but never had or made the time to
+ explore this or even really thought about what I wanted to do with the
+ next forty years of my life. A chance e-mail from a colleague advertising
+ for a stressed business person to spend 6 weeks in a convent seemed like
+ the perfect opportunity for me to temporarily leave the rat race, take
+ time out and explore other alternatives, both personally and spiritually,
+ and as a bit of an adventurer take an opportunity I felt would never come
+ again.
+
+
+
Angela - How I felt when I left
+
+
+ After 6 terrific weeks in the convent a big part of me was reluctant to
+ leave the oasis of quiet and tranquility at Arundel and return to a life
+ without all the love and care of the nuns who I now consider to be my
+ friends. Upon leaving, and since I have returned to life outside the
+ enclosure, I have an inner peace that I am determined to hold onto
+ whatever I do. I feel privileged to have been able to share 6 precious
+ weeks with the wonderful nuns and participate in the journey with 3 other
+ very interesting women and I am a much happier, more relaxed person as a
+ result. It was hard to leave the nuns and that lifestyle but it is also
+ exciting that I have an opportunity to put what I learned there into
+ practice to be happy for the next 40 years.{" "}
+
+
+);
diff --git a/react-router-app/app/the-convent/seekers/Debi.tsx b/react-router-app/app/the-convent/seekers/Debi.tsx
new file mode 100755
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--- /dev/null
+++ b/react-router-app/app/the-convent/seekers/Debi.tsx
@@ -0,0 +1,222 @@
+import * as React from "react";
+import { Card, CardImg, CardBody, CardText } from "reactstrap";
+import seekerDebi from "./images/SeekerDebi.jpg";
+import theConventDebiRecipe from "./images/TheConventDebiRecipe.jpg";
+
+export const debiPath = "/debi";
+
+export const Debi: React.FC> = (_props) => (
+ <>
+
+
+
+ Debi
+
+
+
+
Debi
+
+
+ Six weeks. Those two words jumped off the e-mail had been sent about the
+ programme. Only those two words seem to spin in my head for days and
+ nights of indecision. Finally I decided that this project could be the
+ opportunity to heal an open wound I had walked around with for nearly 40
+ years. It would allow me to recreate a very painful set of circumstances
+ and be put in a different role. There was a gravitational pull to do this
+ that became overwhelming and it went from something I couldn’t possibly
+ contemplate doing, to a consuming need to do. I knew there would be a
+ price to be paid and it could mean public condemnation and the loss of a
+ business I had spent 5 years working on. I decided on balance that the
+ possible reward of self healing would mean more to me and my family.
+
+
+
+ It occurred to me that when people see the programme they will just see me
+ crying, eating vast amounts of cabbage and praying and wonder what on
+ earth it was all about! My time in The Convent was and will probably
+ always remain a passage from one way of life to another. The process was
+ nothing short of personally cathartic for me and it allowed me to work
+ through a childhood pain with an adult perspective. I received answer from
+ an environment and gained an experience that I am convinced I could not
+ have got at any other time or place or people.
+
+
+
+ Initially I found the way of life hard and extreme, but by halfway through
+ the project I began to feel a deepening realization of my place in the
+ universe, the events that shaped my life and a healthier perspective of
+ God. I found Readings at Early Prayer a particular help and although it
+ was a huge struggle to get up at 5 a.m. every morning, it set the day up
+ for me and would give me a focus to walk around with in my heart all day.
+ The hardest thing I found was the daily battle to contain my pain and
+ grief of separation from my child and husband and at the same time remain
+ focused on my original need to enter The Convent. The daily struggle often
+ left me physically and emotionally exhausted. I personally never left the
+ convent for the entire duration and now with hindsight I can see how that
+ was crucial to the process. I wanted that entire enclosed feeling and
+ total immersion into a different way of life. It was an immense and
+ overwhelming experience and knowing that I gave up to it all, has without
+ a doubt been worth every tear shed.
+
+
+
Debi - After
+
+
+ The Sisters are without exception the most caring and understanding people
+ I have ever met in my life. All during that time in their home I felt
+ immensely privileged and in awe of their devotion to a way of life that
+ for most of us is alien and hidden. I had and will always have the highest
+ respect for them all. I miss them all terribly and at times have felt a
+ little lost without their company.
+
+
+
+ My life since leaving The Convent has mainly been a battle with depression
+ and the practical responsibilities of being a mother, wife and children’s
+ entertainer. I unraveled so much of my past and its pain that it is taking
+ time to wind in the yarn of a very disjointed life. I think it is because
+ I totally immersed myself in the project that I am now finding it a hard
+ and slow process to work through what happened to me in there. On a
+ positive note, however, I have made changes to my lifestyle and
+ perspective of myself and others which is having a wonderful impact on my
+ life and also my family. When we left, the Sisters made and gave us
+ wonderful gifts to remember them by. Without a doubt the greatest gift I
+ received was my self-esteem and the knowledge that I am loved for who I am
+ and I am not to blame for the choices that others make.
+
+
+
+
+
+ The night before we were due to leave the convent, we had a celebration
+ farewell party with the Sisters. We were asked to do a little something in
+ the way of entertainment and this idea came to me the afternoon of the
+ party. Excuse the rough and ready style but I hope I get the message
+ across. I started by saying that I thought I would tell a funny story.
+ It’s what I do after all, I’m a children’s Storyteller. But then I though
+ hard and decided that my whole time in the Convent had been a challenge so
+ why stop now. All the time before and during my time in the Convent I was
+ terrified at the prospect of having to cook, as I am a hopeless cook. My
+ idea of a recipe is ‘pierce film and place in oven’. But I realized that
+ afternoon that I had learned to cook, despite my relatively little time
+ with the Aga. This is what I made.
+
+
+
+
+
+ Debi mixing
+
+
+
+
Debi Cake
+
+
+ Firstly you will need a large container that has high sides so none of the
+ mixture can escape.{" "}
+
+
+
+ The first ingredient is QUIETNESS. This is quite difficult to come by but
+ it is an essential ingredient as nothing will bind together without it.
+ Probably the best place to start looking is in your head. You can get a
+ better quality of quietness from your heart although that is difficult to
+ come by for most of us, so your head is a good place to start. When you
+ have found quietness empty into the container and this become the base for
+ a Debi. IMPORTANT … Make sure there are no noisy lumps still left before
+ adding the next ingredient.
+
+
+
+ The next thing you need is PRAYER. Prayer and Quietness can curdle if you
+ add the two together too quickly. So the trick here is to add a little of
+ each ingredient a little at a time. A little quietness, a little prayer
+ and so on until the two have blended nicely and evenly together. This
+ mixture should then be left to just settle in a quiet place away from any
+ distractions.
+
+
+
+ When you feel your Debi is quiet and happy with prayer only then is she
+ ready for some GUIDANCE. This can be found in any good Bible, again just
+ add a little at a time. This can be topped up by impartial advice and
+ sensible opinions from people who genuinely care. Fold the guidance gently
+ into the mixture so that all three ingredients give the Debi a different
+ perspective. Perspective is an essential stage as without it the next
+ ingredient will not blend.
+
+
+
+ Next and probably most importantly is LOVE. You can get love from any good
+ Nun as they are usually overflowing with it and have plenty to spare. Nuns
+ come in all manner of shapes and sizes but that has no bearing or
+ influence on the amount of love they can give. There is no need to worry
+ about plain or self raising. As a rule, ALL Nuns are self raising.
+
+
+
+ Be sure to put in plenty of love. Do not worry about overdoing it. The
+ rule here is, you can never have too much love. Stir in all the love, pick
+ up the quietness and prayer from the sides and gather the guidance as you
+ stir. It is a good idea to add a pinch of HUMILITY and ACCEPTANCE as this
+ stage to give the Debi a greater degree of perspective.
+
+
+
+ You may get tired at this stage. Blending all these ingredients in the
+ right way at the right stages is hard work and the mixture can fight
+ against the blending method. There is a temptation to just rush the
+ mixture, but by far the best and most resilient result comes from slow and
+ constant.
+
+
+
+ At this stage you may find your Debi has become a bit sloshy,..DON’T PANIC
+ !! This is due to Love. It can be hard to stir in love if your Debi has no
+ acceptance. If this is the case add some more humility and another pinch
+ of acceptance and you will find the love begins to bind. Remember also
+ that the sloshiness is due to the mixture producing vast amounts of tears,
+ a common effect when love is poured in.{" "}
+
+
+
+ Now, the mixture is ready for the oven. The Nuns have a very powerful and
+ reliable oven in the Convent. It is called ‘GOD’. Set God on high.
+ Position the Debi somewhere in the middle between self esteem and self
+ worth, step back and let God do the rest. The warmth from God will help
+ the mixture rise and take on a whole new appearance. Cooking time is
+ around six weeks. You can check to see if your Debi is ready by adding a
+ last minute crisis and some stressful challenge. If she bounces back she
+ is ready to be turned out back into the world.
+
+
+
+ When the Debi is turned out she should be less anxious and fearful, and
+ have a good sense of self esteem and acceptance that there are some things
+ in the world that she is neither to blame for or can be explained but most
+ importantly that God loves her no matter what.
+
+
+
+ Finally serve her up to waiting and adoring husband and children and she
+ in turn should be able to sustain and nurture her family and friends with
+ all the healthy ingredients contained within.
+
+
+
+
+
+ Isn’t it ironic that the very thing I was most worried about has been the
+ very thing I have accomplished the best. People ask me what is the biggest
+ lesson I have learnt or taken from my experience and time in The Convent.{" "}
+
+ In August 2005 I’d been traveling around the south of France and when I
+ got back friends from church came to me with the idea of going into The
+ Convent, as they’d seen adverts for it and thought of me. I thought it an
+ interesting idea but not very relevant to my life and where it was going .
+ . .and as I’m a singer and very much wanted one day to get married, it
+ didn’t seem right.
+
+
+
+ I went away on a Christian Week Away called Soul Survivor. While I was
+ there I had a vision of God being my husband and God putting a question
+ mark over the idea of me getting married one day . . in part this was
+ amazing and beautiful but also I felt my heart somehow break. I knelt down
+ by a river in the midday sun and DID A DAVID! I sat and sobbed and gave it
+ to God. I shouted and sang and worshipped God and asked God to change my
+ heart if this really was the plan! But God was put into his rightful place
+ in my life: THE ABSOLUTE CENTRE.
+
+
+
+ With this new idea of CELIBACY I spoke to some people from my local church
+ who advised me to speak to the Catholic Church as it has Nuns who might
+ have some answers for me on HOW YOU DO THIS PRACTICALLY. So I went to the
+ Documentary people and told them a little of my story. If it was right
+ that I go then God would make it happen, in his amazing way. My other
+ reasons for wanting to go were I imagined Nuns to be devoted in the way
+ that I’m devoted to God and I suppose I wanted kindred Spirits in Christ.
+ I was very scared of Nuns, but they had what I wanted in part, a
+ completely surrendered life. I didn’t want to be a Nun as that is not my
+ calling, but the Passion and Completeness I wanted. Amazingly, they let me
+ in!
+
+
+
Iona - After
+
+
+ So much happened while I was in the Convent, my life had been enriched,
+ but that enriching process had taken down my London Armour as it was so
+ safe and disconcerting within those walls. In London I’m independent and
+ really have to fight for myself in a pretty scary environment of the music
+ industry and the London streets. I have no one but God to Protect and
+ Defend me. So when I left I felt completely exposed. I saw my family which
+ was really safe and beautiful; I saw my little brother, Hec, in Les
+ Miserables, and I got half way through and just felt so naked and
+ vulnerable that I had to find somewhere silent to have a bit of peace
+ before the second half. It was like having been in Heaven then sent back
+ out into a very rude, grubby little world. I had Culture Shock going in,
+ but the Culture Shock on leaving was so much worse!
+
+
+
+ The love and friendship of the Nuns has meant so much to me since leaving.
+ I hadn’t expected things in my life to change and the gift of silence
+ which is naturally so alien to me, I now treasure and seek out. Today I am
+ called to live “DEVOTED IN BODY AND SPIRIT TO GOD” which gives me no plan
+ long term, but gives me the space just to be me with God, not waiting for
+ a man to sweep me off my feet but not averse to the idea, if and when God
+ chose.
+
+
+
+ The Nuns of the Poor Clares in Arundel have become my Sisters and a
+ Blessing in my life I didn’t think I’d ever receive. But my life is
+ getting wilder again and busyness can overtake me, but very occasionally
+ I’ll go to Mass or follow the Office of Readings along with them, when I’m
+ not racing around from meeting to studio on my bike. My time with them is
+ irreplaceable and one of the painful but beautiful times of my life.
+
+ I am not a Christian, nor do I hold any particular faith. I was raised
+ without religious influence and did not attend Church. I was never given
+ religion as an answer to any of my questions in life, but I did read a lot
+ of poetry that contained questions about the meaning of life. In many
+ respects, I was raised an atheist but I have grown over the years to
+ understand a sense of my own spiritual journey, both as a woman and as a
+ poet. The opportunity to take part in the programme proposed a challenge –
+ of both facing my own resistance to religion and also of giving time and
+ space and reflection into myself. When I saw the advert, it struck
+ something very deep inside – an awareness of my own deep need for that
+ space and silence. I simply knew it was where I had to be and what I had
+ to do.
+
+
+
+ In my life I have always tried to listen closely to those little signs and
+ whispers as guides to my path. This one was like a big tannoy announcement
+ – so I did what I knew I had to do, and applied! Believe me, it surprised
+ me and all those I knew and I could not explain it – it was simply a
+ matter of having to trust and be open to the journey. That simple act of
+ trust was an important step for me at that time, as I had lost faith in
+ trusting that intuitive whisper in the past couple of years.
+
+
+
+ In 2003 I had lost my first child in pregnancy. This experience took me
+ deeply into grief and also into a stage in my journey I call “entering the
+ underworld”. The hardest thing was the loss of a deeply seated faith in my
+ path and in Love. I felt cheated and angry and overwhelmed by the scars of
+ life and unbelievably alone. I feared change and I feared trusting in
+ anything. Despite a lifetime of holding that trust through dark and
+ difficult times, I reached a point of exhaustion, anger and crippling
+ inertia and I felt fury at the betrayal, and turned that anger into
+ myself.
+
+
+
+ I knew I could not live a life this way, but I was struggling to find my
+ own way through, and struggling to let in anyone else to help, yet I knew
+ I had to apply for this programme and somewhere, deep inside, I knew that
+ it was meant to be – and true enough, all the obstacles to me taking part
+ just refused to stay put. I was not getting out of this one that easy! I
+ didn’t know what to expect, it was completely outside anything I had
+ experienced before, but I entered it with an open heart, which is all I
+ could bring as my gift. During my time in the Convent, I honoured the
+ experience by writing a fragment, or poem each day. This was Day 1:
+
+
+
+ Day 1
+ Love unfolds its arms to me
+
+ and asks if I am willing.
+
+
+
+ I falter, look for traps;
+ an eye on the door-
+ trust comes less easy.
+
+
+
+ Something, something beckons,
+ whispers yes, nudges doubt along
+ until I find myself saying
+
+
+
+ come in, come in
+ and enter my house,
+
+ even if its ways will break
+ the careful order of my rooms.
+
+
+
Vik - And afterwards...
+
+
+ During my time with the Sisters, I felt my heart open and I faced my own
+ reluctance to surrender and listen to something deeper – that whisper of
+ Love. The experience helped me to trust and find strength in my path, to
+ trust in who I am and to allow my path to unfold into its truth. It is a
+ journey that continues as every day I am opening to it.{" "}
+
+
+
+ In chapel one night, tired and worn by the weight of a lifetime of
+ following a path and getting wounded along the way, I prayed harder than I
+ have ever done before – and I did what I have never done before – I wept
+ and surrendered all the pain and anger and frustration and doubts and said
+ “OK – you have it” - and in the silence I felt it taken from me, my body
+ filled with light and I heard a simple question: “Do you choose this path?
+ Now is your time of choice – because you do not have to walk it – it can
+ be taken from you now, and you can go in peace.” I knew at that time, that
+ this really was a time to choose and from deep within me, I answered “I
+ choose this path”, and I realized, as I heard it inside myself, that this
+ was true. For all its times of trouble and grief, I knew it was my path to
+ follow – the path of Love, the journey of the Fool – and I knew it was the
+ path I had always followed.
+
+
+
+ I didn’t know where it would lead, but I embraced it, and myself, and
+ simultaneously, felt embraced. Recently I re-found my initial application
+ to the programme and in it I wrote:
+
+
+
+ “Perhaps this experience is a way of engaging in my life and maybe a
+ chance to come to some state of ‘grace’ in the grief of losing my child.
+ Maybe too it is a chance to put to rest a past and to embrace a future.
+ But mostly, it is a chance to quietly listen . . .”
+
+
+
+ And it was. I am still on the journey, and coming to terms with expressing
+ my own spirituality is a challenge. I still do not agree with much of
+ organized religion, and I have not ‘converted’ but I have found in my life
+ the courage to at least express my truth and my sense of the divine, and I
+ have found a deeper faith in who I am and love that woman, as deeply as
+ she was accepted and loved by the Sisters at Crossbush, and by that
+ something ‘other’ that for now, I do not name, but know.
+
+
+
+ The journey continues as I too continue to unfold . . so to close, here is
+ the poem from Day 40. May the river always keep flowing...
+
+
+
+ Day 40
+
+ O Love –
+ you have shattered me,
+
+ poured me out
+ like the river to the sea;
+
+
+ let me keep flowing.
+
+
+ ) : (
+
+ 
+
+ )} */}
+
+
+ 
+
+
+
+ 
+
+