The celebration of the church's public prayer, the liturgy, has drawn people to the Abbey family more than any other element of our Mission. The Abbey is known as a place where the Word of God is preached effectively and where the talents of the entire congregation come together in planning for and celebrating the Eucharist, and Morning, Noon and Evening Prayer seven days a week [see schedule]. The Constitutions of our Order demand that our prayer be open to all who join us in prayer and that our celebration of the liturgy be hospitable, that is, easily open to the full, conscious and active participation called for by the Second Vatican Council.
Norbertine spirituality finds its inspiration in the Charism of St Norbert our founder, and a community way of life as expressed in the rule of St. Augustine.
We seek to emulate Norbert in his zeal and dedication as a priest, bishop, apostle of the Eucharist, peacemaker, and renowned preacher of the Gospel.
We live an active liturgical, apostolic, and ecclesial life dedicated to serving the Church especially through our liturgical and prayer life celebrated in the Abbey Church. In our vow formulation, we proclaim our self-donation to ministry with these words:
"I offer myself to the Church and promise in the spirit of St. Augustine and St. Norbert, a life of continuing spiritual conversion."
In deepening our relationship with the Lord, we are led by these burning words of St. Augustine:
"0 God you have made us for yourself. Our hearts are restless and they will never rest until they rest in you."
In our ministries inside and outside the Abbey, we are nourished by an active- contemplative prayer life. We Norbertines daily break bread at two tables, the the Eucharistic table of the Lord and the table of hospitality and agape.
"We consider light as an attitude. That is, we can choose to either think light or think dark. When we are thinking light, we bring to any set of problems an uncontaminated clarity that can dissolve difficulties."
Daylesford Abbey welcomes you to join a very unique group of over twenty-five people, a family of friends brought together by the cross of their cancer diagnosis. There is great diversity in the group. There are men, women, support persons, survivors and some still undergoing treatment - all faiths are welcome!
When do we meet? The fourth Saturday of each month (10:00 a.m. for refreshments and socialization) At 10:30 a.m., we begin our meeting. The group is encouraged to keep a journal, read and educate themselves.
Our group focuses on being a "light" to one another and we are encouraged not to dwell on our illness but to center ourselves on our healing and the gift we are to each other. Linda Christopher, breast cancer survivor, Norbertine Associate and Assistant Director of the Spirituality Center, began the group over four years ago. Linda leads the group but also engages special presenters to discuss other topics, for example, nutrition, music and art therapy, meditation and spiritual reflections - all to assist in the healing process.
For further information, you can contact Linda Christopher at 610.647.2530 ext. #135 or email Linda at lindachristopher@daylesford.org.
The Children's Bible Class is for children ages 4 years to 7/8 years (until First Communion age). It takes place during the 10:30 mass. This is a more structured program in which the children listen to a Bible story, discuss the story, and do crafts related to the story. The lessons and crafts are already planned out and then taught by parents.
Director: Mary Frances Szpila
Phone #: 610-293-0199
Location: Pennings Conference Room in Abbey
This is a sister ministry to Outreach
Acts of kindness and caring for those within the community of Daylesford Abbey.
Mission Statement of the In-Reach Ministry:
In-Reach is a ministry dedicated to assist those within the community of Daylesford Abbey with their short-term needs. In-Reach is open to anyone who wishes to help their brothers and sisters in Christ during times of difficulty.
Ways In-Reach can assist you . . .
Errands and food shopping
Short-term meals
Transportation to an appointment or treatment
Visiting the sick
Who to contact . . . Sheila Connor at 610-688-2799
The babysitting/nursery program is a free service during the 10:30 Mass which is provided by parents and responsible teens. We accommodate children between the ages of 9 months and 4 years. There are many toys to play with and books to read.
Directors: Mark and Mary Frances Szpila
Phone #: 610-293-0199
Location: Nietzel Conference Room in Abbey
The Homily Ministry exists to extend the reach of the hospitality and preaching of the professed Norbertine Community of Daylesford Abbey and to preserve it for the nourishment of future generations seeking an understanding of the Word made Flesh for all of us.
Sunday Homilies are presently available on a cassette tape. Phone or mail your request to Homily Ministry c/o Daylesford Abbey or email Carol Gilardi (ceevg@verizon.net). Give your name, address, phone number, the date of homily desired and/or the name of the homilist. A $5.00 donation per tape is desired to cover the costs of this ministry; please include with your request or place in the Sunday collection basket in an envelope marked Homily Ministry.
Open Arms, a reconciling ministry with the gay community, exists to present a loving and welcoming presence to our adult gay brothers and sisters, their families and friends, and to provide an atmosphere of understanding and support as suggested by the American Catholic Bishops in their pastoral message, Always Our Children. Our goals for the future are to live out our mission statement and the Abbeys vision statement by working towards inclusively and reconciliation. Open Arms Meets the third Monday of each month at 7:30 pm.
For further information please contact Joe & Carolann McFadden, 610-353-2951 or openarmscj@yahoo.com or Brother Jack Ginder, O'Praem. 610-647-2530 ext. 632 or openarmsjg@yahoo.com
The ministry of Abbey ushers is one of greeting and welcome, hosting and hospitality, to the regular and visiting participants at the Abbey's liturgies. Hopefully, it is conducted with the same spirit as that extended to invited guests at a home. Ideally, beyond seating and distribution of programs, ushers attempt to anticipate and meet the physical and informational needs of the assembly with confidence, calm and reassurance.
Usher contact person is Marge McGann mhmcgann@aol.com 610-505-0965.
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