» After some grappling with technology the website has received a modest makeover. If all has gone well, the changes should be most be noticeable on small devices like tablets and smartphones: the site is now "responsive" and should adjust more felicitously to the small screens of mobile devices.
» The monastery has not been short of visitors the last few days, nor will it be in the next few days to come. Last Frtiday the Anglican confirmandi from Winchester College came for a day of recollection at the monastery. On Tuesday we welcomed another groud of pupils from the London Oratory School for the day, as part of that school's weekly pupil excursions to Douai in term time. Also on Tuesday we allowed the abbey church to be used for the funeral of Sylvia Bates, the wife of a staff member at Elstree preparatory school, our near neighbour. Meanwhile, the EBC superiors will be meeting for the day at Douai tomorrow, as will the EBC Continuing Formation Commission. On Saturday a group of governors of EBC schools will make a day of recollection here. And next week a group of clergy from the archdiocese of Cardiff will spend a week on retreat with us.
» Last Friday the Choirmaster took delivery of the freshy printed Douai Kyriale. Attractively and robustly bound, it is intended for use in the abbey church by both monks and congregation at Mass on Sundays and high solemnities. It replaces the paper booklets that so easily become ragged and dog-eared. They are not intended for sale, though there have been a number of enquiries already about purchasing copies.