News

  Just two days ago it was the Martin Luther King Day for ‘justice and righteousness’. Martin Luther King famous of course for having a dream of equality and justice…

Following last year’s joyful re-launch of Easter at New Hall, the Canonesses of the Holy Sepulchre and New Hall School are delighted to invite friends and families to join us…

Is it right to continue hoping despite Gaza…  perhaps there comes a time for despair?   On Wednesday 3rd June David Neuhaus SJ joined us on Zoom from Jerusalem.  We are…

We were delighted to be joined on Zoom by Dr Austen Ivereigh for a talk entitled ‘Hope for the church in a change of era: the legacy of Pope Francis’.…

We are so grateful to Prof Clare Watkins for finding the time to talk to us on the challenging topic of ‘hope in the shadow of clerical abuse in the…

  Please join us on Wednesday 18th February at 7pm for a meditative reflection for Ash Wednesday on Zoom via the link below: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82552676520?pwd=4hTqbp7zofcf5pSB9psHnoO4h9020u.1   You are also very welcome…

“In a world engulfed by crises and confusion, that sow the seeds of division and despair, let us listen anew to the wisdom and young voices of hope that awaken…

The Community invite you to  Meditative Reflection for Advent 2025 at 5.30pm on Zoom  https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87169457333?pwd=3Vx8CGkIzWFttg9FfdVfaWhcUdgkbJ.1   Sunday 30th November – “Learning to wait” Sunday 7th December – “A voice cries out…

The sisters are grateful to all those who give so generously through our Advent appeal, and at other times during the year. You can read more about the life and…

Dear All, We are moving towards the end of the year and today we have a focus on Thanksgiving.  We hope everyone feels that they have something or someone to…

Mary Stephen’s funeral took place on Tuesday 7th October in New Hall chapel. The funeral was a Service of Reflection and Thanksgiving  in accordance with Mary Stephen’s wishes. The  Requiem…

The Community are very sad to share with you that S Mary Stephen (Gillian Grindon-Welch) died at 11.30 am on Tuesday 9th September 2025. She died very peacefully, with all…

We were delighted to welcome Dr Gemma Simmonds CJ to launch our new theme of ‘Finding Hope In Uncertain Times’.  Gemma’s talk entitled ‘Hope: living differently‘ is a reference to…

S. Teresa’s funeral took place on Friday 23rd May in New Hall chapel at 11am. Mass was celebrated by Father Dan Mason. The Mass was followed by a burial in…

The Community are very sad to share with you that S.Teresa (Lenahan) died at midday on Saturday 26 April 2025. Funeral arrangements will follow and will also be on our…

Living with the Questions – Dr Jessie Rogers Wed 7 May at 7pm on Zoom   We were privileged to have Dr Jessie Rogers in our midst once again to…

My Life and My Choice? Exploring the Assisted Dying Debate   We were very privileged to be joined on Zoom by Prof James Woodward on Wed 14 May.  James gave…

The Canonesses of the Holy Sepulchre are seeking an experienced BOOK-KEEPER Hours: 20 per week with some flexibility Rate of pay: according to experience   Information about us   Job…

We are inviting applications for Senior Carer position as per below:   SENIOR CARERS  Experienced Senior Carers required to work in a unique position within a small Religious Community based…

We are recruiting – please see job outline below:   RECRUITMENT – COOK A Cook is required to work in a unique position within a small Religious Community based in…

Easter at New Hall Triduum 17 – 20 April 2025 The Canonesses of the Holy Sepulchre and New Hall School are delighted to invite friends and families to celebrate the…

The sisters are grateful to all those who give so generously through our Advent appeal, and at other times during the year. You can read more about the life and…

The Community and friends began Advent together with a talk by Dr Cormac Begadon and Evening Prayer, followed by mulled wine and mince pies. You can read Cormac’s talk here.…

On Wednesday 22 January, we were delighted to welcome Rev Dr Liam Hayes, to address a large and diverse audience gathered at New Hall, on subject of why people no…

You may be interested to read the article written by Dr Cormac Begadon, about our Community and school in Liège. It appeared in the Tablet in September 2024.   {{…

We began a second year of our series ‘Today’s Big Questions: towards a Christian Response’ with a fabulous in-person talk at New Hall by Prof Tina Beattie. The talk was…

We were happy to see that Cormac Begadon’s research was featured in the Daily Telegraph on Saturday 29 June. Christopher Howse’s piece was partly based on a forthcoming publication by…

On Sunday 28 April, S. Moira was installed as a new Ecumenical Canon of Chelmsford Cathedral. S. Moira was pleased to accept this honorary position on behalf of the Community. …

We are planning another pilgrimage from 22-27 April 2025, journeying along the newly-established St Patrick’s Way in the North of Ireland.  The pilgrimage is open to all faiths and none…

On Friday 8 March 2024, Dr Cormac Begadon visited the Community in Colchester, to report back on the next stage of the excavations on the site where the Community had…

On Saturday 2nd December the Community and guests gathered, at Howe Close, for a talk by researcher Dr Cormac Begadon (University of Durham).  Cormac shared details and insights following exciting…

This Eastertide (2023), we held Reflections on the WAY OF LIGHT – Stations of the Resurrection paintings (by Sister Mary Stephen).  Alongside a slideshow of the images, Sister Mary Stephen…

PLEASE JOIN US TO REFLECT ON THE THEMES OF HOLY SATURDAY 11.30AM 16th APRIL AT BLESSED SACRAMENT CHURCH MELBOURNE AVENUE CM1 2DU     Holy Saturday at Blessed Sacrament Melbourne…

The Community is offering a series of opportunities to meet and reflect during Lent and Eastertide.   REFLECTIONS No need to book in advance, just join us via the Zoom…

Dear All, Already a week of Advent has passed – Lent usually drags a bit on me but Advent – never!  It always seems to spin by hardly allowing time…

The Community welcome all to join them for Advent reflections and prayer – details as follows:   Advent Meditative Reflections Sundays on zoom at 5.30pm for 30 – 45 mins November…

The three little children in the picture above had malnutrition and were cared for at one of the sisters’ Nutrition Centres in Africa. They have now all got better, due…

We were delighted to welcome Dr Cormac Begadon to deliver the Foundation Day Lecture 2021 at New Hall.  Cormac is Assistant Professor (Research): Sepulchrine Fellow in the History of Catholicism at…

On 18 September this year, the eve of the first anniversary of Frances Wood’s death, the Community, family and a few close friends came together to remember Frances (formerly SM…

Following the popularity of TEA BOXES in 2020, & given a little uncertainty about exactly when we will be free from COVID restrictions, we want to invite you to book…

The Bishops’ Conferences of England and Wales and Scotland have chosen a new Bible translation for use at Mass that translates women out of Scripture.  Does this matter, and how…

We were delighted to attend Durham University Centre for Catholic Studies two-evening online event in March 2021.  The series of talks focussed on the importance of the archives of religious…

As part of our 2021 Lenten Reflection series, the Community and friends reflected on the paintings of Sieger Koder, led by Sister Moira. The recording of our reflection can be…

During Lent 2021 the Community led a time of prayer and reflection on the last days of Jesus’ life which centred on Sister Mary Stephen’s paintings of the Stations of…

Enlightenment from within the Cloister? The Canonesses of the Holy Sepulchre and their Embrace of a Global Intellectual Movement We were delighted to welcome Dr Cormac Begadon, on 21 February…

LENT PROGRAMME 2021 (For a downloadable list click on above link)   Wednesday 17th February: 5.30pm for 20-30 minutes Ash Wednesday A reflective moment to start Lent   Mondays in…

Please pray for the repose of the soul of Sister Ann Playfoot who died peacefully on Sunday morning September 6th 2020 in Cherry Wood Grange Nursing Home.   After a…

  At the beginning of June, Dr Cormac Begadon, of Durham University, gave an update on his research to the Community, via a ‘Zoom’ meeting. The path his research is…

GARDEN PARTY FOR AFRICA JULY 5th 2020 is sadly postponed until 2021 BUT………….. would you like an alternative to be delivered to your door (or as a gift to a…

As we all find new ways to pray and reflect, during our time spent in isolation, sometimes images speak louder than words.  In her own words, Sister Mary Stephen explains…

As you might have seen, the historic archives and ancient book collections of the Canonesses was transferred to Durham University in 2018. There a tri-party project has commenced, with an…

The Canonesses of the Holy Sepulchre have pleasure in informing you of the results of their Elections held on 21 & 22 March 2020.   Sister Moira O’Sullivan was elected…

The thoughts and prayers of all our Community are with you – our friends and family. And also with those affected by the Coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak around the world. We…

The sewing group in Melbourne are preparing for Easter! Using their creative talents, learning how-to from each other and from you-tube, the fortnightly group based at Langton Hall is working…

The Community’s library collection featured as February’s ‘Item of the Month’ on Durham University’s Palace Green Library website. Over the next 9 months, the book collection, now in Durham, will…

Last week members of the Community attended a workshop at Durham University to explore the significance of our archive and book collection which the Community gifted to the University in…

Christmas Blessings to all our friends, known and unknown.  

The new Priory building in Kindu, DRC was officially opened and blessed by the Bishop In August this year (2019).  It was a busy time for the sisters, with the…

S. Marie Rose reports that last week there was a flood in the dormitory at the Centre for the Disabled in Muhanga.  ‘It was terrible” she said,  “There was  heavy…

An exciting new community facility – Langton Hall – was opened by the Mayor on 21st September, in the heart of Chelmsford’s Melbourne Estate. The Lord Lieutenant, the High Sheriff,…