» The Solemnity of the Epiphany marked the end of the monastic community's constitutional holiday, and we have now resumed the full round of liturgical and refectory observance, and the guesthouse has re-opened.
» On Thursday next Fr Abbot will travel to Washington in County Durham to take the funeral of one of his cousins. Also on Thursday the resident community will be hard at work till lunchtime cleaning the abbey church, as we do twice each year. It is probably best not to call or visit while we are toiling over hot mops, brooms and polishers.
» Last week we welcomed Fr Francis back to Douai as he begins a three-month sabbatical here, to undertake some personal study. In his absence his parish of Kemerton will served by Fr Felix Stephens OSB of Ampleforth.