Spiritual

Our lives can, on occasion, be very full and busy. It is all too easy to become stressed, forgetting that it is also important to sometimes stop. We invite you to take some time out, and look through what this Spiritual page has to offer. Here you will also find regular updates on the Congregation of Jesus, the Mary Ward Association and forthcoming Spiritual Events.

Online Help to Prayer

We wanted to introduce AOGs to two different websites that offer a different angle to daily prayer:   
 
'Sacred Space' began in Lent a few years ago, as an experiement. In the first 24 hours 2,000 people from all over the world had logged on; running it is now an important Jesuit mission envolving a permanent team of Jesuits. 
 
'Pray as you Go' is a much newer site and is produced, daily, by the English Jesuits.
 

Both sites set a person praying as they sit at their computer; they are not 'about' prayer, but give an opportunity and inspiration for prayer itself here and now that can be used for about 10 mins each day. The success of both sites has amazed people and they are now used daily by millions in every continent. Why not give it a try?

Contact Sisters who once lived at St Mary's

If you would be interested in contacting any of the sisters of the CJ Community, please contact the AOGA Secretary who would be happy to help.

The Congregation of Jesus

2009 marks the 400th Anniversary of the Congregation of Jesus. In addition to the special day of celebration at St Mary's on 17 May, there are several events occurring throughout the year. Please visit the CJ website for more information and full details. Sr Gemma Simmonds wrote an article on the I.B.V.M.'s name change to the Congregation of Jesus, which was printed in The Tablet, and we thought many of you would be interested to read it. Please click on the document at the foot of this page to download and read the article.

Events for Diaries

 

Reflections with Sr Pia Buxton

On Thursday November 12th, 19th and 26th (2009) Sr Pia Buxton will be holding Reflections on Deepening and Widening our Faith in Todays World.   The sessions will be at 3.30 to 4.30pm and then repeated in the evenings from 7.00 to 8.00pm at the RC Church of Our lady Help of Christians in Lady Margaret Road,  5 minutes from Kentish Town Underground station.

Roughly speaking there will be: i) about 10 mins of slightly guided quiet prayer, followed by ii) an imput on prayer, deepening and widening our faith etc and finally  iii) about 15 minutes looking at some reality of the society around us with the eyes of faith.    

Any AOG interested in attending these sessions should contact Sr Pia Buxton direct either by calling 020 7700 3256 (answer-phone available) or better, on email: piabuxton.cj@btinternet.com

If AOGs living in East Anglia would like to form a group for an inspiring guided visit to NORWICH CATHEDRAL, just contact Sr Colett CJ and she will give you one. Tel: 01603 630734

Spiritual Guidance

If you would like help, several CJ sisters are now trained in the ministry of Spiritual Direction. It can be very life giving to find a good listener who can help you with your prayer, your faith journey, your doubts and joys.

If you would be like to get in touch, please ask the AOGA Secretary for contact details of the following CJs who are experienced guides:
(Cambridge) Armine Radley
(London) Mary Ann Flood, Anne Stafford, Pia Buxton, Amadeus Bulger, Gemma Simmonds
(Norwich) Colette Flynn
(York) Cecilia Goodman, Louise Le Marchand 

The Mary Ward Association

The inspiring Yorkshire woman who founded the Congregation of Jesus has left us a legacy, which the CJ want to share with the lay people. We feel Mary Ward has much to offer of suppeort and insight to those trying to live Christian lives in a busy world today.

More details on the Association will be posted here soon.